After appeasing the fuming Emilia, Mimi exchanged a few words with her and left to return home. Rubbing her hands together while looking up at the cold setting sky, Mimi fell lost in thought.
Three years had passed in the blink of an eye and just like that day, it was cold out. The day she became partners with Shen Jue.
For three years, the two of them operated behind the scenes to take down the Hirogori family, slowly eliminating competition and allies of her father's company.
Taking down his allies was similar to removing the King's knights on a chessboard. She and everyone in her father's life were his chess pieces.
It was only fair to return the favor in his little game.
Mimi shivered slightly from the cold and blew warm air into her palms, her head lowered. When she was preparing to call a cab, she noticed the shadow hovering over her. Suddenly, a pair of warm hands took hers into theirs.
"Why aren't you wearing any gloves?" A man asked in a low tone, bowing his head down in front of her and taking her hands in his. His thick, level eyebrows descended in a frown as he felt the iciness of her fingers.
Mimi raised her head and calmly looked back straight into his dark, ink colored eyes. The man was taller than her by one head, his gaze always intense and unreadable.
A respected businessman, Tobias Itou was admired not for his authority and influence within the industry but rather the man himself.
Coupled with his robust build and frightful aura, it was no surprise that so many people feared him.
His sense of power, of danger, was always overwhelming.
Yet, in front of the petite girl before him who expressed no fear, he was like a protective bear to his helpless, gluttonous cub.
Tobias's eyes stared at her pink, chilled fingertips and began kneading them in his large palms. The man did not show his emotions, but his thick, sword eyebrows slightly furrowed as he brought her hands up to his frowning, thin lips.
Warm, soft air wrapped around her fingertips, melting away the numbness in her hands. Mimi blinked calmly at the man, already familiar with his attentive actions and let him do his task seriously.
Besides, she enjoyed seeing Tobias worrying over her- it gave her a comfortable sense of being spoilt.
Not even questioning how he found her, Mimi revealed a beaming smile on her face. She giggled, "I forgot to bring them."
"Don't forget next time." Tobias murmured.
The stroking of his big hands continued to warm her. From their position, Mimi could feel the heat of his body. After a while, Tobias set her hands down and reached into his trench coat for a set of gloves.
"Wear these." He said while putting them on her small hands.
Mimi grinned playfully and wrapped her arms around the man's firm waist, her hands slipping into his large, trench coat pockets.
"I'd rather put my hands in your pockets. It's warmer!" She looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
Tobias had always been a man of few words, therefore, he let her do what she pleased and said nothing. The atmosphere around the two was pleasant and familiar as if the two were use to one another's actions.
Tobias led her to his car and began driving her home. Mimi sat in the front seat of Tobias's car and started chatting.
"What have you been doing lately? It's been a while since I've seen you."
"Work."
She chuckled, "Have you ever thought of taking a break? It seems like you're always working."
The man grew silent, and Mimi knew the thought never occurred to him. She swore if she never mentioned it, he would probably spend the rest of his life slaving away to his work!
At the thought of this, she glared at his impassive face. "Well, you should. If you keep it up, there'll come a time where you pass out from exhaustion and won't be able to feed me anymore! And if that happens, then I'll starve! So, promise you'll plan a time to rest?"
"Yes, ma'am." Tobias chuckled lowly.
Pleased with his response, Mimi snuggles into her seat and looks out the car window before completely dozing off.
Tobias heard the girl's soft snores and glanced to the side to see her porcelain-like face leaned up against the window. The tender smile on his face became a touch more genuine before shifting his gaze back to the front.
Arriving at their destination, Tobias opened his door and walked to Mimi's side to carry her out of the car. Nestling up in the man's arms as if she was a sleeping kitten, Mimi hummed softly.
Tobias looked down at the girl in his arms and sighed. Walking up the stairs, he pulled out his spare keys and entered the residence. Three years had passed, and the girl's apartment with limited furniture remained the same.
Settling her down on the bed, he tucked the thin blankets properly around her before closing the door and busying himself in the kitchen.
By the time Mimi woke up, the sky had set. She yawned tiredly, her eyes squeezing out two drops of tears, both hanging on her thick, silk lashes. Mumbling incoherent words absently, she walked out of her room and was immediately hit by a fragrant, delicious scent.
Flashing her drowsy eyes awake, Mimi shifted her head and as expected, the familiar figure of Tobias cooking in her kitchen was the scene before her.
Sensing the girl's presence, Tobias glanced up briefly before continuing the task before him.
"Dinner's almost ready."
Mimi hummed and bobbed her head. She walked over to the breakfast bar to sit and watch the man cook. His hands skillfully chopped the green onion into thin pieces, his swift actions precise.
Tobias's meticulously combed black hair was now unkempt, lining his handsome face, making him look sexier. His body, full of masculine atmosphere and perfectness.
Mimi sighed. Some people look better as they age. Like a fine wine or cheese, her Toby developed better as he aged.
Now twenty-five this year, the man's features grew more and more attractive. He was almost 190 cm tall, firm, defined muscles and lightly tanned skin all glowing luminously.
No wonder women feared the man, but still dared to approach him.
He was just too damn sexy!
While Mimi scanned her pervert vision across his body, Tobias, who had learned to ignore her stares, continued cooking.
Twenty minutes passed before dinner was ready. Set on the table was Mongolian lamb with scallions, Chinese red-cooked soy sauce chicken and small fresh vegetable side dishes.
It all looked and smelled very appealing.
Mimi stared at the food and felt her mouth water.
Tobias chuckled at her hunger filled eyes. He rolled up his sleeves to reveal strong, tan arms, and his long fingers seemed to appear even more charming as he placed the food into her bowl.
"It's hot, be careful."
Mimi absently nodded her head and took her first bite into the golden chicken before her. Immediately her eyes lit up, and slightly moistened. She turned her head to glance at Tobias and blinked her glassy eyes.
Tobias's eyebrows slightly wrinkled when seeing her expression. "What's wrong? Is it too hot?"
Mimi shook profusely, her round, white rosy cheeks jiggling from her movements.
Tears welled up in Mimi's eyes and said with a sob, "This chicken…it's too good."
Tobias was speechless.
"Can you make this again tomorrow?"
Tobias heeded her question and sighed helplessly but nodded his head in agreement. Mimi's eyes lit up, and she continued eating her chicken vigorously.
He observed her actions and shook his head, letting out a soft sigh. Every so often, he felt like the girl was a three-year-old in the body of seventeen-year-old.