Imperfect Desires

Xiu had been in a complicated mood since the time she talked to Jackie over the phone call. He sounded strange when he informed her, "Xiu baby, you have to come home. Only you can fix this stubborn family. No one is even talking to each other and it's so silent that I feel uneasy now. Please, help Nono! She is not even eating anything now."

First of all, how could she refuse that adorable kid? He was probably the only kid she had come to love since her trauma kicked in. Just as Dylan had remembered, she once loved kids. That's why she always went to the orphanage to spend time with kids when she was Chen Xiu. But how could she forget it was also a kid that became the reason for her demise?

She could only sigh heavily at that painful reminder from the past.

But Jackie was an exception in this life. She loved him very dearly. Also, since her best friend was the one who needed her, how could Xiu say no to that either? 

Although she was gonna take a taxi to Jing's house, Darren strongly protested against that. So, now she was sitting in his car with him right by her side. But why was it so silent?

Xiu looked over in his direction and saw Darren typing away on his iPad. Well, he seemed busy and she couldn't disturb him. Thinking for a while, she looked at his driver Ben and smiled to herself, "So Ben, who won last night?"

Ben was a bit startled when she suddenly called his name. But he still answered, "The warlock team won."

"Oh, poor you!" The way she said it made Ben's lips twitch. She was certainly teasing him now. "Looks like someone is bound for that blind date. Hehe..." See? Her amusement was coming out now.

During all the time Ben had come across Xiu, he had learned a bit about her personality. Especially last night when she kept chattering with him. Apparently, she can't stand silence these days. And he ended up becoming the 'object' of her attention. And during one of those conversations, his tongue slipped and he mentioned how his sister and he were having a bet.

The bet was simple, there was a professional gaming competition last night and if his sister's team won, he'd go on a blind date with her friend. But if his team won, he won't have to go through this trouble. Well, needless to say, he lost the bet. 

"Are you really finding pleasure in my misfortune?" Ben spoke after she stopped laughing at him.

"I'm not a masochist!" Xiu shrugged her shoulders, "Also, how can you conclude it's a misfortune? You haven't even tried it yet. Besides, as long as you're alive we should taste whatever the world has to offer. Bitter or sweet, knowing the taste is better than regretting it."

Ben nodded his head thoughtfully at her words, agreeing. What she said made sense. Besides, he wasn't gonna face any loss anyway.

Darren who had been focused on working lifted his eyes and looked at the interaction between both of them. And was he pleased to see it? Not so very much!

"Aren't you both becoming rather chummy recently?"

Ben decided to seal his lips before his boss while Xiu looked at him with her brows raised inquisitively. 

"Baobei, are you jelly?"

"What if I am?"

Xiu pointed at the iPad in his hands and said, "So am I." Darren was frowning when she added, "Of this stupid machine in your hand. A living, cute, adorable, and lovable person is right beside you but you seem to love that stupid machine."

Darren rubbed his nape as he said, "I thought you needed some space to think over stuff."

"Wow! My Baobei is becoming a fortune-teller now." The sarcasm in her voice was so thick that even Ben had to purse his lips. He was having trouble holding back his laughter while his boss was busy trying to come up with something to say. "Did I tell you I need space? I think I told you plenty of times that my time is my time. I don't like sharing you with others when it's my time! Not even with your work."

Seeing her reaction Darren was really lost for words now. He just replied to one email. Yes, it wasn't urgent. But he really thought she needed time to herself. 

"Do you know how much hard work it took to remove that mistress from our relationship?"

"Mistress?" Darren repeated with knitted brows.

"That Dylan. He is no better than a mistress to me. But now, you're making your work a mistress between us." She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed, "I don't like it."

Hearing how Xiu referred to Dylan as a 'mistress', Ben lost it. His stiff expression finally cracked and he couldn't help laughing out while Darren's face was left gaping at her in disbelief.

Darren put his iPad at a side and hugged her waist while putting his face on her shoulder, "Sweets, you really make me speechless sometimes."

"Did I say something wrong?" 

"No. How can my Sweets be wrong? Never!" he spoke with a smile playing on his lips. Gosh! Did he mention that he loved this girl? Even if he did, he wasn't gonna get tired of saying this. He really loved her! He loved her more and more and more every single time.

Xiu was pleased by that answer. She actually had no issue with his work. But she hated it when he was sitting right beside her but gave all his attention to something else. The feeling in her heart at that time wasn't very delightful.

"Sir, we're here," announced Ben after clearing his throat to get their attention. 

Xiu immediately rushed out but seeing how Darren also got down from the car, she raised her brow at him. "What? I'm gonna come with you," he answered her unasked question.

Xiu smiled at him weirdly before shaking her head. "No, you're not."

"What? Why?" Xiu still shook her head. 

"You're gonna get late for work," she argued back.

"It's only half-past seven. I have plenty of time," said Darren but Xiu still refused. "I introduced you to every person I consider family. And yet, you're not even gonna introduce me to everyone?"

The way he pouted almost worked before Xiu her feet down firmly, "I'm gonna introduce you to everyone officially. But now is not the time."

"When is gonna be the time?"

Xiu sighed out before she covered her eyes and refused to look into his eyes, "Stop seducing me with that look. You know I'm a sucker for those eyes. There is no way I can refuse when you look at me like that."

Darren shook her arm, "Then why are you not falling for this look now?"

"Because today is really not the day. Nora's issue has gotten both Clara mom and Uncle Jing in a bad mood. I really don't want you to meet them right now." With her eyes still shut tight, she reached her hands out to touch his face saying, "Be a good Baobei and don't do this today."

"Fine," Darren grumbled and sat back in his car while Xiu turned around but ended up hitting the car. Darren chuckled at her. "Open your eyes now."

Xiu opened her eyes and rubbed her forehead before looking back at him with a sheepish grin. "I'll see you in the evening?" He nodded his head and she smiled brightly before running off.

Darren's eyes were glued to her back as he smiled.