MIMI

Mimi sat in the living area, surrounded by books and folders - she"s clearly been working, though she wears her pink flannel pajamas decorated with cute, little rabbits.

With her head lowered, Mimi gently curls stray strands of her hair behind her ears, her pink lips pursed seriously.

Tobias"s eyes were still fixed on her with murky, unreadable depths. The mix of emotions in his chest made him uneasy.

Sensing his gaze, Mimi raised her head. The corner of her lips curled up, a smile blossoming on her face as she looked at him with bright eyes. Unconsciously, Tobias averted his gaze.

"Welcome home, Tobias!" Mimi smiled.

Tobias was frozen stiff. He hesitated for a moment before turning his head to meet her gaze. His heart was overflowing of self-reproach and warmth at the same time.

"What…" His voice sounded hoa.r.s.e. "What are you doing here?"

Mimi sighed softly. She packed the files on the table to the side and stood. With a smile still loomed on her face, she strode to Tobias.

Mimi elevated her eyebrow, her eyes flashing with a glimmer of delight. She asked, "Isn"t it obvious?"

The closer Mimi walked toward him, Tobias felt his heart quiver.

"I"m staying over for the night!" She giggled.

A hint of confusion flashed through Tobias"s eyes, but he concealed it with a few blinks, then hastened to say, "Didn"t we agree to one night?"

Mimi sounded a hum and tilted her head to the side, a hint of a smile flashed through her eyes while the silk strands of her short hair fell behind her ear.

"Yes, but I figured why not a second night? I promise this will be the last time!" Mimi leaned close just enough to detect his scent.

She could smell a hint of alcohol with his rich and cool scent.

"I also heard from Juno that you went out with Lee Odo for drinks. I thought after such a rough night, you"d want to be taken care of."

After she spoke, Tobias"s eyes couldn"t help but widen. His throat tightened and his eyes deepened.

He forcefully pressed down his churning emotions as he said, "You will take care of me?"

Mimi"s eyes flashed with glee and she said, "Of course! I"ve done a little research about what you should do when drinking alcohol. Besides, you"ve taken care of me for so long, shouldn"t it be my turn?"

Tobias no longer spoke and simply stared at her. Mimi laughed at his intense gaze and stepped into the kitchen to grab a blue mug.

"I may not know how to cook, but I know how to make tea. Sip this ginger tea with honey and take these vitamins with some water I set in the living room. I read that resting is good, so I set up a sleeping area for you on the couch!"

While Mimi pa.s.sed him the mug and vitamins, Tobias watched silently as she motioned to the couch. At that moment, his heart felt incredibly warm.

She did all of this for him. Whether it was because she wanted to sweeten the deal to stay at his place, Tobias felt happy.

She at least put effort.

When Mimi plopped herself on the couch, she swept a glance at Tobias and patted at the cushion beside her.

Tobias hesitated a moment. After a few seconds, he walked over to the couch to sit beside Mimi. While Tobias sat stiffly on the couch, Mimi was smiling, her eyes were filled with real joy and eagerness.

"Take the vitamins with the tea." Mimi pointed to the vitamins in his palm.

Tobias nodded his head. He put the two small vitamins in his mouth and raised the mug of warm honey ginger tea to his lips. The moment the beverage met filled his mouth; he was immediately struck with the pungent taste of honey.

Too sweet!

He had forgotten the girl possessed an unusual taste for sweets. Probably while making this, she tested it and only felt satisfied with this flavor.

From the corner of his vision, Tobias could see the girl"s dazzling and eager eyes staring at him. It was clear to see she was waiting for praise.

In that split second, Tobias felt like the world before him had brightened, and his gloomy mood had vanished like smoke. Swallowing down the vitamins and sweet tea, he turns to the bright-eyed girl.

A faint smile finally appeared on Tobias"s lips. He stretched out a hand and stroked her head. "It"s delicious, thank you."

Hearing his words, Mimi"s lips curled up into a delighted smile and looked at him with a pair of lively eyes, fully utilizing her stunning face.

Truthfully, Mimi was a little anxious. Although her actions were minor, it was her first time taking care of someone.

