Once the truth dropped, Tsubaki's mind went blank.
The open secret was still hard to be accepted by her.
"Your uncle?" Tsubaki took a deep breath, she regained her composure. "How could you look so much like my father if you're just his nephew?"
"Saeki Takahisa is my father's twin brother, it's a given if I resembled him," Saito Hajime added. He eyed Tsubaki for a moment before he added, "The same as you and your twin sister."
Tsubaki narrowed her eyes. She hadn't found anything about this man's father. So, her father had a twin. Could it be it was due to his genetic that she was born as twins too?
"I'll tell you everything," Seeing the incredulous look in Tsubaki's eyes, Saito Hajime decided to spill whatever he could. "This matter would see the light of the day eventually, just consider I do you a favor."
"Alright... please continue."
Tsubaki reached out a hand, she wanted to get the teacup yet noticing that her fingers trembled, she swiftly clenched it into a fist. Kanako realized the change of emotions of her friend but she didn't have any word to tell. She was surprised with Saito Hajime's revelation too.
Kanako took the teacup and brought it to Tsubaki's lips. Tsubaki was stunned yet she quickly smiled. The shivering of her hand lessened, she took the cup from Kanako.
"Thank you," Tsubaki muttered softly, she was so grateful to have Kanako by her side right now.
Kanako arched her delicate eyebrows and smiled wrily.
After sipping the tea, Tsubaki gestured for Saito Hajime to continue. The man nodded.
"I've always been living with Second Uncle after my parents passed away," He spoke carefully, afraid of startling Tsubaki once again. "I knew that Second Uncle was in a relationship with the Second Young Miss of the Fujioka Family even though I didn't know to what extent. Before Second Uncle suddenly got sent away to the army, he brought me to his friend and said he would come back to me soon."
"It wasn't long before I got to hear his death news. At that time, I wasn't aware of what had happened between him and the young lady. His friend sent me to an orphanage, saying it would be dangerous if I remained in the city. I grew up thinking Second Uncle died in a mission until three years ago, I met someone."
"Someone? Who was it?"
Was it President Souma or Mrs. Souma? Right now, Tsubaki couldn't think of anyone besides them two.
Or...
The third, unknown person that she had yet to know.
"It's rash but I ask for your trust," Saito Hajime slowly stood up from his seat. His eyes were locked on Tsubaki's confused gaze. "It's better for you to meet that person by yourself. I'm not the person who has the right to tell you."
"But! But, you said you'd tell me everything?" Startled, Tsubaki quickly protested. Her voice rose an octave. She couldn't believe that he would suddenly stop here.
"I'd tell you to the extent I could," Saito Hajime was firm with his decision. "It's time for you to end this. If you're worried, you could bring as many bodyguards with you as you please. No one would stop you. And, I'd be there with you too. We might be estranged but you're still my cousin sister."
"I..."
"This is my contact number," Saito Hajime brought out a name card from his inside pocket and placed it on the table. His action bespoke his words. He didn't give Tsubaki any chance to refute. "Tell me your decision by tomorrow. I'll be waiting."
Saito Hajime left immediately once he gave a bow of respect to Kanako. Both Tsubaki and Kanako were in shock as they looked at the door closed by the man.
"Tsubaki... why did I feel like this wasn't how it's supposed to be?" Kanako muttered out, her right hand lightly patted her friend's arm.
"Yeah..." Tsubaki frowned, she bit her lower lip in dissatisfaction. The feeling of helplessness surged in her heart. "I feel like he's been waiting for this opportunity, for me to seek him. He deliberately withheld what he knew."
"Do you want me to call him back? I'm still his missus who he should listen to," Kanako was ready to utilize her authority over the icy cold man.
"Forget it. I believe he has a reason for acting this way," Tsubaki heaved a sigh. Suddenly she felt so tired. She leaned lazily against her chair, she took the name card that was still placed on the table. At this time, countless possibilities whirling in her mind.
She had come here prepared to hear whatever he had to say yet never did she think he would retreat halfway and plan to pass the rein to someone else. It was clear that Saito Hajime wanted her to meet whoever that was. He confidently announced that she could bring as many enforcement as she would, signifying that she should not worry about her safety.
"Do you think... he meant either President Souma or Mrs. Souma?" Kanako couldn't help but ask. Saito Hajime remained tight-lipped over who he had met three years ago.
Tsubaki crossed her arms over her chest. Her brows knitted, her mood turned sour. "It was Mrs. Souma."
"Ha? Why do you think so?"
"He has been your bodyguard for three years. Considering how you're close to Mrs. Souma, it was inevitable for her to meet him when he was escorting you. If it was President Souma, I believe he would react differently. You've said that he was quite ruthless during his younger years, isn't that right?"
"Yes... but, he could repent."
Tsubaki didn't answer to Kanako's words. She remained in silent. Another thing came into her attention. She needed to go home and check for it.
As soon as they were done with their lunch, Tsubaki immediately excused herself. On the way to the car, she deliberately stared at Saito Hajime openly yet the man just nodded to her once as if he didn't know who she was. Seeing that there was no way for her to extract another information from him, Tsubaki headed home.
"It should be someplace here..."
Tsubaki changed out into comfortable home clothes before she went inside her husband's study. She wanted to find all the documents regarding her past. Even after searching for a long time, she didn't find anything. Tsubaki sighed heavily as she took her phone and dialed her husband's number.
At that time, Ren was having a discussion with several higher-ups of the company. Takuma was with him too. Today's discussion was held in an informal setting. Instead of having everyone going to the meeting room, they met in the lounge near the President's office. All of them sat comfortably on the couches and listened to one's report.
