MIMI

Tobias stood still for a moment before he recovered his senses. His brows drew together in a slight frown.

"Did something happen?"

Mimi shook her head. "No, I just felt like staying the night with you!"

Tobias stared at the girl intently. Dressed in what was clearly her pajamas, the girl still was very beautiful, her pair of round eyes looking up at him eagerly.

Tobias coughed twice uneasily, and then put on a serious face while answering, "One night."

Mimi didn"t realize her eyes had turned bright and sparkly. Upon seeing that Mimi had burst into a dazzling smile exposing her white teeth, Tobias felt a subtle warmth in his chest.

Letting her inside, Tobias started to set up her sleeping arrangements in the living room. Bringing out thick, large blankets and soft, plump pillows, he arranged them out on the long sofa.

Mimi observed his movements from the side quietly, her gaze soft. While the man busied himself, Mimi shifted her eyes around and suddenly walked into another room. Wandering around, she found Tobias"s bedroom.

The room was extremely warm and comfy. She walked over to the bed, unfolded the blankets and dove into the bed. The warm and soft blanket covering her body made her sigh from comfort.

With her entire body ensconced in the warmth, Mimi quietly stuffed her face into a plump pillow. It smelled just like Tobias. At this, Mimi smiled softly to herself.

Meanwhile, when Tobias finished setting the couch into a five-star bed, he turned around to see that the girl was no longer there.

The sharp angles of his brows furrowed and a thin line formed by his lips. He scanned his gaze around and walked around the area to find her. When he stepped past his bedroom, he paused. Reverting his gaze to the bedroom, Tobias found Mimi cuddled comfortably beneath his covers.

Detecting his presence, Mimi lifts her head slightly to blink her round eyes at the man who was now standing in front of her.

Tobias pressed his lips together and sighed inwardly, but his tone was soft and caring as he asked, "Do you want to sleep in here?"

Mimi nodded.

"This is my bedroom you know."

Mimi nodded again.

Tobias looked down at the rolled-up girl in his bed and sighed. He reached down and rubbed her poked out head.

"Then I"ll sleep in the living room."

He had work to complete anyway.

Just as Tobias turned around to return to the living room a fragrant wind hit him, followed by soft and warm body contact.

"Stay." He heard the girl"s soft voice whisper.

Tobias"s entire body went stiff. He peered down to see the girl wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, her face pressed against his back. He stared a little longer before shifting his eyes away.

"You…Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?" His voice had turned light and soft, his breathing slowed.

Mimi had been quiet for a while before she nodded her head slowly. She gently peeled her body off his and made room for him on the large bed. Still, in his work clothes, Tobias loosened the tie around his neck and sleeves before laying down next to Mimi.

Mimi reached out and pulled herself closer to him. Curled up in Tobias"s arms, she was like a soft little doll. Her dainty cheek pressed against his chest. She could hear the strong and hurried thumps of his heart.

Mimi softly giggled. "Tobias, are you shy?"

To her question, Tobias solidified even further. He glimpsed down at the girl in his embrace only to meet her violet eyes. They were shining with that same old teasing glint in them.

Tobias"s adam"s apple moved and he quickly turned his gaze away. His expression changed and his ears started to flush red.

"No."

Mimi looked up at the man"s chin and held back a giggle before snuggling up to him. The cool-faced Tobias looked down at Mimi for a moment as his body stiffened. After some time, he simply let her do as she liked once he saw her pleased expression.

The two lay stuck close to one another in silence. After a while, Tobias"s tense and cool expression melted, his nerves finally calming down as he held the girl closely to his chest.

Tobias"s eyelids slowly slid shut, and he was just about to fall asleep when Mimi suddenly spoke.

"Tobias, will you leave me someday?"

The moment she finished speaking, Tobias completely lost all traces of sleepiness. The look in his eyes deepened.

"No."

Mimi"s voice became quieter, "Even if I one day use you for my own personal gain?"

As Tobias listened to Mimi speak, he felt warm puffs of air around his collarbone, her grip on his shirt tightening.

Something must have happened.

Helpless, he sighed and stared blankly at the dark ceiling while keeping a tight hold of her.

"Then use me. It was I who made the choice to stay, so I"ll accept whatever comes with it even if that means being used by you."

In his arms, Mimi stiffened.

While speaking, Tobias wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, gently rubbing her arm. Despite the heaviness in her chest, it fluttered at the feeling of her body pressed against his.

She sank into the warmth of his side, appreciative of the simple gesture. His touch made the room warmer somehow.

Mimi buried her face deeper into his chest and lay still. When Tobias thought she was finally going to bed, he heard her whisper in a somewhat hoa.r.s.e voice.

"Fool."

The smile in his eyes could not be suppressed, and there was not a shred of darkness to be seen. He hugged the girl tightly to his chest and closed his eyes.

Yes, he was a fool.