The sun had risen when the husband and wife were on their way to the airport the next morning. Hibiki dropped them off at the entrance before he went to park the car. Two bodyguards in black suits helped bring the luggage inside the airport while the couple walked comfortably behind them.
Ren peered at Tsubaki's excited face. His sharp facial features softened as if her happiness got infected to him. Tsubaki was looking around the airport, watching people who walked back and forth to their destinations. She didn't realize the look he gave her.
She looks brighter and happier, this is good.
"Sweetheart, our flight wouldn't take off until two hours later," Ren raised up his right hand, looking at his wristwatch. "Do you want to enter the departure hall right now or do something else?"
Tsubaki tilted her head, pondering his words. She smiled sheepishly before she answered, "Could we just enter the hall? I'm still tired, to be honest."
Ren frowned, he took a careful look on her face. Despite her smiling face, he still caught some signs of her fatigue. Her eyes weren't as bright as usual and her complexion was a bit pale. Ren stroked her face as tender as he could, his brows almost knitted together.
"I think we should bring you to see a doctor once we landed," He gave a suggestion. "Toshiro did say you've exhausted yourself with what were happenings as of late but, I'm worried seeing you like this. Is that alright, sweetheart?"
Tsubaki gave a light nod, agreeing with him. "Okay, darling. I'll listen to you."
Ren smiled, her answer put him at ease.
The husband and wife walked to the departure hall, they met Hibiki there as he too would join their trip. Hibiki led them to the VIP lounge inside the hall before he busied himself with his works. Matsuzaki would arrive from the company soon with a stack of documents needed for the inspection of Summer City Hotel.
Since Ren disliked taking private flight, the assistants opted for the usual one despite having to wait for the boarding time. Ren and Tsubaki sat at one of the comfy couches inside the lounge, there was a small coffee table in front of them. After the waiter brought their tea and snacks, Tsubaki kicked off her white sneakers, she bent down to massage her aching feet.
"Is it too uncomfortable?" Ren leaned down slightly, he gently brought her feet to his lap.
Tsubaki was startled, her eyes went to her left and right. "Ren! This is a public place!" She whispered in urgency.
"So?" Ren smiled coyly, he glanced around, looking at the faces of passengers in the VIP lounge. "It isn't like I commit a crime."
"Okay..." Tsubaki smiled secretly. She was actually happy when Ren started to massage her sore feet. She turned a blind eye when she noticed some of the people sitting near them cast odd looks toward them.
The lounge was built for the VIPs' comfort so the couches and chairs inside were placed quite far from each other in order to give some privacy. The place where the couple was seated was near a corner so only a few people could see them. But, it couldn't stop any gossipers.
"I wear the sneakers but my feet are still aching," Tsubaki mumbled, she leaned sideways against the backrest of the couch. "Sorry, hubby."
"What are you saying sorry for?" Ren laughed lightly. His right hand moved to her calf, he could feel the stiffness of her muscles under his touch. "Maybe we should do a thorough body check. Beside sleeping too frequently, I noticed that you've always massaged your arms and feet. Have you working too hard lately, sweetheart?"
Tsubaki didn't immediately answer her husband, she too was confused with the changes in her body. She understood that the stress she had would cause the changes but somehow she felt like something was off.
It was easy for her to feel sleepy nowadays. Her limbs would be aching too even when she didn't do any heavy work. Her cravings for something sweet were a bit more than usual when she thought back of how many desserts she would eat whenever she was at the bakery.
Her eyes widened when another thought came into her mind.
Don't tell me...
"Sweetheart?" Ren rose his brows, feeling weird when she suddenly looked happy. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Tsubaki tried to hide her smile but it was still apparent in her eyes. "Yes, darling. We should go to the doctor. As soon as we land, okay?"
"Okay..."
Ren still felt she was trying to conceal something but he just let her be. It was cute when she would occasionally sneak a glance at him before she giggled secretly. The glow her smile radiated was much brighter than the ones he would usually saw. He wondered what was she thinking at this time.
