MIMI

That morning, waking up in her apartment, Mimi woke up in a cold sweat and felt a slight pain near her lower body.

Grumbling, Mimi reaches for her phone and opens up her calendar.

"Nn…" Mimi groaned upon verifying the date. "Not again! d.a.m.n these female hormones!"

The devil had knocked on her door, barging in and impaling her with his trident. Although she wasn"t new to periods, this had been the first where Mimi felt the true meaning of cramps.

Reluctantly, Mimi got out of bed and walked toward her bathroom to take some pills to reduce the pain. It was excruciating, but hopefully, with the help of the pills, the feeling would slowly go away.

After taking her pills, Mimi continued her usual morning routine and left for work.

Jean, who was always up and early to deliver Mimi her morning breakfast and milk tea, was startled to find the girl dressed in a large winter coat.

"Ah, Ms. Mim…Andras, why are you wearing a winter coat in spring?"

Mimi looked up at Jean with glazed eyes before her expression brightened its usual liveness.

"While I was online, I just so happened to see a new trend going around. People wearing long winter coats! I thought it looked nice and decided to try it for myself to fit in with society!"

Mimi twirled around and extended her arms out. "What do you think? Does it make me look even more handsome?"

"Ah…"

In all honesty, it made her look like a child dressed in an adult"s coat or possibly a little worm, but Jean held back her thoughts and smiled stiffly.

"Mn, indeed, very handsome."

Mimi chuckled as she looked at Jean"s stiff expression. Taking her breakfast and tea, Mimi walks into the company elevator and presses the top floor to begin her day.

Half a day pa.s.sed and Mimi worked vigorously as she attended meetings, signed contracts, and went over her new software program.

Sitting at her desk with a dazed expression, Mimi"s brows knitted tightly. A layer of sweat could be seen on her forehead as she breathed feebly.

Throughout the day, Mimi consumed more pills to soothe the recurring pain in her stomach. However, just after reaching the limit of pills that could be consumed, the pain intensified.

Mimi inwardly grumbled. Only she knew how much she wanted to curl up like a fried shrimp and die slowly on the floor.

Suddenly, the sound of Mimi"s phone rang through her ears. Groggily, Mimi reached for her phone across her desk and answered in an exhausted voice.

"What?"

Because of her dazed state, she hadn"t checked to see who was on the other line – absentmindedly speaking on the phone.

"Mimi?" A man"s deep, husky voice spoke on the other side.

Opening her eyes, Mimi quickly composed herself.

"Ah, Toby! What a pleasure to hear from you! Do you need something?"

Completely ignoring her cheerful tone, Tobias"s mind reverted back to her frail voice when she answered the phone. "What"s wrong? Are you okay?"

She could never hide anything from him, could she?

But knowing the man had a tendency to overreact, Mimi gritted her teeth and lightened her tone.

"En! I"m perfectly fine, why do you ask?"

On the other side of the phone, Tobias held the device close to his ears as he listened to her voice. For sure, he heard the girl"s voice slightly tremble as she spoke. He knew whenever she was lying her voice would pitch even higher.

"I"m coming over. Wrap up what you"re doing and lay down on a sofa until I get there."

"Ah…Toby, that"s unnecessary I"m really fine! I just have a few minor cramps, that"s all."

Unfortunately, Mimi"s words only caused the man to be even more firm on coming over.

"You"re done with work for the day. Drink some water. I"ll be there soon."

"Tobi…"

Before Mimi could say anything more, the man hung up on her. Sighing loudly, Mimi rested her head on her desk tiredly.

"Why does he even bother…" Mimi muttered under her breath.

Although she said that, Mimi felt a sudden lightness in her chest, the previous pain she felt easing.

It must be the pills taking effect.

Only ten minutes pa.s.sed before Tobias entered Mimi"s company and arrived in her office. Entering the girl"s office, Tobias was met with a dark and quiet room.

Almost immediately, his dark eyes spotted the lump on the office sofa - their figure covered by a large blanket.

Walking over, Tobias crouches down and gently places a hand on the lump on the sofa.

"I"m sorry I"m late." He said in a soft tone.

Silence.

Furrowing his brows, Tobias carefully peeled back the blanket from the girl"s head. Seeing the girl"s pale, hurdled figure, Tobias"s eyes dimmed.

Curled up into a ball, Mimi"s white hands clenched tightly into a fist while delicate breaths escaped her trembling lips.

The girl"s dainty brows were creased as beads of sweat glided down her face.

Mimi"s eyes blearily blinked awake, her mind felt heavy and dizzy. Opening her eyes, she saw Tobias"s handsome face leaning close to her – worry clouding his dark, enchanting eyes.

"It hurts…" The girl sulked hoa.r.s.ely.

Sighing, Tobias gently rubs the girl"s back in hope to soothe the pain.

"I know it does. Just bear with it a little longer, okay? I"m taking you home."

"Nn," She slowly nodded her head.

"Ok."

Carefully, Tobias picked up the small girl in his arms, wrapping her figure in the large blanket until she was completely covered.

Jean, who stood by the entrance, looked at the bundled Mimi in the man"s arms with concern.

"Is she alright?"

"En. Slight fever and cramps." Tobias responded while his eyes remained on the figure in his arms.

Jean"s expression paled and her head lowered.

"I knew she didn"t feel well. And when she was taking all those pills…she never once looked like she was in pain."

Tobias gently held the girl in his arms, his grip unconsciously tightening around her causing the girl in his arms to squirm in discomfort.

"I"m taking her home. Inform the staff they have off today."

Without waiting for her to speak, Tobias walks away with the girl in his arms. Jean watches their departing figures with a sigh.

She was somewhat grateful Mimi had a man like Tobias by her side. He was a true gentleman toward the girl and always handled her with care.

Many thought the man"s actions were like that of a boyfriend or lover. But to Jean, who dealt with relationships and even had a son, felt as if his actions were more that of a caring husband to his sick wife.

Supporting and true.

Jean smiled and soon set out to inform the staff of their early leave.

…

Inside Tobias"s car, the man allowed the girl to rest on his lap while his chauffeur drove in the front.

Looking out the window, Tobias"s calloused fingers gently caressed the girl"s sweaty forehead, his fingers parting a few strands of hair away from her flushed face.

The car, driving by a busy road, suddenly jolted causing the girl in his lap to hunch forward and groan.

"Drive slower," Tobias ordered the chauffeur in a firm tone.

"Yes sir, my apologies."

Tobias grunted lightly and looked back out the window view. Feeling the girl in his lap shiver, he watched Mimi harshly bite on her lips as if to suppress another groan.

Frowning, Tobias moves his hand toward the girl"s lips and parts them to prevent her from injuring herself.

"Are you cold?"

The girl responded in a faint groan. Sighing, Tobias hoists Mimi"s wrapped body closer to him and allows her to prop her head on his chest – his large arms wrapping tightly around her.

"Better?" He looked down at the girl in his embrace.

Mimi only nestled closer to the man to ease the chill in her body. Tobias"s gaze softened and he pulled her even closer to his chest.

For the rest of the ride, the man embraced the girl tightly in his arms.