บท 141: I Want to Offer You Something

"Sit down, you two," said Grandma from her seat as she watched the two men didn't show any intention to sit.

"Okay, Grandma" replied Ren. He returned to his seat while Takuma sat beside his father.

Old Yuuzo and two maids entered the room while bringing in more food. Since Tsubaki hadn't eaten her dinner yet, Ren asked the kitchen to prepare a chicken stew for her. Tsubaki mouthed her thanks as she began to eat. Grandma was still enjoying the apple crumble Tsubaki made for her.

"I think it's over 10 years already since the last time I properly saw you, Takuma," said Grandma after she swallowed down her food. "You've been studying and working overseas. Don't you want to return to your home country?"

"I will but not so soon, Grandma," replied Takuma from the side.

He slowly sipping the tea. Raising his brows, he chuckled as he looked at Ren who was wiping the corner of his wife's lips. Tsubaki tried to dodge from him but he refused such actions from her.

"Wow, I didn't expect to see you be so indulging to your wife." Takuma laughed heartily. His shoulders shook slightly. He leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. "If you from 10 years ago said you'd get married someday, I'd laugh at you due to the zero possibility but hey, it seems like even an iceberg like you could fall in love."

"A loner like you wouldn't understand," replied Ren coolly. He put the used napkin on the table. "Get married first before you want to talk to me."

"Ah! My heart is hurting!" Takuma put one hand over his heart, he exaggerated his facial expressions as if he was indeed suffering in pain.

Ren scoffed. He turned back to Tsubaki. She was silently enjoying her meal but sometimes she would curiously look at Takuma. Ren chuckled lowly as he understood his wife's glance.

"Takuma is Uncle Isao's eldest son. He went to the US for college 10 years ago and now is working for a big corporate in Europe. This is his first time coming back to Japan in these 10 years," said Ren, properly introducing the man to his wife.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Takuma," greeted Tsubaki politely. By seeing how Ren interacted with Takuma, it was obvious this man was important to her husband.

"Just call me Takuma, cousin-in-law," brushed Takuma casually. He openly smiled at Tsubaki. "Don't be so formal with me. If you want to know your dear husband's embarrassing moments in childhood, you know you could count on me."

Tsubaki chuckled, this man was so interesting. "Okay, I'll count on you then."

"Takuma, Grandma is still confused with your decision to work at another company instead of your father's," Grandma finished her dessert and started focusing on the young man. "Do you have any goal on why you're doing that?"

"I just didn't want to be restrained working in Father's company," answered Takuma candidly, earning a death glare from his father. "I love working in my current company but I think I'd return to Japan sooner or later."

"Why don't you work with me?" Ren put down his empty cup of tea and looked meaningfully at Takuma. A smile formed on his lips. "I don't mind headhunting you right now."

"Wow! What an honor! The president of Fuse Corporation is personally recruiting me!" Takuma shook his head while laughing. "If you'd double the benefits I get at my current company, I wouldn't mind being your slave."

Ren smirked. He knew the benefits that Takuma got from his workplace. He was born a genius albeit a bit eccentric. He studied at one of the world-famous economy schools and graduated ahead of his peers. Many people sought after him but he wasn't easy to deal with. His current boss should be grateful Takuma hadn't had the intention to resign yet.

But Ren would make him do that.

"You brat! You refused my offer to work at the company and even work for someone else. And now you want to work for your cousin? Is our company not good enough for you?" Isao fumed with rage. He always had a headache whenever it was involving his son.

"It's my life, I'd work at a place I'd love to. Me being your son doesn't mean you could scold me for not working with you," Takuma smiled, still being playful in front of his angered father.

"Enough, you two! It's fine whenever he's working as long as he's making money for himself," Maria interrupted the argument between her husband and son. She lazily munched a piece of walnut snowball cookies. Her eyes lit up as she took a bite. "Oh! This one is so good!"

"Isn't it? Tsubaki made those personally!" said Grandma proudly.

Upon hearing what Grandma had said, Maria coughed. She glanced at Tsubaki who was still enjoying her stew. She awkwardly turning away her head when she saw the small smile on Tsubaki's face.

"See, Father. Mom doesn't have any objection as long as I could buy her designer bags from overseas," said Takuma with a triumphant grin on his face.

Isao lowered his head, silently cursing his son.

It was near 12 AM when they started to leave for their respective homes. Tsubaki followed Ren and Grandma to send the relatives off. One by one got inside the car. Kasumi waved them goodbye before her chauffeur drove the car to exit the estate.

"Don't you want to go home?" Isao asked Takuma who was still standing leisurely beside Grandma.

"I'll come back later. You guys go home first!"

Isao shook his head, he was having a headache. After his wife and daughter got inside the car, he followed suit. Takuma cheerily waved at them.

"I'll retire to my room, then. You could just stay here for tonight, Takuma," said Grandma after they returned inside the house.

"It's okay, Grandma. I love my own bed dearly. I'd just borrow one of Ren's car later. From having them for a show only, it's better if I use it."

"The keys are with Old Yuuzo. You could use any of them but don't touch my Audi," replied Ren casually. He and Tsubaki walked to the stairs to return to their room.

"Okay!"

Once the couple went inside their room, Tsubaki turned to her husband, "Is Takuma always like that?"

Ren sighed. He unbuttoned his jacket and threw them on a couch. "Yes. You could ignore him if you find him a bother."

Tsubaki laughed. For someone as reserved as her husband, it would be hard for him to catch up with the energetic Takuma.

"You can go to sleep first. I'm going to see Takuma again soon," said Ren once he changed out of his expensive suit. He walked out of the wardrobe with a set of dark red pajamas on his tall body.

"Okay," Tsubaki agreed readily. She rubbed her sleepy eyes. "I'm tired. I'd take a shower before going to bed. Good night, dear."

"Good night, sweetheart." Ren kissed her before stepping outside the room.

Takuma was casually sitting on a couch inside Ren's study. He looked at Ren once he heard the sound of the doors opening. A sly smile appeared on his face.

"So, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Ren sneered. He went to his seat at the big mahogany table. After typing a series of text on his laptop, he focused on the waiting Takuma.

"I want to offer you something."

Takuma raised his eyebrows, looking interestedly at his cousin.