When her phone suddenly rang, Mimi looked down to see she was receiving a call from an unknown number. Her eyes narrowed. Based on the time of events, she somehow could predict who it was. With a hidden sneer, she answered the call.
Sure enough, before she could speak an imposing, harsh voice spoke on the other end.
"You sure have a lot of nerve blocking my number."
When Mimi first started interfering with the Hirogori's company, Shen Jue suggested she blocked all numbers from the family in case they located her. Who would have thought it would come in handy.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I don't accept the numbers of strangers." Mimi sighed helplessly.
On the other end, she heard a scornful snort. "Since when did your father become a stranger?"
"Very true. But what can you expect after the moment I was born we've only spoken to one another five times. Tell me, is that not how strangers act?" Mimi's words were as sharp as her eyes.
Sitting on the sofa, drained, Alec's expression finally became alert when he heard his sister's words.
"Is that—"
Mimi held up her hand to silence him.
"Now that all has been said, is there something you'd like to discuss with me, Mr. Hirogori?"
Henry Hirogori was silent on the other end, possibly gritting his teeth at her impolite and mocking tone. Finally, he spoke up again.
"Tomorrow morning at seven, come to my company. Alone." He emphasized on the word alone.
Hiding the amusement on her face, Mimi's eyebrows raised.
"To be frank, I would rather stay far away from you as possible."
Moreover, she would have Tobias if her father even dared to threaten her with anything.
"I think you would want to show up. After all, aren't you interested in hearing about your sister? I do have some of her belongings with me still."
The moment he finished speaking, Mimi's entire body froze. The hand holding the phone tightened. She didn't even look at Alec's concerned look as she focused on her own thoughts processing.
Mimi finally answered after a moment of silence.
"Very well."
"Good." Her father didn't bother to hide the satisfaction in his tone before he ended the call.
Glancing down at the black screen, Mimi's lips tightened.
"Was that father?" Mimi turned her head to the sound of her brother's voice.
She sighed softly. "Yes, it was him."
"What did he want?" Alec was stunned and looked at her with a frown.
"He wants to meet me tomorrow, alone."
"And you agreed to go?" Alec stood with anger all over his face. "Did you not forget what he did to you? Not just recently, but your whole life?"
"It's all with good reason, big brother." Mimi looked at her brother without a change in expression.
"And what's that?" Alec's brows furrowed.
"He offered to give me information on Emily. Not to mention, he has his hands on some of her belongings." Mimi answered honestly.
Alec couldn't help but frown again. His face turned somewhat overcast as he asked, "Are you crazy? If you need someone to talk to about her, you can ask me! You don't need to go to that bastard to tell you about her. He'll probably try manipulating you into believing his words!"
There was a slight smile on Mimi's face, but Alec was not aware of what his little sister was truly thinking nor what her smile meant.
"Right now, I am the most composed I have felt in a long time. I realize now I haven't been facing reality this entire time." Mimi said softly, her eyes calm. "I thought that just maybe when I got my revenge, I would find out that she had been with me the whole time. Watching me from somewhere. But now I see, that no matter what I do, Emily will never eat crepes, or talk, or smile, or hug me ever again. Because I finally get it now..."
Looking up at her brother with a clear smile, Mimi laughed softly.
"My sister is dead. Saying those words aloud I think...I think I will be able to let go of her."
Hearing Mimi's firm words and clear, unclouded eyes, Alec's heart squeezed.
He held her hand and smiled. "Then during that process, I swear to stay by your side. Even if you yell, insult, or degrade me, I'll stay right here, as your brother."
Mimi's eyes had widened slightly before she sighed helplessly.
"Thank you, big brother."
After the two sat quietly, Alec cleaned up the mess in the kitchen and wished her well before leaving. However, sure enough, not too long after he left, the man who promised to see her the following morning arrived later that night.
In the tub, Mimi splashed the water in frustration.
"It's not fair! You're my boyfriend, why do you side with him so much?"
Leaning back against the tub, Tobias's arms were firmly wrapped around her waist and his chest stuck to her back.
"He's just worried for you." He spoke gently with a soft voice as though appeasing her. Of course, she could see the amusement in his eyes from the corner of her vision.
"Still, that doesn't mean he should snitch on me!" Mimi huffed while leaning lazily against him.
Tobias chuckled and kissed the back of her head. The steam from the water had filled the bathroom, providing the two with a sense of comfort.
"Even though I'm finally letting go...I want to confront him on equal terms." Mimi murmured, eyes staring at her hands beneath the water.
During the time of her kidnapping, the skin around her wrist was still bruised from being tied by the strong ropes. Only a few scars remained. Tobias suddenly brought her wrist to his lips and kissed it softly.
Mimi raised her eyes to watch his movements; her heart trembled from his gentleness.
"As long as you don't get hurt, you should do whatever you think is right."
"And what if I think is right gets me hurt?" Mimi asked back playfully.
Tobias's soft smiles continued as he held her tightly against him. "Then I'll just have to come with you to protect you."
Unable to suppress her laughter, Mimi smacked Tobias's chest. He lowered his head to look at Mimi as she laughs, his smiles softening.
"You're laughing now, but wait until the time comes where you won't be anymore." He nestled his head to her neck and gently peppered kisses onto her soft skin.
This made Mimi laugh more along with the soft kisses on her neck. The two splashed within the tub, tickling, and laughing together until eventually, the water got cold.