Chapter 377 - Something Fishy...

The woman only smiled at Ashley while Dr. Garcia kept staring at her, unsure of how to reply and answer. 

"Hello! Welcome to our humble home. I'm Dr. Garcia's wife. Nice to meet you, Mrs. and Mr. Jones. Please, come inside, it's quite hot out here," she said kindly as she took Ashley's hands and guided her inside their home.

Dr. Garcia introduced himself to Tanaga and followed the two women that had already entered the house. 

Mrs. Garcia and Ashley were already seated at the kitchen table, talking and chatting about some other matters. Dr. Garcia was adamant about keeping Mrs. Garcia by his side and not letting them speak for a long time.

"Sweetheart, why don't you and Mrs. Jones join us so I could better explain to CEO Jones the procedure," he said kindly while smiling at his wife.

Mrs. Garcia slowly got up. "Why don't we join them for now. We can chat some more later on. It's nice to meet a fellow Filipino once in a while," she said with a warm smile on her face.

Tanaga, who had been observing the older woman, approached them and back hugged his wife. He then whispered something to Ashley. "I know what you're thinking, come and will find out later. I also feel there's something wrong with the picture." He then gives her a peck on her cheek.

"Oh, alright! I was just wondering about that." 

"We will get to the bottom of it before we leave. Let's humor this doctor for now. I need his serum so we can get married again, you know." Tanaga whispered to Ashley as she got up and let him guide her to the living room to sit together on the sofa.

Once everyone was seated, Tanaga's private doctor initiated the conversation. 

"So Dr. Garcia and I had a talk when we met a day before. I'll allow him to give you the details about this serum and how it could help you with the treatment. Rest assured that it's safe and has been clinically tried on humans. Mrs. Garcia, here is the person I'm telling you that is currently using it right now. But, I have another thing to inform you about, there's a catch with this serum, but I'll let Dr. Garcia tell you," he told the couple then looked at Dr. Garcia to continue. 

"It's straightforward; I will create a serum that is suitable for your type of sickness. It will take some time, but it would not be a problem for me to have it ready by next week if I have the funds. The one I'm using for my wife will be different than what you will be given. And I must remind you that you will need to undergo many tests so I could create the specific serum. Do you have time for that?" He asked solemnly.

Tanaga looked at Ashley before he responded. When Ashley nodded, he then replied.

"Okay, an arrangement will be made immediately. We'll stay here for the duration of the examination and only go back home once I'm cured or possibly, dead." He was also serious when he answered and looked at Dr. Garcia sternly. He didn't like his attitude. He was secretive when he spoke, and generally quite suspicious. 

===

Once they finished with all the detail, Tanaga and Ashley prepared to leave so they could go to the hotel and rest. However, just as they were getting up. Mrs. Garcia, with her beautiful, timid smile, invited them to stay with them. Garcia's villa was huge. It's more like a small castle.

"I already have rooms prepared, and it would not be trouble to have two more mouths to feed. What do you say? You will be doing me a favor; I have been lonely for quite a while, and with no one to converse while he's in his laboratory, I wouldn't mind a good chat," said Mrs. Garcia, who surprised Ashley and Tanaga when saying this.

On the other hand, Dr. Garcia had a frown on his face. It seems that he was not happy that his wife had invited them to stay. He didn't want his wife to associate with many people unless it was about business. He was very...protective. He doesn't like it when she becomes friendly with anyone. However, there was nothing he could do already. She already extended the invitation, and he could only hope that the couple would decline. 

But he was wrong. 

Ashley smiled sweetly and hugged Mrs. Garcia, "Thank you! We would love too. You have a beautiful home, and I always dreamed of staying in one as beautiful as this. Thank you!" She said enthusiastically. She then turned to her husband. "Right, honey! You don't mind, do you?"

Tanaga only smiled at his wife. He knew that she wanted to stick around and have a chat with the lady of the house. Now that they were invited, she will get her chance. Who is he to stop them. "Of course, honey! Whatever you want, goes." He then gave her a peck on her lips.

"Well, that's settled then. Let me show you the room, and then I will tell someone outside to bring your luggage. Come along!" Mrs. Garcia was over the moon and happily walked ahead of the couple.

Tanaga's doctor was standing, waiting to be invited; however, no one did such a thing. So, instead of waiting any longer, he just bided Dr. Garcia goodbye and headed back to the hotel where he was staying.

===

That night, Mrs. Garcia outdid herself and cooked a massive meal for the four of them to feast on. She even brought out one of the rare wines that she had been saving for special occasions. 

While they were having dinner, Ashley tried her best to inquire and ask questions, but for some reason, Mrs. Garcia was having problems answering truthfully.

Dr. Garcia always intervened and answered for her. This made Ashley more curious as to what was actually going on between the two. 

When they finished dinner, they invited them for a nightcap, but the couple declined with the excuse that they still needed to call their family back home.

Mrs. Garcia didn't push them. She bided them goodnight and told them to go ahead. When Ashley tried to help her in the kitchen so she could stay and ask questions, Dr. Garcia was quick to say that he would do it, leaving Ashley nothing else to do but go ahead and head back to their room so that she could call home...