Imperfect Desires

Xiu was looking at those gentle eyes with a frown. She didn't know why but she felt like an invisible pull was there. Or something that took her towards them without her knowing it. She silently and obediently sat before them which really wasn't like her. 

She might have not known both Qiu Jiayi or Xin Zimen but she wasn't a fool who didn't know what their names represented in their society. Therefore, in her mind, both of them were mysterious men who owned the power to own anything. She knew they had the capability to possess anything. But somehow she couldn't feel their intimidation at all.

All that greeted her was curiosity and a comfortable aura. She felt really comfortable in their presence as if there was no worry in this world and even if there was someone would protect her. She placed her hand over her chest, that was a weird thought in her opinion. Why would her heart feel at ease before them? She didn't even know them.

"I told you, she's adorable!" 

Her trance broke when she heard one of them say.

"Her eyes are so clear and serene. Either she has faced all the storms of life or she has learned to hide them," stated Xin Zimen.

"But that line between her brows," said Qiu Jiayi.

"I know, it seems like she's hiding some sadness within her heart."

Xiu's heart shook at their comments. She touched her face as she wondered, "Was something wrong with her face? How could they read me like an open book?"

"Mr. Qiu and Mr. Xin, you both do realize that I'm sitting right here," she ended up saying.

Both of them raised their brows to show their displeasure. "You're Regan's girlfriend. Did he mention us to you?"

Xiu thought about it before nodding, "You both are like the only fatherly figures in his life." Isn't that why she was being so cautious around them? She might not know them but she knew how much Darren respected both of them. 

"Exactly! That's why you should not be calling us Mr. Qiu and Mr. Xin. The family shouldn't be so distant," said Qiu Jiayi taking Xiu by surprise. "You can call me uncle Yi if you want. As for him..." He looked at his best friend and shrugged, "You can call him whatever you want."

Xin Zimen glared at his best friend, "Don't listen to him. He has a habit of babbling for no reason. Regan calls me Uncle Zi, you can do too. Or just Zi. I'm okay with both."

Xiu scrunched up her face.

"What's wrong?" They both asked in concern.

"You all are really messing with the cliches here," stressed Xiu as she went on, "Aren't you both from an aristocrat family?" Both of them nodded. "Then why aren't you acting like those people?"

"What do you mean?"

They were really confused as to what she was referring to. Were they acting strangely? They didn't think so. Then what was she talking about?

Xiu stood up as she facepalmed herself and clapped her hands together saying, "So, it goes like this...

"An uncultured, no name girl like you can't take my son!" She imitated a deep voice.

Then changed her position and went back to her original voice, "But, I love him."

Back to the deep voice, "Your love can't bring him success or the respect that he needs to survive in this society. What can your love do?"

"Then I'll say," she changed her expressions and added, "My love can bring him happiness. Isn't that what matters the most!"

With a snort, she continued her one-man show, "Happiness? There is no such thing as happiness. The world defines you with only statuses, either you're successful or you're unsuccessful."

She fell on her knees as she continued, "You can't break us apart. Our love will keep living." 

This one-man melodrama was amusing for her to do but... Both Xin Zimen and Qiu Jiayi who were watching with pursed lips suddenly were startled when they saw a lone tear falling down from her eye.

"Little one, why are you crying?"

"Please, don't cry."

"Zi, you made her cry."

"I did? I think you did."

"When did I?"

"Then when did I do so?"

Xiu wiped her fake tear and looked at them bantering back and forth. Why did this scene look so familiar? It was like a deja vu for her. How strange! Her expectation was to see a reaction completely different than this. But why were they not acting according to what she had in mind? Weren't they at the very least supposed to say that she was crazy? Why were they looking so concerned?

"But I'm not crying," she interrupted them.

"But that tear..."

"That was to make my award-winning acting look real," she answered without any hesitation.

Both of them heaved a sigh of relief and shook their head at her. "Little one, my wife used to say that tears define fears, dreams, pain, and love. Everything that makes you strong reflects in your tears. So, we shouldn't be careless with tears."

Xiu only focused on one thing, "Used to say? Your wife is..."

"Oh, she got tired of him. So, she ran away," chimed in Qiu Jiayi which earned him a hit from his best friend.

"His brain got damaged when he was young, don't pay attention. My wife is no more," cleared up Xin Zimen and Xiu nodded solemnly.

"Exactly what I said! She ran away with angels leaving you to mull over in this cruel world all alone."

"Yi, shut up or I'll call your wife now!"

Xiu chuckled at them and wondered out loud, "You both are surreal."

"Pot calling the kettle black," remarked Dylan in amusement as he wiggled her eyes at her. "Weird people like you shouldn't judge weird people like them."

Xiu slapped his head and shoved him back towards the kitchen as she followed behind him leaving Qiu Jiayi and Xin Zimen starring at her back.

Xiu slowly turned around and smiled at both of them saying, "It's really nice meeting you both, weird uncle no 1 and weird uncle no 2. You both are really sweet and Xiu like that."