Holding her hand, Tobias walked out of the mall and into the parking lot. Stopping on the side, he pulls out his phone and dials a number.
"Bring the car over."
A voice could be heard on the other end before he hung up and stood silently waiting. The only sound that could be heard was the people walking by exiting and entering the mall. Tobias glanced down at the girl beside him.
Her head was lowered, letting the silk strands of hair fall in front of her face - her eyes continuing to stare off into space.
Tobias's hold on her hand tightened. Finally, the car showed up and Tobias entered, helping Mimi in. Once seated and the doors closed, he leaned back into the seat and sighed.
"Mimi."
As expected, she didn't respond. The aching sensation in his heart grew.
"Mimi, look at me." His voice coaxed her like a warm caress.
Mimi, who was in a trance, suddenly overheard his voice, "Huh?"
Her eyes blinked. Elevating her head, she nearly yelped when she saw how close the man was to her face.
"Toby?"
Finally hearing her voice, Tobias sighed in relief, the anxiety in his heart fading away. Tobias leaned over and gently knocked his head with hers.
Mimi felt his forehead against hers and curiously raised her eyes only to be startled when his dark, empty eyes met hers. Mimi had noticed something off about his gaze but didn't put too much thought into it.
Tobias continued staring at her. When he spoke, she could feel his warm, clear breath on her face, "I have to disagree with what you said earlier."
"What?"
"I don't think of us as strangers."
Oh, that. Mimi's lips pursed and her eyes slowly averted his. Tobias continued to stare at her and he spoke up in a low tone.
"I think of us as best friends."
Mimi was a little surprised. Was he mimicking the words she's said previously?
She lifted her head and saw Tobias pull back slightly, putting distance between them. He leaned back in his seat and looked back at her quietly.
Mimi laughed hoarsely. "Even though we don't know a lot about each other?"
His expression continued to be patient and a faint smile bloomed on his face. "We have all the time to learn more about one another."
His words surprised Mimi and she stared at Tobias as if he were an unknown species. Sure enough, this man was an idiot. Though Mimi herself had claimed them as best friends, it had only been for her advantage toward the situations.
As the genius man he was, Mimi was sure he was aware of that. However, who would have thought he could have been dense about it the whole time.
Unless he meant it.
Helplessly sighing, Mimi grinned crookedly.
"You're weird, you know that Toby?"
Tobias smiled back at her without speaking and looked out the car window once more. For the majority of the ride, the two sat in silence until Tobias's dark voice spoke up.
"You don't have to come to work tomorrow."
"Eh, why?"
Tobias didn't respond nor did he look at her as he gazed out the window. Recalling all the events that happened just now, Tobias felt only deep uncertainty and frustration.
For one, he witnessed an employee from his company conversing with another companies CEO and a joined partner with Hiro Corps.
After witnessing that, he immediately messaged Juno to investigate the matter. As for the incident with Mimi, he wasn't an idiot. Tobias could tell she knew Shen Jue would be there and had connections with Senior Su.
The only question was, how did she know Shen Jue and why did she react so negatively?
He wanted to ask but felt as if it was overstepping his boundaries. But most of all, he was afraid. He was afraid to see that soulless expression on her face. An expression only one would show as if they had been through all the hells in the world but were forced to live.
He knew it too well and wouldn't wish it upon anyone. He didn't want her to go back to her dark place, he wanted her to stay here with him and smile brightly.
The more he thought about, the darker his expression became. Mimi, who sat across from him, blinked innocently in confusion. Seeing as how his mood was sour, she decided to drop the matter.
Again, the two sat in silence both immersed in their deep thoughts.
…
After twenty minutes, they arrived in front of Mimi's apartment. Before Mimi could thank him and hop out, her hand was caught by Tobias. The corner of Mimi's lips twitched.
This felt like déjà vu.
"Toby?"
"You may not know it or want to know it, but I care about you, Mimi."
As he expected, Mimi's expression fell into a blank daze before contorting into one of confusion, as if the girl didn't understand the meaning of his words. Not pulling back, the grip on her arm tightened and he continued speaking in a soft tone.
"Because I care about you, I always want to see you happy and healthy. When you're not I'm hurting too."
Mimi's expression changed. She pressed her lips together and stared at him quietly. He was hurting because of her? Knowing this, Mimi felt a bit unsettled.
"Tobias, you shouldn't have to hurt because of how I feel."
Tobias smiled and chuckled freely. "If I could control it, I would. But I can't because I care for you, Mimi."
Mimi's brows drew together. As much as she wanted to say for him to stop caring for her to relieve his pain, she knew Tobias would reject the idea immediately. And she too would feel slightly troubled if he did.
As if guessing the unspoken words she thought to say, a shadow passed over Tobias's eyes, his grip on her hand unconsciously squeezing.
"I want you to take care of yourself. If not for your sake then for mine."
Mimi snorted. "You don't play fair do you?"
"No. And if that still doesn't convince you, then as your boss I order for you to rest and take care of yourself." Tobias kept his eyes firmly on Mimi's face.
Seeing how serious he was, Mimi sighed. "Well then, I guess I have no choice, do I?"
"No."
Mimi smirked at his words and lifted her head to stare at the handsome man in a teasing manner.
"My, my, Tobias I never knew you were so possessive of a little employee like me! It makes me wonder what your motives are."
Tobias's expression contorted back into his usual poker face and he sighed.
"You can leave now."
Mimi pouted. "Oh my, you put my maidenhood in danger, now you want to kick me out? Be a man Toby and take responsibility!"
"Out."
Mimi laughed out loud and hopped out of his car. Tobias watched her figure slowly disappear in the distance and waited until she entered her apartment before ordering for the driver to move forward.
Taking out his phone, Tobias calls his secretary.
"Have you found anything yet?"
"No sir, not yet. But I'm certain by the end of the day I'll find something."
"Mm, keep looking into it."
Tobias paused before speaking again, his voice darkening. "Look into Shen Jue more and his history with the Hirogori's."
Juno on the other end was surprised but immediately answered, "Yes, Mr. Itou."
With that, Tobias hung up and rested his face in his palm.
Shen Jue.
He didn't know him personally, but being in the business industry for so long, he knew who he was on various accounts.
His father had competed with his company many times until he retired. Now run by Shen Jue, the company slowly regained its prior success. Like everyone else, he has also known Shen Jue from the previous news on his engagement to the Hirogori's only daughter, Emily Hirogori.
After her death, his name quickly faded from the industry for seven years, until he came back abroad to run his father's company.
How did Mimi know him? Was it from the media or was it personal? Either way, Tobias already felt resentful emotions toward Shen Jue.
To make her show such an expression just when seeing him...
Tobias's jaw clenched and his eyes dimmed. He never wanted to see such an expression on Mimi's face ever again.