Chapter 180 - A Feast Fit For A Queen

The phone call that Ashley received from her husband made her day. She was humming as she walks out of the room. They finally clear the air and have an understanding of each other. She couldn't wait to receive her visa approval so she could eventually join her husband in America.

The smile on her face could blind a person; while still in heaven, she headed to the dining room. Unknown to her that all of the household help and Butler Ruffy were all waiting for her to arrive.

Therefore, she was stunned and unable to utter a word when she heard their greetings.

"Good morning, ma'am Ashley, said all the household help in unison led by butler Ruffy.

"Oh' My God! Saint Mary, the mother of Jesus!" Ashley said as she paused and stared at everyone in shock. 

"What the heck is wrong with all of you? Guy's, please! Don't ever do this to me again. I'm going to have a miscarriage from what you just did. Scaring me half to death!" Requested Ashley loud and clear. She did not realize that she just announce to all of them that she's pregnant.

"Yehey! Clap-clap-clap" A shout while applauding is what she had received instead. It made everyone's eyes widen as they cheers. It's a happy moment for Jones's family help.

"What are you clapping for?" Ashley asked, bewildered as she continued to walk into the dining room to have breakfast.

Butler Ruffy signaled to the housemates to leave and return to their jobs before turning around to follow Ashley to the dining room while grinning from ear to ear.

"Congratulation, ma'am Ashley!" Butler Ruffy said while he bowed his head to pay his respect.

Ashley was about to sit down, but she stopped and looked at butler Ruffy wondering why she was greeted with congratulation? "Uncle Ruffy, why are you congratulating me?" Ashley curiously asked.

Butler Ruffy was shocked at Ashley's question. He contemplated if he should tell the truth or tell a white lie? In the end, he gave a further reply.

"I was congratulating you for gradually fulfilling all your dreams. Hopefully, this will not change, and no obstacle will come to your marriage." Replied Ruffy with honesty, and that makes her happy.

Deep inside butler Ruffy, he was wondering. 'Does sir Jones know already that they are pregnant? I hope she already shared the good news with him.' He thought to himself.

'If she hasn't told him then I'll be the one to tell bossing. Just wait for a little young master, I will surely inform your daddy as soon as I get a chance." He mumbles except it's loud enough for Ashley to hear.

She quickly turned around and asked, "What did you say, you're going to tell Tanaga?!" 

Butler Ruffy paused for a moment as he also stared at Ashley, waiting for him to reply. "I just thought that if you have not yet informed sir Jones.- I want to take the opportunity to give him the best news ever. Who knows he might give a reward and let me go on vacation to the Philippines again." He banters without batting an eye.

The white lies worked, and Ashley accepted butler Ruffy's answer. However, she's still wondering what it is that he's going to tell her husband?

"Uncle Ruffy, what is the best news ever that you wanted to be the one to tell Tanaga?"

"Child, are you playing with me? Didn't' you just said earlier that we would be the one that would cause you to have a miscarriage. That could only mean one thing. -Your pregnant!"

When Ashley heard his response and his reason, her face turned red, and she smiled shyly before speaking. 

"Oh' I didn't realize that I said that! Well, I was planning to surprise everyone after I tell Tanaga- but that would be after I come back from America. It seems it's too late now. However, I do have a favor to ask of you.

"Please, keep it between all of us here and don't tell Tanaga yet. That's what grandmother Hanada requested. You understand!"

She didn't bother to wait for him to reply, she's expecting him to accept her request. Instead, she put all her attention to all the food that was laid out on the table.

"Wow! You guys do know how to celebrate. Why did you ask the Chef to cook so much?" She asked Ruffy, who's standing at the right side of her chair—waiting for her order. She continued to stare at the feast in front of her while salivating. But, not touching any of it.

Butler Ruffy saw that she was staring at the food, but has not begun to taste any. He wonders. "What is the problem? Does she not like the type of food that Chef prepared? Should I ask or not?" He mumbles to himself as he waits for what Ashley has to say about the taste of the food?

When a moment passed, and she still hasn't made a move to begin eating. He worried and went toward Ashley.

"Do you not like any of the food? Is there something particular that you're craving? Tell me, and I will make sure to get it prepared for you." He asked with fatherly concern in his voice.

Ashley looked at him first straight to his face before she spoke. The older man could see that a tear was about to drop on her beautiful angelic and sadly looking face.

"Ma'am Ashley, what is it? Come on! Don't do this to me. If you continued giving me that look, you're going to make me cry as well." He put his fingers under his eyes, wiping a teardrop that about to fall.

When Ashley spoke, the older man was stunned by her request.

"Uncle Ruffy, since Tanaga is not here right now. Do you mind having breakfast with me?" Asked Ashley while tears have begun to form in her eyes.

"Ma'am… I don't think it's proper for me to sit at the same table with you and join breakfast. And also, you need to start acting how the rich do. I know that you're not used to it, but you need to learn the protocol." He said it as mellow as he could.

When Ashley heard his reason, she was deeply saddened. She seems to have difficulty adjusting to her new life. She's afraid that she might not be able to adapt and would end up embarrassing Tanaga in the long run.

She needs to do something about that. And she knows the right person to ask for help...