After Ren's departure, Tsubaki went to accompany Grandma at the garden pavilion in the yard. The scent of rose-infused tea brewed by Old Yuuzo floated in the air, intertwining with the other scent of flowers around them.
It was supposed to be a good day where the weather was bright yet the cloudy expression in Tsubaki usually clear eyes wasn't easy to ignore.
Seeing her precious granddaughter-in-law looking distracted, Grandma chuckled softly.
"Tsubaki, are you thinking of Ren right now?" Her old voice carried a hint of teasing as her eyes bent.
Tsubaki snapped out of her trance. Meeting Grandma's gaze, her cheeks blushed instantly. She didn't expect to be caught by Grandma. With a bashful tone, she asked, "It is too obvious?"
Grandma beamed in delight. She laughed in glee, "Aye, it's too clear even to my old eyes. That brat has just gone for a few hours but you've already missed him. How could you survive these three days without him?"
Tsubaki lowered her head, the corners of her lips turned downward slightly. She unconsciously tightened her grip around the teacup.
Grandma's eyes softened at the look of her granddaughter-in-law. If her grandson was here, he would surely feel elated to see how smitten his wife was with him. Aye, it was better he couldn't see it lest he would boast around.
"Since Ren wouldn't be here until the next Monday, does it mean you wouldn't go to the Souma couple's anniversary celebration?" Grandma recalled Mrs. Souma coming to visit her the other day. The younger lady extended an invitation but the old she could only politely refuse.
"I might go there with Kanako," Tsubaki knew it wasn't possible for her husband to go to the celebration so when she voiced it out to Kanako, her friend suggested them going together this Sunday, "But, I haven't buy anything for Mrs. Souma and President Souma. What should I choose, Grandma? Do you have an idea?"
Tsubaki wasn't accustomed to attending a banquet in high society's circle. The first time she experienced it was during Grandma's birthday celebration a few months ago. Afraid to embarrass herself and taint her husband's name, she had to ask for help from either Grandma or Kanako.
Knowing what was bothering her granddaughter-in-law, Grandma smiled softly. She understood Tsubaki was still familiarizing herself with the way their circle worked.
"Instead of buying something, why don't you make the gift yourself? The Soumas aren't short of expensive items. I love the handmade photo album you made for my birthday gift," Grandma swiftly suggested it.
She filled the handmade photo album with the newest photos of their family and it was currently kept inside the drawer beside her bed. Every time she had trouble sleeping, her old heart would feel calm after looking at the photos.
"En, a handmade photo album would take time to make it, I'm afraid I couldn't finish it before Sunday," Tsubaki thought Grandma's idea was good but it wasn't possible to execute it within just a few short days, "Well, instead of a handmade photo album, maybe I should try making some tassels?"
"Tassels?" Grandma's interest was piqued up, "You want to make tassels for the couple?"
Tsubaki gave Grandma a small nod. Smiling in anticipation, she elaborated further to the old lady, "I've learned to make tassels before, they are quite easy to make but, since it's for the Souma couple's anniversary, I think I'd buy red silk ribbons and adorn them with jade beads and pearls. What do you think, Grandma?"
If the couple was just ordinary people, Tsubaki would only use the common glass beads. At least, the expensive jade beads and pearls could make up for the handmade presents.
It would go without saying that many expensive gifts would be given to the couple. Kanako said the Souma couple always received antiques, paintings and jewelry during their anniversary celebration. Even Kanako had ordered a custom-made tie for President Souma while Mrs. Souma would get a scarf in the same design as her husband's gift.
Tsubaki didn't dare to think of the prices when Kanako mentioned she ordered them from an elite designer who won awards abroad two years in a row.
"It'd be good," Grandma nodded, supporting the idea, "The red ribbons symbolize prosperity, jade means longevity while pearl means purity. They are good to be gifted to someone. Yes, do it, Tsubaki. Then, when would you start?"
"I could start by today but I don't know where should I buy the materials," Tsubaki sighed. The crucial thing was getting the materials but if she really wanted to use jade beads and pearls, from where should she get them?
"Just go to Spring City, Tsubaki. There's a jade shop as well as jewelry one there. You could find a high-quality silk ribbon there as well," Grandma waved her hand, signaling one of the maids to get Old Yuuzo here, "Grandma will make a call first. You could just go there and choose the materials yourself."
"That's great! Thank you, Grandma," Tsubaki smiled in gratitude.
One problem had been solved. As a wealthy old madam, it went without saying that Grandma would know about these kinds of things. Since Grandma herself offered her help, Tsubaki won't refuse it.
