"You really shouldn't smoke. It's pretty harmful."
"Oh, come on! Here I am seeking amends with you. And here you are, an adult, declining the kindness of an innocent kind-hearted kid!"
Early morning moonlight shone through the crevices of the thick curtains and hit the strong chest of a man. An ash gray, softly textured blanket was draped over his waist, blocking the key parts.
Tobias's eyes quiver open, slowly revealing two dark pupils. Looking up to see the image of his bedroom ceiling for a few seconds, he shifts his gaze toward the large curtained window to observe the gray painted sky.
It was still dark out. Time for work.
He lifts himself out of bed leisurely before heading into the bathroom, his bare feet padding on the tile floor. Turning the shower on, Tobias enters without waiting for it to heat up.
Slightly cold water drips down his hair softly, the drops slowly making their way down his body. Closing his eyes against the water as the heat soaks into his skin, Tobias found his thoughts drifting back to the previous events that took place.
That girl he met in front of the convenience store that day…he wondered why she seemed so familiar to him?
Ever since he encountered her, he was unable to shake away the familiar feeling of knowing her. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to remember her.
His dark eyes slightly narrowed.
Deciding to push aside his thoughts of her, Tobias runs a large hand through his dripping black hair, causing the silk strands hanging in front of his eyes to push back.
Cutting the shower off, he steps out of the steaming shower and wraps the white towel beside him around his hips, another over his broad shoulders to dry his hair. Tobias walked to his closet to put together his business suit for the day.
Pulling down a simple white undershirt, his back muscles moved and bunched when he slipped it over his head. Afterward, he grabbed a white dress shirt from his hanger, put it on and began buttoning up. Turning back to the closet to pick a black tie, he snatches a black suit jacket and exits the bedroom.
Rather than making breakfast, he heats a quick cup of black coffee and leans against his counter.
It wasn't that he didn't have the time, or didn't know how to cook - if anything he was very good at cooking. But he just found it troublesome and pointless.
After drinking his coffee, Tobias grabs his phone from the living room table and quickly dials a number while walking out of his condo.
…
After the business meeting in Glory Trade Corporations, the executives left the room, including their president – Tobias Itou.
Walking into his office, Tobias sits back into his chair and leans forward to proceed with the work in front of him. Juno, his secretary who followed him from behind, pushed his glasses up and looked down at the tablet in his hands.
"At noon you have an appointment with Mr. Lawson. After that a check-in on the new company building and…"
As Juno went over Tobias's schedule, the man quietly listened while reading documents. Juno glanced at a certain email and paused.
"Mr. Itou, Hirogori Corporation sent you an invitation to their company's celebration event, should I accept or decline?"
Juno glanced up from his tablet to stare at the cold man seated at his desk, his handsome features sharp and icy.
Tobias raised his head and glanced over at Juno. He didn't say a word and thought of the blond-haired man. He knew Alec disliked events with his family, the Hirogori.
If he didn't go, it was likely he'd use it against him later.
Thinking this, his brows drew together in a slight frown.
That would be rather troublesome.
Tobias sat with an elegant and relaxed posture, but the movements of his pen were decisive and firm from the start.
"Accept it."
Without questioning his boss's decision, Juno nodded his head.
Though he agreed, Tobias couldn't help but rub the space between his brows. He oddly felt as if he would regret this. Even if he did regret it, at the very least Alec wouldn't bother him.
Sighing again, he shakes his head and continues working.
…
A few days later, the night of the Hirogori event arrived.
Sitting in the backseat of a black SUV, Tobias lazily propped his chin against his palm, a pair of deep and intimidating black eyes gazing out the window.
As the driver arrived near the Hirogori company building, the flash of cameras appeared within Tobias's vision and his thin lips tightened.
At that moment, a sense of irritation, regret, and fatigue welled up within him as he massaged his brow tiredly.
Perhaps when everyone was distracted, he could sneak a smoke outside.
When the car stopped in front of the entrance, the reporters in the front shifted their eyes in his direction and clutched their cameras.
Ah, who could this be?
Was it an actor, director or businessperson?
At this point, they had already seen a bunch of big stars appear. The reporters were eager to see who the next incoming figure would be.
At this moment, a pair of long, dark legs stepped out of the back of the SUV.
As expected, when all the reporters turned towards the direction of the car, their initial reaction was to be stunned silly. Tobias looked up, his black pupils staring ahead.
With every step, his exquisite face bore no superfluous expressions, and his eyes were firm and persistent.
All the reporters present sucked in a harsh breath.
