The Billionaire's Contracted Wife [English]

While Koji was sitting and waiting for Tanaka to finish whatever he was doing, he was deep in thought.

He needed to figure out how he would talk about the subject while also making sure it didn’t show that he was interested in Ashley. He wanted to make it seem as casual as he possibly could and try to make Tanaga feel that he was simply just concerned for both of them.

He racked his brain, looking for any idea, even though it was still unknown to him that it wasn’t Tanaga he’d be speaking with, but his twin brother instead.

After a few moments, Tanaka finally finished with his work, and he closed the folder of documents he was previously reading. He turned the computer off and headed towards the sofa.

He figured that since it’s almost lunchtime, he’d go to a nice restaurant, bring Koji and eat together. Have a good meal and bond since it had been many years since they last saw each other.

However, when he got up and approached Koji, the man went straight to the point of why he was there, to begin with, being as straightforward and blunt as possible.

"Cousin, we need to talk. I know you won’t approve of my actions, but I had to find out what was going on between you and Ashley," he called her Ashley instead of Mrs. Jones or President Jones, Tanaka noticed, glaring at his cousin due to the words he had just said.

Tanaka decided to play as Tanaga for a moment; he needed to hear what his cousin had to say and what he had said he had done.

Tanaka sat down on the sofa opposite Koji and stared at his cousin. He crossed his leg and sat down, trying to replicate the way Tanaga sat down.

"So what’s so important that you need to talk about with me? You seem upset about something," Tanaka went straight to the point, asking his cousin what he had on his mind.

Koji slid a folder on the table. He took a deep, deep breath before he spoke.

"The last time we met, you said something that got me curious about your relationship with Ashley. First, I did give you the benefit of the doubt that you weren’t using her for your personal benefit, but..." he trailed off.

He composed himself before asking, "What can you say about this? This report clearly states everything about you and Ashley’s relationship. I can’t believe that you’d go as far as hiring a surrogate mother to give you an heir for your empire. I’m disappointed with your cousin. However, it seems that she’s already fulfilled her obligations. Why don’t you go ahead and release her and let her live her own life? She’s so young, let her find her true love," he pleaded emotionally.

Tanaka picked up the file and opened it. He then pulled out the documents inside and read through it quickly. The color of his face went pale as he read the contents of the document. He tried to compose himself, placing the document down while processing his newly found information on his brother’s doings.

"Cousin Koji, before I answer your question, will you answer mine first? Please, tell me, do you have feelings for Ashley? Are you in love with her? That’s why you are asking me to release her and let her find her love? Do you think that you are the one? The one that could make her happy?" Tanaka asked calmly.

Koji didn’t know how to reply. On the one hand, he knew he had feelings for her. On the other, he didn’t know how Ashley felt towards him. Even though he’d give anything to make her happy, he decided to tell the guy he thought was Tanaga the truth.

"Yes, I’m indeed in love with her, and if she reciprocates my feelings, I will do everything in my power to make her happy. Please, I beg you to let her go and let her live her life to the fullest. I know I can make her happy whether she loves me now or not." His voice was filled with sincerity and clarity, and Tanaka knew Koji really did love his sister-in-law with all his heart.

He leaned back. His straight face penetrated through Koji before he decided to unveil his fake facade and reveal who he truly was.

"Cousin, I’m sorry to say this to you. I truly am. I can feel that you truly have feelings for my sister-in-law. Unfortunately, what it’s written in those documents doesn’t mean a thing now. I know that the two love each other very much, and there’s no way that my brother would let her go that easily. I advise you not to dig deeper and tell others what you know about their contract and go back to Japan," he advised.

A headache was forming in his brain, and he wasn’t sure if it was due to hunger or stress.

Being dumbfounded after listening to what Tanaka said, Koji thought, ’He called Ashley sister-in-law, and he called Tanaga his brother. Is this a joke? I know that he lost part of his memory from the accident, but I didn’t know that he could think that he’s a different person. Who does he think he is?’

He was still shocked and deep in his private train of thought when Tanaka stood up and extended his hand.

