Chapter Three — The Dessert Box
It was a Tuesday.
Mimi had spent all morning making little custard puddings, carefully adding whipped cream and strawberry slices on top, arranging them neatly in pink paper cups. She folded the lid of the dessert box with care, tied it with a ribbon, and scribbled a note in her softest handwriting:
"I made this to sweeten your afternoon. Please don't skip dessert." — Mimi ♡
She left it where she always did — on the counter by the coffee machine in the kitchen. Just like every other day.
But this time, something felt different.
That night, when Mimi walked into the kitchen to clean up, the box was still there.
Untouched.
The ribbon was still perfectly tied.
Her heart dipped. She quietly picked it up, hugging it to her chest for a moment. Kijo didn't even see it... or worse — didn't care. Mimi stood in the kitchen for a long time, chewing on her lower lip, then suddenly made a decision.
She was going to bring it to her.
Mimi had never gone to Kijo's company before. She'd seen pictures online, of course — Volkov Enterprises was practically famous, with skyscrapers of silver and glass that touched the clouds. Kijo was always in the news. "The Cold Beauty of Russia," they called her. "The Untouchable CEO."
Still, Mimi packed the box again, slipped on her soft pink coat, and made her way to the city.
She felt nervous the whole time. Out of place. Small.
People stared when she walked into the towering lobby — pink, cute, sweet Mimi in a world of suits and grey. But she held the dessert box close and smiled gently at everyone who passed.
"I'm here to see Mrs. Volkov," she said politely to the receptionist.
The woman blinked at her. "Do you have an appointment?"
"I'm her wife," Mimi said softly, eyes shining with hope.
The receptionist froze. Then nodded awkwardly and called someone. A few moments later, she motioned Mimi to the private elevator. "Take this to the top floor."
Mimi whispered a thank you and stepped in.
The doors opened silently to a sleek office corridor with floor-to-ceiling windows and steel sculptures. Mimi tiptoed through, following the sound of voices.
Then she saw them.
Kijo... and her assistant.
They were standing close — too close. The assistant, a tall woman with fiery red lips and dark hair in a tight bun, was leaning on Kijo's desk, smiling. Her hand rested casually on Kijo's shoulder, her voice low and intimate. Kijo didn't move away. She didn't look uncomfortable.
She was... calm. Even amused.
Mimi froze in the hallway.
She didn't mean to eavesdrop — but her feet wouldn't move.
"She's really not your type, you know," the assistant said with a little smirk. "Too soft. Too sweet. Like a child playing house."
Kijo chuckled — a quiet, low sound Mimi had never heard before.
"She's just a contract," Kijo replied coolly. "A deal. That's all."
The dessert box slipped from Mimi's hands.
It hit the floor with a soft thud, the ribbon unraveling. The lid popped off slightly, and one of the puddings tipped over.
The two women turned sharply.
Kijo's cold eyes met Mimi's warm ones.
And for the first time — Mimi didn't smile.
"I... I just came to give you this," Mimi whispered, voice shaking as she bent down and picked the box back up. "You forgot it."
Kijo stared at her. No apology. No guilt. Just that same distant look.
"You didn't need to come here," Kijo said. "You shouldn't show up unannounced."
Mimi nodded slowly. Her hands were trembling.
"I won't do it again," she said, her voice small.
She turned before either of them could say another word, walking quickly back to the elevator with the crushed box clutched in her arms.
As the doors slid shut behind her, she finally let the tears fall.