While the older guests talking to Grandma, Tsubaki accompanied Ren to exchange pleasantries with the other guests. All of them were trying to curry favor with her husband, especially by praising her which resulted in her husband"s fond smile. She still couldn"t erase the stiff expressions on some of the guests" faces when they saw his loving look to her. After all, he was known because of his cold and dark vibes."You"re okay, sweetheart?" Ren asked after he left the small circle behind him. Never did once he pull his hand from her shoulders.
"I"m okay," replied Tsubaki softly. "But, maybe a drink could do me good? I don"t know how you could speak continuously with them. Don"t your throat feel dry?"
Ren chuckled as he patted her head. "I"ll get you a drink, then. Wait for me here."
"Okay, dear. Thanks."
As the helpers were busy entertaining the guests, Ren made his way personally to the table laid with various kinds of drinks. As he took a gla.s.s of juice from the helper, two men in suits came to him and tried to have a conversation with the man. Ren apologetically glanced at Tsubaki who was waiting for him. Tsubaki responded with a smile.
This was her first time being in such a celebration. From the way the guests sought her husband, she knew they respected and feared the man. Ren had built an excellent reputation in the corporate world, even surpa.s.sing those who were older than him.
Tsubaki looked around the hall. The guests were mingling among themselves, some of them still threw curious glances at her. She knew they didn"t dare to carelessly approach her after seeing how protective Ren was with her. She was glad they left her in peace.
"h.e.l.lo? Mrs. Fuse?"
Tsubaki heard a soft voice calling out her name. She instinctually turned around and met the eyes of the woman. Her eyes slightly widened when she saw the face of the woman. The woman dressed in the light yellow c.o.c.ktail dress was the one who met her at the hotel a few days ago!
"Miss... Esumi Kanako?" Tsubaki tried recalling her name.
"Yes!" Kanako smiled while clapping her hands. She excitedly looking at the lady before her. "I don"t know how Fate lays out but... to meet you in such celebration and you"re even the wife of President Fuse! I didn"t even expect that!"
Tsubaki laughed softly. This woman was still as joyful as before.
"I"m sorry because I didn"t notice you sooner," Tsubaki offered her apology. "I hope you"re enjoying this celebration?"
"Yes! I do!" Kanako nodded her head. She waved for the helper near them and pa.s.sed her empty gla.s.s to the helper. As she was taller than Tsubaki, she leaned down slightly and spoke conspiratorially like she did the second time they met days ago, "I like how Matriach Fuse holds her celebration. Usually, in birthday celebrations we could see people boasting with their gifts to the hosts but Matriach Fuse always ditches such an event. She would thank the guests for their gifts and insists to not open them in front of them."
Tsubaki smiled as she heard her compliments. By looking at Grandma"s character, she knew the old lady would do so. Now, she was excited to see Grandma"s reaction when she opened her present.
"I think it"s such a good thing meeting you here again, Miss Esumi." Tsubaki was really impressed with this woman. Her antics were quite funny but she didn"t feel bothered by her. "I guess I could invite you to my bakery for tea?"
"You have a bakery? Oh, and please just call me Kanako. It"s kind of awkward hearing you addressing me as Miss Esumi."
"Then, please call me Tsubaki," Tsubaki replied good-naturedly. She pointed to the dessert table. "I do have a bakery. If you have tried the desserts, they were made by me."
"You made those?" Kanako gasped. "I"ve tried some of them and they are good. Okay! I"ll accept your invitation!"
As the two of them conversing, some of the guests had puzzled looks when staring at them. And Tsubaki did catch them from the corner of her eyes.
"Hey... didn"t Miss Esumi is supposed to be engaged to President Fuse previously?" One of the ladies whispered. "And now the two of them talking to each other?"
"I heard it before. Matriarch Fuse took a liking towards Miss Esumi but President Fuse rejected the suggestion. And it"s for a commoner?"
"Shush! They could hear you."
An awkward look flashed on Kanako"s face as she too heard the whispers. Tsubaki was still smiling even though she was confused with the sudden gossiping.
When she tried recalling her memory, she did think this woman"s name was quite familiar. It was then she was reminded of when she visited Ren at the company, the time when she overheard the employees mentioning the name.
So... this woman was supposed to be engaged to her husband?
"Please don"t mind them, Tsubaki..." said Kanako, sounding guilty. "I really didn"t have anything with President Fuse and... I"m not befriending you because of your husband. I.."
"It"s okay, Kanako," responded Tsubaki as she held one of the woman"s hands. A giggle escaped her lips. She didn"t know why but she found the situation a bit funny. "We could talk about this some other time. I believe you don"t want them to have extra info for their gossips, right?"
"I... haish..." Kanako rubbed her forehead, clearly having a headache. "They are making a big deal out of nothing. It"s not like I have a close relationship with your husband. Okay, we"ll talk about it later."
Kanako was obviously distressed over the fact some of the ladies were brainless enough to mention such a thing in front of Fuse Ren"s wife. Did they have a death wish? Couldn"t they see how much the man doted on her wife?
They resumed talking as they didn"t want to let the guests thought they were affected with the whisperings. Tsubaki found that Kanako was a really interesting lady. Even though she"s older than her by two years but it was as if she was talking to a younger girl. Kanako even didn"t carry the air of an arrogant heiress.
As they were talking, an older man in his late fifties walked over to their place. His eyes coldly scrutinized Tsubaki from head to toe. Noticing the unpleasant gaze, Tsubaki diverted her eyes from Kanako to the man"s face.
He didn"t even bother to mask the displeasure in his eyes.
"Eh, Father?" Kanako who realized the man"s appearance called out to him in shock.
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"Emph."
The man snorted. His eyes fixated on Tsubaki"s face, ignoring her daughter"s presence.
"So, you"re President Fuse"s wife?" There was a hint of mockery when the plump man opened his lips. "I don"t see anything special in you."
Even though he didn"t yell out his words, they were loud enough for the nearby guests to hear. No one dared to speak. All eyes turned to the man and the women.