Assistant Matsuzaki reentered the President's office with a tray between his hands. Once he stepped inside, he could tell that the atmosphere turned heavy unlike before. The man and the lady were staring at each other. While a complicated look clouded on the lady's face, his boss remained calm.
What happened? Where did the fluffy atmosphere go?
"Boss, your coffee and Miss Hanada's tea." He carefully placed the cups on the coffee table, didn't dare to interrupt them more than necessary. His boss just nodded once and the assistant knew it was time for him to go. He bowed once before he left.
The bitter smell of coffee overpowered the tea's. Tsubaki's last question echoed in Ren's mind. He closed his eyes, tried to push back his exhaustion.
"You look pale."
The remark flew his eyes opened. He blinked confusedly at the lady's worried expression.
"I shouldn't come here. You need to rest."
Before Ren could react, Tsubaki stood up from her seat. She was quite hesitant to leave but after seeing how much the man tried to conceal his exhaustion, she felt sorry for him.
"I shouldn't pester you with this questions. But, I really appreciate the help you gave to my brother." Tsubaki clenched the handle of her bag tightly. "I'll see you in another time. Thank you."
Tsubaki bowed and turned around. Ren immediately grabbed her hand from behind. She turned her head, looking at the man who had stood up. His dark eyes bore onto hers. She inspected the look on his face.
Helpless.
"Can you not leave?"
"Mr. Fuse, I..."
"Stay, please."
For a moment, she lost in the bottomless pools of his dark eyes. She could clearly see her flustered look being reflected on them. His facial features looked defeated, as if he was staring at her to revive himself.
"Didn't you say you want to know something about me?" His mellow voice was barely a whisper. "I'll grant you your wish. So, please. Just stay with me for a moment."
Tsubaki opened her mouth to protest, but in the end she nodded helplessly. A small smile curved on his face when he saw a beautiful colour of red blossomed on her cheeks. The lady lowered her head, possibly feeling shy. He slowly let go of her hand.
"I know that I'm being selfish, but could you stay here while I take a quick nap?"
"Okay..." Tsubaki fiddled with the hem of her sleeves. "I'll stay."
"Thank you." Ren took a step back. "Do you need something to keep you entertain? Or are you hungry? I could call my chef to prepare lunch for you."
"No! It's okay." Tsubaki waved her hands, quickly rejected the offer. Calling a chef for her? It's too extravagant! She didn't need that. "I have my phone and notebook. It's enough already."
Ren chuckled. He went to his desk and pressed the intercom, contacting his secretary. He instructed her to bring some snacks inside. Ren went back to the long couch. Deft fingers unbuttoned his jacket and loosened the tie. He laid comfortably on the couch.
"Please give me thirty minutes. You could wake me up after that, okay?"
"Okay..."
After giving her one last smile, he closed his eyes. One hand covered the eyes while the other was placed inside his pockets. Ren crossed his long legs and rested them on the couch arm. It didn't take him long to fall asleep. After a few minutes, she could hear him breathing evenly.
Tsubaki felt somewhat guilty for interfering with his rest. He was a busy man, in a world she couldn't fathom even after she tried. He didn't show it but she could still see the signs of fatigue.
Why did I have to come here?
If not for fulfilling her curiosity, she wouldn't ask him the questions.
"Excuse me, miss?"
"Yes?" Tsubaki looked up, turning to the sound of the voice. Drowning in her thoughts, she didn't realise that an employee had entered the room. A beautiful woman in a black suit stood beside her couch. She was probably the secretary he had called earlier.
"President Fuse asked me to bring you some snacks."
Tsubaki's eyes landed on the tray in the secretary's hands. A bowl of strawberry and yogurt was placed on it.
"Oh! Thank you." Tsubaki took the tray from the woman. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
The secretary gave a polite smile. "Please enjoy. Call me if you need anything else."
Before she closed the door, she secretly looked at the woman sitting in front of her sleeping boss. Their boss never slept in the open like that. It seemed like he really trusted the woman. Or rather, she held a special position in their boss' heart.
The rumours were true! This lady wasn't an ordinary one!
She resisted the urge to giggle. The woman's presence had already been the hottest gossip in the company.