Grandma gave a couple of instructions to Old Yuuzo, asking the old butler to call the manager of Spring City. Tsubaki just had to meet the manager first before he brought her to the respective shops.
"Then, I'll go and change first," Tsubaki stood up from the chair. It was already noon, it was better if she went to Spring City as soon as possible, "Does Grandma want anything from the mall?"
"Ah, please buy me some strawberry daifuku as well as the chestnut ones!" Grandma wasn't one to refuse such an opportunity to get more sweets. Since her stern grandson wasn't here, she should get some ah, "There's a daifuku store on the ground floor. If you mention my name, they would surely know which ones to pack."
"Hehe, alright, Grandma," Tsubaki chuckled looking at Grandma's sparkling eyes. It was obvious that she was utilizing the time when Ren wasn't here to get more sweets.
Well, if her husband couldn't watch over Grandma, she should do it in his stead. She would still buy the daifuku but Grandma could only have two in a time.
Tsubaki changed into a chiffon dress with a thick cardigan covering her body. Eyeing her own appearance in the mirror, Tsubaki pursed her lips.
If possible, she didn't want to meet President Souma after what Mrs. Souma told her the other day. The kind-looking older man was the one responsible for separating her birth parents. Just because her mother didn't reciprocate his feelings, he took such an extreme way to make her his.
Thankfully, her mother could escape.
"I wonder what would he look like if I told him that I've already known about his past deeds?" Tsubaki muttered to herself.
Ren's words echoed in her mind. As he had said, it was possible for President Souma to know who she was since she looked a lot like her birth mother. But, as to the extent of him knowing it, both Ren and Tsubaki weren't sure about it. They still had to be careful.
Once she got to the main entrance, Hibiki had been waiting for her beside the car. Ren left to Country M with Matsuzaki, leaving Hibiki and Kaede to safeguard her as well as a group of bodyguards who would escort her whenever she went.
Thinking of how she was currently pregnant, she understood her husband's worries.
"Madam, could we move now?" Hibiki looked at Tsubaki through the rear-view mirror. Kaede silently sat by his side.
"Yes, you can drive now," Tsubaki answered with a smile.
Soon, the car left the estate, followed closely by another car behind. Three bulky bodyguards sat in the second car.
The cars entered a long and straight road that connected the main estate with the expressway a few miles away. Since most of the lands here were private, the road was quiet as rows and rows of tall trees stood at each side.
Tsubaki glanced at her wristwatch. It was already 12:30 PM. She wondered what was her husband doing at this time.
Recalling their hugs and kisses before he left this morning made her smiled softly.
An indescribable sense of sadness overtook her by the time she woke up, especially when she saw Ren was busy talking to his assistant on the phone so early in the morning. She heard it was due to how the business trip came too suddenly.
Yet, once their eyes met, he smiled and lightly kissed her forehead as if he sensed the complicated feelings she was having at that time.
Tsubaki placed a hand over her small baby bump, she gently caressed it as her eyes softened looking at it.
"Mommy misses Daddy already," Tsubaki whispered quietly, just enough for her to hear it herself, "Please behave, would you? Accompany Mommy well during these times, alright?"
Tsubaki chuckled again. She rested her back comfortably against the comfy cushion. The sky was so bright today. It would be better if she could appreciate the view with him by her side.
"En, what's that?" Kaede was uncertain when her eyes spotted something on the road ahead of them.
"What... aren't that..."
Kaede's and Hibiki's voices echoed in the space of the car, attracting Tsubaki's attention. Right when she wanted to ask what was wrong, the car suddenly stopped. Her body almost jolted forward if not for the seatbelt she wore.
"Madam, are you alright?" Kaede turned her head back, she worriedly scanned Tsubaki up and down.
"I'm alright... what's wrong?" Tsubaki held on the armrest. She was puzzled why did Hibiki hit the emergency brake.
In the next second, her eyes widened.
In front of them, a black car was facing theirs. Another two cars blocked them at the back, cutting them off from the car where the bodyguards seated.
"Who are they?" Tsubaki whispered in dread.
Her heart began beating loudly especially when one by one, the cars' doors opened before more than ten men dressed in black suits got out of the cars blocking them.
"Madam, stay inside the car," Hibiki said in a sullen voice. He glanced at Kaede, "Take my seat. When I give the signal, drive away from here."
Kaede nodded. As soon as Hibiki alighted the car, Kaede sat behind the wheels. She was just waiting for the right time to move.
Tsubaki eyed them with a deep frown on her face. All of the men appeared so serious. Her hands quickly went to cover her bump.
What was happening?