The sun had already rose when Tsubaki woke up. She squinted her eyes when the light pierced her sight. Rubbing her eyes, she tried to get up before her body suddenly jolted in pain. She quickly laid down on the bed, groaning.
Her body felt so sore. She suddenly recalled what happened last night.
Tsubaki was finally wide awake. Her face turned red. She raised the blanket, trying to see her body underneath it. Her pajamas were gone. She was dressed in a man's shirt. And she clearly knew who helped her changed into it.
"You're awake?"
Tsubaki freeze for a moment before she slowly peeked from the blanket. Her man was standing outside the door. A black bathrobe was hung on his body. A part of his pale chest was displayed from the bathrobe's collar.
"Yeah..."
Tsubaki slowly rose, she leaned against the bedhead. Ren walked inside the room, went to sat on her side. He took a glass from the bedside table and poured water for her. Tsubaki accepted it gratefully without meeting his eyes.
Seeing his wife's red face, Ren knew what she was thinking about. He pushed down the laughter that started to bubble on his lips. Once she emptied the glass, he took it from her hands and placed it on the table.
"Could you walk?"
Tsubaki looked up to Ren's face. Her cheeks turned rosier. She slowly nodded her head. As if she would say that her legs still felt weak!
Ren smiled. "I've prepared a bath for you. Come, let me help you. I've prepared our brunch too."
"No.. no! I can go by myself!"
Ren ignored her. He gently picked her up from the bed. Tsubaki quickly wrapped her hands around his neck while burying her face on his chest. She still didn't have the nerve to look into her husband's eyes.
The bathroom was filled with the sweet aroma of rose and mint. He slowly put her on the lower counter beside the tub before crouching before her. Tsubaki still lowered her head, refusing to look at him.
Ren sighed. "I was gentle enough since it's your first time. I don't expect you to be sore like this."
"What about the second time?" Tsubaki gritted her teeth. Feeling wronged, she stared angrily at her husband's face.
Seeing her pouty face, Ren couldn't help himself from laughing. Pecking her lips, he rubbed her head with affection in his eyes. "Okay, okay. It's my fault. Take your bath now, before the water cool down."
"Okay..."
Ren smiled. "I'll wait for you outside. Or... do you want me to take second bath?"
"No! No! You wait outside!" Tsubaki pushed him away.
"Okay! Okay!" Ren stood up. "I'll stop teasing you. Take your bath, love. Call me if you need anything."
He exited the bathroom without looking at her again. Tsubaki took a breath of relief once she was alone. She unbuttoned her shirt. Her legs wobbled when she tried to stand. She quickly gripped the tub. Once she soaked herself in the warm bathwater, Tsubaki closed her eyes while trying to ease her sore limbs.
How could she survive her future days with him?
No! She shouldn't be like this! She would always be on the losing end if she couldn't counter his attacks. Slapping her cheeks a few times, her determination filled her heart.
If I always act like this, he would bully me again! I will show him who's in charge next time! If he bullied me again, let's just starve him!
Her body didn't feel quite as sore as earlier after finishing her bath. She took the white bathrobe that was hanging on the closet inside the bathroom. Wrapping her hair using a white towel, she stepped outside the bathroom.
Ren was sitting on a single couch facing the French doors. He was typing on his laptop. Seeing him focusing on his work made her smile somehow. He looked so in peace. Gathering her courage to not crumble under his teasing again, she walked to his side.
"Are you not going to work?"
Ren looked up from his laptop. His lips forming a smile. He wrapped his hand around her waist before pulling her to sit on his lap. Tsubaki yelped, she put one arm across her chest.
"I'll be going in the afternoon. Come with me?" He unwrapped her hair towel before gently drying her long hair. He even massaged her head. Tsubaki felt good so she just let him did what he wanted.
"Won't I be a bother?" Tsubaki asked.
"It's either I would be more motivated with you around or I couldn't even work because I couldn't take my eyes off of you." Ren laughed.
Tsubaki hit his chest playfully. "I won't go then. I should think of your assistants' fate if you didn't do your work. They would be busier then."
"Shouldn't you think of your husband?" He raised his eyebrows, amused with her answer.
"No." Tsubaki adamantly refused before she added, "But I'll meet you for evening tea if you want."
"Alright. I won't ask for more. But, could I have my hummingbird cake for today's evening tea?"
"Consider it a deal." Tsubaki winked.
Ren dropped her off at Camellia Sweets around 2PM. The employees were entertaining the last of their customers for lunch hour. A group of white collar employees had just left with coffees and cakes in their hands when Tsubaki entered the door.
"I'm sorry! How's today's progress? I hope my absence didn't burden you guys." Tsubaki quickly tied her apron before heading to the counter.
"Ever since you becomes a married woman, we knows that we could expect less of your attendance, Boss." Chiyo put a tray on the counter. She pouted while looking at Tsubaki intently.
"You're the one who always nag at me whenever I work hard. Regretting your words now?" Tsubaki laughed. She was checking their ledgers.
"Ignore her, Sister Tsubaki." Kohana came out from the kitchen with a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls. "She's just sulking because her boyfriend is busy with works nowadays."
"Oh?" Tsubaki raised her eyebrows with a teasing smile. "Since when did you have a boyfriend? I haven't heard anything."
"Since you're busy being lovey dovey with Mr. Fuse." Chiyo stuck out her tongue before running away from the counter.
Tsubaki looked at the girl's antics in disbelief. She finally laughed in amusement.