"President Sagara of Sagara Corp is accused of plotting murder on President Fuse of Fuse Corporation."
"President Fuse survived the crash. He is reportedly planning to sue President Sagara."
"The stock prices of Fuse Corporation soar high once again after its declining phase due to the news of helicopter crash."
"Countless investors pull out from Sagara Corp."
The news of Mr. Sagara and Ren took up almost the headlines the next morning. Matsuzaki had to work overtime in order to suppress negative news and lead the group of lawyers to meet the detained Mr. Sagara. The old fox claimed he was being framed but the cold hard evidence being thrown by Matsuzaki to his face shut him up.
While the people were discussing the news, Ren and Tsubaki had already headed out of the city. Ren woke up earlier and began packing their clothes. When Tsubaki finally awoke an hour later, she stared at her husband's cheery face who was already in casual clothes.
"You want to go right now?" Tsubaki asked in disbelief. He had just mentioned the gateway last night and now, he had already done the packing? "You said we would go in a few more days."
"Yes, sweetheart. A change of plan" Ren answered briefly as he gently pulled his wife from the bed. He planted a kiss on her forehead before leading her to the wardrobe. "I've already packed your clothes too. It'd take us almost three hours before we'd finally reach our destination so I want to leave early."
"Where are we going?" Tsubaki took a clean towel and headed to the bathroom. She gave him a last glance before she closed the door. "Or it is a secret?"
Ren chuckled. "You'd know soon. Hurry up. I've placed your clothes inside the bathroom."
Tsubaki nodded as she yawned sleepily. Rubbing her tired eyes, she didn't want to overthink it. Ren was always full of surprises. As she brushed her teeth, she suddenly thought of the company. Wasn't he supposed to go there? Did he plan to escape this mess?
She could only pity Matsuzaki and Hibiki who would need to deal with the mess when the one who was supposed to handle it going for a short gateway.
Once Tsubaki showered, she realized the outfits prepared by her husband was a set of a long-sleeved cream colored knit shirt and light brown skirt. The material of the shirt was a bit thicker than her usual outfit in spring. Did he want to go someplace colder?
"Are you done, sweetheart?" Ren called out. He opened the wardrobe doors and saw his wife was applying sunscreen on her face. He smiled lightly before standing behind her. Looking at her long hair, he asked, "Do you want to tie your hair?"
Tsubaki chuckled. She looked at him from the reflection of the mirror. "Do you want to help me?"
"It's my pleasure." Ren smiled.
He moved to his wife's side of the wardrobe. There were a few sets of hair scarves in the glass display cabinet. After thinking for a while, he reached out for a floral motived scarf. Ren carefully combed Tsubaki's long black hair. His slender fingers skillfully tying her hair into a long ponytail.
"Perfect." Ren admired his handiwork.
Tsubaki laughed when she saw the look on her husband's face. She stood up and lightly pecked his thin lips. "Thank you, hubby."
Ren swiftly pulled her chin and deepened the kiss. Tsubaki instinctively grabbed his lapels. He only let her go when her face had completely flushed red. He chuckled lowly against her lips, "Anything for my sweetheart. Oh, we need to touch up your lipstick."
Tsubaki glared at him, feeling wronged. She picked up the coral lipstick and reapplied it on her lips. Ren didn't dare to mess with her any longer. The couple went downstairs and saw Grandma was already waiting in the dining table.
"You just can't wait to toss all your jobs to Matsuzaki and Hibiki, right?" Grandma started to nag once she saw her grandson's face.
"It's okay. I could double their paycheck for this month," answered Ren nonchalantly. He pulled out a chair for Tsubaki on Grandma's left side before he walked over to his.
"This brat!" Grandma sighed. "Whatever, just go and have fun. You'd be a lot busier once you get back. Just take this time to rest, whatever you want to do."
"Yes, Grandma," Ren replied. He smiled mischievously to Tsubaki. "Who knows, you'd get good news soon? Maybe before New Year comes, we could add a new person in our family."
Grandma's eyes lit up while Tsubaki's cheeks had turned a rosy pink. She tried to kick his feet under the table but Ren had swiftly moved his feet aside.
"Great! Great! A great-grandson! Or a great-granddaughter! I don't mind either way!" Grandma excitedly looked at Tsubaki. "Eat healthily, Tsubaki. Grandma doesn't want you to suffer during your pregnancy. Ah! I can't wait to hold my great-grandchild."
"Grandma... that..." Tsubaki could only squirm when she saw the look on Grandma's face. She silently blaming Ren for suddenly mentioning about a child to Grandma.
This man!
Ren glanced at his wife's face. He smiled while leisurely continue eating his breakfast.
"Why did you suddenly mention a baby to Grandma?" Tsubaki asked once they were in the car. They hadn't started their journey.
"Because I want to?" Ren replied. He laughed when he saw her little face was frowning. He leaned down and kissed her lips lightly. "I just feel like it, I dream of us having children."
Tsubaki felt like her anger dissipated. Well, she wasn't truly angry at him to begin with. She was just feeling shy and peeve when he suddenly talk about having a child to Grandma without informing her first. To be honest, her heart fluttered when he talked about them having children.
"Whenever I'm away from you, I always think, what if one day I couldn't come home and leave you alone?" Ren's deep voice lightly echoed in the car. "I don't want you to be alone without anyone. Satsuki would have his own family and Grandma couldn't watch over you forever. So, at least I want us to have our own small family."
"Ren..."
"Especially with what happened two days ago." Ren smiled bitterly. "If I didn't notice something was wrong with the pilot, I might not be here. So, sweetheart, I'm sorry if I sound selfish but I hope we could have children of our own."
When she looked into his eyes, she could see the faint trace of fear deep in them. She wanted to speak, wanted to comfort him but no words came to her. In the end, she answered by kissing him. Ren's eyelashes fluttered. He returned the kiss, trying to savor every inch of her taste.