บท 228: It'd Be Good If I Could Meet You Sooner
The atmosphere inside the lobby was lively with the arrival of the new patrons. The bellboys were busy handling the luggage and the receptionists at the front counter were helping the guests to check-in smoothly. Soft music filled the entire area, providing a calm and elegant aura. Despite the peace and comfort, Tsubaki was a bit troubled when she looked at the older man who sat opposite her.
He looked familiar.
"Excuse me, mister?" Tsubaki started to ask, her tone was polite despite the nagging feeling of unease at the back of her mind. "I think I've seen you before. Have we met?"
The older man raised his eyes from the watch encircled his wrist. His dark eyes twinkled faintly as he smiled. "Yes, we've met before but I'm sorry because I haven't introduced myself properly."
Tsubaki's lips parted slightly. Her mind was trying to recall the event where they had met yet she failed to do so. When he saw her complicated look, he let out a low laugh.
"I saw you once at my wife's charity party about one month ago," the man said, helping Tsubaki to remember him. "And I've been to your bakery before. That's where we met."
"Oh!"
Tsubaki quickly covered her mouth, suppressing her shock. She had finally remembered!
"Are you... President Souma?" Tsubaki asked to be certain.
The older man nodded. "Yes."
It was true then!
Tsubaki had once suspected the gentleman she saw standing outside the tea house was the husband of Mrs. Souma, especially when his face looked familiar to Mr. Souma that she met during Grandma's birthday celebration. And this man also had come to her bakery once.
"I'm sorry for not recognizing you, President Souma," Tsubaki bowed her head, offering her respect to the older man. Once she lifted up her head, she smiled as she added, "What are you doing here? Are you on a vacation with Mrs. Souma?"
President Souma was smiling yet it didn't escape Tsubaki's notice that his smile grew stiff for a second. She pursed her lips. She shouldn't ask that question, right? After all, Kanako did say their marriage was just for a show.
"I'm here for work," President Souma replied after a minute of awkward silence. "Are you here with President Fuse? Where is he?"
"Oh. He's away to answer a phone call," Tsubaki glanced at the hallway where her husband had disappeared earlier. "He should be back soon. We're going to the airport after this."
"You're going back, already?" President Souma directed his gaze to where Tsubaki was looking. "I heard last night's fireworks display was followed by a confession of love. I believe it was for you, right?"
Tsubaki smiled as she shyly nodded her head, her rosy cheeks reddened. "Well, it's my husband's surprise for me."
"President Fuse is a good man. I hope he's treating you well." The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smile warmly.
"Yes, he is," Tsubaki's smile widened once she heard the praises for her husband. "He's incomparable, the best man for me."
The older man's gaze softened as he looked at how Tsubaki's face radiated with a soft glow when she was talking about her husband. It was true. They were so much in love with one another.
"Mrs. Fuse, I kind of regretted not coming to Matriarch Fuse's birthday celebration. It was your first time being introduced as the wife of President Fuse, right? It'd be good if I could meet you sooner. I'm sorry." He let out a sigh, looking deeply troubled as if it was regarding an important matter.
"Oh! That's okay!" Tsubaki quickly waved her hands, feeling baffled when he suddenly apologized over a trivial matter to her. "I heard you're sick, President Souma. It's best for you to rest whenever you have free time."
Kanako said President Souma inherited the title after the early death of Elder Souma, placing him in the highest position in the company despite his sickly nature. Since then, he worked hard to bring the company to greater heights, the same as what her husband did after he took the office. But, while Ren was fit in health, President Souma was the opposite.
"It's just my old age caught up to me," President Souma laughed, in Tsubaki's mind she reminded her of a kind older man.
Like a father of a close friend.
"Mrs. Fuse, may I ask you something?"
"En?" Tsubaki was suddenly caught off guard with his question. Especially when she saw the brightness in his eyes dimmed. "What it is?"
"It might sound personal and rude but... I heard that you came from a village far from the city?" Although a bit apologetic, he still muttered out the question.
Well, the question was really something she didn't expect.
Tsubaki paused to think as she analyzed the man sitting opposite her. His tone was different from when the daughter of President Subaru or President Esumi mocked her. There was no mockery or contempt in his eyes.
He just sounded... intrigued.
"It's true that I came far from the city," Tsubaki admitted after she had been assured that he meant no harm to her. She then added with a soft laugh, "I was raised and met my husband there, even though it might sound quite difficult to believe to you."
