"Tan, it's not-" Ashley didn't manage to finish her sentence as Tanaga's finger was placed onto her lips, sealing them. "Shhh! You don't need to explain. We'll talk about it in a minute, all right?"
"Tan, it's not fair!!! Why are you ignoring the fact that your goddamn wife is cheating on you? What happened to you? I don't believe this!!!" Ohani was hysterical because it looked like what she did had no effect whatsoever.
Tanaga stood up because he was so fed up with Ohani, he had to approach her. Even still, she kept spouting more nonsense and insults to Ashley. After he had approached *PAK! PAK!* Tanaga gave a couple of heavy slaps on Ohani's face.
"Those slaps are not because you cheated on me and shitted on my head. Those slaps are for your vulgar words and insults towards my beloved wife. If you don't want to feel what it would feel like when getting dragged onto the floor while getting pulled by my bodyguards towards the exit, I suggest you leave now." Tanaga furiously hit Ohani both physically and mentally, who was still standing still as she couldn't believe that her pretty face felt two slaps; both from the couple.
"So this is how it is… you will choose to listen to this trash instead of me – your childhood friend. Just you guys wait… I will get my revenge on all of you! You know me, CEO Tanaga Jones – if I say I will do it, I will do it." Ohani then quickly grabbed her bag before running outside, crying.
Fumika and Sato were standing by the door when she suddenly opened it. The two who were on the way had been pushed by Ohani quite forcefully when she was going out.
The two stared at each other and they were both speechless. Fumika, realizing their situation, swiftly helped Sato get back to his feet. When they finished, they proceeded back to the office to try to eavesdrop on their bosses.
===
Meanwhile, the trio was silently seated at the sofa with no one trying to break the silence. Koji was thinking how to explain things to the couple, while Ashley kept glancing at Tanaga whose face was blank, devoid of any expression. When Koji was about to speak up, Tanaga stole that chance as he spoke first.
"President Hanada, what's going on? What is the meaning of what I had heard a little earlier?" Tanaga's face was serious while he was questioning his cousin.
Koji first glanced at Ashley before answering the question. "What you had seen was not what you think it is. I know that the man in the video is me, but the woman with me is not As-, President Jones," Koji replied while his head was slumping and looking at the floor.
"Hmph! What do you think of me? Blind? I know for a fact that was not Ashley. As a matter of fact... I very well know who that woman was. What I am asking is, why are you spouting my wife's name while you are doing here?" Tanaga had a very serious face and was obviously holding back his anger.
Ashley held her breath and waited for Koji's reply. She was praying that he wouldn't confess to Tanaga that he had feelings for her, because she very well knew how jealous a man Tanaga was.
"So! Why can't you answer? Tell me, do you have feelings for my wife?!" Tanaga asked again while this time the difference was that the previous serious face was nowhere to be seen and what replaced it was a demonic stare that seemed to be able to devour a human soul with a single wrong answer…
Ashley's heart was beating fast, and she almost couldn't breathe while her stares kept alternating between her husband and Koji.
'Do not confess no matter what… Please, Koji, please don't destroy the trust I have with you,' Ashley prayed while still holding her breath.
A few moments later, Koji raised his gentle and kind face. He took a glance towards Ashley. "In truth..."
"In truth, President Jones is like my little sister. So, don't worry if I have feelings for her. If I do not see her as a little sister or if I really have feelings for her, don't you think I have tons of chances when you are out of the picture?" He couldn't say that he had repeatedly tried but was shot down before even flying.
"But did I do anything wrong? No! So, if possible, please do remove your jealousy as I only see her as a little sister." Koji had a stern face while speaking and did not even blink once.
When Tanaga heard what Koji had said, his face suddenly started to brighten, and a small smile had surfaced on his lips. "That's good, because if not… you would have prayed to God that you should have never been born," Tanaga teasingly said, but the threat was a serious one.
'Sigh, Jesus Christ! Thank you very much for the fact that my office didn't suffer a bloodbath. What's with these Japanese people? Both men and women… they are too much!' Ashley thought so before she sighed.
The two looked at Ashley at the same time when they heard Ashley's sigh. She was hesitating when a slight smile surfaced on her lips. Tanaga, on the other hand, had a raised brow while looking closely at his beloved wife's beautiful face.
"Let's change the topic: you haven't yet answered – why did I hear you spout my wife's name?" Tanaga asked again, but this time his voice was several times much gentler than the last time he asked.
Koji didn't waste any time telling the story to the married couple. It would be better if he cleared things up so that Tanaga's suspicion could be cleared. He was planning that after they had this conversation, he would return to Japan so that he could forget Ashley.
"In truth, I myself am not sure what happened that night. Last night, I arrived from Europe and I was too tired. I thought of unwinding, so I went to the bar in the lobby of the hotel. The only thing I am sure of is that I became drunk, and I have no idea what had happened afterward..." Koji was unable to look at them straight face...