Mimi’s insistence did not placate Zeke’s concern. “You sure about this? Your general disposition just… doesn’t exactly convince me that way. You don’t have to push yourself. We could always have our dinner anytime we want. What matters most is you.”Mimi shook her head. “I’m up for it, seriously. I’m not gonna stand you up.”Zeke ruffled her hair gently. “Stubborn girl.”Mimi was a bigger enigma than he had first imagined. It was as if she was made out of layers of secrets, all of them eludin
“I’m not a blank slate myself, you know. I have had girlfriends whom I’ve been intimate with. I almost married one of them, but after all the things that led up to it, nothing came, and we went our separate ways. You didn’t mind all of that,” he said. “So why can’t I extend the same graciousness to you?”Mimi froze. He was fine with it?Zeke released his arms and gazed into her eyes tenderly. “So please, don’t push me away for reasons like that. The most important thing, right now, is that you
The way Mimi tilted her head aside, with an absolutely gorgeous smile blossoming from her lips—Zeke’s attention had been fixated on her, entranced for a good few moments before his jaw finally slacked open along with widened eyes.“N-No way… So you’re… You’re telling me… Y-Yes!?”Zeke had to struggle through his stutter just to express himself, though the uncertainty and nervousness in his mien were enough indications of his mood. His eyes were absolutely filled with disbelief.Mimi was so am
Zeke scratched his head before swiping Mimi’s bag from the chair next to the dressing table, worried that if he were a split-second slower, Mimi would walk back on her decision.“You’re not gonna back out of what you said, right? No reversing-my-decision shenanigan, got it? From now on, I’m the one who shall protect you,” he stated solemnly, though his eyes still showed hints of anxiety and uncertainty.His half-sure proclamation amused Mimi to no end. “Oh God… I know, dummy! Relax, I, Mimi No
Mimi’s mind was so devoted to the food in front of her that she missed the pure, amorous pools reflecting from Zeke’s eyes. Once she had her fill, she wiped her lips and picked her glass, gulping the entire red wine until the bottom was up with a tilt of her head.Then she noticed Zeke’s unblinking eyes fixating on her.Mimi’s cheeks flushed, realizing just how ugly she must have looked while chowing down on her food. She had been so hungry that she discarded any care for her appearance—but su
In the past, Mimi would have never gone to dinner with a guy she did not like. She was young back then, sheltered from the pains and cruelty love was all too capable of dealing. Her inexperience with that side of human bonds naturally became grounds for conceit.Then came Elias, the only man she had ever fallen head-over-heels for. In a masterful stroke of irony, he was the one who played the role of the disinterested party, stone-hearted and unmoved by years and years of devotion. For all her
Mimi fell silent. She stared at the pair of rings, yet images of Elias’ face continued to haunt her thoughts.‘Oh God, have I lost my mind?’She couldn’t help it, and tears rolled down her cheeks while her body trembled.Zeke was taken aback, thinking he had scared her. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Have I done something wrong?”Mimi shook her head tearily. “I… I…” She stammered, unable to speak. She couldn’t tell Zeke that she had suddenly lost her composure because she had remembered Elias.To her dismay, she realized that despite the violent abuse Elias had done to her this morning and the condescending words he had said, she still couldn’t forget him.She felt nothing but guilt after all the romance Zeke had shown her today, even though she was grateful for it. She did not feel happy and felt very uncomfortable.‘Mimi Norton, what is wrong with you? This man is the man who loves and cherishes you most of all. He’s done so much for you. Why are you still thinking of the
Zeke smiled. His eyes were filled with the gentlest light, and even the dimples near the corners of his lips seemed soft.Zeke’s tall shadow was cast over her under the light from the street lamp, enveloping her in darkness, yet it made her feel strangely secure.“Zeke…”Her voice was very, very soft, like a whisper, disappearing into the air with the wind.“What?” he asked her. His eyes filled with gentleness as he stared at her.“Uh… Take out that ring box in your pocket.” She pointed at his coat pocket.Zeke was taken aback. He reached out his hand and pulled out the small, exquisite box in confusion.The dark blue box wrapped in flannel had a small pattern on it, embroidered with silver thread. The silver thread reflected against the dimly lit street lamps and looked elegant and sophisticated.She reached out her hand and took the box from his hand, then gently opened it.Two beautiful rings lay quietly in the box, glowing with a gorgeous luster under the street lamps. The