Imperfect Desires

Xiu looked up from the phone screen and squinted her eyes at Mr. Moody who was emanating a thick grumpy and sulky vibes. To be honest, it was weird seeing Dylan in a disheveled look. He always dressed immaculately in his designer suits. But right now, his tie was nowhere to be found. The first two buttons of his white button-down were undone. 

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His hair was left untamed while he raked his fingers repeated through his thick hair. His eyes were sullen and his lips were curled downward. Even his skin looked dull. 

He reminded Xiu of a sad movie hero from the 90s. Definitely his CEO charms were nonexistent today. To think that a girl was a reason behind his state, Woah! That really was unexpected!

Xiu pressed her lips together as she noticed his condition. 

"Good morning, grouchy!" she couldn't help being a bit sarcastic as she followed him to his office.

"My morning is looking bleak, matey!" he retorted depressingly.

While Xiu was contemplating what to say to him, he went on, "Did you and your husband had to create that drama at the entrance?"

"Me and my husband?" Xiu repeated with raised brows.

Dylan sighed gloomily, "You both act like newlyweds." Saying that he turned his desktop screen towards her and played the newly uploaded video on the company forum which clearly showed Xiu and Darren's love confessions.

"I thought you strictly prohibited gossips on the forum. Aren't you gonna do something about it?" she quirked up her brow at him.

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, "I'm not planning on it. I want other singles like me to suffer as much as I am seeing you two lovebirds." he stared at her face and added, "I say just tie the knot already. Why the hold-up?"

Xiu held back her smile as she remarked, "For now, it seems like your love life is in a knot. Or maybe knots." She went on sarcastically, "Don't tell me you couldn't do the simplest thing I asked of you. How could you not even talk to a girl? You just had to clear your feelings to her and you couldn't even do that?"

Dylan closed his eyes briefly and spoke in a perpetually tired voice, "I tried. But she's not even listening to me. She ran before I could say anything."

"And you didn't run after her?" She shook her head at him and tut-tutted to show her disapproval. "You're..."

"I'm what?" he asked since she abruptly stopped without completing her sentence. 

"I'm looking for the right adjective here," she stated as she looked thoughtfully at him. "Ah! I found it. You're miserable! That's the right adjective for you."

"Xiu, I thought you're on my side?" Dylan complained softly.

Xiu slapped his head. "And I thought you'd be mature enough to keep your heartbroken look out of the business. But I guess we both expected too much from each other."

Dylan could huff at her stinging remark.

"By the way, did you hear the news?" He shook his head while she elaborated. "Two astronauts went to space last night."

"Your point here is?" he inquired looking bored.

"Maybe you should also have joined them. Perhaps they could find the right civilization for you."

Dylan's face twitched uncontrollably. "Are you saying that I'm an alien who needs to find the right civilization?"

"I didn't say anything but you're smart," she flashed him a grin, annoying him even more than he was. However, her original plan was to make him laugh. This look really didn't suit him but what could she do now? He didn't look like he was gonna fall for her lame jokes today. "Here, have some water and stop sulking." She suggested while offering him a glass of water.

"I want a fizzy drink. Can you get me Sprite instead of water?"

Xiu thought about it before saying, "Sprite is also just angry water. You drink this water and leave the job of making you angry with me. It'll just be like you drank the Sprite."

Xiu focused on his face and soon his face cracked as his lips curled up in a silly smile. "You're a fool!"

"I know and this fool is more accustomed to her idiot friend's smile. So lose the frown it's making you look like a grandpa."

 Dylan nodded his head and finally appeared as if he was feeling better. But then again, he always felt good around Xiu no matter what kind of nonsense went between them. They had rarely been serious with each other. If they weren't being sarcastic then they would be laughing at each other. But this unique bond of theirs was quite special to both of them.

Because unknowingly, Dylan had come to depend a lot more on her than he cared to admit.

 Xiu patted his head like he was a puppy as she began, "I know courting a girl is not that simple. It's an art. But I'm here for you. This sister-in-law is not gonna let you sulk alone."

"Be honest with me," he gave her a suspicious look. "You're so eager to find me a girlfriend because you want to push me out of Dazi's life, right?"

Xiu gasped, "Did you take the wrong medicine? How are you so smart today?" While Dylan scrunched up his face, she laughed at him while ruffling his hair. "No, idiot! I really want to do this for you. Why can't you just believe that I'm that good?" She took a pause and added slyly, "Although part of my reason is to push a mistress like you out of my happy family."

"I knew it!" he pointed his finger at her accusingly.

After Xiu was successful in lifting up his mood, they both started the work. Since Dylan was working on a project, Xiu stayed with him passing him the documents and data that he needed. After interacting for months both personally and professionally, they both had a tactic understanding where they didn't to talk but could work in perfect synchronization.