Imperfect Desires

Xiu didn't expect that Dylan would take her hospitalization so seriously. He literally had to reschedule all the meetings but he didn't ask her to help at all. Xiu thought he was being considerate because of Darren but in reality, Dylan had heard all about Xiu's condition from the doctor. Obviously, he didn't expect her to have PTSD and it really shocked him.

After Xiu's discharge from the hospital, he took her to the hotel and even upgraded her room. "Stay here and don't run around," warned Dylan before turning to leave. Xiu watched his receding back and scowled when he stopped and hit his own head before walking back to her. "Here's your new phone."

Xiu took the phone and said thank you to him before closing the door. She was standing alone in the hotel's best presidential suite. It looked extravagant, flamboyant and yet modest, modern and very... Lonely! 

Xiu facepalmed herself and her shoulders slumped down dejectedly. She had purposely chosen that standard room for herself when she was booking the rooms. But now she was back to square one. She ended up right where she was running from, being alone in a huge space.

While she groaned in anguish, she looked at her phone and sent a video call request to Darren. When he picked up, she picked up her spirit and waved, "Hey! Watcha doing?"

Even though she could very well see him holding a book while he half-laid on his bed, she still had to ask that stupid question and the biggest stupid person was him who actually replied with, "Reading a book."

"Oh, how boring of you," said Xiu and went on, "Nevermind. I called you because I want to give you a tour of my new room. Drum rolls, please. Dum, dum, dum. Are you ready for it?"

"I think so," said Darren uncertainly as he put his book down.

"Okay then, welcome to my royal life," she switched the camera to show him the suite and started walking. "Let's see what we have here, oh it's a huge mirror in the foyer." She showed her face to him and said, "Like my ego isn't big enough already."

Darren's brows raised slightly as she went on and on with weird dialogues like, "Oh my gosh! That's a swimming pool. They are literally asking me to drown in my troubles or my loneliness. Whichever it is, I'm offended!" Darren pursed his lips while she continued her tour, "Wow! That's a huge living room with unlimited access to channels and movies and stuff. How wonderful it is that I can sulk here all alone! Perfect!" 

Darren knew he wasn't supposed to disturb her since she seemed to be in her ranting mood. Whether it was because of the meds or her strange state of mind, no one could tell. 

"Aiya! Look, that's a huge dining table. The only downside is, I'm the only diner here." She rolled her eyes and walked towards the master bedroom and seeing the huge bouquet of pink carnations she snorted, "Sheesh! They literally want me to feel lonely. Perhaps, your best friend really wants me to remember that I'm in this huge room all ALONE!"

As she fell on the bed and kept on blabbering, Darren silently listened and watched as soon enough her voice turned soft. Not even five minutes had passed and she really fell asleep. "Good night, Sweets!" he said softly before staring at her sleeping. His other hand went up to touch her face but the phone screen came between them. 

As he tsked helplessly, he heard someone chuckling and looked up. "Maa! When did you come?" he was surprised to see his mother and didn't even know since when she was eavesdropping there.

The woman leaning against the door took off her coat and walked up to his bedside. If Xiu and Nora had been there, they both would have recognized her instantly. She was none other than the woman whose photo Darren kept in his wallet.

She sat beside him and stared at his face with a smile, "I have to say, your Sweets sounds really amusing. Let me see what she looks like," she took the phone from his hand and looked at Xiu sleeping peacefully. "How cute." Her voice was lowered since she didn't want to wake Xiu up.

Darren took the phone back and disconnected the call before agreeing, "She is really cute."

Francesca touched his head and said, "My son is really losing it. What charms does this young lady have? When are you introducing me to her?"

"Whenever you come to China with me," said Darren firmly.

"But you know about my job here," said Francesca and added, "Can't you bring her here? Can't you do this much for your mother?"

"Ma, don't play that emotional card with me again. I worked so hard to establish my own business because I didn't want to see you work. I've seen you working all my life. Can't you stop now? Retire already!" 

"My baby boy..." 

Before she could continue, Darren interrupted her, "First of all, don't call me that. I'm not a kid anymore. Secondly, don't use the same excuse that you're used to working now."

Francesca fixed her spectacles and changed tactics by saying, "Okay, you give me a grandchild, I'll give my resignation."

"Mama! What are you saying? I'm not even..." he didn't know what to say. Why did every mother be insistent on grandchildren? 

"Oh, please! You love that young lady. So, the next stage should be a marriage and then kids," said Francesca as if it was the most casual thing.

"Ma, even if we marry. I don't think she'd want to be a mother this soon," said Darren using Xiu as a shield for showing his own disagreement.

"Don't worry, I won't disturb you both. You can leave my grandchild with me and do whatever you guys want. You'll be happy and I'll be happier."

Darren looked at his mother and held her hand saying, "Aren't you tired? You had to take care of me when others were partying around. Can't you live for yourself now?"

Francesca patted his hand in her own and said, "I want to raise your child because I feel sorry to you. I always had to work and I could never take you out to play. Now, I want to compensate for your kid. Is it too much to ask for?"

Darren snickered softly and said, "Aren't you afraid that I'll get jealous?"

"Will you?"

"Very much," he said with a look that showed his dissatisfaction and jealousy.

Francesca hugged him and said, "My baby boy will always be my favorite." Then she pulled his ear and added, "Now that's different that you're the only son in the world who actually tricked his mother into going on a blind date."

"Ouch! Ma, I don't want you to be alone anymore," said Darren.

"Quit it! If I never forced you to do anything, don't force me as well. I'm living perfectly fine."