After speaking to Matsuzaki, Tsubaki hurried to Grandma's room. Old Sahachirou had been called. The kindhearted looking old man came with his assistant. He conducted a simple examination before he said Grandma was indeed fine. She just needed some rest.
"Grandma, don't overthink it." Tsubaki rearranged the blanket that was covering the old lady's body. "Ren would be fine. The helicopter did crash but Matsuzaki said there's a high chance for us to successfully finding him. The rescue team hasn't found any bodies so Ren might be safe."
Even though Tsubaki was itching to tell Grandma the truth, she understood she couldn't afford to ruin Ren's plan. Matsuzaki hadn't told her everything yet she had captured the gist of it.
The forest was big so it would take some time before the rescue team could find anything. They would use the time to stall Mr. Sagara's plan.
Matsuzaki had said that Hibiki and the pilot were safe. Before the helicopter crashed, Hibiki, who had anticipated the upcoming doom yanked the pilot with him and jumped from the helicopter using the parachutes. They needed to make the crash happened as to avoid from alerting Mr. Sagara. Both of them had left the forest and were waiting for further instructions from Ren. The pilot was threatened to follow their plans or he would be subjected to crime charges.
"Do you think so?"
Old Madam Fuse weakly asked. The pallor of her wrinkly cheeks made her appeared ten years older than her exact age. She was utterly shocked when Mr. Sagara told her about the accident. She was afraid if she would lose her beloved grandson.
Tsubaki nodded. There was faith in her bright eyes. She gently held Grandma's hands.
"I believe that my husband is safe." Tsubaki rubbed comforting circles on the back of the old lady's hands. Her gentle voice brought calm to the Grandma's weary heart. "So, you have to believe that your grandson is safe too. We want him to be safe, right?"
"Yes... yes... I want Ren to be safe..." Grandma Fuse repeated her words.
"Matsuzaki said Grandma should attend the meeting tomorrow. I'll accompany you. I don't know much about the company but at the very least I want to be your support. Could I, Grandma?"
Grandma watched as the young lady before her spoke with care and tenderness. Earlier, when she had almost broke down because of the news, Tsubaki didn't waver. Her granddaughter in-law helped supporting her and even dealing with the bad news alone as she was escorted to her room. If she wasn't here tonight, Grandma wouldn't know how to face the news.
"Yes. Please accompany Grandma tomorrow." Grandma nodded as she smiled slightly.
Tsubaki returned the smile. She helped Grandma to lay down on the bed. The bedside table lamps had been dimmed. "You should go to sleep soon, Grandma. I'm sure we would have good news about Ren tomorrow."
"Alright." Grandma didn't object. She no longer had any energy to stay up. "Good night, Tsubaki."
"Good night, Grandma."
Tsubaki squeezed her hands for the last time before she stepped out from the bedroom. Old Yuuzo and Grandma's personal maids were waiting outside. They looked worriedly at Tsubaki who was closing the door behind her.
"Grandma is fine. She isn't agitated as before," Tsubaki said as the maids breathed sighs of relief. "But we need to watch over her tonight. I'm afraid Grandma would wake up in the middle of the night because of a nightmare."
"Leave the Old Madam to us, Madam." Old Yuuzo said worriedly. "The meeting tomorrow isn't going to be a good one so you need absolute rest tonight. The relatives have been calling for news but I've only told them everything is going to be fine. If not, they would come knocking the door late at night."
Tsubaki hadn't met any of the relatives of the Fuse Family. Ren hadn't even mention about their existence. They might or might not be involved with the company.
As she contemplated what Old Yuuzo had been advising, Tsubaki nodded. "Then, I'll leave Grandma to you, Old Yuuzo. Matsuzaki has left something for me in regards of the meeting. I'll retreat to my room now."
Old Yuuzo bowed his head slightly. "Please rest assure, Madam. At least, I hope you'd have a good night sleep. Master wouldn't want to see you being restless over him."
Tsubaki didn't answer, she just smiled as her eyes dimmed.
After checking Grandma for the last time, Tsubaki walked to her shared bedroom with Ren in the old house. There was an envelope in her hands. It was her copy of the documents from earlier. Matsuzaki himself had kept a copy on Ren's behalf. He would bring it to the company tomorrow.
She closed the door behind her as she took in the surrounding. The arrangements of the bedroom was still the same as before. Nothing had changed.
Yet it felt strangely huge and empty for her. Was it because he wasn't here?
Tsubaki opened the door of the walk-in wardrobe. His clothes were at the right side of the wardrobe while hers were placed at the left side. There was a full length mirror at the other side of the wall as well as a set of vanity table. Even though she had only been in the old house for a few times, he thoughtfully prepared all of her favorite skincare and body care. Looking at the fine bottle of her perfume, she remembered the time when he helped her sprayed it on her body.
He is fine... Matsuzaki has said that he is safe...
Her views turned blurry as tears glistening her eyes.
They thought she was fine. No. She was not fine until she could see him before her. She just acted tough to avoid Grandma from breaking down and worrying the others. Even the confirmation from Matsuzaki did nothing to ease her worry.
After all, Ren was injured, right?
Tsubaki subconsciously took a set of Ren's black silk pajamas from his side of the wardrobe. The velvety touch of the material felt cold on her fingertips. She pursed her lips as the tears fell on the pajamas. His minty scent lingered in the air, clawing her heart.
She wanted to hear his voice.
She wanted to see him.
She wanted to hold him, to feel his warmth.
It was so cold here.
She...
Tsubaki shook her head, trying to chase the negative feelings away. She could not sleep if she continued thinking this way. Wiping her tears furiously, she quickly undressed and change into the black pajamas. The size was too big for her but she didn't mind. She rolled the sleeves before she bent down to roll the edge of the pants to her ankles. After washing her face, she climbed up the bed. She turned off the lights, leaving the room in pitch black darkness.
It was at the exact moment when her phone suddenly rang.