Imperfect Desires

"Okay, this sister-in-law is very kind-hearted. I'll teach you myself, good boy..."

This time Darren really lost it. Wasn't it enough that Dylan was acting like an attention seeker? Why was his girl falling for it? This was a trap! 

Before he could say anything, he heard Dylan's hushed voice, "Now do you know who is sick of living?" He chuckled softly before adding, "Should I tell her that you think she is sick of living that's why she shoved me into the kitchen?"

"DYLAN!" Darren yelled out his name which he very rarely did. "You bloody bastard! Why are you with my wife?"

Dylan didn't reply, he was busy enjoying his best friend's reaction. So what if he couldn't see Darren's expressions? His furious voice was enough to tell the tale.

Seeing Dylan's smile, Xiu frowned and called for him, "Oi! Stop smiling like an idiot. Come, I'll help you."

"Yes, boss!" said Dylan without any hesitation as he walked up to Xiu's side who was showing him how to do his work.

"Didi, did you bring my girl to a luncheon today?" asked Darren as he recalled the original purpose of this call.

"Mhmm..." came a reply from Dylan who didn't let Xiu know that he wasn't humming to her but rather annoying his best friend. Technology never seemed this appealing to him as it did today. After all, he had his Airpods in his ear and nobody could tell whether he was on call or not.

Darren clenched his fists and looked at his other best friend sitting beside him as if saying, 'I told you he's single.' While Cali disregarded his told-you-so look, he turned back to the phone, "Did you bring her home after that?"

"Mhmm..." answered Dylan again with a smile making Darren want to get in the phone to punch his face now. 

Cali had to pinch his arm to get his attention back. Because from his face, she could clearly tell that Darren was this close to beating his best friend who was having fun teasing him.

Darren finally calmed himself and said, "Give the phone to my Sweets. I don't even wanna talk to you right now."

Dylan scrunched up his face and wanted to say something but decided against it. He could feel the dangerous and possessive aura of Darren even through the phone. It was better not to tease him anymore. This much was apparently his limit after this even Dylan knew that Darren wasn't gonna let him be.

"Okay..." muttered Dylan softly before pulling out his phone from the pocket and offering it Xiu. "Your man is going crazy. Talk to him."

Xiu scoffed, "You think I'll fall for this again? You already have used my baby's name twice today. I won't be fooled again."

Dylan wanted to laugh at her reaction but he held himself back. He put the phone on the speaker and said, "Dazi, your girl has trust issues. Say something."

Darren smiled softly as he heard Dylan's words. He knew his Sweets better. Of course, she had trust issues! And of course, he knew that! "Sweets..." he called out her name with longing. Only after hearing her laugh earlier did he realize that he was really missing her. 

Xiu's eyes widened not in surprise but in happiness. With sparkling eyes, she almost jumped to snatch the phone from Dylan's hand. 

"Baby, you're awake? Did you get a good sleep? How are you feeling now? Not tired anymore now, right?" She didn't take a breath as she kept talking about anything and everything, "I miss you a lot. I was gonna come to your place but Dylan said you'd be sleeping since you're exhausted. I didn't think it was a good idea to disturb you so, I chose not to go. Baby, do you miss your Sweets? Of course, you do. That was such a useless question."

Dylan rolled his eyes at her as he muttered, "Let him speak first. Maybe he didn't miss you as you claim."

Xiu glared at him to back-off while she continued, "Baby, your best friend bullied me today." Dylan gaped at her in disbelief. Okay, Miss tattletale that's not fair! "He woke me up early in the morning to accompany him on a stupid event."

"Early morning? It was almost midday!" reminded Dylan in a loud voice.

Darren who had been silently listening to the voice he'd never feel bored of, finally spoke up, "Didi, how dare you disturb my Sweets' sleep and that too on Sunday morning? That's like a crime!"

Dylan was surprised at how in sync this pair of lovebirds were. How could they say the very same thing? "You must be kidding with me now. How can you take her side?"

"A wise man knows what to say," replied Darren making Dylan scowl in displeasure. "I think you forgot what your dad used to tell us." Dylan frowned slightly but still continued to listen to his best friend who went on to quote, "'If you want a peaceful life, you better choose your wife over anything or everything.'"

Dylan's face twitched as he looked at Xiu who was very pleased by this conversation. He stared at Xiu's face for a moment longer before he fell on his one knee and clung to Xiu's leg. "Your highness, I've sinned! Tell me, how am I supposed to wash myself of this sin?"

Xiu stroked her chin in amusement, "Empress is pleased by your quick response dear knight." Darren really didn't know how he was stuck with these two drama queens. But anyhow, these two really made his life very colorful. "But first, stop trying to act like my leg accessory now." She pushed his head to make him keep some distance and Dylan acted pitiful before standing up. 

After thoroughly thinking, Xiu finally extended her hand towards him and demanded, "Give me my 3 million back!"

 Dylan frowned, "3 million? When did I take it?"

Xiu hit his head, "You forgetful little brat! Your super expensive sports car cost me my savings!"

Dylan was suddenly reminded of an incident that happened a long time ago, "Didn't you pay for it with those cupcakes?" He still remembered that day, not because he had a good memory but only because the taste of cupcakes was still stuck with him. 

Xiu looked like she really wanted to kick him but didn't, "Oi! I might be shameless, thick-skinned, a devil as you like to say, petty at times with you as well but I still have ethics. The honor that I kept with this soul won't let me be that shameless. I used my savings to fix your stupid car."

"She's right. She indeed paid me later Dylan. Why do you think I found her so amusing?" Darren chimed in favor of his girlfriend.

Dylan was shocked this time. Although he had come to terms with her being Chen Xiu, only now when she reminded him so specifically about the honor that her soul carried did he realize something. Chen Xiu wasn't someone who would take advantage of someone else. No matter how changed she looked now, she would really not forget her roots.

"Dazi, let's talk later!" Dylan hung up the call without giving his best friend a chance to say anything.

"Hey, I still have to talk to my boyfriend!" Xiu screamed at his face.

"Calm down, this way, he's gonna come running here for you," replied Dylan like a know-it-all.

Xiu noticed his look and her mouth opened in the shape of 'O' in understanding. Indeed, he was really useful sometimes. Dylan wiggled his eyes at her and both of them shared a look of pure evilness and mischief.

Then he put his arm around her shoulder and said, "Now, let's discuss this matter of 3 million."