Goodness, gracious!
This man…there were no words to describe him.
All they could think was... he was too handsome!
Only after the man's figure passed by them did they regain their senses. After that, the lights were flashing one after another. All of them trying to capture a photo of the gorgeous man before them.
Who knew when they'd get a chance like this again!
To the reporters' disappointment, Tobias strolled past them and entered the mansion. No poses, no questions.
The hell!
It was as if his appearance was just a figment of their imagination!
"Who was that?" A female reporter couldn't help but ask, her eyes still staring in the direction the man left in.
The male reporter beside her sneered with a cold snort. "Are you serious? You don't recognize who that was? How can you call yourself a reporter? That was Tobias Itou!"
The woman's eyes widened her face flushing red with shame. However, she was mostly stunned.
"That was Tobias Itou? But…But he's so young!"
Who didn't know Tobias Itou?
Possibly one of the most successful businessmen within his time! He was currently at the top worldwide and surpassed many of his competitors in large numbers.
Even the Hirogori family wasn't at his level!
Yet, who would have thought such a legendary figure was so young!
Not just young, but incredibly handsome!
All the reporters' looked in Tobias's direction with pitiful hearts.
…
The moment Tobias entered the mansion, he could already sense the countless gaze of others. Men and women of all ages latched their eyes on him.
A few old businessmen walked up to him and casually issued small talk with him.
Tobias stared at them and curtly responded to their words before walking away. At that moment, his attention was drawn towards the blond head of hair standing near the food table.
Alec Hirogori. The exact man who pushed him into this situation.
Tobias sighed and stepped in his direction. As he walked closer to Alec, he noticed the petite figure beside him dressed in a crimson tuxedo, their back faced toward him.
Tobias's brows furrowed. The figure somehow looked familiar.
Walking over until he was a few inches behind the short figure, Tobias couldn't help but glance down, only to meet a pair of brilliant green pupils shadowed by a tinge of violet. With white enlarged cheeks and rosy lips covered in food crumbs, the boy flashed his big, clear eyes.
From their close distance, a feminine aroma wafted through his nose. It was the scent of sweet desserts and flowers.
It was a rather delicate, calming smell.
Tobias narrowed his eyes the longer he stared at the boy.
He didn't possess the masculine and striking appearance of a masculine man, but rather soft femininity. His silk-like skin was milky and tender, glowing a healthy color beneath the mansion lights.
The boy's soft, exquisite appearance could cause any woman to go crazy for him - including men.
While lost in thought, Tobias heard someone clear their throat.
Shifting his gaze away from the boy, he looks up to see Alec looking at him with a complicated gaze. Coughing some more, Alec smiled awkwardly.
"I didn't think you'd actually come, glad you could make it."
"The meeting ended earlier than I expected," Tobias replied with his a low, hoarse voice.
While speaking, Tobias noticed the boy beside him move to the side and forcibly swallowed the hefty portion of food in his throat before coughing. He watched the boy's big, soft eyes tear up as he reached for a cup of water and raised it to his rosy, moist lips.
The boy's eyes raised and met his. Tobias couldn't help but deepen his gaze when he greeted the others.
Why did he feel as if this boy looked so familiar?
He was sure he would remember meeting someone like him. Yet, his mind came to a blank.
"Er...right, this is Andras, a friend of mine." Alec clears his throat. "Andras, this is—"
"Tobias Itou, I know." The boy cuts Alec off. "Mister Itou, I've heard many good things about you!"
Tobias observed the boy and suddenly realized he had heard his name before. The boy was rather popular these days within the industry.
However, he still felt as if this wasn't the reason for his familiarity.
Tobias stared directly at the boy and replied. "En. I've heard some of you as well."
"Wow! Really?" The boy's rosy face turned shy. "Hopefully, they're all good!"
Tobias nodded his head, then spit out only three words, "Most of them."
The boy went silent after that, but he didn't look offended, rather he seemed amused. Tobias remarked the boy's eyes twinkle with a hidden glint of mischief as his gazed lingered on him.
Tobias didn't say anything and continued with the night.
Yet, who would have thought not an hour later, Tobias would see the exact, fair young boy defending the daughter of Louis Yimo.
Tobias observed from the side, his back leaning comfortably in his chair while he lazily sampled the red wine in his glass.
Truthfully, he found the entire situation troublesome.
"Is it so wrong to touch a young lady? If we're speaking about being shameless, mind telling me how you forced her into this corner to insult her?"
"If you can roughly grab her so easily, then I can hold her hand." The boy looked very calm, even his tone revealed indifference.