Especially the G.o.dlike and mother hen, Tobias Itou!

She felt like a young, inexperienced disciple before her master. However, noting his pleased and affectionate expression, Mimi"s heart lightens.

He was happy. She made him happy!

Unaware of the warmth flooding inside her chest, Mimi closed her eyes and continued to indulge in Tobias"s pampering touch like a kitten.

So immersed in her joy, Mimi had completely overlooked the strange look in Tobias"s eyes as he caresses her head.

Tobias"s gaze wandered downwards. From this angle, he could see the trembling of Mimi"s closed lashes. A smile curved on his lips. There was a slight flush on her cheeks, emphasizing her tiny nose and her fair complexion.

Without thinking, Tobias"s hand wandered to the side of the girl"s face, softly grazing her rosy cheek. At this moment, Mimi"s eyelashes quivered, and slowly, her eyes opened.

She raised her head to look at the man, her eyes lit with pure innocence. Acting spoilt, she rubbed her cheek into his touch and laughed softly.

"Hehe, are you treating me like a pet now?" Her warm breath fanned against his palm.

Tobias"s heart tightened, his burning gaze locked firmly onto the pet.i.te figure, almost forgetting to breathe.

"Mimi, I…" He stared fixedly at her, his voice carrying a greatly repressed emotion.

Tobias suddenly felt his mouth go dry, and a feeling he was too familiar with violently surged up, pulling him into a taboo abyss.

At that moment, Tobias removed his hand from Mimi"s face as if she was on fire.

Mimi was startled by the man"s sudden, abrupt actions. Just when she opened her mouth to speak, Tobias swiftly stood up and rushed into the bathroom as if he was running for his life.

Mimi widened her eyes and looked bewilderedly in the direction of the bathroom.

Ah, perhaps he had to throw up?

After drinking, she heard people often throw up, especially after taking the vitamins. Feeling slightly pitiful for the man, Mimi breathed out a heavy sigh.

Maybe she could brew him some more tea!

With this thought in mind, Mimi raised from the couch to walk to the kitchen, humming quietly to herself.

…

Tobias leaned against the bathroom door as he panted heavily. His lower body seemed to swell up, and he felt a bit pained.

Quickly shedding his clothes, he jumped into the shower"s cold water. Breathing heavily, Tobias looked down at the proud standing object, and he felt his heart turn dark. He knew what this meant, but it happened too unexpectedly.

"f.u.c.k!" Tobias slammed his fist against the tile in front of him.

This couldn"t be happening…

He got hard just from her voice!

He knew he was done for. He couldn"t lie to himself anymore that the intense throb in his heart was just a misconception.

He was in love with Mimi.

Rather than the expected enlightenment and ease in his chest after realizing his feelings, Tobias felt nothing but an unsettling feeling in his stomach.

Why? Why did it have to be her?

He didn"t want this.

He didn"t want to lose her.

If she knew his feelings, she would disappear from him. When he thought about how Mimi could one day disappear, he would feel like he couldn"t breathe.

Tobias had never suffered this kind of fear before.

Imagining losing those sparkling violet eyes that looked at him with such trust and joy, he couldn"t bear it.

Suddenly, his full-erected length throbbed. Tobias growled and opened his slightly hazy eyes. His vision felt blurry and without thinking, his hand slowly moved down. His head fell onto the tile walls, and his hips slowly pumped every time he stroked.

He couldn"t think straight anymore.

"Hhaa…Hha…Mimi…" He groans her name hoa.r.s.ely.

He wanted to hold her.

"Mimi…" Tobias"s breathing grew heavier.

He wanted to touch her.

"Mimi…" Abs flexing, hips working back and forth, his grip tightened as he picked up speed.

He…wanted to be in her. He wanted to move inside her.

Tobias groaned. He closes his eyes, dread etched on his handsome face, and he shudders slightly.

When he opens his eyes, he stares down at his hand to identify the fluid spread on his palm.

Breathing heavily, Tobias closed his eyes to hide his expression, which was filled with endless darkness. His compa.s.sionate, composed temperament had been replaced by violence and cruelty.

What had he become?