Imperfect Desires

Darren frowned at her. Why did she pull away? Why was she so unpredictable? Bloody hell! He was anticipating that kiss. He was looking forward to it! He acted as if it was the first time they were going to kiss. Because the disappointment felt like that. As if he was rejected on a first date. How pitiful!

He scoffed, "So much for being addicted to this drug. You didn't even taste it!"

Xiu's eyes widened at his reaction before her lips curled up in a beautiful face. It looked good on her pale face. Slightly different but still beautiful. At least, it was the most beautiful in Darren's eyes. But then again, she was the most beautiful in his eyes.

Xiu placed her hands on his face as she said, "It's not that Xiu doesn't want to taste this drug over and over again. But Xiu can't. Not right now!"

"Why not? This drug is all yours? Take a bite whenever you need to," he didn't even realize how or when he started calling himself 'her drug' and it didn't even bother him. In fact, he felt quite proud of himself. Seriously, he really was easily placated. 

He was so damn deep in this love that he didn't even realize how differently he had begun to behave. But all these changes were reserved for her. And only her!

For the rest of the world, he was still reasonable, gentle, sensible, smart, handsome, knowledgable, successful Darren but for her, he was just a silly boyfriend who was in love with his girl so badly that he couldn't be reasonable or sensible. His rationality left him the moment he had fallen for her.

Xiu laughed out as she said, "Baby, I just realized that I'm sick. I don't want to transfer my germs to you. That'll not be good."

Darren rolled his eyes at her reason for pulling away. He held the back of her head and kissed her lips passionately. "But I love the feeling of your lips against mine..." he whispered softly against her lips before capturing her lips again. This feeling in Xiu's heart was the reason why she said she was addicted to him now. His soft kisses were exquisite like fine wine. How could she not feel drunk around him? His fingers coursing through her hair were enough to send shivers down her spine.

Oh, how they wished to make this kiss last a lifetime.

There was a feeling of endless bliss that was enough to make them wish to make this kiss last a lifetime. Who would want to pull away when you feel like you've found your world? Who would want to pull away when not only your lips but your hearts felt like they fit together perfectly well?

Panting when they pulled away to catch a breath, Xiu looked at him accusingly. "I don't want to pass my germs to you. What if you also get sick?"

Darren held her waist and pulled her into his embrace as he fell back on the bed to lie down. So, now Xiu's upper half body was lying on Darren's. He stared into her eyes saying, "Good. I should catch all the germs." Xiu furrowed her brows at him. "At least, you'll lose your stupid reason to push me away." Xiu's heart wanted to explode but she had to calm down. "We'll be sick together. You take care of me, I'll take care of you. A family that falls sick together stays together."

"What nonsense!" she couldn't help it, she just hit his chest. "You're..."

"I'm what?"

"You're taking my breath away!" she completed her sentence as she placed her head on his chest. "Oh, wait! Ewww!" Xiu again tried to pull away but this time, Darren's hands on her waist didn't allow it. "Let me go! How can you hug this sticky body? I sweated a lot. Also, I didn't even take a shower last night. I'm still wearing the clothes from yesterday. It's all dirty now. Let me go!"

"But I don't mind," he replied calmly hugging her, not caring for her protests at all.

"But I do!" she argued while trying to wiggle her way out of his grasp but to no avail. "Regan!"

"Yes, Regan's future wife?" 

"I..." Xiu's words died down in her throat as she realized what he called her. 'Regan's future wife?' That was so damn random! But why was it making her heart flutter so badly? This is not fair! Xiu was complaining in her heart but her face was completely red now. All the blood had rushed to her cheeks. But it was neither embarrassment nor shyness. It was pure happiness. 

Darren had no idea how that simple title shook her brain and heart at the same time. How was she supposed to process this? She was too busy trying to collect her feelings right now.

"So, Regan's future wife, are you still planning on protesting?" he whispered very close to her ear making her hide her face in his neck as she shook her head. "Sweets, are you feeling shy?"

"No, I'm..." Xiu lifted her face to look into his eyes as she told him. "I'm very happy."

Darren smiled at her expressions and said, "Hmm... I guess we should remove that 'future' and just make you Regan's wife already. What do you say? Is it a yes?"

"I'd very much like that," she didn't hesitate to say it. She shamelessly just accepted that she wanted to marry him as soon as possible.

"But I wasn't even proposing, why are you so eager?"

Xiu hit his chest again. "Bloody son of a biscuit! How can you fool me like that?!"

"I didn't do anything though," he said in between his laughter. "You assumed it on your own that I'm proposing." He held her wrist as he made her look up at him. "Don't you think I'd do a much better job than this for the proposal?"

"I don't want anything fancy, these words are already enough for me. This moment is more than enough," Xiu answered honestly. She never wished for a grand gesture, to begin with. She wanted everything simple but meaningful.

"You need to start expecting more for yourself," said Darren sincerely. "Because you, my future wife, deserve the best of everything. I'm willing to bring the world at your feet and you're content with such a boring proposal?"

"It wasn't boring to me," she protested softly. "It's more than enough for me because it's you. If it's you, Regan, Xiu is content with just anything." Darren couldn't help smiling as she continued, "Xiu is only gonna wish for you in this life."

"Hmmm... It's okay. Because I'm here to wish for the world's best for my Sweets." He pinched her nose softly. "Now, tell me why haven't you been sleeping?"

After this light and sweet moment, Darren asked the important question which made Xiu purse her lips. She wanted to tell him and yet didn't want to. It sounded crazy. It really sounded crazy even in her own head. How was she supposed to say it to him?

"Actually..."