The boy's aura seemed rather arrogant and flirtatious, but his words were sharp with experience. Even when being so young, the boy's spirit was strong and set.
Whether one possessed more power or less, he didn't seem to care.
Tobias's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the boy's clear, mischievous expression, his eyes unconsciously lit up.
At this moment, Andras had seemed to pacify the situation and turned to send Emilia Yimo off with a female server. That's when the young man behind him roughly grabbed his shoulders.
Tobias's eyes narrowed at the situation as he set his glass of wine to the side before standing up.
How irritating.
He walked over and placed the young boy out of Landon's grasp, placing his small body behind his before staring down coldly at Landon.
"That's enough." His command was like a sharp blade with a pressing momentum, straight into the young man before him.
Landon was stunned for at least three seconds before he regained his senses and looked up. A tall, giant figure gripped his hand roughly while gazing down at him. The man's looks were beyond exceptional, but it didn't compare to his deep ink-black eyes.
Tobias looked at the young man's fearful gaze and inwardly sighed.
Why did he involve himself in such a troublesome situation?
Tobias couldn't help but glance at the young boy behind him and found his big, striking eyes staring at him with a slight pouting expression.
Tobias's lips involuntarily twitched.
That expression…was kind of adorable.
…
"Mr. Itou, do you mind telling why you brought me here?"
Currently, on the top floor of the company building, Tobias gazed out the window silently.
His mind at the moment was slightly chaotic.
Though he was certain of his thoughts, his actions were unusual.
Why couldn't he just ignore the situation and let it go?
He inwardly sighed and turned to look at the young boy in front of him. He slowly stepped closer to the boy and examined his features.
The sky outside the window had turned completely dark, and small lights shone against the profile of the youth's face, drawing out its perfect contours prominently.
His gaze was involuntarily drawn to the boy's red little mouth and a shadow flashed within his eyes.
At that moment, with his deep eyes set on the figure, Tobias walked closer to the boy and could sense the soft, calming scent waft off of him.
Without a doubt, he knew his hunch was correct.
He walked in front of him, bowed slightly, and softly said, "You're a girl, aren't you?"
The boy lifted his head and glanced at him in an indifferent manner.
Then, he hooked his lips asking with a soft, calm voice, "Mr. Itou, do you want to touch to find out if I'm lying or not?"
Similar to a blank sheet of paper, Tobias looked at the youth with a blank expression.
For the first time in his life, he was beyond stunned.
This reaction…was unexpected.
Being met with the youth's hot, burning gaze, he felt rather uncomfortable. To him, they were still a child.
He felt his adam's apple move and he quickly turned his gaze away.
Suddenly, he heard a gentle, playful laugh come from the 'boy'. Shifting his gaze toward her, Tobias was momentarily startled.
"I apologize, Mr. Itou, you're too intelligent of a man to fool." The cross-dressing girl giggles. "I must be a little rusty with my disguise if a man who rarely interacts with women could notice."
There was an unprecedented shock reflected on Tobias's cold face. Despite revealing her identify, her eyes had not a single trace of panic in them.
This girl was not normal.
But he oddly…liked it.
He liked it a lot.
…
Tobias's eyes squinted open as the blaring television emitted light in the living room. He blinked his eyes slowly and shifted his gaze to the figure sleeping beside him.
Mimi, with her mouth, slightly opened and eyes closed shut, slept soundly on the man's shoulder. Her small body was so soft, and it carried a faint scent of sweets, it caused one to feel at ease.
His mouth had a faint smile as he looked at her with a bemused expression. Tobias reached out a hand, lifting the strands of hair that had fallen down the side of Mimi's face.
Feeling his movements, the girl in his arms stirred, her lashes trembling. Slowly, her eyes opened to reveal a pair of big, violet eyes. In a daze, the girl blinked her eyes at the handsome man for a while.
"Is it breakfast time?" Mimi's voice was mellow and hoarse.
Tobias felt his lips curl up as he shook his head. She looked so dazed and bleary.
So cute.
He said in a gentle tone, "Not yet. Sleep some more."
His hand gently smoothed out her hair and allowed her to prop her head on his shoulder again. Mimi moistened her lips and absently bobbed her head.
She yawned. "Okay, but wake me up when it's time."
"Mm, I will."
After that, she closed her already drowsy, wet violet eyes and breathed soft, steady breaths. Tobias watched her fall back to sleep and felt his gaze soften.
While asleep Mimi felt as if she could hear a low and husky voice sounding beside her ear.
"Strange girl."
THE END.