Their journey to the beach town was smooth, from the moment their flight landed and rode a car to their booked accommodation. Ren had arranged for them to stay at one of the hotels overlooking the sea. The five stars hotel was packed with people once they entered the lobby. Most of them wore summer outfits and swimsuits. The atmosphere was lively.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Ren walked over to her after he finished a phone call. "I want to bring you to a doctor but there's an urgent meeting soon at the site. How about you take a rest first in the hotel room and then I'd bring you to the hospital after my meeting?"
"It's okay, you just have to focus on your work," Tsubaki smiled in understanding. "We should enjoy our trip first. The meeting with the doctor could wait."
Ren was baffled. Wasn't she the one who asked him to bring her to see a doctor as soon as they landed? How could she change her mind so suddenly?
"Alright, whatever you say, goes," Ren could only relent to her. "Let's go to our room first."
"Okay~"
The husband and wife walked hand-in-hand toward the elevator heading to their suite. A bellboy had brought their luggage inside the suite ahead of them. Ren took off his jacket, he wanted to freshen himself for a bit before going to the site.
"If you need anything, you could ask the bodyguards or the hotel service for it. They'd also prepare our meals and send them here," Ren gave his wife a reminder once he stepped out from the washroom. Droplets of cool water dampened his face.
"Okay, I know what to do, darling," Tsubaki smiled sweetly. She took a towel and helped him to dry his face. After seeing the way he looked at her, she added, "Don't worry about me and focus on your work, okay?"
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ren asked again. He was worried and uneasy to leave her alone in the suite when they had just arrive here. "I could ask the hotel to send a doctor here if you're still feeling sick."
"I'm okay, don't worry!" Tsubaki answered with a giggle. She grabbed his arms and pushed him toward the door. "Don't let them wait for you. I'll just stay here in this room."
"Okay..." Ren was a bit reluctant but her bright smile somehow convinced his uneasy heart. He gave her a soft peck on the lips. "Take care, sweetheart."
"Alright~ See you later, darling."
Tsubaki waved at him as he opened the door. Two bodyguards stood at either side of their suite entrance. After she made sure he had stepped inside the elevator, she quickly closed the door and ran toward the bed.
"What to do now? What should I do?"
Tsubaki was getting giddy when she thought of the possibility inside her mind. She clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes slowly lowered down to her tummy. After contemplating for a long time, Tsubaki called for room service and gave a couple of requests.
Their suite was located on the topmost floor and only the selected concierges could work on this floor. They provided the best privacy for their guests so Tsubaki knew she shouldn't worry about anything. She could just ask one of the bodyguards to help but she didn't want to alert her husband if he got wind of it.
Once the bodyguards asked the permission to let the female concierge enter the suite, Tsubaki was practically running to the older woman. The concierge smiled as she presented a few small boxes wrapped inside a big napkin to Tsubaki.
"I've gotten you the things you need, Madam," the concierge said with respect, "And I've made sure no one would speak of it."
"Thank you," Tsubaki smiled timidly. "I'm not sure yet so I don't want my husband to know about it."
"I understood, Madam," the woman nodded, her smile was bright as she added, "I hope you get what you're hopeful for, Madam."
"Thank you." Tsubaki felt she could cry at any moment now. The older woman bowed once and left the suite.
After making sure the doors were closed properly, Tsubaki quickly went inside the bathroom. She opened the napkin and several white boxes scattered on the countertop. She took one of them and read the instructions carefully before went inside the toilet.
In a few minutes, she exited the toilet. Her hands were trembling as she looked at the test kit on the countertop. Tsubaki pursed her lips, her heart was beating furiously.
Please.... please... Please let it be true.
As Tsubaki was chanting repeatedly inside her heart, two red lines formed on the kit.
Her eyes widened, she thought her heart had stopped beating.