"I have moved your chess pieces according to your plan. Good news shall be bestowed on you. Soon."
"I'll be waiting."
It was a short conversation but Ren didn't have Tatsuya to elaborate more. Both of them had different goals but they shared the same path. He was just began to push the rats to the corner before mercilessly crushed them off one by one. He wouldn't allow himself to fail after his years of hard work.
Ren got up from the couch and went to his desk. There were piles of documents sitting there waiting for him. He sighed. He wanted to end this quickly and went back to Camellia Sweets. He couldn't catch a glance of Tsubaki earlier because she had ran off to a meeting.
It's okay. I could just be satisfied by meeting her again. We would recover our lost time together.
Ren finished his work by 7:30 PM. Most of the employees had already left the building. He dismissed Assistant Matsuzaki who was still working inside his private office. Ren quickly went to his private elevator. He took out his phone and dialed a number. After two rings, the call was connected.
"Are your sister coming to the hospital tonight?" Ren strode past the bodyguards and got inside his car. He started the engine and put on the seat belt.
"As usual. Why?" Satsuki smiled knowingly. He was just finished watching a documentary on the television.
"What do you say if I turned your sister into an actress for a classic romance drama?" Ren connected the call to his car Bluetooth speaker. He could hear Satsuki's laughter from the end of the line.
"You said you don't want to rush things off." Satsuki reminded him of their previous conversation.
"Just call it as my own pace." Ren smirked.
It was true that he wanted to take things slow but he needed to consider the fact that the culprit behind the covered up accident might targeted Tsubaki because of their relationship so he needed to quickly make himself a part of her new life. He had been laying low for five years, he didn't want to waste another five years staying away from her.
And, he wanted to ward off any potential suitors of Tsubaki.
Ren arrived at the hospital at a quarter past eight. Satsuki had sent a message, telling him that Tsubaki was going to arrive soon. He got off his car and swiftly went to the floor where Satsuki was warded. He waited around a corner and kept an eye on the direction opposite him. Within ten minutes, a figure of a petite lady entered his field of view.
"Miss Hanada?" Ren stepped out from his hiding place, walking towards a startled Tsubaki with calm, unhurried steps.
"Mr. Fuse?" Tsubaki had just opened the door of Satsuki's ward when a familiar, deep voice calling out her name.
"Visiting your brother?" Ren stopped a few feet away from Tsubaki. He glanced subtly at Satsuki who was watching them through the door opening.
The look in his dark eyes hinted the younger man to cooperate with him. Satsuki controlled the sudden urge to roll his eyes.
"Oh..." Tsubaki didn't expect the man before her to remember their previous conversation a few nights ago. "Yes. What are you doing here, Mr. Fuse? Visiting a friend?"
"Yes. But he's not a patient. He's my personal doctor. Just coming to have a chat." Ren wasn't lying. One of his close friends working as a doctor here. "I went to get the cakes but I didn't see you there."
"I had a meeting with my landlord. I hope the sweets are to your liking." Tsubaki smiled. "Please feel free to try some of our other cakes."
"Yes, I loved all of them." Ren's face turned gentler. "Especially your hummingbird cake."
Her eyes lit up. He knew she was feeling joy. Tsubaki always had the same twinkle in her eyes when people mentioned they loved her cakes.
"Thank..."
Before Tsubaki could thank him, Satsuki's voice cut her off.
"Sis, is that your friend? Invite him inside. Don't just stand in the corridor."
Satsuki couldn't bear to watch anymore. Their conversation felt like they were discussing the weather outside. It was better for him to step in and helped the hopeless brother in-law of his.
And it was indeed heartbreaking to see the two people who were so in love with each other acted and talked like they were strangers. Even though it was not their fault.
"If you're not in a hurry..."
Tsubaki hesitated. Mr. Fuse was just her customer, could she do this? And he was a man of an important standing. It baffled her to think of introducing him to her brother.
And she didn't understand why her heart beating fast when seeing him smiling at her.
"I'm not in a hurry." Ren knew why she looked hesitant. "May I meet your brother?"
Tsubaki gave in. She invited him to step inside the ward. He followed her from behind. Since she was walking ahead of him, she couldn't see his amused look. Satsuki's lips twitched in annoyance.
Be grateful that I helped you!
"Mr. Fuse, this is my brother, Hanada Satsuki." Tsubaki stood beside the hospital bed. "Satsuki, this is Mr. Fuse. He is one of my customer."
Ren reached out his right hand to Satsuki. "Fuse Ren. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hanada Satsuki. Likewise." Satsuki had no choice but to shake hands with him.
It was pathetic to see you acting like this.
Don't blow up my cover, kiddo.
Tsubaki was completely unaware of these two men's telephaty communication.