Even though Grandma tended to retire to bed around 10 PM, but she would stay up late during her birthday celebration. The guests had slowly left, leaving behind only the family members of the Fuse Household. For a close gathering between relatives, they left the s.p.a.cious main hall and retreated to a much more comfortable drawing room where they could sit and chat with each other.
Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.Usually, the relatives would come in the morning but because Grandma had to go to the temple, the gathering was postponed to later hours. Tsubaki sat next to Ren. Their seats were the closest to Grandma. Grandma sat at a lone couch, facing the two rows of couches seated by the familiar faces.
Grandma wasn"t there with them. She excused herself to the washroom with the help of her personal maids. There weren"t many people inside the room as the elders in the family currently residing overseas and taking long flights would put a strain on their weakened bodies. Only a few relatives came to this celebration.
"So, this is your new wife, Ren?" A woman in her fifties asked. Her eyes scanned Tsubaki from head to toe, scorn was apparent on her face. "She looks... ordinary."
"I thought you"d marry..." The young woman resembled her trailed off before she finally smiled. Even though she was smiling, she didn"t hide the disdain she felt through her eyes.
"Save your breath, Maria and Chitose!" A woman who sat opposite the older woman looked at her and sighed. "You"re being rude."
"I"m just asking, Kasumi," replied the woman called Maria arrogantly. "After all, she holds the position as the mistress of the household. Of course, we should pay attention to her."
Ren put down the cup he held on the saucer. The sound of it turned the room into silence as the temperature around him dropped. All eyes focused on him. Tsubaki smiled bitterly. She placed her hand on her husband"s.
"Are you here to celebrate Grandmother"s birthday or to let me hear those words about my wife?" asked Ren, his tone was icy-cold as he glared at the two women who spoke before him.
"Aiya, Ren, don"t mind them," the bespectacled man beside Maria b.u.t.t in, trying to ease the tension. "They are just mindlessly talking. Please forgive my wife and daughter."
Ren sneered. His voice carried threats as he spoke, "Uncle Isao, I"ve had enough of people insulting my wife tonight. Do you want to add to the list? I don"t mind."
Maria and Chitose harrumphed. They turned their gaze towards the wall, didn"t dare to meet Ren"s dark eyes. Fuse Isao sighed inwardly. He glared to his wife and daughter. Didn"t they learn their lessons by watching how Ren had treated Miss Subaru and President Esumi. They still wanted to run off their mouths here?
"I"m sorry for their rude behavior, Tsubaki," said the woman who defended Tsubaki earlier. She was no less younger than Maria but while Maria"s beauty was enhanced due to the injections and fillers which making her looked weird, this woman aged gracefully. "I"m Fuse Kasumi, Ren"s father"s cousin."
"Nice to meet you, Aunt Kasumi," Tsubaki politely returned his greeting.
Kasumi smiled nicely once she looked at Tsubaki closely. The young lady didn"t appear awkward even though this was her first time meeting the relatives. She just quietly sat beside her husband but she didn"t hide her presence. From the way she carried herself, Kasumi knew Ren had made a good choice.
"Aunt Mariko said you"d hold a wedding but do you already have a date?" Kasumi turned her question to Ren, referring to Grandma"s words. "Whenever it is, I"m sure to be at your wedding."
Ren smiled at his late father"s cousin. Aunt Kasumi was his favorite among his uncles and aunts. His father was the only son in the family but he had lots of cousins. After he lost his parents, Aunt Kasumi would always visit him. When others were eyeing for his position, this woman cared for his well-being greatly.
"I haven"t picked the date yet," replied Ren. He sneaked a glance towards his wife. Tsubaki was sipping the hot flower tea brewed by Old Yuuzo. "But I"d definitely send out the invitations soon. We haven"t started preparing for the wedding yet but I"ve booked a designer for the bridal gown."
"That"s good," said Kasumi with a small smile. Before she ventured her business to the UK, she had watched how Ren grew up from a little boy to a man. She was glad because he finally found the one to spend the rest of his lifewith. "Tell me if you need any help, I"d definitely help you."
"Thank you, Aunt Kasumi," Ren replied in grat.i.tude. "As you"re well-known as a wedding planner in the UK, of course, I"d ask for your advice."
"Okay! Just contact me, okay?" Kasumi was delighted. She would spare all her best efforts if Ren asked her to plan his wedding.
"You"re a wedding planner, Aunt Kasumi?" asked Tsubaki. Her eyes gleamed in excitement.
"Yes," responded Kasumi shortly. "My base is in the UK currently but if you ask for me, I"d return to j.a.pan soon and plan for your wedding."
"Aunt"s clients are mostly from the elite families in the UK," said Ren while helping Tsubaki poured more tea into her empty cup. "So, it"s the best idea commissioning her instead of looking for another best planner. We could link Ms. Noman with her later."
"Ms. Noman?" Chitose suddenly b.u.t.ted in. "You mean the j.a.panese-French designer who won the Best Bridal Gown for Aphrodite International Bridal Awards this year? You"ve already contacted her? Isn"t her schedule already full until next year?"
"She came here a few days ago," Ren replied lazily, he didn"t even look at Chitose. He placed a few biscuits on a plate before handing it to Tsubaki. "Eat some biscuits. You barely ate during the celebration."
"Thank you," Tsubaki offered him a smile. Ren responded the same.
Chitose"s eyes widened when she saw their intimate interaction. Even though she had witnessed how fiercely Ren had protected his new wife when some guests tried to stir troubles, she didn"t want to believe it. Everyone knew he detested women throwing themselves to him. How could he be married now? And he even commissioned the famous designer from the world-renowned awards?
Chitose gritted her teeth in envy. She had forced her fiance to get Ms. Noman to design her wedding dress but her fiance said Ms. Noman would no longer take any orders until the end of the next year. Since she won the awards, countless people came flocking to her.
How envious!
"I haven"t seen Tak.u.ma around." Ren raised his head from Tsubaki"s face and looked at his uncle. "Where is he?"
"Tak.u.ma? Oh, he was..."
"Do you miss me, Ren?"
A male voice came from the door of the drawing-room. All eyes turned to the direction. A tall man in a grey suit was standing beside Grandma. He gently held the old woman"s arm, a.s.sisting her to walk inside. He was almost as tall as Ren, with long black hair tied into a ponytail. His hair reached past his shoulders.
"Tak.u.ma, you"re here." Ren stood up and walked over to them. Tak.u.ma released Grandma"s arm after helping her to her seat. He immediately greeted Ren with a hug.
"It"s been years, cousin." Tak.u.ma patted Ren"s back. A smile appeared on his handsome face.
"Yes. I"m glad you"re here." Ren laughed. He patted Tak.u.ma"s shoulders.
Tsubaki stared at the man who was hugging her husband. Ren hadn"t mentioned his name before. By looking at their interaction, their relationship was good. It was rare for him to be close to another person like that.
She was intrigued.