Mimi could feel the screaming of her lungs and the will of her muscles go far beyond what exercise could ever demand. She rounded the corner, the afternoon air, choking her throat and lungs as she inhaled deeper, faster.
Perhaps jumping that wall onto the stairs wasn't so smart…
The sound of the men's voices behind her and the bustling streets buzzed through her ears. It was all too noisy.
Never in her life had she run this fast for so long. Mimi felt as if she was on the urge of dying!
Tobias, where the hell are you?!
Mimi knew by now someone had probably called the police department after seeing a group of men chasing after a young girl. However, if it was someone within the Hirogori family behind this, the police would be useless.
As her lungs cried out for more air, Mimi's steps grew heavier and heavier. All her energy was gone. She was struggling to breathe. The footsteps behind her sounded closer and closer, and it seemed like there wasn't a shred of hope left for her.
Just when she could no longer bear it, she heard the sound of a car honking. While Mimi hadn't recognized the man in the passenger seat, she was familiar with the big black SUV.
With the number of meals she ordered in that car, how could she forget?
"Ms. Mimi, Mr. Itou sent us. Get in, quick!" The man shouted.
Mimi's tracks halted upon hearing the screech of his tires. Just as she darted for the vehicle, she felt a hard pull on her shoulder. Her gaze sharpened.
A man had caught hold of her arm!
The spark in her eyes brightened as strength gathered in her body from who knew where, and she elevated her foot to kick the guy in the back of his knee.
When he dropped to his knees, she took the heel of her boot and slammed it down on his head. The man collapsed. Then she took off, got into the passenger side of the car, and closed the door before they sped off.
Mimi collapsed on the back seat, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She'd never take breathing for granted again.
"Ms. Mimi, are you all right?" The man looked back and her with concern.
"…Pain…" Mimi gasped heavily.
The men's expressions turned into ones of alarm. Fear, even.
"Where does it hurt, Ms. Mimi? Are you injured?" The man in the passenger seat asked nervously.
"My…stomach…" Mimi wheezed. "Hungry…Double cheeseburger…"
Both men were stunned into silence.
Four adult men in suits chased this girl and when she's finally saved claims she's hungry?
At the very least, they had some idea why their boss was so infatuated with her. She hardly acted like a normal human being…
…
Arriving in what appeared to be a replica of Glory Trade Corporation, one of the men opened the door for Mimi and helped her out.
"Mimi!"
She hardly had the chance to look up before a hard body collided with hers, strong arms embracing her in a tight hold.
Then, Tobias tucked his head into her neck and whispered huskily. "I'm so glad…"
Once Mimi was ensconced in the man's arms and his comforting scent, she slowly came back to her senses.
"I was scared…" Her voice was soft and waxy. It sounded pitiful.
In all honesty, she was worried. It had been the first time she was in a dangerous situation she couldn't predict the outcome for. Had Tobias not been there…she doubted it would end well.
The murderous expression on Tobias's face faded away. He looked at the lovely girl in his arms as he soothed her by stroking her back. He reassured her with a soft, low tone, "It's okay, you're okay now. I'm here."
She pressed her lips together and shoved her head even deeper into his chest, trying to surround herself with the scent that made her feel safe. She felt a hand at her back, his large hands stroking in a comforting manner.
Mimi was enjoying his warmth when she heard him speak to one of the men behind her.
"Did you catch any of them?" His voice was a deep threatening sound. If directed toward an enemy it could kill.
"I'm afraid not, sir. However, I ordered some men to investigate the cameras on the site."
Tobias sounded a grunt and looked down at the girl in his arms. She had fallen asleep. He didn't object and lifted Mimi to carry her.
"Make sure to keep this hidden. Don't let anyone know about her identity." He ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Tobias nodded and brought the girl toward his car. Settling in the back seat, he ordered the driver to take him back to his condo. As the car drove off, Tobias rested his chin on the top of Mimi's head and took a deep breath, taking in her familiar, sweet scent. He shut his eyes to calm down the overflow of emotions within him.
After a long moment, when Tobias had finally regained a fraction of calm, he opened his dark eyes. He looked down at Mimi, and his expression deepened.
Her eyelashes fanned out like butterfly wings as they rested over her closed eyelids. There was a slight pout on her face as she drew in long, shallow breaths.
Tobias's hold tightened. He kissed the top of her sweaty forehead before propping his chin on top of her head again. His eye emanated merciless murder.
…
When Mimi had woken up, she was in a large bed. The room was dark. It felt whenever she fell asleep, she always found herself waking up in a dark room…
Scanning her eyes around the room, she finally noticed the figure sitting in the corner, a laptop on his lap. On the couch facing her, he worked from the coffee table.
Mimi's sleep clouded eyes tried to focus as she croaked out softly, "Tobias?"
Tobias's movements paused. He lifted his emotionless gaze to stare at her. He had closed his laptop and stood from his seat before he moved to stand in front of her.
"Did you sleep well?" His tone was strangely low.
Mimi nodded. Tiredly, she stretched and yawned. Tobias just watched her, his eyes taking every movement. Then, one of his knees came up on the bed on the outside of her thigh. Mimi's eyes widened slightly. His other knee followed his previous movements on the opposite side until his big body caged her, hands on the bed on both sides of her head.
"Toby…what are you..." Mimi stuttered.
"I'm not going to touch you. I just want to look at you. That's all."
Mimi blinked and tilted her head. "Isn't that creepy?"
"Is it?" His dark voice bore a trace of amusement.
Mimi quietly nodded her head. He didn't say anything more, just held his weight over her, staring at her patiently. His hooded gazed focused on every inch of her face.
What was he staring at her for?
"Did you have a good day at work today?" Her voice was a little breathy.
He hummed a low sound.
"Making lots of money, I bet."
He hummed again.
"That's good. It's important to work you know. Without money you can't—"
"Mimi." Though his voice was deep, even, non-threatening, it still sent a shiver down her spine. The way he called her name was too seductive.
"Yes?" She swallowed.
"Mimi." He whispered her name again.
"Yes?"
"Mimi."
At this point, a frown etched on her face. Why was he calling her name so much?
Before she had the chance to think any further, he moved his face away from her view. It was as if he didn't want her to see his expression.
"Tobias?"
The moment she called his name, she could have sworn she saw him tremble.
Mimi pressed her lips together and sighed inwardly, but her tone was soft and caring as she said, "Tobias look at me."
Tobias was silent, the hands resting by the sides of her head clenched as she could see his veins bulge. Her frown deepened. Mimi reached up and cupped his face in her hands, with all her strength; she forced his face to look at her.
At that moment, her heart clenched.
His face was twisted with fear and fury, dropping any mask he might have worn in the past. His dark eyes stared into hers, the pain evident.
He had thought he would lose her.
Abandoning everything she ever tried to suppress, Mimi's lips curled into a gentle smile.
"Fool," She pinched his firm cheeks.
Before Tobias could say anything else, Mimi rose up to press her lips sweetly to his.