The two stared at one another in silence.
Inwardly, Mimi was wondering how Emilia found her address but decided to push such thoughts away for the time being.
At that moment, Mimi's brain was racing to come up with something to say, when suddenly, an idea popped in her head.
Of course, of course... she could just say she was Andras's sister!
She inwardly patted her back for her brilliance.
Mimi composes herself and opens her mouth to speak but stopped upon seeing Emilia's expression.
The young girl's eyes reddened as she lowered her head, her hands gripping onto a squared container, trembled.
"I..." Her voice was small. "I'm sorry!"
Without allowing her the chance to respond, Emilia lowered her head and quickly walked away. Mimi was stunned as she watched Emilia's figure rush away.
After a while, Mimi closed her door and walked back into her apartment, her expression blank.
"Damn it." Her fist slammed onto the kitchen counter.
Mimi had been aware of Emilia's feelings toward her or to be more frank, Andras.
It was not as though she was dense, but from the beginning she overlooked it. She assumed her emotions would pass like most teenage girls - yet that had not been the case.
Four months passed and her emotions remained the same, even in the presence of Tobias who regularly won the hearts of women of all ages.
Recalling Emilia's expression when she opened the door, Mimi's eyes dimmed. The look of confusion, betrayal, and emptiness - one she had been too familiar with.
She truly screwed up this time.
Mimi stood in silence for a few moments before the sound of the front door opening broke her from her daze. Turning around, Mimi saw Tobias walk in with a set of bags in his hands.
When he pushed the apartment door open, Tobias was surprised to see Mimi standing near the kitchen. Assuming she got up to eat something, he didn't look further into the matter.
Placing the bags onto the kitchen counter, Tobias took out the items in the bag. "I bought you more pain killers and dark chocolates. I didn't know what flavor you preferred so I bought all of them. There's also tea."
Mimi appeared dazed and absentmindedly nodded her head. "Mm."
Hearing the girl's brief response, Tobias looked up and finally noticed the unusual glaze in the girl's eyes. Her expression was wooden and blank, causing his heart to slightly hurt at the sight.
Setting everything down, Tobias stares at the girl's face with furrowed brows.
"What is it? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Mimi didn't say a word, and she also didn't move. Her silk lashes fluttered and her expression wrinkled as if she was considering her next words.
She clears her gaze and hesitantly looks up at the handsome man across from her. "Tobias, we're considered friends right?"
Confused by the question, Tobias, nonetheless, nodded his head. "Yes, we're friends."
"Best friends?"
Chuckling lightly, Tobias nods his head again. "Mn, best friends."
"And best friends share their problems with one another, right?"
"Right."
She pressed her lips together, her gaze lowering once more. Minutes passed before Mimi raised her head and stared back at the man with resolute eyes.
"Toby...I think I messed up."
The two sat on the couch while Mimi explained to Tobias the previous events that occurred. While listening, Tobias noted the girl's emotionless eyes.
Though she didn't say anything and her expression seemed unchanged, Tobias knew from the look in her eyes the matter bothered her.
"What do you think?" With her legs crossed and a pillow hugged close to her chest, Mimi stared at the man intently.
Tobias couldn't help but sigh. There were times when the girl was a genius, her intelligence far superior to anyone he ever met. Yet when it came to her own emotions the girl failed miserably.
Resting his head on his palm, Tobias said, "What do you think you should do?"
Mimi's brows knitted. "Don't avoid my question with another question."
"I'm not avoiding it."
"Then answer my question."
"You answer mine and then I'll tell you what I think."
Mimi scowled at Tobias.
Why did he have to make things so complicated?!
However, in response to his words, she went silent and her eyes lowered to stare at her feet.
What did she think?
No, more importantly... what did she want? She could easily go up to Emilia and lie by saying she was Andras's sister but...why was she thinking so hard about it?
Tobias observed the girl's grim expression as she thought carefully.
"Do you want to lie to her?"
Tobias's sudden question caused Mimi's grip on her pillow to tighten.
She had to lie, didn't she?
Tobias sighed and spoke softly, "Sometimes it can be harder to lie to a person who trusts you. You have to be trusting enough in the other to share your truth."
She didn't say a word.
"The question is, do you want to build trust on lies or with the truth?"
Mimi was slow to look at him. "I..."
She honestly didn't know.
Already guessing she wouldn't answer immediately, Tobias smiled and rubbed the girl's soft head.
"Are you hungry? I purchased ingredients to make sweet and sour pork."
Mimi was quiet for a moment before bobbing her head.
By night time, the two had finished eating, and Tobias readied himself to leave.
Standing near the door entrance, Tobias stared down at the girl whose previous blank expression was replaced by a dazzling smile.
"From now on, you're preparing all my meals!"
"En."
"Oh, and next time I want hot and sour soup!"
"En."
Mimi's eyes brightened upon thinking of the delicious upcoming meal.
Ah, hot and sour soup just wait for me!
Giggling, Mimi looks up at the man to notice his intent gaze on her. Confused, Mimi tilts her head.
"What is it?"
Tobias was silent. Though the girl's glum mood disappeared, Tobias easily noticed her irregular vacant expression as she thought about his previous words during their meal.
"Don't think too much. Do what you think is right."
Mimi immediately understood the meaning of his words.
"Mm, I will." Mimi giggled.
Nodding his head, Tobias says a few parting words before leaving.
That night Mimi silently lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling.
What she thought was right...
Pressing her lips together, Mimi sighs and closes her eyes, drifting to sleep.
...
"Hmm? Ms. Yimo's not in today?"
"I'm afraid not. She's usually here early in the morning, but today she didn't show up."
"I hope nothing happened to her. At first, the girl was a pain. But after a while, she really changed and started helping out a lot."
"Mn, I agree."
Two of Mimi's workers discussed to themselves while drinking coffee, not noticing Jean listening from a distance with a sharp gaze.
Lifting her glasses to her face, Jean walks away.
In Mimi's office.
"Are those all the documents from yesterday?" Mimi, dressed as Andras, asked while propping her chin with her palm.
"Yes," Jean answered.
"Good, then send me the ones from today and don't forget to make copies."
"Understood."
Rather than leaving like she usually did, Jean continued to stand in front of Mimi's desk with a complicated gaze.
Noticing the woman hadn't left, Mimi glances up. "Hmm? What's wrong Jeanie?"
Appearing hesitant, Jean finally speaks. "Ms. Mimi, on my way up I overheard a few colleagues speaking. They mentioned that Ms. Yimo didn't come in today."
"And?"
"Well, don't you find that odd? Ms. Yimo always comes to work. I hope the young man Landon didn't try anything. Because if so I..."
"She's probably absent because she saw me at my apartment yesterday, not dressed as Andras."
Jean's eyes widened. "S-She saw you without your..."
"Mhm."
"Then what do we do?" Jean asked with concern.
Mimi looked up at Jean and gave a teasing smile. "Don't worry Jeanie, leave everything to me! I have everything under control!"
Jean stared at her with an unconvinced stare but sighed. Mimi giggled and stared back at the papers on her desk, a wavering glint within her eyes.