The Billionaire's Contracted Wife [English]

Seeing that Mrs. Garcia was hesitant to answer her question, Ashley assumed that she didn’t want to give them a ride and preferred to go to work alone.

So, to break the awkwardness, she put on a sweet smile when they reached where she was waiting for them.

"It’s alright if you have other things to do; we don’t mind," she said as a way to try to make the older woman feel better.

Mrs. Garcia felt ashamed of her actions. She quickly waved her hand and dismissed the idea.

"No! No, that’s not why. Actually, it’s because I just don’t drive when I go to work. My husband usually drops me off at work," she explained further, telling the two why she was so hesitant.

Ashley felt bad for the older woman and how the accident had caused her so much trauma. She had to depend on her husband to drop her off at work or go there by bicycle. It was quite the ordeal since it caused her not to be able to sit in front of the driver’s seat anymore.

Ashley wished there was something she could do to help Mrs. Garcia feel more confident about driving. She promised herself that she’d help Mrs. Garcia try to overcome her trauma.

Tanaga, who was listening to the conversation as well and decided to intervene.

He wrapped his arms to his wife’s shoulder before he whispered something to her. Ashley only nodded in response as she listened to what he had to say while Mrs. Garcia stared at the ground.

Once he was finished, Ashley smiled sweetly and gave him a peck on his cheek.

"Thanks, sweetheart!"

Mrs. Garcia was about to say something when Ashley cut her off.

"If you want, you could always ride with us. We could drop you off at work, so you don’t have to ride a bicycle to go there. How’s that?" asked Ashley, hoping that Mrs. Garcia would accept their invitation and ride in their car with them. The two lovebirds wanted to know what she did for a living.

When hearing what Ashley offered, Mrs. Garcia smiled and happily accepted.

"If it’s not going to trouble both of you, it would be my pleasure to ride with you. This way I could also give you a tour around my company. I didn’t get the chance to mention this, but I manage a modeling agency and train young women that are particularly interested in fashion and becoming a beauty queen. I always had a niche for this type of business," she stated proudly. It was visible in her eyes that she was proud of her business as they shined brightly as she looked at the couple and talked about her company.

"Oh, wow! I can’t wait to visit your office. Would you have any of your models in your office today? I don’t mind looking at handsome men," she said casually as she looked at her husband to see if he was jealous. Surprisingly, he didn’t look like he cared.

She was annoyed at him, not caring enough. She pinched him.

"Do you seriously not care if I look at handsome men? Aren’t you supposed to be jealous?" She asked, her eyes wide as a saucer as she glared at her husband, who just grinned at her in return.

As an answer, he said proudly while he stuck his nose in the air.

"What is it with you liking to pinch me all the time? For your information, I’m not jealous because I know I’m more handsome than any other man."

Mrs. Garcia couldn’t help herself and started laughing out loud. She agreed with what he had said about his looks, but she couldn’t help but laugh. If only her husband was this funny and joked this often.

"You’re right with your statement, Mr. Jones. I can attest to that. You’re not mistaken when you say that you could beat all the male models and talents in my company. If you weren’t a CEO for your company, I would’ve offered you a male model or talent job. You sure are one good looking man, Mr. Jones," Mrs. Garcia said, halfway in seriousness, but halfway jokingly as well.

Tanaga puckered his lips while teasing his wife as they made their way out of the car.

"See! You heard what Mrs. Garcia said. I have nothing to be worried about. Even she knows that, and since she’s managed many male models and talents, her opinion can be trusted," he said before he smirked so widely his eyes turned into slits before he entered the company building.

===

The trio walked into the company building to be welcomed in by Mrs. Garcia’s personal secretary.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Garcia, sir, ma’am," she greeted as she followed them to her boss’ office to inform Mrs. Garcia of all her appointments today.

Ashley nudged Tanaga’s shoulder before whispering," Why don’t we go and look around, and let Mrs. Garcia handle her own business, and then afterward we could go for a walk around town. What do you think?"

