The Billionaire's Contracted Wife [English]

Tanaga smiled as he headed out of the bathroom and shook his head. As Ashley shut the door, his phone rang in the pocket of his jeans.

He hurriedly removed his cell phone and checked to see who was calling. His forehead creased when he saw the number.

He took a moment to consider whether or not to respond. Ultimately, he let the phone ring.

It would be preferable if they remained silent for now. He’s not prepared to talk to the caller just yet.

Tanaga decided that it would be better if he dressed simply so that he would not look intimidating when Ashley introduced him to her parents and brothers.

Scanning rows of cut shirts and fancy suits, Tanaga stood in front of his enormous closet. None of the items felt suitable for meeting Ashley’s family.

He let out a frustrated sigh, scratching his temples as he attempted to tone down his typical sharp, threatening attitude.

This was a personal encounter rather than a company function, and he didn’t want to give the wrong impression.

"This is unbelievable," he said to himself. "Why am I lacking anything simple?"

He considered asking his butler for assistance, but the prospect of waiting irritated him.

Tanaga knew time was short, and every second spent overthinking his clothing heightened his uneasiness.

He looked at the polished, businesslike clothes dangling in front of him and made up his mind.

He pulled out a black pair of pants and a navy blue dress shirt and murmured, "Fine, I’ll go with this."

Though not too flashy, the attire was nevertheless formal. "I’m her boss, after all," he comforted himself, buttoning up the shirt.

A pang of remorse gnawed at him as he fiddled with his collar in front of the mirror.

Maybe pretending to be her boss was a good idea, but it also made him realize that he was her husband and not simply her employer, which was something they were trying to hide.

The idea of Ashley keeping their genuine relationship a secret from her family broke his heart.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Tanaga mumbled, "I hate this." It was the first time in a long time that he cared how intimidating or elegant he looked.

He wanted acceptance from Ashley’s family and recognition as more than simply a prosperous businessman.

But while he was wrapping up his preparations, he couldn’t help but ponder what it would be like to tell Ashley’s family that he was not just her boss but also her better half—a man who had grown to love her very much.

However, today was not the moment to do that. He would have to assume the position of authoritarian, businesslike boss.

After giving the mirror one more look, Tanaga fixed his shirt and left the room, his mind still struggling to balance duty and desire.

He hoped that one day, the truth would be revealed without doubt or fear.

Out of the blue, depressed, he walked to the sofa to wait for Ashley to finish getting dressed. As he sat, Tanaga could not help but reflect on the events of his life and the new feelings he was experiencing.

"Does being in love feel like this? I’ll feel like I’m in heaven if she even gives me a tiny grin." He let out a long sigh.

What Tanaga did not know is that after Ashley took a bath, she stood outside the bathroom door and saw him sigh deeply.

Her smiling face suddenly changed. She thought Tanaga had a problem with her due to the arrival of her family.

That is why, while she was dressing up, she had an idea so that she would not need to introduce Tanaga to her family.

However, the problem is that her family will call Tanaga’s phone to inform them if they have arrived. She was more confused and worried. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She was busily thinking of a way to avoid Tanaga and her family’s meeting while dressing up when Tanaga received a text message from her Mother.

Fely: [Sir, Boss! Can you please tell my daughter that we are downstairs already? We need to know where we should meet her?]

Tanaga, equally eager to meet Ashley’s family, texted back immediately.

Tanaga: [Ma’am, please wait in the lobby near the concierge desk, and Ashley is on her way down.] He stood excitedly to tell Ashley to hurry up since her family was already waiting for her.

"Sweetheart! Your Mother texted to let you know they were downstairs. Hurry up, or else they might get bored," he shouted jokingly while walking towards the bathroom.

As he made his way to the restroom, he laughed. But when he opened the door, he was taken aback. There was no Ashley there!

Even Ashley’s shadow was absent, leading him to believe she may be getting ready in the bedroom.

However, when he arrived in the bedroom, he realized she was nowhere inside the penthouse.

He left the bedroom with piercing eyes and a grim countenance after discovering that Ashley wasn’t inside the penthouse.

"Don’t you even dare do what I am thinking about... Because if you did it, and I find you..." Tanaga murmured as he descended the elevator to the hotel lobby.

When his private elevator arrived at the lobby and opened, he discovered his wife standing before him with a shopping bag.

Ashley was worried when she saw Tanaga’s sour expression. Ashley asked Tanaga, who was still bewildered. "Are you going somewhere?"

With his brow furrowed and eyes fixed on her as though he were seeing a phantom, "what? What did you say? No, no!" Tanaga was at a loss for words as he helped Ashley into the elevator.

Once Ashley was inside, he quickly pushed the button to the penthouse.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Tanaga gripped Ashley fiercely.

He murmured to his wife, "Don’t you dare do that again!" Fuming, almost in tears.

"My heart nearly stopped when I couldn’t find you in the room. God, I thought to myself. I’m at a loss for what to believe these days. I’m glad I was mistaken, though. I just thought that..."

He couldn’t say what he was afraid of. Instead, he pulled her in a tight embrace before kissing her sensually on the lips.