Awakening the following morning, Mimi stepped into the kitchen to see a tall, muscular figure, leaning against the bar counter. A cup of coffee in one hand, a newspaper in the other. Ink black eyes glanced up from the newspaper and fixed on her.
Mimi had grown accustomed to the man's random appearances at her apartment. She raised her lips and smiled at Tobias.
"Morning, Toby!" She strolled over toward the counter and leaned forward.
He set the newspaper down and walked over toward the fridge to take something out. "How did you sleep?"
She laughed softly, "Very well."
Tobias sounded out a gentle hum. Turning around, he poured her a glass of milk and heated a plate of French toast for her before passing both to her. Mimi's eyes glistened as she seized the plate of steaming French toast.
Topped with glazed apples and powdered sugar, the sweet aroma drifted up into her nostrils. She felt her mouth water.
Taking the fork beside her, she cut a piece to shove into her mouth and felt herself melt into her seat. Humming satisfactorily, eyes closed, Mimi hadn't noticed the humor rippling in Tobias's eyes.
Opening her eyes, she saw the man standing across from her, arms crossed. She noted a slight curve on his thin lips. Mimi continued chewing her food and blinked her eyes at him.
"How's your eye?" He leaned forward to stretch out his large hand, his thumb grazing the side of her right eye.
Still eating, Mimi chewed out the word, "Better."
Tobias nodded, "I set up an appointed with a doctor. We'll go for your checkup after you finish your breakfast."
Swallowing her food, Mimi helplessly smiled, "Ah, don't worry about that, please. I promise you, I'm fine! It doesn't even hurt anymore!"
Tobias didn't respond, he lifted a napkin from the counter and gently wiped the powdered sugar from her lips.
"We'll leave after breakfast."
Originally, his tone had been gentle and fairly normal. However, after saying these words, Mimi could sense the slightest bit of coldness in them.
Before she had the chance to open her mouth to refute, a forkful of French toast was shoved in front of her. Mimi glared into his face as he stared back at her emotionlessly.
His husky voice deepened, "Eat."
Hmph, fine! Because she was in the wrong yesterday, she'll do what he says!
Mimi puckered her lips and chomped on the forkful of French toast, continuing to eat her breakfast. Tobias watched her eat obediently, his eyes softening. He grabbed his cup of coffee and took a sip.
For the remainder of the morning, the two sat in silence, occasionally passing small talk and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere.
…
As promised, after breakfast, Tobias drove Mimi to the hospital for a checkup. After two thorough checkups, Tobias looked at the doctor with crossed arms, his expression tense.
Tobias questioned, "How is she?"
The old doctor was very helpless and coughed, "As said on the first test, there is nothing wrong with the young lady. Her health is perfectly normal, and although rather small for her age, she's a healthy, young seventeen-year-old girl."
Mimi blinked. Was he calling her short?
At this thought, her expression clouded.
Hmph! It wasn't her fault she received such slow genes and lived half of her childhood only eating microwavable ramen!
Though the results were in front of his face, Tobias didn't dare relax and looked over at the girl on the table intently. As if thinking of something, his eyes abruptly darkened.
Tobias frowned seriously and in a deep voice ordered, "Take another examination."
Mimi and the old doctor were both speechless.
This man was too much!
However, the doctor sighed and agreed, while Mimi shook her head helplessly. Shortly after receiving identical results for the third time, did Tobias finally calm down, his stiff appearance relaxing.
Tobias smiled slightly, "Thank you."
The doctor was shocked by the indifferent man's faint, genuine expression.
He raised his lips and said with a light smile, "Of course! I can understand your worries! I was the same myself whenever my children had an accident."
Suddenly there was silence.
Mimi covered a snort with her hand and stole a glance at the man beside her. Sure enough, the man's expression turned frosty. Black lines grew on Tobias's face, his expression darkening.
The doctor looked at Tobias's bitter expression and scratched his head.
"Ah, I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"
Mimi coughed, "No, thank you again for the checkup!"
Hopping off the table, Mimi grabbed Tobias's hand to leave. However, after a few seconds, she paused to walk back to the doctor.
"By any chance, does grandpa have any pills for increasing bust size?"
The old doctor was absolutely speechless. What a bold child!
Kids these days…they were too crude.
…
Outside the hospital.
On the way back to the car, Tobias was silent. His eyebrows lowered, and the corners of his mouth spread in a straight line - a look that indicated he was not happy.
Did he really look old enough to be Mimi's father?
He was only twenty-five, seven years older than Mimi, who was to turn eighteen in a few months.
The more he thought about it the gloomier he felt. Tobias couldn't help but unconsciously touch his face and frown. Mimi perceived his actions and laughed softly.
He looked so pitiful.
She grasped the large hand touching the man's handsome face and playfully swung it.
Like an adult coaxing a child, she softly said, "Don't listen to that grandpa's words, I think the older you look the better! It makes you much more attractive!"
Tobias: "…" So he did look old?
Realizing Tobias's expression only seems to worsen, Mimi began offering him flattering words without restraint, "Toby, you look extremely handsome and youthful-looking! The most attractive man I will ever see! No, the most attractive man in the whole world!"
Everything Mimi expressed was sincere – she meant it. Tobias truly was the most stunning and sophisticated man she had ever met.
He could cook, was successful, skilled, and a genius! The man was a rare catch!
When Tobias, who was in low spirits, heard the girl's complimentary words, his furrowed brows softened. Although he knew she was only saying such words to cheer him up, he still couldn't help but smile.
He let out a deep chuckle and reached to pat the girl affectionately on the head. Mimi indulged in his touch, giving off the impression of a small, spoiled kitten. Tobias's smiles deepened.
When they walked up to his car, Tobias had moved to open the door for her, when his phone suddenly buzzed. He glanced down and narrowed his eyes.
"I have to take this."
Mimi nodded her head and waited in the front seat of his car. When Tobias walked a few feet away, she stared quietly at his broad back.
She hadn't had time to think much of it before, but remembering Tobias's expression when he saw her, Mimi felt troubled.
Tobias's actions toward her had always been different compared to others. However, it was small actions of kindness and pampering of a mentor, nothing more. Recently, however, she discovered Tobias to express unusual emotions.
While he often treated her with respect and kindness, his actions now were slightly more restraining...more attached.
He was more conscious of her movements and wary of her reckless behavior. The emotions on his face that day; she had never in her years of knowing him seen them before.
It was raw, angry and filled with afflicted, concealed pain.
She didn't like it.
While she was lost in thought, the man suddenly turned around and fixed his gaze on her as if assuring she was still there.
Mimi's face broke out into a smile, turning joyful at a speed too fast for the naked eye to comprehend. She playfully waved her hand at him from behind the window.
He spoke something on the phone with a stern expression, but his eyes were gentle when looking at her. He subtly shifted himself to the side and looked at the ground. Mimi's joyful eyes dimmed, and she sighed hopelessly.
"That fool…"
To care for a cruel, meaningless person like her…he must be a fool.