Imperfect Desires

Seeing how Dylan had ticked off Xiu, Nora silently drove the car towards their destination. And even Xiu didn't ask her where they were going. Not even when she saw that the route didn't lead to their apartment complex.

Only when Nora parked the car in the parking area, Xiu noticed where there were.

The Galaxy Mall...

Looking at the tall and magnificent building before her eyes, Xiu raised her brow at Nora inquiringly.

"Hey, Duo Shou[1]! You promised me something last time." Xiu reminded Nora in a mild tone which somehow felt worse than her ice-cold one.

Nora Cartwright was a classic example of a shopaholic. If a product catches her eyes, she'd get it at any cost. Just like boys. No one could escape her clutches or charms. She had sworn last time that she won't do shopping unless she really was in need of something. But here she was again...

"Heh..." Nora smiled awkwardly. "Er... Aiyo, my baby Xiu'er! When have I ever gone back on my words?" Nora wrapped her hand around Xiu's arm and pulled her along saying, "Trust me, I'm not gonna buy anything for myself. I promise." She raised three fingers to show her sincerity.

"You better keep your word," Xiu warned again while letting herself being dragged along.

Xiu was observing Nora's expressions in amusement. The latter had lowered her head as low as it was possible. She was looking at the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in this world. Only to keep the products on those mannequins out of her sight. As they say, out of sight, out of mind. She was using the same strategy. Xiu knew Nora didn't have strong willpower when it came to shopping and she was wondering why she dragged her here.

They took the elevator straight to the fifth floor and stopped before the glass door of an Italian Handmade Clothing Brand's outlet. Xiu squinted her eyes at Nora in perplexion. Although The Galaxy Mall was a home to top International Brands, this particular one was reserved for men ONLY.

"Don't tell me you're gonna buy a suit for your new boyfriend? Did you already found one?" Xiu asked while glaring at Nora who raised her hands in a frantic manner and waved them saying 'no'.

"No way. I just broke up, don't want another one on my plate yet. Also, why would I buy an expensive suit for a boyfriend who doesn't even come with a guarantee himself?" Nora's response eased up Xiu at some level.

"Then what are we doing here?" Xiu asked further.

"To buy a present for my dad," Nora answered matter-of-factly.

Xiu's lips took the shape of an 'O' as she understood what Nora was doing here. Nora's parents had been abroad for months and Xiu remembered that Nora told her they were coming back in a week. However, instead of buying a present for her biological mother, here Nora was looking for an amazing gift for her stepfather.

The kind of love, care, and protectiveness Nora's stepfather showered her with really could make one green with envy. Especially someone like Xiu who had never known what fatherly love was all about.

As Nora's shopping companion, Xiu had to look around the extravagant store with interest. But no matter how hard she tried to keep her memories buried some still found a way out. Just like this specific brand store... Only once she came to a men's store in her previous life and that too because she wanted to buy a suit for... him.

In the end, what followed her was a string of accusations and scandals along with internet trolls. She could bear all that but he had to make it all worse with his sharp and cutting words, "Who told you to show up at a menswear shop?"

"I just went to buy a suit for you..."

"Did I ask for it?" He didn't even give her a chance to explain properly. "Now everyone is wondering who your boyfriend is. Or who is the sponsor behind you? Is this what you wanted?"

"This wasn't my intention." 'I just wanted to buy something for my boyfriend like any other girlfriend out there.' But she had let her thoughts stay within her mind. She didn't want to provoke him anymore.

Seeing her eyes brimming with tears that she was trying hard to hold onto, he softened his tone as he had said, "Xiuxiu, I'm not short of these branded suits. You don't have to sully your own reputation just because you want to make me happy. I'm happy being here with you." Those words of care were enough for her to forget her grievances as she nodded her head.

Those words were even enough for her to forget how much she wanted to hold his hand in the open. Before the whole world. She had thought that even if she couldn't stand beside him at least if he wore the suit she bought for him, it'd make her feel close to him.

But she had yet again buried those feelings and stated,

"I'll do as you say."

Thinking about this sentence, Xiu had an urge to laugh at her naivety. No wonder people took advantage of her so easily. She was a fool.

"Baby Xiu'er, how's this one?" Nora called Xiu but found her zoning out. She sighed and shook her shoulder a bit. "Xiu'er, are you daydreaming about your Prince Charming in that exquisite looking suit?"

"Huh?" Xiu gave her a dumbfounded look before noticing that she had been looking at a maroon suit intently for a while now. "No thanks. I don't want a Prince Charming."

"Suit yourself," Nora replied and tugged her to look at her choices to finalize.

About 30 minutes later, they finally found the perfect suit and after asking the attendant to wrap it in a gift box, both girls walked out of the store.

"Baby Xiu'er, let's run." Nora suddenly said making Xiu apprehensive.

"What happened?" She asked.

"She's calling me again," Nora answered with an aggrieved face.

"Who? I didn't hear anyone." Xiu looked all around but didn't find anything out of the ordinary. The crowd of people wasn't that much because not just anyone could shop at the top-tier mall like The Galaxy Mall.

Then she saw Nora lifting her finger to point at something as she followed the direction. She found who or more like what was calling Nora.

A mannequin was behind the display glass in a gorgeous bodycon dress. Xiu facepalmed herself. This shopaholic really knew how to make a scene. Even the products were calling out to her all the time. But she still couldn't help the smile that spread on her face because of this dramatic best friend.

Nora's antics did wonder in making Xiu forget about the past that was not hers anymore. And it never could. She secretly glanced at Nora and said in her mind, 'Thank you for being here.'

[1] 'Duo Shou': A duo shou, or "hand-chopper," is someone who is a shopping addict and promises to chop off their hand if they ever place another order again.