Three hours earlier.
After discovering the entire Hirogori family would be attending Lee Odo's event, Mimi and Shen Jue set their long-awaited plan into action.
"Is everything prepared?" Mimi asked while adjusting the cuffs on her suit.
"Mhm. Everything has been set up according to plan."
Mimi sounded a brief hum and shifted her gaze to the mirror. Invited by Lee Odo as Andras, Mimi wore an expensive, tailor-made suit that complimented her figure. It wasn't on the masculine side, if anything her build was small compared to most men - as she was a female.
Yet, she still appeared lean and firm. Wearing green contacts, she stared back at her reflection.
It was happening. In their long-awaited game of chess, she was finally making her big move.
Despite the excitement, there was a faint layer of guilt beneath all of it.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to do this tonight? Can't we just deliver it to the media or make a setup?"
While tying his tie, Shen Jue's movements paused. He shifted his head to look at Mimi. His mouth maintained a faint smile as he looked at her with a bemused expression.
"Hmm? Are you perhaps having second thoughts?"
Shen Jue's question caused Mimi to stiffen in place.
"That's not…"
"If we did what you suggested, your father would eventually find a way to pay off the media or witnesses involved. Is that not why we decided to do it tonight? With so many influential figures there, he won't be able to keep them all quiet."
Mimi's face instantly turned dim. She swept her icy gaze over to Shen Jue, who was now standing in front of her. Mimi froze completely as a troubled expression appeared on her face.
She hadn't been expecting him to be so close, so she secretly glared at him. However, Shen Jue was seemingly ignorant of the complaint in her gaze. His indulgent eyes were slanted in a faint smile as he stared down at her.
"Are you worried this could stain Lee Odo's reputation?"
Mimi was silent. She stood frozen in front of him, her hands clenched into fists by her side and her lips pressed together in a thin, white line. It was clear his words were accurate.
Shen Jue softly sighed. "Have you forgotten the purpose of all of this? There's no need to feel guilty using a few people for our own gain. That's what the industry was built on after all. Besides, Lee Odo's a capable man, he can handle himself."
After saying so, Mimi slowly processed his words.
That's right. The reason they were doing this - was it not to avenge her sister?
Using a few people to her advantage wouldn't be too harmful. As Shen Jue said, Lee Odo had been around the industry long enough to know how to handle difficult matters.
Mimi looked up at Shen Jue. The corners of her lips raised into a sinister smile.
"Let's go then."
…
After preparing for the event, Shen Jue left the warehouse to prepare for the night while Mimi attended with Emily Yimo and her father.
Upon arriving, Mimi couldn't hold back the grin on her face. She had recommended this restaurant to Lee Odo during one of their monthly meetups.
Remembering the events that were about to take place, Mimi's previous grin faded her mood dampening.
Deciding to bury these feelings, Mimi excused herself from the Yimo's and walked toward the one thing that could relieve her mind.
Food.
Arriving at the tables loaded of dishes, Mimi snatched herself a plate and began stacking.
"Mimi…" A deep, husky voice sounded to her side.
At that moment, Mimi froze in place. Unexpectedly, her heart shook just a bit at the sound of the man's voice. It had been only a week, yet it had felt like months.
Shifting her head, Mimi's eyes locked with a pair of dark, soul catching eyes. Perhaps because it had been so long, he appeared to be even more intimidating.
This man, whether it was his body, his appearance or his temperament, was perfect and impeccable. His chiseled face and deep melancholy eyes stared at her intently.
However, remembering it had been him who purposely distanced himself from her in the last week, the slightest bit of warmth in her heart faded.
With her signature smile hanging on her face, she said, "Mr. Itou, a pleasure to see you."
For a while, Tobias was silent, his gaze scanning her figure up and down. Slowly after that, life started returning to his eyes and he encountered her gaze steadily without blinking. As if he was scared that she would disappear if he blinked.
The girl's short hair was meticulously combed back, revealing a round smiling face and a pair of lovely round eyes. Her face was glowing from within and she had a healthy blush on her cheeks.
In a word, she was beautiful.
After a few seconds, he finally cleared his throat and said in a somewhat hoarse tone: "It's been a while."
The moment he spoke these words, his body seemed to tense as if he regretted it.
With reason too.
Mimi's eyes darkened. She laughed softly. "Yes, I wonder why."
Tobias's fists clenched. He suddenly grew nervous. Mimi could not help but find the man's tense and anxious demeanor amusing. However, this did not dispel the bitterness she felt in her heart.
For one week he ignored her. No contact. No explanation.
Shifting back to the table, Mimi piled up the remaining portions of food onto her plate. When she finished, she looked back at Tobias with a smile still on her face.
"It was nice to see you again, Mr. Itou. But I have to head back, don't want to keep Ms. Yimo waiting."
When Tobias saw Mimi turn her back to him, he quickly strode over and reached to her side in record time. He gripped her hand and saw her expression change, along with the contours of her face beneath the chandelier light. At that moment, he felt something; a sensation he never felt before.
He didn't want her to leave him.
At the same time, feeling Tobias's grip her hand, Mimi frowned and glanced up at him. Tobias stared down at her porcelain-like face. His originally calm state turned into tension as his throat tightened, and his eyes deepened
He spoke in a voice so soft that only he and Mimi could hear. "Can we talk? Alone?"
Mimi looked very calm, even her tone revealed indifference as she said, "You had all week to talk. I think the moment of chances is up."
Tobias looked at her in shock but quickly lowered his head again to hide the flash of panic in his eyes. He tried his best to calm down and answered, "I promise it'll only be for a minute. I need…I need to explain to you why I did what I did."
Although he could sense Mimi's rejection, Tobias did not release her. On the contrary, his heart desired to do nothing more than pull the girl into his arms. Regardless of the circumstances.
When he looked down to identify her distant expression, Tobias froze up.
"Mr. Itou, please let go before you cause a scene." Mimi's voice was apathetic.
At this, Tobias's grip loosened. It was just enough for Mimi to slip away from his hold and walk away. As her figure disappeared through the crowd, Tobias's eyes never left her.
When she was no longer in his sight, he reluctantly diverted his gaze elsewhere. Yet, who would have thought the moment he looked away, his eyes met with Lee Odo's who had been watching in the distance.
The corner of the old man's lips curled up slightly as he offered Tobias a slight nod before looking back at Lina Tong.
Tobias looked at Lee Odo and frowned. He quickly returned his gaze in the direction Mimi left in.
He felt strange. This feeling was so strange; it stretched throughout his whole body. It was overwhelming, yet has made him feel complete. It had no bound, nor length, nor depth; it was just absolute.
He closed his eyes, dread etched on his handsome face. These feelings he had, he could no longer deny.