Chapter 229 - Christmas With The Jones

"All right! I was only kidding; Of course, I am not going to talk about private matters to my elder brother. As long as he knows that we are married, and no miracle befell. Right Elder brother?" Ashley asks her brother with a simper on her lips. 

Arthur was reluctant, and he does not know how he should act in front of his brother-in-law/boss. He still cannot consider that his sister had succeeded in marrying a billionaire. 

He could still remember when Ashley was a child, she repeatedly said that she would provide a lavish living to her family when she's old enough.

So he was afraid that his sister had done something unspeakable. To accept being a mere mistress of this Japanese billionaire. Only to provide what she had promised to her family. 

Nevertheless, he found out that the situation was not as he expected; instead, they are married. Now he has no idea how to address Tanaga. He didn't have to worry about it since Tanaga spoke and cleared it for him.

"Brother in law, may i ask? If you are here now, Then your ship is here too. When did you arrived, and until when will you stay?" Tanaga asks seriously while waiting for Arthur's answer.

Hearing Tanaga addresses him, brother-in-law. Arthur felt at ease and began speaking freely.

"A few hours ago, they start loading the cargo. I figure since the Chief Mate was not planning on going out. I thought it would be nice to buy souvenirs since I will go home when we arrive at my next port."

"Hmmm, I see, where will be your next port?"

"New Orleans is my next port of discharge. Actually, I had already asked the office in the Philippines to send a replacement here so I could make it and attend the New Year celebration.

"But they said there is no available Captain who wants to board right now. They also wanted to spend time with their own family.

"I understand them, so I will just wait until I have a replacement, then I will go home for vacation," Arthur explained to his brother-in-law, who listened seriously.

"Hmm, let me ask you this, do you want to go home or is it okay with you to spend Christmas with us instead? Which one do would you prefer?" Tanaga asked, intending to do what he had said.

"Well, if I am the one to choose…" Ashley interrupted her elder brother before he finished his sentence.

"You should spend Christmas here with us, brother! Then you can go home before the new year so you can spend it with our family. Please.. please, pretty please! Elder brother!" Said by Ashley, while her palm was stuck together, she looks like she was praying. "Please, brother, please!!!!"

Because of Ashley's plea to her elder brother, Tanaga decided for his brother in law. "It is settled then! You will spend Christmas here, and you are going home a couple of days later to spend the new years with mother Fely and father, Jessie!" Tanaga said while…

"Sato! Come here! There is something I need you to do."

They finished their talks, Arthur will spend his Christmas with them while the ship is anchored at the Houston port. Tanaga ordered Sato to call Mikito and request a replacement Captain for Arthur, no exception.

Mikito quickly made a call to the Philippines to request a replacement Captain. "If they want to board any sh.i.p.s from the THJ group, they better come!" Mikito retorted towards the president of the manning agency in the Philippines.

"Do not worry, Mikito-san, and we will send a Captain there. Within 24 hours, there will be a replacement for Captain Gusman." Said the President of THJ manning agency.

Arthur was not surprised that Tanaga did something for him to have a replacement, but he does not feel right that his replacement was forced to board the ship, especially when they have a spouse and children.

"Brother-in-law, I'm fine going home once we reached our next port. You didn't have to do this for me, even though I really appreciate it. "I pity the family of the one who will be replacing me," Arthur said with sad eyes.

Their parents taught them not to take advantage of others. For him, it seems they had taken advantage of someone because Tanaga was the owner of the company… The captain who will be replacing him had no choice but to follow.

"Brother in law, do not worry. The company will give that person a large bonus. I know what you mean, but he is not forced to do so. He was given an option, and the option he chose was to board the ship because of the huge bonus his family will be receiving." Tanaga explained so that Arthur will feel at ease.

"What? You give away a huge bonus just for someone to replace me? Why don't you give it to me and I will stay instead." Arthur jokingly said to his brother in law with a wide grin.

Ashley widened her eyes at what she heard and turned her gaze to Tanaga. She does not want Tanaga to think that they are gold diggers. However, when she saw the smile on Tanaga's face, she was relieved.

"Elder brother! You will choose the money than to spend time with our parents and me? You are too much!" After she said it, she slapped her brother's arm.

"Ouch! You! Your hand is still heavy. You should change your behavior before you hurt others when you are excited, your hands are too heavy, and they hurt too much." Arthur widened his eyes while advising Ashley.

"Hahaha! I am not the only one! Hahaha! You see, sweetheart, I told you so' your hand is too heavy its like you had lifted weights before. It hurts, I'm not joking!" Tanaga added while laughing.

"Tch! You two go somewhere else, and I will go to the kitchen to see what I could cook for our dinner." Said Ashley as she goes to the kitchen.

Arthur was happy when he heard his sister would cook. He missed the cooking of both his mother and his little sister, both of which are delicious for six months. 

That is why he has a beautiful grin while thinking about what type of dishes she might prepare… Adobo, Afritada, Mechado, and many more…' Yummy!'