It was late in the afternoon when Mimi received an unexpected visitor at her apartment. Covering half her body behind the door, she looked at the figure in front of her with wary, narrowed eyes.
"What are you doing here, Shen Jue?"
The attractive, almost delicate-looking man stared at her with a gentle set of eyes. Even the dimples on his cheeks were intoxicating. But to Mimi, his smile only made her the more suspicious. Since their last encounter together, Mimi still felt uncomfortable.
How could she not after learning Shen Jue for the last few years intended to replace his feelings for his sister onto her?
To know someone as insane and creepy as Shen Jue was trying to fall in love with her...well, it was terrifying.
However, it irked her to see that Shen Jue didn't think of any of that in the slightest.
"Can I come in?" Shen Jue asked.
Narrowing her eyes, Mimi sighed and opened the door wider, allowing him entrance. Shen Jue smiled and entered her apartment. The moment he stepped in, Mimi watched his eyes take in his surroundings with a deep gaze. It somehow reminded her of when Shen Jue entered her apartment for the first time.
When he finally turned around to face her, he had been smiling. But for the first time, it was a genuine smile.
"I'm leaving."
Mimi's eyes widened.
"What?"
Shen Jue smiled gently and said with an extremely soft voice, "I mean...I will no longer be around."
It took a while for Mimi to process his words. Once she did, she couldn't stop herself from showing a shocked expression.
For years this man had been obsessed with her, and all of a sudden, he was leaving?
"Where are you going?" She couldn't help but ask. It was the only question she seemed to be pondering on right now.
Shen Jue tilted his head slightly. His glass-like eyes were covered thinly with something unknown, "Somewhere far away. Somewhere you won't have to worry about me interfering with your life anymore."
"Shen Jue..." Mimi, who wanted to ask more, swallowed her words back when the man suddenly approached her at a close distance.
Lifting her gaze, she blinked in surprise. Just when she wanted to step back, Shen Jue stepped even closer.
"Can I hug you one last time?"
Shen Jue's face appeared harmless, but Mimi, who knew about his notorious image, stepped back subconsciously and frowned.
"Why?" Mimi asked with a strange look.
"Because I want to feel the little one's warmth one last time before I leave."
Although he said such words with a casual tone, it could still make one feel he was being serious when he said such things.
A faint click of the tongue sounded from her mouth, Mimi squinted her eyes slightly, "If it's just a hug."
It had been just one last time before he left right? Although if he tried to kiss her, she'd knock him dead right then and there.
Hearing her accept his request, Shen Jue's eyes brightened like an innocent child. Immediately, he reached out and brought her close to his chest. In his embrace, Mimi drooped her eyelids and quietly allowed him to hold her.
This creep was really leaving...
At the sudden thought, Mimi's eyes blanked. It was almost four years ago since they last began working together. However, now, it had finally come to an end. Without thinking, the hands that had been resting by her side raised to touch his back.
"Shen Jue...I won't ever be able to replace Emily." She spoke softly.
Low laughter sounded beside her ear as Shen Jue revealed his soft dimples and mellow tone again, "I know."
With his face hidden, Mimi was unable to see the warm and peaceful smile on his face. "That's why I'm letting you go."
Mimi listened to the man's words and unknowingly sensed something very off in his tone. Before she had time to think further on it, Shen Jue broke their hug to look at her with his usual smiles.
"Thank you, Mimi. For everything." Shen Jue beamed her a warm and lovely smile. The soft dimples on the side of his mouth were very intoxicating, his beautiful glass-like eyes were staring at her fondly.
Mimi held back the goosebumps that were about to emerge on her arms. She casually turned her eyes away, "You're welcome."
As usual, Shen Jue just chuckled and raised his hand to pat her head but froze. Mimi saw his eyes flicker with something strange before he lowered his hand.
"Looks like I got too greedy." He said and quietly lowered his eyes. "Besides, you only like it when he does that to you."
Mimi understood that the 'he' Shen Jue mentioned was Tobias. She didn't deny it and just stared at him silently. Sighing softly, Shen Jue walked past her and to the door. Once Mimi realized he was leaving, she couldn't help but follow.
Standing at the doorway with his back faced toward her, Mimi watched as he opened the door to reveal the afternoon light. A lustrous orb of blazing flames sinking steadily beneath the horizon and brilliant pink wisps of clouds partially cloaking the magnificent sky. Shen Jue's back stood amongst the beautiful sunset, no more than a silhouette against the aesthetic sky; he seemed small and insignificant compared to such grandeur.
The sight caused Mimi's heart to squeeze as she suddenly reached out and grabbed hold of Shen Jue's jacket. When he felt her touch, he turned around with a soft smile.
"Goodbye, little one." He held her hand clutching his jacket and gently removed it. Without looking back, he walked out of her apartment and down the stairs.
Mimi watched him leave with a strange look.
She hated Shen Jue.
He stole her sister away. Lied to her. Used her. And yet...
And yet it felt as if a part of heart...her past...had been taken away.
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