They returned home and went through their daily lives as usual. While Ren was busy with his work in the company, Tsubaki spent more time thinking of everything she knew so far. She would always be caught staring in a daze by her employees, making them worried over her.
"Are you tired, Sister Tsubaki?" One day, Chiyo came and asked her when she was sitting at one of the coffee tables inside the bakery.
"En?" Tsubaki lifted up her gaze from the planner in front of her, her fingers that were holding on a pen loosened her grip. "Why did you ask me that?"
"Well, you've spent the last half an hour staring at your planner without writing anything," Chiyo peered at her Boss' face. She could see a few faint lines of exhaustion in her dulled eyes. "So, we thought you're tired due to your pregnancy. Plus, you're busy with the wedding, right?"
Chiyo's guess was a spot on. Besides worrying over the things Granny Sumiko told her, she still had their wedding added to the list. Almost all of the preparations had been completed. She and Ren just needed to wait for the wedding day. The only thing left was their wedding garments fitting session and a few minor things.
"It's nothing," Tsubaki curved up the corners of her lips, she closed the planner and focused fully on the young girl who was sitting opposite her. "I just couldn't sleep much at night, maybe because of this little one."
As she said so, Tsubaki smiled fondly while touching her belly that had started to protrude.
Chiyo's eyes gleamed as her gaze went to the not-obvious bump on her Boss' stomach. She squealed in delight, both of her hands were cupping her face as her feet tapped on the floor below the table.
"I want to see the baby soon! You and Mr. Fuse is a beautiful couple, I believe your child would be a cute one! Aaa~ I can already picture his chubby cheeks!"
Tsubaki couldn't contain her giggle when she saw the dreamy expression in Chiyo's eyes. This young girl was the bubbliest one in this bakery. She hadn't failed in cheering people up. Tsubaki was glad to have her thoughts being interrupted by Chiyo. Her mood had elevated even for a bit.
"I'm just reaching the end of my first trimester, we still have a long way to go," Tsubaki shook her head, a helpless smile tugged on her lips.
"Yeah, it's true. But, by the time you've given birth, you'd realize that it passes in a blink!"
Chiyo continued to rant with Tsubaki as there were not many customers in the bakery at the moment. Tsubaki just listened to her chatting, it was a good way to divert her attention from the matter burdening her heart and mind.
At one corner, Kohana and Yoshie looked at each other with a relieved smile when they saw the sight of the two of the ladies talking happily.
In the evening, Tsubaki was chatting with a pair of mother and son when she was surprised by the appearance of a certain someone. Her eyes lit up in wonder as she saw him entered the bakery.
As always, she would be lovestruck by him.
"Darling!"
Ren curled up his lips seeing his wife bright smile. He nodded once at the young mother and son as a form of greeting before he took one of Tsubaki's hands in his.
"I've just come back from a site. Let's go home early?"
"Oh, okay," Tsubaki agreed. "You go and sit at the table first."
Ren smiled. He turned around and went to a vacant table.
"Is that your husband?" The friendly young mother asked. "He's so handsome! Now, I'm intrigued to see your baby next."
Tsubaki laughed happily, the young mother had repeated Chiyo's words to her. They were talking about her first pregnancy as she gave a few pieces of advice to Tsubaki.
"Well, I'm quite anxious to go through the remaining months," said Tsubaki honestly, her brows knitted as a sad smile carved on her face. She placed both of her hands over her tummy. "I'm afraid if something bad would happen."
"It's normal to feel like that," The young mother smiled, she glanced at her son who was munching on a cinnamon twist by himself. The little guy was standing obediently next to her mother. "I felt like that too but you have to remember to take care of your mental and physical health. I'm sure your husband have be a great support to you."
Even though she had seen a brief interaction between the husband and wife, she could tell that their relationship was a harmonious one.
"Well, he is," said Tsubaki proudly, her mind was filled with the memories of him taking care of her since before her pregnancy started. He had always been considerate and thoughtful to her. "I'm thankful for his care."
