Imperfect Desires

"Are you sure you don't want to take a day off?"

The same question was repeated umpteenth time now by Darren since the time he woke up in the morning. He couldn't help it though; Xiu's condition was better but she wasn't completely fine. But she still insisted on going to work. 

"Just because Dylan is your best friend, I can't take advantage of him. I have to work as I should be doing," said Xiu as she placed her hand against his cheek.

Both of them were sitting in the backseat of his car which was now parked right outside the office building. They were the only people in the car since Darren's driver, Ben had already taken the hint and left the car right after parking it. Xiu had to plead so many times before he agreed to let her go to work but here he was being stubborn again. 

"I know. But you're sick," he repeated as if she didn't know her own condition.

"I'm feeling much better," she answered honestly. "Besides, I told you already. I'll go mad if I stayed at home today." She was dreading those letters that awaited her back home. It's not like she didn't want to read those letters but she couldn't really gather up the courage to do so. Especially after the mental blow, she received from reading the first letter.

Darren hugged her waist pulling her closer, "It's okay if you don't want to stay at home. You can come to my office and rest there."

Xiu poked his forehead, "Regan, you and I both know that if I went with you, no work will be done."

Darren smiled sheepishly knowing perfectly well what she was saying. With the way they had been around each other since yesterday, there was no way they'd be able to concentrate on anything else in each other's presence.

"You still didn't tell me what was written in that letter," he muttered softly with his chin on her shoulder. "Is it something I shouldn't know about?"

Xiu shook her head while she brushed his hair away from his forehead gently. "It was just a trip down memory lane reminding me that I share a fucked up connection with Destiny." He quirked his brow at her in a perplexing manner. "The letter reminded me that I had met Destiny. No, more like I saved her life."

Darren listened to her in silence. It wasn't really surprising to know that as Chen Xiu, she somehow ended up saving Destiny's life. After all, that's what Chen Xiu was like. She was so kind and caring that it made her seem foolish. People took her kindness and care for granted but she still never stopped or changed.

Xiu pressed a kiss at the space between his brows. Her lips lingered longer than it was necessary. But when she pulled away, she flashed him a big smile and said, "Bye. I'll see you in the evening."

Darren pouted sadly but nodded his head. She opened the door and sashayed towards the building. Behind her, Darren winded down the window and craned his neck out as he shouted, "Sweets!"

Xiu turned to look at him and frowned.

"I miss you already!" 

Xiu's eyes widened at his loud and clear declaration. Naturally, she wasn't the only one who was entering the office building at this time. So, plenty of employees around her were giving them some serious and curious stares.

Xiu placed her finer on her lips as she indicated for him to hush down but apparently, he didn't take the hint. Because...

"And I love you! Like a lot! As in a lot, a lot more than a lot!"

Xiu facepalmed herself as she heard him and also heard those giggles around her. Oh, why was everyone just standing there? Why were they so eager to enjoy this show? She wanted to vanish now! Remember, she once said she had come to hate becoming the center of attention. Well, right now, she was certainly at the center of everyone's attention.

But why was a smile creeping on her lips? And why wasn't she able to dislike this whole scene? In fact, why was her heart racing wildly?

"Go away, Regan!" she gritted out but with her twinkling eyes, she definitely didn't seem as scary as she could.

Darren rubbed the nape of his neck as he looked at her in anticipation. "You won't say it back? You don't love me?"

Xiu gaped at him in disbelief. Is this for real? When did he turn into this kind of person? He was always so sensible but right now, he was acting like a teenager in love. And it wasn't even like they started dating just yesterday or something. They had been together for months now!

"I'm waiting!" his voice echoed making Xiu curse at herself.

Xiu walked back to his side and stared into his eyes, "What are you doing Regan baby?"

"I'm seeing my girlfriend off like a good boyfriend." He grinned widely. Xiu sighed out at his reply. "So, you really don't love me?"

Xiu rolled her eyes at him before she leaned her head and kissed his lips taking him by surprise. "You're not the only one who wants the whole world to know that I'm your girlfriend. I'd also like to claim my boyfriend before the whole world." He couldn't help feeling giddy at her reply. "And I love you more!"

Xiu didn't really care about the gossips that were circulating because of this show early in the morning at the entrance of the office building. In fact, she felt like floating in the sky when she realized how she finally accepted Darren as her boyfriend before people. It's never like she wanted to hide her relationship with him but since he was a public figure, she wanted to keep away from news or gossips for both of them.

She had just entered the elevator when her phone dinged, she lifted her phone and stared at the screen. Darren was the one who sent her a text which read; 'Have a good day! And don't forget to smile! ^_^'

Xiu chuckled as she read it. She was still staring at her phone when she exited the elevator at her floor and walked out. But her smile faltered a bit when she heard...

"You feel the pleasure, I feel the blues... We ain't the same."