After Mr. Walker took his seat on the stage as a group of bodyguards was blocking Mr. Sagara from coming closer to him, the journalists' attention was only on the desperate man. They received a tip earlier, saying Mr. Walker from A-W Group from the US had came to Japan. What made their interest piqued was that Mr. Walker didn't come here for Mr. Sagara's company. He had chosen another company to collaborate with.
As they were waiting with such anticipation, the big doors of the hall were opened again. A tall man dressed in a black suit walked inside with an entourage following him from behind. The moment the man stepped inside, all of the journalists' eyes bulged wide in disbelief.
And Tsubaki was watching him with tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.
As the man entered the hall, everyone's attention fell on him. He held his head high, his gaze was focusing on the path before him. His posture looked domineeringly straight and tall, making the entourage behind him looked small in comparison. The cold and dark aura emanated from him made people thought twice before deciding to approach him.
But they didn't realize the fleeting warmth in his cold eyes when he landed his gaze on a certain lady before he focusing back on what was laying ahead of him.
"Tsubaki!" Grandma quickly gripped Tsubaki's hands, her voice was low even though it carried disbelief and excitement. "It's Ren, right? It's really him?"
"Yes, Grandma." Tsubaki smiled tearily when she noticed his subtle smile to her when their eyes met earlier. "It's really him."
He was truly safe.
At first, she thought she could finally be at peace. But it seemed like the peace and calm that should be brought when he finally appeared before her eyes didn't come. As she watched his back moving farther and farther from her, she felt like a giant claw was clutching her heart tight.
She won't be at peace until she could hold him in her arms.
Tsubaki lowered her head, finding it hard to keep watching the tall figure walking ahead. Her lips quivered as she meekly called for the old lady beside her, " Grandma..."
"Yes?" Grandma frowned when she looked at the expression on Tsubaki's face. She realized that the strong front of Tsubaki from earlier had started to crumble. "Tsubaki, are you okay?"
"Could I be excused from here?" Tsubaki asked, almost pleading. She hadn't raised her head. "I don't think... I could stay still..."
Grandma caught the meaning behind her words. She quickly nodded and instructed two of the bodyguards to bring her granddaughter in-law to Ren's suite in the hotel. When she saw how hard this young lady was trying to hold back her tears, her heart ached terribly.
"Go. Grandma is fine here." Grandma hugged Tsubaki's shoulders. She let her go and cheekily added, "Don't worry. I'll give that brat a beating for making you worry like this. Or two, since I'm worried as well."
Tsubaki stifled her laugh at Grandma's attempt to cheer her up. She returned the old lady's hug before she left with the bodyguards. They used the side door in order to avoid the attention of the media.
The bodyguards brought her to the 30th floor. One could only find luxurious suites on this floor and the most expensive one belonged to President Fuse. He rarely came here but the manager had always kept it clean and tidy.
"Madam, please rest here. We'll be standing on guard outside." One of the men in black suits said as Tsubaki opened the door.
"Thank you." She smiled wearily.
Tsubaki stepped inside the suite. It seemed like even though this was the most expensive suite, it was decorated according to her husband's taste. The design was simple and minimal. She removed her high heels and wore the comfy slippers. Tsubaki sat down on a couch. She stared at the ceiling.
It was selfish of her to suddenly leave Grandma alone and didn't inform of her leaving to Ren. But, she was afraid if she remained any longer in the hall, she couldn't hold back her urge to run to him even in the midst of people watching. So she chose to retreat.
Ren, come up faster. I want to see you.
Tsubaki closed her eyes, trying to distract herself by shutting herself off of the world.
Inside Camellia Hall.
As Ren's steps brought him closer to the stage where Mr. Walker had seated, Mr. Sagara's face turned paler as if he saw a ghost. His bulging eyes didn't leave the man's noble appearance. His mouth parted as he tried to speak yet no words came to his mind.
Not only Mr. Sagara, but even the media was also stunned with the sudden appearance of Fuse Ren. Even though he rarely appeared in front of the media, they knew how he looked like. They were afraid of offending Fuse Family unintentionally by writing ridiculous gossips about them so they had deeply etched the face of this new Master of Fuse Household in their minds. By doing so, they could be more aware when following the life of wealthy families in the city.
"Welcome to Japan, Mr. Walker."
Ren spoke English fluently as he bowed to Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker did the same following the local's custom. Both of the men exchanged smiles before they took their respective seats. Only then did the media came out of their shock. They started bombarding him with questions.
"President Fuse, the news from the rescue team yesterday stated that you couldn't be found in the crash! And now you appear here? What has happened?"
"Did you or did you not involve in the helicopter crash?"
"Why did you suddenly appear here when people all over the city couldn't find you?"
"President Fuse, could you enlighten us?"
Ren's face was cold and serious as he was facing the group of journalists. He raised one hand to silence them, which they quickly obeyed. Even though they were so eager to ask the questions popping inside their heads, they didn't dare to raise a commotion for fear of being kicked out of the event.
Matsuzaki stepped on the podium. He adjusted the microphone before he started speaking. His eyes landed on the media.
"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen and our friends of the media," he started. "We are sorry for suddenly calling you here within short notice. I won't delay any longer. Let's welcome Mr. Alan Walker and his subordinates from A-W Group for a contract signing with Fuse Corporation!"
What?
Contract signing with... A-W Group?
The media was dumbfounded. And Mr. Sagara's worst nightmare finally became a reality.
The horror on Mr. Sagara's face was so evident that it attracted a crook smile on Ren's face. Staring at him with his dark eyes, he spoke lazily in a low tone while malice was concealed behind it, "It seems like you didn't know that I've snatched the contract from you. Are you too busy planning my accident yesterday until you overlooked this matter?"
Mr. Sagara's lips twitched. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the man with a death stare.