Ashley spent a long time emoting in the bathroom. She allowed herself the time to cry it all out, and then let out a sigh of relief when the tears finally subsided. She splashed cold water on her face and then washed it thoroughly. She wanted to make herself presentable before she went out. She looked at herself in mirror one last time, making sure she’d removed all traces of her tears.
Satisfied that there was no evidence remaining, she took a deep breath and sighed. Ready to see what the future held, and where her path was going to take her, she put a smile on her face and walked out the bathroom door.
She stopped abruptly when she walked into the bedroom and realized Tanaga was gone. The lounge was clean, as if nothing had happened. Ashley didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know if she should look for him or stay here and wait for him to come back.
After much contemplating, she decided to look for her husband. Her search led her to the deck, where she found Tanaga talking to the butler. They saw her coming and quickly ended their conversation. The greeted Ashley, then immediately bid them goodbye.
"Good morning, ma’am." He said with a slight bow.
"Good morning to you, too!" Ashley replied, smiling as she wondered what they felt the need to be so secretive about.
"Sir, ma’am, I’ll leave you two alone. There’s still much to do inside." He said before hastily making his exit before Ashley had a chance to ask questions. He could see her suspicion and feared she might press the issue.
As soon as Ashley and Tanaga were alone, the atmosphere suddenly grew eerie. The only sound was of the waves splashing against the side of the yacht. It was reminiscent of a mortuary, quiet and peaceful. They studied each other, neither of them sure what to say.
Ashley grew impatient with the silence and was about to speak. She stopped herself when she didn’t know how she should address Tanaga. Her voice was soft and low as she spoke, "Tanaga, if you don’t mind, can I ask you a question?"
Tanaga, who had been gazing out at the sea, turned to Ashley so he could focus his full attention on her and whatever question she was about to ask. "Go ahead. What’s your question?"
After he answered, he smiled at her sweetly. Her face lit up, his smile giving her the courage to speak up. "I was wondering," she began as she searched for words, "it’s about our relationship. I know that our marriage is only on paper and that we have a contract...anyway, I’m just trying to tell you that I’m not expecting a real relationship or anything. So, you don’t need to worry about it someday...you know." She struggled to get the words to come out.
Tanaga’s eyebrows rose sharply in response to her words. He hates it when people try to think ahead of him. But more than that, he was hurt by what she said to him. It seemed to him that she had no intention whatsoever of pursuing their relationship.
Even though he has no intention of it either, it stung for her to tell him right to his face, reminding him that she was only contractually obligated to provide him with a child.
The wind changed suddenly, and the sky darkened. It looked as if a tsunami was about to landfall right then and there. Tanaga didn’t notice. He was too busy reeling from the blow to his ego and self-esteem. No longer restrained by his pride, he blew up.
"Don’t worry! I hadn’t once thought our relationship was anything more than a contractual agreement made between two consenting adults. Once you conceive and give birth to my son, you’ll be compensated, and our contract will end. Do you understand that?" Tanaga snarled at her, then he turned and walked away without so much as a ’goodbye.’
His reaction left Ashley dumbfounded. What just happened? She couldn’t help but wonder...
What was that all about? Why did he get angry at me? He could have just nicely told me! He didn’t have to bite my head off. Did he act that way because...Was he upset because I said I understood that our relationship was only a contract and that I didn’t take it to heart? Does this all mean he has feelings for me? What else could it be? She asked herself, trying to make sense of things, as she walked back inside to follow Tanaga.