"Cousin Koji, nice to meet you after so many years. I’m Tanaka, Tanaga’s twin brother who supposedly died in the middle of the ocean with my mother, who’s also alive," he explained, continuously waiting for his cousin to accept his hand.

Koji had to cover his mouth. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He was Tanaga’s twin brother. He inwardly sighed, realizing what he had done, divulging one of his cousin’s secrets to another person.

Tanaka raised his brow, curious why Koji didn’t return the show of gratitude or just being polite in general.

He told his cousin, "I know it’s a lot to take in, especially when you thought I was Tanaga, but why don’t we go and have lunch together so we can talk about this and the...interesting documents you showed me today."

Koji nodded, still in a state of shock. So shocked that he didn’t accept his cousin’s hand.

Tanaka already made his way to the door.

"Are you coming?" He asked as he opened the door and walked out.

After seeing that Tanaka didn’t wait for him, Koji has no choice but to make his way out to follow him slowly.

He passed by Fumika’s desk and was about to ask her if she knew about Tanaka’s identity, but changed his mind. He doesn’t want to make another mistake in divulging someone’s identity if the secretary doesn’t know.

He only nodded to Fumika as he continued to follow Tanaka.

===

The ride to the restaurant was eerie quiet; Koji stared outside the window while Tanaka rested his head and closed his eyes, thinking about the document he just read and on his hands at the moment.

He needed to inform Tanaga that anyone with the right amount of money could obtain his personal pieces of information. If Koji could get a hold of this information, what about their mother? He’s afraid of what she would do if she could get a hold of that darn document.

Speaking of the devil, his cell phone vibrates, and when he takes it out, it’s Naomi on the other line.

He hesitated for a moment. He’s not ready to speak with her yet, but this is his mother, and he knows how she is if he doesn’t pick up the call... She might instead fly and meet him in person. He doesn’t want that to happen anytime soon.

"Yes, mother! Who do I owe the pleasure of speaking with you?" He answered sarcastically.

"Don’t be sarcastic with me right now! I’m not in the mood. Where is your damn brother? The board of directors is waiting; he has not given me the money yet? We could only hold for another week, and they will replace me as the chairwoman. I can’t let that happen. Do you hear me?"

"Mother, he’s not here right now. I’m sure he’s on top of it if he doesn’t want ever to see you messing with his beloved family. I will see what I can do at my end, and please, be patient."

He then quickly ends the call and shoves the phone back inside his jacket.

Koji heard part of the conversation and decided to have a small talk. He remembers seeing an email from Tanaga for some company in Europe that he wanted to acquire, not merge. He put it on hold, thinking it’s nothing that important. Since the company is going downhill already, why hurry.

He figures that if he waited another week, the price would be rock bottom, and they could basically have it for a penny. However, hearing the conversation between the mother and son, it seems that this is very important.

"President Jones, if you don’t mind me asking... Was the company your mother’s own Troship Navigation?" He asked nonchalantly, not wanting to be obvious.

Tanaka looked at Koji for a moment. "Why do you ask? Did you hear something about the deal Tanaga has with our mother? Do you know what he decided to do? Tell me?" Koji now has all of Tanaka’s full attention.

"Well, I did receive the proposal before I left Japan. I didn’t think it was important since CEO Jones didn’t mention anything. He only asked me to look at it and advise if it’s profitable to take over. Do you know anything about this company?" He asked curiously while still staring outside the window.

When Tanaka heard the word take over, he didn’t know what to say. He knows that their mother was asking for financial help but is not interested in selling. She wanted to merge Troship Navigation with THJ Group Marine Division.

But it seems that Tanaga has no intention of letting her do that. He intended to acquire the company and let their mother be the chairwoman as she wishes. He’s not sure it would bode well with their mother if she finds out. She might find a way to get her share from THJ Group instead.

Their mother had been speaking about taking over THJ Group when the old woman passed away, she wasn’t planning on showing her face till then, but it couldn’t help now for her company is going downhill. If she finds out Tanaga’s intention... This will be a big war between mother and son.

Tanaka is now in a dilemma; he’s conflicted about who he would side with when the time comes...

Koji on the other hand could read what Tanaka was thinking at the moment. Something came to mind and he thinks if they worked together, it could be a win-win situation for all three of them...