As the weeks went by, Mimi finally took it upon herself to visit her father - naturally, under Tobias's approval. To no surprise, the moment she told him her circumstances, Henry Hirogori first words came sharp.
"You sure move fast. First, an engagement, and now you're pregnant. Are you sure he didn't ask for your hand out of obligation? Or is this your way of holding him down." He stared at her swelling stomach with a sneer.
Regardless of his words, Mimi just gave a slow smile. "I appreciate your concerns."
Her father just scoffed before coughing into his fist. More and more these days, his body grew weaker. During some visits, there were times where he was too tired to speak. All he did while she kept him company was stare. No matter the circumstances, Mimi never faltered on coming.
It impressed Henry Hirogori, equally as it annoyed him. A shame she took on his stubborn traits.
Replacing the roses in their vase, Mimi grabbed her jacket from the chair and shrugged it on.
"Ah right, this will be the last time I visit you."
Henry Hirogori's eyes widened in shock – as if he never expected her to say this. How could he? From the moment he ended up in the hospital, the girl never failed to visit him and tease him. She seemed to enjoy it quite well. To hear she would stop surprised him.
"Why?" Henry Hirogori found himself asking.
Mimi laughed. "Well, it's getting harder to move lately with my stomach and all. But regardless of that, I already planned to end things."
"Little brat, you always beat around the bush. I asked you, why?" Her father snapped angrily.
"Hopeless fool." Mimi was too tired to deal with him.
"What did you—" Henry Hirogori was angered further.
She laughed, a cold sound. "Because my work here is done. I finished what I came for."
The more she spoke, the more confused he became. He didn't enjoy the feeling of being played with.
"What do you mean?"
Mimi gave a soft smile, so gentle it made the frail man in the bed flinch. It was unlike any smile or expression she had ever given him. For a moment, he saw a flicker of reality.
"I wanted you to see what you missed. Love, kindness, care. The lives of your children. Everything you pushed away for the sake of power." She did not even pause. "Now look where you are. In a hospital, alone, dying."
She stared down at the man who had taken away so much from her. Love, family, childhood.
"This is my final gift to you, Henry. Regret. I hope you will dwell on it in hell."
He stared mildly, though, for the first time, she saw something like sorrow in his eyes. However, Mimi laughed at what she saw on his face. At this, his face bled a deep red, eyes bloodshot with anger.
"You—!" He hadn't the chance to speak before he coughed into a violent fit. But the rage in his eyes remained.
Mimi just smiled and turned away, the sounds of his coughing increasing between swears. Outside, nurses rushed to his aid, their voices echoing down the halls as Mimi walked further and further away.
Goodbye, Henry Hirogori.
...
The months went by, and her due date neared. Her stomach swelled like a plump melon as time went on, and it became harder to move. Despite this, Mimi didn't want to spend her days lying in the house.
That evening, she lay upon a white couch in the living room. Her long hair was matted. Like a kitten, she stretched her limbs and sat up, eyes veiled with drowsiness.
"Hungry..." She mumbled.
Looking up at the clock, she saw it was still noon. Hours before Tobias would return from work. As always, there were limitless amounts of food and prepped meals for her to eat.
But Mimi wanted none of it.
At the moment, she wanted nothing more than to eat a dozen delicious steamed vegetable dumplings. The mere thought made her mouth water.
With her due date approaching, Tobias grew more and more anxious about her leaving the house without him. It was tiring, of course, but understandable.
But she wanted steamed dumplings.
Putting on a thick coat and hat to warm against the cold weather, Mimi left the complex to walk down the street to the neighborhood dumpling shop.
After purchasing them, Mimi settled herself on a park bench and watched the children play in the snow.
A breath of cold fog left her lips while she opened the box of dumplings. Upon the first bite, she moaned.
So delicious!
A sudden kick in her stomach surprised her. She stared down at her swollen belly and smiled softly. "I see you're a foodie too."
The thought of feeding a soft, round little version of herself somehow pleased her. It would be even cuter if they looked like Tobias...
Either way, the thought made her heart feel warm. The sound of children faded, as Mimi sat peacefully on the bench in her thoughts, eating warm dumplings.
Upon returning to the apartment, Mimi's eyes locked on the pair of men's shoes at the front door.
She hissed through her teeth. "Crap."