Imperfect Desires

"You really are not gonna tell me anything?" 

Ying's hand paused as she was about to press the elevator button. She knew what Xiu was asking but even she wasn't certain herself about who Destiny's father was. She couldn't blindly shoot the arrow in the darkness. Even if she had her own hunch, she wasn't gonna tell Xiu anything until she was certain about everything. She looked back at Xiu's face and sighed heavily.

"Sighing takes three seconds off your life," said Xiu innocently.

Ying sighed again on purpose, "I'll let you know when I'm certain myself."

Xiu contemplated over Ying's words. If she got to know about Destiny's father now, she really didn't know what she was supposed to feel. It wasn't her father but it was someone Destiny wanted to find. The only problem was Xiu hadn't read Destiny's letters yet and didn't know what exactly her feelings were about her father. So, after much thinking, she decided to nod her head.

"You better not hide anything from me," warned Xiu.

"I won't," said Ying as she entered the elevator with Xiu.

Since Xiu only received minor injuries from taking a fall, she was discharged after a night at the hospital. Ying brought her home but after taking a shower and getting dressed, she insisted on going to see Darren.

"Why is your boyfriend working over the weekend?" questioned Ying when she parked the car in front of Darren's workplace.

"I don't know," answered Xiu. "But I'll find out once I'm inside. Would you like to come?"

"No, thanks," was Ying's reply.

"You're gonna follow me anyway. So, why not just join me instead?" Ying almost choked on air at Xiu's words. She indeed was gonna follow her but when did this young lady even notice her presence? 

"I'll just wait here," said Ying and Xiu shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly before getting off the car and running towards the office building.

Well, honestly, Xiu didn't notice her presence at all. It was Ying's presence at unexpected places that made Xiu want to take a blind shot. She was only testing Ying with her words but since Ying didn't answer, it proved that she had indeed been following her. Although Xiu didn't know why Ying was following her like a stalker, she didn't care. 

As long as the stalker was Ying Jie, Xiu would let her off for anything.

As for why Ying was getting this biased treatment if only Xiu could tell herself.

She also wasn't sure about what Ying's real work was. But she didn't plan on asking her something she was hesitant to talk about. In fact, Xiu could tell that Ying had already shared way more with her than she was supposed to. Whether it was her feelings or her life, Ying really never got angry with Xiu's questions. But that didn't mean Xiu was ready to push her luck.

....

"Hey, Paige!" Xiu greeted Darren's assistant with the same enthusiasm that she always had. "Looks like my boyfriend is not even letting you rest on a weekend."

"He didn't ask me to come, I decided to join this overtime on my own," replied Paige as she got up from her chair and greeted Xiu with a hug. 

"Oh my my, such a good assistant you are," remarked Xiu. "If only I could have your passion."

"I heard, you resigned?"

"You heard that? So fast?"

"News travels fast but Dylan's mouth runs faster," replied Paige making Xiu laugh out at the truth in her words.

"This is why I love you, pretty lady. If I didn't know any better, I'd actually think you're one of his ex-girlfriends badmouthing him." Xiu was still having difficulty in holding back her laughter.

"What if I am one of his ex-girlfriends?" Paige's words made Xiu's face to stiffen as she stared at Paige in horror.

"Don't tell me!" Xiu covered her mouth with her hand.

"Either you're really that gullible or you love acting dumb," remarked Paige calmly. "If I had really been one of his ex-girlfriends, I assure you I wouldn't be bisexual. I'd have come to despise men."

"Hey! He's not that bad though," Xiu couldn't help defending her one and only brother-in-law with whom she had a very unique love-hate relationship and a siblings bond.

"You aren't one of his exes, that's why you say that. He indeed is a good person but he's the worst kind of boyfriend." Xiu couldn't believe Paige's words at all. "But that depends on if he's serious about his feelings or not. Although I don't know his first girlfriend, I've heard of rumors of how good of a boyfriend he was back then. So, I guess his good side only comes when he is being sincere."

"That's good to know," Xiu muttered to herself as she rubbed her chest in comfort. "I got a scare for a second thinking about Cali."

"You look..."

Xiu looked up at her as she noticed Paige's eyes looking her up and down. "Pretty gorgeous, right?"

"Haggard." Xiu's face fell as she touched her face. 

"Is the blush not working or what?" 

"Are you sick?" Xiu shook her head. "Then what's with that strange complexion?"

"Lack of sleep," answered Xiu and decided to move over this topic. "Anyways, my boyfriend is inside?"

"Yes, he is."

"He is alone?" 

Paige pursed her lips when Xiu questioned that. Apparently, Xiu was really scared of entering Darren's office like she did last time and ended up making a fool out of herself before his mother. It was fortunate that Francesca was an easygoing person otherwise, Xiu definitely thought she lost all her chances of currying favors with her mother-in-law.

"Your ex-boss is also inside," replied Paige to give Xiu a heads up this time around. She really didn't want this lady boss to storm out of here like last time. 

"What is my mistress doing here?" questioned Xiu to mostly herself but Paige heard her loud and clear. "It's the weekend. Shouldn't he be courting his girl? Why the hell is he bothering my husband?"