The two ladies exchanged a few more words before the young mother urged her son to wave Tsubaki goodbye. Tsubaki waved him back, she felt that he was so adorable with his cute clothes on his small body.
Tsubaki glanced back over her shoulder, looking at the handsome man who was focusing his gaze at her. He was leaning lazily against the chair, his long leg crossed over another. His custom-made suit accentuated his tall and slender figure perfectly.
"Why?" His smile was reflected through his eyes as he stared at his wife who was looking at him in silence. "Bewitched by me?"
Tsubaki laughed, he was really shameless! She could see how Kohana's jaw dropped hearing such a corny sentence by this intimidating man. Kohana quickly fled from the scene and went to the counter at the other side of the bakery.
"You could leave your work early?" Tsubaki went to his side. "I thought you'd be home later tonight like the last three days."
"My job has settled," Ren stood up, he easily towered her petite body. Placing one hand over her shoulders, he began to lead her toward the resting lounge. "Let's get your things. I want to bring you somewhere."
"It is a date?" Tsubaki whispered excitedly, the obvious anticipation that twinkled in her eyes made him let out a low laugh.
"Yes," He nodded. "You'd love it."
Ren brought Tsubaki to one boutique on the ground floor in Spring City, it made her wonder what a grand occasion waiting for her tonight. Inside the high-end boutique, Ren instructed the manager to let Tsubaki choose a dress. Tsubaki was baffled and she looked at him with a pitiful expression as she was escorted to a room. Ren chuckled, he just waved her goodbye.
He had planned something special for her tonight.
An hour later, Ren had already changed his usual dark suit to a new one. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt beneath a dark maroon jacket lined his broad shoulders to his narrow waist. His long and strong legs were hugged perfectly by a pair of dark maroon trousers. A male stylist fixed his bangs and in no time changed his hairstyle to a slicked back one. Even though he appeared as unapproachable as usual, the salesgirls inside the boutique still couldn't keep their eyes from the handsome man.
They had seen countless young and good-looking men from the upper class yet they couldn't be compared to this man. His every movement spelt elegance and his temperament exuded pure nobility that was deeply carved in his bones since birth.
"President Fuse," The manager called out to Ren who was sitting on a comfy couch. "Mrs. Fuse is here."
Ren lifted up his eyes, his sharp hearing caught the sound of the familiar footsteps walking behind the manager. The darkness in his eyes dispelled as he looked at the young lady dressed in a maroon outfit. Her delicate face was showing faint traces of nervousness as she looked back at him.
Ren calmly stood up, she hadn't reached him when he walked toward her. The corners of his lips tugged into a smile and his eyes didn't leave her face, it was as if they were the only ones in the brightly lit room. They met in the middle.
"Sweetheart," Ren smiled. He scanned her from head to toe, a wave of tenderness was exuded from his smile.
A long tulle skirt perfectly befitted her frame, her baby bump was concealed by the layerings of the skirt around her waist. The boat neckline of the dress displayed her delicate collarbone as the butterfly sleeves draped from her shoulders to her forearms. Her long hair was arranged into a coil at the base of her swan-line neck, forming a chignon. Three white flowers adorned her hair-do, creating a stark contrast against her silky black hair. The stylist just used light makeup to accentuate her beauty.
"You look breathtaking."
His low and husky voice echoed in the quiet room, each word was as clear as a stream creating ripples in her nervous heart. Her face blushed beautifully as crimson color stained her rosy cheeks.
"What..." Tsubaki shifted her eyes from his face, her legs felt weakened under his penetrating gaze. The tips of her ears turned red. "Why do we need to dress up suddenly?"
Ren shook his head as he chuckled. He placed one hand behind his straightened back as the other one offering his palm toward her. His action was as perfect as a gentleman.
Tsubaki was looking at his palm with a confused face before she heard him saying, "Take my hand, sweetheart. We're going for a date."
Tsubaki pursed her lips, she felt her cheeks couldn't stop reddening. Without looking at the envious and dreamy gaze from the salesgirls near them, she quickly took his hand. Ren was still smiling as he led her outside.
"You're wearing flat shoes?" He turned his head to her side, looking at the top of her head that had just reached his shoulders.