Tanaga only nodded in agreement while he’s surveying Mrs. Garcia’s office. The place is not bad. Who would think that she has all kinds of achievements under her belt? He was looking at some of the awards and trophies that were displayed in one of the curio cabinets on the side walls.

Ashley tapped his shoulder. "Let’s go! She’s busy at the moment and will come back later when she’s done." She then pulled Tanaga away and headed for the door.

Just in time that the secretary just finished informing Mrs. Garcia something. She looked up and called for Ashley and Tanaga.

"Mr. & Mrs. Jones! If you don’t mind, I would like to ask for your advice in some business manners." She called from behind her desk.

Ashley halted and turned around. "Sure! Whatever it is, if we could help you, we don’t mind." She then nudged Tanaga. "Right, honey!"

"Ha? Yeah! Right! Whatever it is, if we could help you in any way. Sure!" Said Tanaga with a blank look on his face. He’s unsure what he had just agreed on, but whatever it is... For his wife, he would do what he can.

The couple turned around and went towards the sofa and sat down. Once Mrs. Garcia sat down, she handed them the invitation she just received from the people that are handling the beauty contest competition in the Philippines.

Tanaga and Ashley jointly read the invitation, and Tanaga glanced at Mrs. Garcia with a curious look. He’s unsure what she wanted them to look at?

However, Ashley is a different matter. She knew exactly what Mrs. Garcia needed help with. She’s afraid that Dr. Garcia would not let her go to the Philippines to attend to the invitation to be one of the judges.

Ashley looks at Mrs. Garcia straight up with a smile plastered on her lips.

"If you wanted to go, why don’t you. Are you afraid that Dr. Garcia would not let you go? How about this? We will persuade her to let you go if that would help. This is still a long way; it’s not until three months from now. How about you accept it first, and we will worry about the rest later." She suggested that she could help Mrs. Garcia gain approval to travel.

"Are you sure? I’m afraid that I would accept the invitation and then... and then... Oh,’ I hate to be disappointed like always." Sadness was in Mrs. Garcia’s eyes while she’s speaking.

Ashley took Mrs. Garcia’s hands as she spoke. She looked at her straight in her eyes, "you need this. Don’t let Dr. Garcia stop you from finding yourself. As you said, you can’t remember anything right now. Not even your real name. Who knows... this could be the key to you gaining your memory back. So’ go! Don’t let him prevent you in any way."

Tanaga was shocked to learn that Mrs. Garcia doesn’t even know her real name. So, that’s how it is... She had lost her memory, and Dr. Garcia had probably taken advantage of her. No wonder they were an odd couple.

He was wondering why Dr. Garcia was always on the watch whenever Mrs. Garcia was around other people. "What is he hiding?" He’s now curious and intends to help Mrs. Garcia find her memory back if that’s what his wife’s wanted... He would help.

It seems that Ashley could read her husband’s mind and look at him, and her eyes were thanking him in silence.

He only bobbed his head up and down and smiled slightly to let her know that he understood.

Mrs. Garcia let out a sigh of relief to hear what Ashley had advised her. She will heed the advice and worry about it later when the time comes. She let go of Ashley’s hands and called her assistant.

Once her assistant was in front of them, "please, answer the invitation and tell the organizer that I would be more than happy to join the panel of judges. Thank you!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Yes, ma’am!" The secretary answered and waited if Mrs. Garcia had any more orders.

"Also, prepare everyone in the practice room, we will be there in a minute, and I would like to introduce them to my friends here."

"Yes, ma’am! If nothing else, I would go ahead and inform them now." Said the secretary before walking backward as she stepped out of her office and closed the door.

Once her secretary was gone, Mrs. Garcia thanked the couple.

"Thank you! It’s a blessing in disguise that you had come here for a different purpose, but then it seems that you are getting more than what you bargained for. I hope and pray that he could cure you if nothing else." She said it to Tanaga with sincerity.