Arriving at her apartment, Mimi led Shen Jue up the stairs.
"I have to say, the building you live in is unique. It's very intriguing." Shen Jue's gentle, lively voice spoke from behind.
Standing in front of her door, Mimi gave him a sharp look and ignored him, directly entering the apartment. Shen Jue faintly smiled and followed her from behind. The moment he entered the apartment, his eyes glowed.
"Oh. Well, this is interesting." He eyed the room curiously and wandered around. "You hardly have any furniture in here. As expected from you, though - you never cared for decorating."
Shen Jue reached out and traced his finger against the plush couch, "Unlike your sister, she was always so passionate about these types of things."
"Stop," Mimi warned in a chilling voice. "Don't talk as if we're familiar."
Shen Jue gave her a casual side glance and chuckled. "May I have a drink?"
Mimi's gaze remained indifferent. "No."
"Oh? Am I not a guest in your home?"
Mimi tilted her head and curled her lips up insincerely. "Sorry, but I don't want to waste a drop of water on a guest like you."
Shen Jue blinked and suddenly his laugh resounded through the room. He wiped the corner of his slightly teary eyes and chuckled. "There's no need to be heartless."
Mimi did not speak with an aloof expression. The moment Shen Jue entered, she had been observing his movements and behavior, yet all she saw was an overbearing, smiling bastard who needed a beating!
Shen Jue could sense the other person's irritation, and he sighed. He leaned his body lazily against the back of the couch and crossed his arms, his peach blossom eyes were curved while he showed a lazy grin.
"As I said previously, I would like to ally with you."
Mimi bluntly retorted, "I'm not interested in allying with you."
"Oh, then why did you agree to speak with me?"
Mimi gave a cold smile, "I didn't want you anywhere near my beloved sister, that's all."
Shen Jue's eyes glistened. "How callous of you."
Hmph, call her what you want.
But she wouldn't allow such an evil man near her sister, dead or alive!
If she had the strength and power, she'd ban the man from stepping fifty feet near her sister's grave!
Whilst Mimi fantasized about torturing the man across from her, she neglected the dimming expression in his eyes, the smile on his face turning more dazzling.
"Although you say that, whether you like it or not, we both need each other. Especially if you want to take revenge on the people who killed your sister."
Mimi's silent gaze shifted and turned menacing. Her teeth itched with rage as she stared at the man across the room, calmly leaning against her couch.
Her hands by her side clenched into fists, her nails nearly piercing through the skin. Shen Jue observed her reaction with a relaxed smile.
Mimi gnashed her teeth and said, "What makes you think I need your help?"
He patiently replied, "Because unlike you, I'm close to your father, who we both know is the main source to Emily's death."
Mimi took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. It had been a while since she let her emotions get the better of her.
Then again, it was the first time she's spoken to someone so in depth of her plans to take revenge on the Hirogori's.
It was unusual, but also somewhat exhilarating.
After a while, Mimi breathed and look back up at Shen Jue with doubtful eyes.
"Why do you want to help me?"
Shen Jue gazed at her with a look that was too profound to understand and let out a light laugh. "Because like you, I loved your sister very much."
Mimi sneered, "You didn't love my sister."
If he had loved her sister then he would have cherished her more. Rather than being in love with her sister, he was obsessed.
She could merely guess after losing the dear 'possession' he too wanted to take revenge.
Either way, it worked out well for her.
Shen Jue could not help but deepen his smile, his eyes revealing a faint gleam. Mimi could not interpret what was on his mind.
"If the little one says so." His voice was abnormally gentle.
Creep.
He leaned his body off the couch and leisurely walked toward her until he was a step away. He lowered his gaze and looked at her with upturned lips.
He extended his hand out, "So, what do you say? Partners?"
Mimi gazed back at him, her still eyes peering into his deeply. Compared to when she first met Shen Jue, who was only a teen at the time, the one before her was now a grown man - his height twice as tall.
A few stray locks of his dark hair fell in front of his attractive face that gazed back at her, the look in his eyes revealing as though he could see everything within her.
Upon seeing his stare, Mimi was somewhat bewildered by his appearance.
A creep! That's all she could think! This guy was just too creepy!
However, she chose to ignore his penetrating eyes and flashed a playful smile, her hand grasping his.
"Please take care of me well, creepy bastard!"
Shen Jue smiled frivolously and laughed. "Haha, likewise, little one."
…
Ding, dong--!
Tobias slowly shifted his head away from view and glanced at the door, a whiff of smoke leaving his lips.
Currently, he was standing on the balcony of his home, still as a statue. A cigarette in hand with formerly smoked cigarette butts beneath his feet – his eyes deeply gazing out at the broad view.
