Imperfect Desires

Xiu only gave a smile as her response as she sat down and seeing that the broth was boiling, she added the meatballs which would take longer to cook.

"You're not surprised to hear me say that?" inquired Cali as she sat opposite of hers and looked at Xiu's face through the steam that was emanating from the pot between them. "I mean, the current Regan Darren Salvay is anything but a jerk."

"Right. Regan is a sweetheart," noted Xiu pleasantly. One could see hearts popping out of her eyes.

"Exactly. Then why are you not even flinching at what he was like?"

"I've heard most of it from Dylan." Cali raised her brow in confusion. When did Dylan start describing Darren as a jerk? Even if Darren had any bad habits, Dylan would never talk about it. He was way too loyal to do something like that. "You're taken aback?" Cali nodded her head. "Dylan didn't like me back then and thought that I'd actually stop going out with Regan if he said all that. But to be honest, I didn't take him seriously most of the time. I thought he was just messing with me."

Cali sighed out, she should have expected something like that from her dearest love. He was the only one dumb enough to use such schemes. She rubbed her forehead trying to figure out why or how did she even fell in love with that dumb creature! But she loved him way too much, there was no way out.

"I can't believe he went that far," said Cali. "But I do believe that whatever he told you must be the truth. Regi had a bad boy image because of how much famous he was and how bad his attitude was." Xiu looked at her curiously as she went on, "Actually, he doesn't even seem like himself anymore. I guess he is the one who really evolved with time and circumstances."

"Dylan said his playboy image before Regan's is actually nothing. Even Regan said it was true."

Cali pursed her lips before nodding hesitatingly. "Since he has already told you then you should believe it. He neither really believed in long term relationships nor true love because of how he saw his own family situation. I think he had only one serious relationship and that was in senior high."

Xiu nodded not taking those words to heart at all. The Regan she was describing and the Regan in her life were two very different people. And as Regan once said, it was all because of Chen Xiu's sudden appearance in his life that he started seeing things very differently.

Xiu checked that the mutton rolls changed color, she took one with her chopstick and placed it on Cali's bowl saying, "You should try it." Cali nodded and picked up her chopsticks but seeing the way she was holding her chopsticks and struggling with rice, Xiu laughed out, "Oh my, even my younger brother doesn't hold chopsticks like that anymore."

Cali looked up at Xiu who apologized for laughing, "You can use the spoon and fork if you want. No need to punish yourself like this."

Cali scratched her chin before nodding. "You have a brother?"

"Yes, he's seven years old. His name is Jackie." There was affection in Xiu's tone that surprised Cali. "Actually, he is Nora's brother but since her parents are my foster parents, he is my brother as well. Besides, he had been attached to me since he was two. I taught him how to read, write, use chopsticks, and almost everything."

Cali was glad to hear that Xiu hadn't been alone like she had been worrying since she heard about her aunt's death. She could see how much Xiu was attached to the foster family and since she had already seen the bond between Nora and Xiu, she was even more relaxed now.

"What about you?" Cali looked up at her. "Do you have siblings?"

Cali shook her head saying, "Nope, I'm all alone."

After that, their conversation was very casual. Neither Cali mention anything about Destiny nor did Xiu tease Cali about Dylan. She could say anything to Dylan at this point but couldn't do so with Cali with whom she was not that close yet.

When Cali left, Xiu cleaned up everything and looked at the empty house. Wow, it was really empty. It didn't seem this empty for a long time now.

....

Darren had been staring at the ceiling with a blank expression for an hour now. And yet, he couldn't sleep at all. Why was his Sweets doing this with him? He had gotten too used to holding her to sleep. How was he supposed to sleep alone now?!

Sighing, he turned over and closed his eyes. It had been half an hour when the door of his room pushed open. He thought his mother was checking up on him like she usually did. So, he kept pretending to sleep. 

But suddenly the bed dipped beside him before a slender arm wrapped around his waist from behind. 

"I thought you forgot all about me," said Darren in a low voice.

"You're awake?" asked Xiu.

"How can I sleep?" said Darren turned around to hug her. Kissing her head, he questioned, "But I thought you didn't want to be with me tonight?"

"It's your fault," Xiu poked his cheek. "I'm too used to these arms now."

Darren smiled contently and hugged her closer. All of his brooding for the past hours was all forgotten instantly. 

"Is it weird that I feel like since last night you had been showering me with excessive love."

"There is no such thing as excessive love," said Darren calmly.

"I know, but I still feel like you're doing it." 

"You're overthinking. Just go to sleep."

Xiu didn't question anything after that and closed her eyes snuggling into his body. Darren stroked her hair and frowned. He didn't know why or how she picked it up so easily. He was indeed being sweeter and clingy than usual because since last night his guilt has been eating him up. He thought he could make up for it by loving her even more.

There could never be anything wrong with a little too much of love.