Imperfect Desires

Ying was really having a hard time digesting what she just saw. If it continued, who knew how much she'll be able to take in before wanting to strangle herself. Xiu and Darren had just acted normal a while ago but if they really started being romantic in her presence, she certainly won't be surviving that.

They really had no pity for a single soul like hers who was drowning in unrequited love and now had to face this show of lovey-dovey acts.

"Now I know why Regi is diabetic," she whispered to herself as she nodded her head knowingly. 

"Why?" came a voice from right beside her. Ying didn't even bother seeing who it was since she was in her own world.

"Obviously because his girlfriend's name is Sweets... Hahaha. Cough! Cough!" Ying was laughing to herself when she coughed seeing that the person who questioned was none other than Francesca. "Hi!" she waved her hand trying to act normal.

Francesca looked at Ying suspiciously before voicing out, "Why are you here?"

"Umm..." Ying tried to come up with an excuse. She really hated it when she had to lie to people close to her but she just had to now. Her eyes sparkled as she thought of something and said, "I heard from Regi that this residential building is actually very good. So, I was just checking for that unit."

"You're moving here?" asked Francesca with a frown.

"Yes," answered Ying happily since she wasn't lying this time around. She had indeed thought of moving close to Xiu's place and luckily, the unit beside Xiu's was empty and she just hadn't checked it yet. It'd be easy for her to play her role as the guardian angel if she was this close to Xiu. And not only that, but she also needed a place to stay. 

She neither could go to Xin villa nor did she want to stay in Yan house in An City. And staying with her aunt was not her style and sleeping over at the break room was getting tiring. That was why this was a very convenient choice for her.

Francesca stared at Ying's face for a long while but didn't find anything wrong. So, she believed her words.

"So, when are you moving in?" 

"Right now," answered Ying with a polite smile. Seeing Francesca's reaction she added, "You know me, I don't need much stuff to move places. Just a pair of clothes and all the necessities."

"You look suspicious," said Francesca without holding back.

Ying scratched the side of her face and changed the topic, "Where are you coming from?"

"I just went down for a walk and sitting in the cool breeze, I lost the track of time," stated Francesca and Ying nodded. 

"Good. I have to run now. Need to pack my bags and get to my new place."

Ying wanted to run away but Francesca didn't give her a chance as she said, "When am I getting the housewarming party?"

"A what?"

"Housewarming party," repeated France calmly. "We're gonna be neighbors, don't tell me you're not even gonna throw a housewarming party. How rude!"

If she threw a party, everyone will come and everyone will know she's staying here. How was she... Sigh! Forget it! 

"This weekend," replied Ying in defeat.

"I'll be waiting then." Francesca patted her head and walked away saying, "Have a good evening, Yan Ying!"

Ying entered the elevator and thought to herself, how was she supposed to have a good evening exactly? But she was glad to know that someone was gonna have a good evening and that someone was Cali. She was happy that Cali herself took a chance to approach Xiu just like she said she'd. 

As for why Ying was happy about it because she believed it'd be helpful to Xiu's amnesia. Right now, Ying was more anxious to know what Xiu had forgotten than Xiu was herself. Because if her intuition was right (as it usually is), nothing good was gonna come out of those forgotten memories.

.....

Staying true to her words, Xiu didn't ask Cali to do anything. Like a good host, she was more than happy just cooking for someone. As always, she was a welcoming host who loved having guests over for a meal.

Seeing Xiu setting the gas burner with the pot in the middle of the table as she placed all the ingredients around, Cali suddenly asked, "Hope you don't mind me asking you out for dinner out of the blue."

Xiu placed the tray of mutton rolls on the table and glanced at Cali, "Why would I mind that?"

"Because it came out of nowhere," answered Cali honestly. "We're not even familiar and yet I shamelessly contacted you."

"I don't find anything wrong with that." Xiu also spoke sincerely. "I know you don't know many people here so you must be feeling homesick. Besides, you know Regan and that's enough for me." Xiu took the dipping sauces from the kitchen isle as she went on, "But I do find it weird that you contacted me through Dylan instead of my boyfriend."

 "Do you really think Regi would have let me have dinner with you?" questioned Cali raising her brows. "You just saw his reaction outside. He's so bloody possessive of you that he doesn't even want anyone around you." She shook her head remembering Darren's reaction, "I have never seen him acting so stubbornly before."

"So, what was he like before?" asked Xiu curiously. "I mean I've heard one version from mom but I think your version of Regan's youth would be different."

"It's true. We are all different versions of ourselves before different people depending on the relationship and feelings we share with them. For instance, since Regi has never been in love before you, we only get to see his possessiveness now."

"That's why I asked," began Xiu again. "How would you describe my boyfriend's adolescence self?"

Cali stared at Xiu strangely before asking, "You really wanna know?"

"I do," answered Xiu firmly.

"He was a... Jerk!"