He had planned to devote the remainder of his free time like this until the sound of his doorbell ringing broke his peace.
Pinching the space between his brows, he burns the cigarette in his hand against the railing and steps out toward the front door.
Knowing the security at the front was solid and only let in those he approved, he could assume the one at the door was Alec.
"What do you want this time?" Tobias said with an aggravated tone.
Prepared to see the blond, blue-eyed man, Tobias was surprised so see a pair of purple, sparkling eyes blinking up at him.
"Hello, Toby!"
Tobias's eyes widened, "…Mimi?"
"Mhm! May I come in?"
Tobias had been silent for a while before he absentmindedly nodded his head. "En, come in."
Mimi beamed and hopped inside. Her eyes immediately took in the man's condo, and she was amazed.
"Goodness, I didn't expect you to have such pleasant taste, Toby!"
Tobias's lips tightened. "…Thank you."
Like his reserved personality, the walls were a deep gray while the floors were a dark, clean tiled wood. The furniture itself was very simplistic, only possessing colors of white and black.
Covering half of the wall in the living room was a wide balcony with a full, enchanting view of the city.
Overall, ten out of ten! As expected from her boss!
Mimi turned around to face Tobias, she was about to speak until her expression hardened.
Her brows knitted together, but she didn't speak, instead, she leaned in closer toward him.
Startled by her sudden closeness where he could see her eyelashes, Tobias blinked his eyes down at the girl. Studying him up close, Mimi's brows furrowed even more.
With a slight pout, she asked, "Tobias…were you smoking?"
Tobias: "…"
Her temper piqued toward his silence, "You were, weren't you? I thought I told you smoking was bad for you! Although it makes your already attractive appearance extra appealing, it's harmful to your health!"
…Was she trying to scold or compliment him?
As if realizing the fault in her words, Mimi let out a soft sigh, her expression turning more stern.
"Tobias, promise me that for as long as you shall live, you won't smoke anymore!"
Tobias was silent for a moment before nodding his head, "All right."
"You promise?"
His eyes curved slightly as he displayed a smiling expression, "Mm, promise."
Mimi eyed him once more before backing away and flashing a content grin. Remembering her initial reason for coming here, Mimi's eyes lit up.
"Toby, look I got groceries for you!"
It was only now that Tobias noticed the bagful of groceries in the girl's hand. He raised an eyebrow while glancing at her.
"For?"
Mimi giggled, "Hehe, for you!"
Still not grasping the meaning behind her words, Tobias tilted his head to the side, ink-black eyes looking back at her in puzzlement. Seeing this, Mimi had the urge to pinch the man's handsome face.
Curving her eyes up, she softly said, "I want to spend the day eating Toby's delicious food! So, I brought some ingredients for you to cook for me!"
Tobias stilled and didn't respond immediately. A couple of seconds passed before he spoke cautiously.
"You…Don't you have plans?" As he said this, a flicker of uneasiness flashed through his dark eyes.
Mimi shook her head and smiled, "I did. But I've decided to spend it with you! Aren't you happy?"
Tobias felt his heart clench as the combination of her words and smiling expression left him speechless. He couldn't understand nor process the emotions surging through his heart.
He had a blank expression on his face, but his voice was hoarse. "Very happy."
Those were the words to describe how he was feeling.
Happiness was written all over Mimi's little face when hearing his words. Of course, he was happy! He was blessed with her holy presence, how could he not?
Taking the groceries she brought, Tobias began preparing the two lunch. A long while later, he served both of them a simple homemade spaghetti pasta with tomato sauce and mozzarella stuffed meatballs.
Looking at the dish before her, Mimi's eyes glittered.
"Thank you for the meal!"
Tobias sounded an 'en' and watched the girl dig into her pasta. Seeing her eat with rosy round cheeks and a blissful expression, his icy expression softened.
She too seemed happy.
After finishing their meals, Tobias cleared their plates and began washing them. Mimi leaned on the counter and ogled him, those eyes of hers, enjoying the feast before her.
Tobias's tall and slender body was dressed in a simple v-neck black sweater that hugged tightly to his firm, muscular frame. His usually slick black hair was free and cast over his ink colored eyes.
Mimi's smiles grew the longer she stared. Sensing her gaze, Tobias glanced up from the dishes and looked back at her.
"You seem happy."
Mimi nodded, "Very happy!"
Tobias smiled and couldn't help but chuckle. Turning back to washing the dishes, he missed the deep expression that reflected across her eyes.
Starting today, things were going to change. She was finally going to make the Hirogori's pay.
Who would have thought the change Mimi had in mind, was much more than she planned.
One grave starts revenge.
Two ends it.
THE END.
________________
BOOK 2 COMES OUT NEXT SUNDAY!
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