"En." Tsubaki nodded, she sounded regretful. "I'm afraid to wear high heels even though the flats do not match this dress. "
"Good," Ren crooned, nothing could mask the adoration in his voice. "They would just put a strain on your feet. You could wear them again after giving birth."
"Well, it's not like I fancy them anyway," Tsubaki giggled. She was telling the truth. Her favorites were flat shoes and low-cut sneakers. "It'd be hard to carry our baby if I wore them."
Their conversation drifted in the air as they left the boutique. Tsubaki couldn't help but feeling shy when she heard a stream of squeals coming from the salesgirls that remained in the boutique. It was clear that the young maidens were waiting for them to exit first before they let out their gossipy nature.
"Gosh! So romantic!"
"And there's a baby coming!"
"I want to see the Little Fuse~"
They walked to the entrance exclusively for the elites. There were no people in sight since it was different from the regular entrance. Ren brought Tsubaki here since he didn't want to attract unnecessary attention from the crowd as the one they got when they had just left the boutique. Their appearance was too high-profile with the way they were currently dressed.
Tsubaki was as confused as ever when she saw her husband's car was replaced by a black limousine she had never seen before. Hibiki was already waiting to open the door for them.
"Get inside first," Ren smiled seeing her cute face brewing in confusion. "Come, let me help you."
Ren gathered her skirt and let Tsubaki boarded the limousine. One of his hands was placed on the roof of the car, afraid of his wife hitting her head against them. Once Tsubaki sat comfortably on the comfy leather cushion, he took his seat beside her.
"Where are we going? You're being too mysterious right now," Tsubaki pouted her lips colored by a coral pink lipstick, she narrowed her eyes in suspicions as she stared at her husband.
Ren stifled a laugh. He raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching a strand of her hair that fell at the side of her face. His gaze deepened as he eyed her plump lips. A temptation to kiss her suddenly rose in his heart.
"You'd better stop asking me now before I ruin your lipstick," Ren arched an eyebrow with a teasing look. He put his hand on her cheek before he pinched them. "Or, do you want me to?"
Tsubaki's eyes widened as red alarm blaring in her head. She quickly turned her head around, refused to look at him any longer. The sound of his low laugh from her back was such a tease. She didn't have to imagine that the driving Hibiki was also suffering under his Boss' shameless act of flirting.
The rest of their car ride was quiet. After such a long time, Hibiki slowed down the car in front of a European style mansion. The vast garden at each side of the grand architecture was illuminated with the bright light coming from the tall poles standing on the ground surrounding the mansion. Tsubaki gasped in shock as she took in the spectacular view.
"Darling..." Tsubaki looked at her husband, she was in a daze and no other words came out of her small mouth.
Ren smiled lightly. "Let's go out first?"
"En."
Both of them alighted the car. Tsubaki's hand was wrapped around her husband's. Both of them stood in front of the flower arch at the entrance of the mansion. A cobbled path laid before them, leading to the grand doors. Tiny bulbs shaped in roses lit either side of the path, creating a dreamlike trail of light she had always seen in a romance movie.
"Darling, what is this?" Tsubaki pulled herself back from her trance, she looked up to meet her husband's soft gaze. "This..."
She didn't know what to say. They had always gone for dates yet it was rare for him to be as grand as tonight. Was something significant due today? She knew that it was neither his or her birthday and their anniversary was still far.
Ren laughed again, joy was evident in his eyes. He eyed her confused face as a surge of warmth enveloping his heart.
His winter days had ceased to exist the moment she brought spring in his life. Before meeting her, he had never dreamed of loving and be loved in return. It was a far-fetched wish and he had never been bothered with them.
Only after meeting her, for the first time, he longed to be cherished by someone.
"Today..." Ren slowly dipped his head in, he gently pulled her closer to him as their breath intertwined. "Was the day I first confessed to you five years ago and the day you accepted me in your heart."
Tsubaki was surprised yet before she could say anything, he had already claimed her lips. Through her widened eyes, she saw that he was looking at her with a soft gaze.