Imperfect Desires

Xiu slowly peeked out of the bathroom door and found Darren sitting right there at her bed. He also lifted his eyes to see her biting her lips. "What's up?" he questioned.

"I forgot my clothes," she answered softly. 

The smile on Darren's face took a different turn. What luck! Even heaven was on his side right now! 

Darren just nodded his head and kept looking at her face. Xiu was really annoyed that he was neither saying anything nor was he leaving the room. What was he trying to do? Didn't he get the hint? Of course, he got the hint! He was just trying to irritate her on purpose now!

"Regan baby, can you pass me my clothes? Or maybe just leave the room?"

"Why should I?" he responded while wiggling his brows. "Come out and take it yourself. I already told you, I have seen everything."

"Can you please stop repeating that?" Xiu was really frustrated now at the way he was teasing her again and again. "Give me the clothes. Pleaseee!!!"

Darren sighed out and walked into her closet to get her nightwear. As he passed it to her, Xiu's fingers brushed lightly against his hand but it burnt her skin. This was really a danger. Did he say they were gonna live together? How was she gonna keep her sanity around him for 24/7? She might really combust within the very first few hours.

When Xiu came out after drying her hair and wearing the black silk pajamas that he chose for her, Darren was leaning against the headboard of the bed. He was so carelessly sprawled on her bed as if it was his own. But could she really complain?

"This got wet," Xiu raised her hand to show her wet bandage which earned a glare from Darren.

"I told you to let me help but I don't know what nonsense runs through that head of yours that you didn't let me help." He was complaining in a soft voice as he got up to take the first-aid kit and helped her in changing the bandage as he said, "Don't throw a punch again if you're gonna hurt yourself like this. If you want to beat someone, call me. I'll do it for you."

Xiu smiled at him. "Would you have punched Ah-Si if I asked you to?"

"Anyone!" he retorted sincerely looking into her eyes to show his conviction. "As long as you want it."

Xiu hugged his waist and buried her face into his chest, liking the feeling of the fabric of his shirt rubbing against her skin while his scent tingled all her nerves. 

Darren settled up in bed with her still clinging to him as he said, "Why are you suddenly acting so clingy? Just a while ago, you..."

"Get over it already," she chided in a soft tone and he sealed his lips. "Also, why can't I be clingy? You said you love to see me being clingy."

Darren ran his fingers through her hair softly, "Yes, I do. But then again, I love every version of yours. Even the one that loves tantalizing me." Xiu puffed up her cheeks at the way he chuckled at her. Darren pinched her cheeks. 

As Xiu found a peaceful and comforting place to rest, she closed her eyes. Her pointer finger was drawing circles at the exposed part of his chest without any care in the world. While he let her do it. 

"Sweets..."

"Hmm..."

"You still didn't tell me what's been stressing you out?" Xiu's finger stopped. "I know it's bothering you and I don't like it that it's taking your sleep from you. After all, you love sleeping."

Xiu again began to draw circles on his skin as she voiced, "Maybe I'm just being paranoid."

"Even if it's paranoia, I'd like to know about it."

Xiu sighed out, "It started at the airport. I felt like a pair of eyes were staring at me, constantly following me. But everything was okay once I reached Lin City until that very night, the feeling came crawling back into my heart." Darren silently listened while she clutched his shirt tightly. "It's a psychological fact that our mind can sense someone staring at us even when we're asleep." 

Darren nodded his head since he also knew about this fact. "That night I felt like someone was looking at me when I was asleep." Darren raised his brows at her. "I tried sleeping again convincing myself that it was just my mind playing games with me." Xiu took a pause to look up at his face. "But then I had a dream, I saw myself running in a dark alley. There was no one around but I could hear someone's footsteps behind me."

"But it was just a nightmare," Darren consoled her gently.

"I know," she insisted. "I know it was a nightmare but you see, I have had these kinds of dreams before. But those dreams seemed like a story was playing in my mind. This also felt real because I could feel the panic, the fear, the helplessness, and yet, I wasn't able to do anything. It was all so real."

Darren fondled her cheeks lovingly to calm her nerves while she continued after a breather, "After that, I couldn't sleep. The feeling of being watched is not going away. No matter how I try, I'm not able to forget it. Maybe the nightmare got to me but now, I feel like someone is behind me wherever I go. And it's scaring me."

Xiu looked into his eyes with fear palpable in her eyes. "It's just like being followed by paparazzi. You know I have no good memories with those people who followed me with cameras. Heck! They even made me scared of a camera now. I don't wanna go back to that but this fear is gnawing at my heart."

Darren pressed his lips tightly. She was a superstar, it was inevitable to avoid paparazzi. But those vulgar creatures had literally shredded her reputation to pieces and left her with nothing. Her fear was justified.

Darren stroked her head. "Sweets, I'm here with you. And from now on, I'll go with you everywhere until you lose this paranoia. So, please stop overthinking. I don't want to see you get sick again."

Xiu tried to smile back at him but her smile didn't come out as bright as it usually was. However, it was enough for now. Because she was relaxed to know that he'd be around her. It gave her some comfort. If he was around then she could handle everything. Whether it was her paranoia or reality, she was willing to face it all.