"Oh, I've heard about that one too," President Souma joined in her laugh. "Yes, people would find it hard to believe that you two met there but it's fated, I think. I've met President Fuse once when you're hospitalized. He looked so anxious over your health. It's good to have someone that cares about you."
Tsubaki nodded, agreeing with him. Warm seeped into her heart as she was reminded of the countless things he had done for her sake. No one could tell how happy she felt inside.
Tsubaki said in a voice as soft as ever, her eyes gleamed charmingly. "Yes, I'm blessed to have him as my husband."
President Souma pursed his lips into a straight line, his mind was conflicted when he saw her happy face. He should feel happy for her sake but why did it become hard to breathe?
Seeing the young lady smiling blissfully in front of him made him recalled the heartache in his younger days.
The older man seemed like he was contemplating over something as Tsubaki eyed him curiously. She was tempted to ask about Mrs. Souma but she understood it was not her place to do so. This was her first time meeting this man eye-to-eye so she shouldn't overstep her boundary.
A relationship between two people could be both beautiful and messy.
As Tsubaki was thinking, President Souma opened his mouth to ask again, "About your parents..."
"Tsubaki."
Tsubaki was slightly startled when she heard the voice calling to her. She immediately turned her head, looking at the face of her most beloved man. She was quite shocked when she saw the hidden emotions behind his dark eyes. Tsubaki quickly stood up, she awkwardly looked at him before she turned to President Souma.
"Darling, I met President Souma," she said as Ren took a long stride toward her.
"Yes, sweetheart. I saw that," Ren tried to smile yet it appeared stiff. He placed a protecting hand around her shoulders as he cast his gaze to the older man who had just stood up from the couch. "President Souma, I didn't expect to meet you here."
President Souma heard the warning laced in between the young man's words. His gaze was calm as he faced him. "I'm here on a business trip. I felt like I've seen this young lady somewhere, apparently, she was there during my wife's charity tea party last month. I came to say hello."
"I'm grateful if you saw the importance of my wife," Ren replied briefly. "I'm sorry, President Souma, but we need to get going soon. We have a flight to catch."
"Alright." The older man nodded. He smiled mildly as he added, "I'll see you soon."
Ren gave a light bow to him before he led Tsubaki away from the area. Tsubaki was startled with the way her husband was behaving. She could only wave the older man goodbye as she followed Ren's quick steps.
She didn't even get to hear the man's question to her.
Once they stepped out from the corner, Ren suddenly thought of something. He slowed down before he finally stopped in front of a tall carved figurine. There was a hint of anxiety in his eyes as he scanned his wife up and down. Tsubaki was baffled with his sudden change of temperament.
"Darling, what's wrong?" Tsubaki saw that he looked the most anxious when he landed his eyes on her lower abdomen.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I just dragged you away like that. Are you hurt somewhere?" Ren placed his palm gently on her tummy, he tried to find even the slightest hint of discomfort on her face.
Tsubaki laughed softly once she caught the meaning behind his words and actions. She took his hand away from her tummy, linking their hands together.
"I'm not that fragile, darling," Tsubaki said, her bright eyes staring into his pools. She saw how her smile reflected on his dark orbs. "Your wife and child are strong. We're not that delicate so don't be too worried, okay?"
"I..." Ren had just wanted to answer her before he sighed in defeat. His shoulders slumped down as he brought her into his embrace, trying to shield her from the world. "I'm sorry. I know I was being unreasonable just now."
Tsubaki smiled, she shook her head. Her hands wrapped around his waist, one of her hands patting his back gently. "It's okay, darling. I don't know what's bothering you but share it with me once you're ready, okay?"
Ren nodded. He pressed his lips on the crook of her neck before he slowly let her go. "Hibiki has just arrived. Let's go, shall we?"
"En~" Tsubaki smiled brightly, trying to cheer him up.
Ren's thin lips curved up into a smile. He gently led her to the lobby entrance.
A distance away from them, President Souma was watching their interaction. His gaze deepened as sorrow plagued his heart.
"President, do you think President Fuse knows?"
President Souma glanced at his assistant who had been working by his side for more than two decades. This man knew what had been going in his life.
The assistant saw the deep gaze his boss threw at the disappearing young couple.
They were a good match.
President Souma didn't answer. He shook his head, looking helpless.
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hansora
hansora So, do you think President Souma is a bad guy? Or there is still someone else lurking inside the shadows who still unknown to us?
P/S: I'm setting up a P@treon page for whoever feels like contributing to my works. But I'm not gonna make it compulsory or make this book into premium. Let's say I'm just trying to earn money in whatever way I could ～(^з^)-♡
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