The sound of a ringtone ringing interrupted the man. He seemed annoyed at first but he quickly changed his expression once he saw it was their Boss' phone.
Ren's lips that were pursed into a straight line since the beginning of the discussion curled up, softening his face. All of the higher-ups stiffened, they didn't dare to move when their Boss lazily swiped up to answer the call.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
His voice imbued with tenderness was a far cry from his wintry cold one from earlier. Ren got up from the single couch after signaling them to pause the discussion. He walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window. His dark eyes swept past the vast, cloudless sky presented in front of him.
"Darling, are you busy?" That would always be her question whenever she called him during office hours. She understood how busy he could get, dealing with all sorts of things.
"No, I'm not busy. Why?" Ren's answer was a harsh blow toward his subordinates who were waiting for him. They eyed his back with the same look.
Did our Boss' conscience not hurt saying that?
Takuma stifled back his laughter seeing their faces. He had seen and heard enough of his cousin readiness to throw everything aside as long as his wife said so.
"Actually, I'm in your study. I'm looking for the documents about my past. Where did you put them?" Tsubaki traced the spines of the books on the bookshelves. All of them looked difficult in her eyes. Most of them were related to economics.
Ren frowned before his expression changed back to normal. He wanted to ask why did she was looking for the documents but since he didn't step out from the lounge, he could only swallow down his questions. "Open the left drawer of the second bookshelf from the right of my desk. You would find them at the bottom."
"En..." Tsubaki walked away from where she stood and went to the bookshelf said by her husband. After searching for a few minutes, her eyes lit up once she spotted what she was looking for. "Found them! Thank you, darling!"
Ren chuckled lowly. Since his wife didn't sound dispirited, he thought there was nothing wrong happened to her after her meeting with Saito Hajime earlier. He still didn't have a chance to ask for details since his schedule for today was packed.
"Take a nap if necessary. I'll cook you dinner tonight. Call me if there's anything else," Ren knew he couldn't delay his discussion any longer. After instructing a few words to her, he was ready to hang up the call.
"Okay~ Come home soon! I love you!" Tsubaki laughed happily. She was already anticipating what would he cook for her tonight.
"Alright. I love you too, sweetheart," Ren chuckled. He reluctantly pressed the End Call button.
"Even in the office, you still want to be lovey-dovey? Can't you wait until you go home?" Takuma rolled his eyes as Ren walked to the group back. He had witnessed how the rest of them were secretly watching their Boss' public display of affection. There were only wonder and awe on their faces.
"This is my territory. Your opinion does not matter" Ren answered with a smirk. He sat comfortably on the couch, crossing his long leg over another. His cold aura returned, chasing all the warmth away. He lifted up his eyes to the presenter. "Continue."
"Ye... yes!"
The men and women quickly regained their composure. It was already a wonder to hear how their Boss was so considerate to their Lady Boss. He had even cooked for her!
In Spring Garden, Tsubaki was oblivious to what had occurred due to her call. She was already picking up all of the documents and went to sit on the long couch in the middle of the study.
A question suddenly popped in her mind when she thought of Saito Hajime and Mrs. Souma. She felt like checking the information of the charity foundation founded by Mrs. Souma. Hibiki had compiled all the information of Hope Foundation in an exclusive file. His work was meticulous. He had even noted on each orphanage and the date they began to receive support from the foundation.
Tsubaki seriously read the information linked to House of Himawari, the orphanage where Hinata lived. Her index finger stopped at the date, her pupils dilated as a realization struck her.
The date when House of Himawari went under the wing of Hope Foundation was only a week after the visit of 'Fujioka Masami'. What was more surprising was the fact this orphanage was the first one contacted by the foundation.
"Don't tell me... Mrs. Souma founded this foundation because of Hinata?"
It was a plausible guess.
The orphanage was small and unpopular. Its location was far from the city center. It would be weird for Mrs. Souma to choose House of Himawari as the first orphanage to be supported under her charity foundation if not for Hinata.
But, why did she do that?
Did she was trying to help the daughter of her love rival?
Tsubaki lowered down the pile of papers in her hands. A doubt sprouted in her heart.
By the time Ren reached home, it was already half past 7. He quietly took off his shoes and went upstairs. His long legs brought him to their bedroom but no one was there. The chilly air of the approaching autumn came in from one of the opened windows. He frowned, thinking where did his wife go.
Ren retreated his steps, heading to his study. He remembered that she called saying she was in his study. The door of the study was slightly ajar. Ren pushed it wider as he stepped inside the room dimly lit with the moonlight penetrating through the glass walls.
There she was, sitting on the couch curled up like a ball. Her long hair fall forward, covering her face from being seen. From seeing how she acted, he knew something was bothering her.
Ren took quiet steps toward his wife. She didn't even realize he was there. He smiled helplessly, Ren carefully placed his right hand on her shoulder.
"Sweetheart," His soft voice gently lulled her attention.
Tsubaki looked up once she heard the voice of her favorite person, her eyes brightened in the dim room like a diamond dazzling in the dark. Her face broke into a delighted smile.
"Darling! You're home!"
Without thinking, Tsubaki twisted her body and she swiftly wrapped her arms around his neck. Ren laughed happily, he supported her waist and let her nestled in his embrace.
"I'm home, sweetheart. I'm home."
Tsubaki nodded in satisfaction. She calmed herself by listening to his heart beating, something that she grew fond of lately. His wide palm gently caressing her back. She felt so secure in his arms.