Pop Rock Love Read Free Page A

Sato reached into the inner
pockets of his jacket and fished out a cigarette.

 
    “You have been dumped, haven’t
you?” he asked, before placing the stick between his lips.

 
    “What? No, I didn’t say that.
And you can’t smoke in a hospital!” Mimi said, glaring at him. He ignored her
and lit it anyway. She noticed his long and delicate fingers as the cigarette
dangled from them.

 
    He blew a smoke ring in
defiance and said, “Look, let me tell you the truth. Maybe I’m not that well
known in Singapore, but I am quite an important person here in Tokyo. If you
ever let known to some tabloid reporter that I ran you down with my car, there
will be trouble for both you and I. So just tell me how much...”

 
    “So you were the one who caused
this injury!” Mimi shouted, pointing at him. “If you were really so famous, I
would have known who you are because I have a very good knowledge of the
Japanese rock music industry. But since I don’t, stop acting like some wannabe
rocker and using money to bribe me!”

 
    Sato stubbed his cigarette on
the carpet flooring and with his hands in his pant pockets, he swaggered
towards her. Mimi was a little alarmed by his advance but she continued glaring
at him. He stood beside her bed and said, “Come and stay with me. I have a
house maid, she will be able to take care of you until you get better.”

 
    “What?”

 
    He let out a short laugh. “I
won’t take advantage of you, if you are thinking about that. You are not my
type. Just let me make amends.”

 
    “The answer is no. I just want
to go back to Singapore!”

 
    He stretched out his hand and
patted her head, “I’ll give you one night to think about it.” And acting as if
he had not heard her at all, Sato turned away and walked to the door. “I just
think,” he said with his back facing her, “that you shouldn’t give up so
easily.” And with that, he left.
    “Crazy guy!” Mimi cried and
snorted in disbelief.

 
    A few days later, Mimi was
standing in front of his apartment, located in Ebisu, one of the most
fashionable districts in Tokyo. She was on crutches while Sato was beside her
carrying her belongings. His place was on the tenth floor and he explained to
Mimi beforehand that it had two levels and a maid came by daily to clean his
house and cook his meals. He opened the door and Mimi cautiously stepped
inside. Sato’s place was spacious, clean and minimal. He seemed like someone
who didn’t like any fuss but there was something cold about his apartment. It
had white-washed walls, parquet flooring and black modern furniture. The first
floor had a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. A small spiral
staircase led up to the second floor which had another bedroom and study. Mimi
thought it looked like the sort of
picture-perfect house you’d see in a catalogue and she found it hard to believe
that someone was actually living here.

 
    “Take a seat, I’ll get you
something to drink,” said Sato, after placing her stuff in the guest room on
the first floor. Mimi limped over to the living room and sat down on his black
velvet couch. She saw a bookshelf next to the television but in place of books,
numerous music awards were showcased on the shelves. No wonder he claimed
unabashedly that he was famous.

 
    Mimi did a lot of thinking
before moving in with Sato. She would never admit it, but his words, “You
shouldn’t give up so easily,” somehow stuck. And since she was stuck with a
sprained ankle, staying with Sato may actually be her best option. She didn’t
want to spend a bomb staying at a hotel and on top of that, Shina would be too
busy with work and Mimi didn’t want to bother her. At least Sato had a maid,
Mimi reasoned. Although it didn’t really make sense that she was putting her
trust in a stranger. After her first encounter with Sato, she called her friend
for advice. Shina was pretty much in shock when she heard about Mimi’s
situation.