Imperfect Desires

"Now you look absolutely gorgeous," announced Xiu as she patted Nora's head who looked at the simple jeans with an oversized knitted sweater she was wearing.

Then turned to Xiu with an uncertain look, "Are you sure about this? I mean, what if he thinks I am taking this very first date very casually?"

Xiu looked at her up and down before saying, "How is that so?" She fixed Nora's hair as she went on, "Clothes don't make a man. They can neither make a date special. The reason why I chose this set of clothes is; it's simple and comfortable. Besides, formal clothes only make you feel restless. Casual clothes will give you enough comfort to breathe. Don't worry at all."

"Have I mentioned that your logics are completely logicless?"

Xiu chuckled at her, "I know. But so what?"

Nora shook her head at Xiu. Of course, it didn't matter to Xiu at all. No matter how baseless her words were, as long as she was happy with it, who could deny her words? 

"Forget it. You tell me where are you going? Why did you get dressed up? Your boyfriend is not even around."

"My life certainly doesn't revolve around my boyfriend," retorted Xiu with a firm stance.

"Yes, it does!" Nora's words were clearly like a strike thrown her way which Xiu evaded with an awkward cough.

"Okay, sometimes it does. But... I have a life apart from that as well."

"Alright. Then tell me who are you seeing?"

"Dylan."

Nora raised her brows at Xiu and turned around. She rounded around Xiu with a thoughtful look. 

"Why are you circling around me?"

"I'm trying to understand..."

"What?"

Nora stopped right in front of her and stared into her eyes straightly. "You used to find every chance to curse that boss of yours. And now you're eager to see him on a Sunday? What happened?"

Xiu finally understood why she was acting weird. She waved her hand offhandedly, "Nono, that was when he was my boss. Now he is my ex-boss. I'm more than eager to exploit my rights as HIS boss now. HA. HA. HA."

Nora pursed her lips at Xiu's weird evil laugh and decided to just stay quiet. Getting between Dylan and Xiu would not end well for her and she knew it very well.

*Ding-Dong!*

Xiu's eyes lit up with mischief as she heard the doorbell and ran towards the door saying, "I guess your date is here."

"Xiu, behave yourself! Don't you dare scare him away!" Nora shouted from behind and Xiu only tilted her head to stuck her tongue at her in response.

As Xiu opened the door, indeed it was Ah-Si standing before her. Xiu looked at him and nodded in appreciation at how he looked. In fact, he had tried to dress up as he usually did but his efforts to look good couldn't be hidden from a girl's eyes.

"Hi, Xiu!" Ah-Si finally decided to say something since Xiu was just staring at him. And oddly, he felt like she was judging him which made him feel fidgety. Strange!

"Hi to you too!" Xiu waved her hand calmly with a bright smile which seemed to be hiding scheming intentions of hers.

"Where is Nora?" he asked.

"I'm here," came Nora's voice from behind Xiu but before Ah-Si could see her, Xiu stepped out and closed the door startling Ah-Si. Even when Nora tried to pull open the door from inside she couldn't because Xiu was holding it tightly from outside. "Xiu, I told you to behave yourself!" Nora shouted from inside.

Xiu completely ignored her and stared right at Ah-Si. Her height might not be intimidating but her aura certainly was. "I have some words of advice for you, Mr. junior Xin."

Ah-Si nodded his head with a frown, "I wonder what Ms. Bai has to say to me."

"First, give my sister the respect she deserves. Second, I believe you know the concept of abstinence." He almost choked on air but calmly handles the situation.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"I'm not done, bro!" replied Xiu with a sly smile. "Remember, I'm everywhere. So behave because my bat is also with me." Ah-Si's face twitched at her threatening but he didn't disturb her. "I'm an old-fashioned person, you hurt her, I hurt you worse."

"Roger that, boss!" 

Xiu finally let Nora come out who was now glaring at her. "Xiu, what did you say to him?"

"Nothing," replied Xiu innocently. 

Ah-Si could only hold back his smile at both of them. The way Xiu talked was like a father warning him about dating his daughter. "Shall we go now?" he asked while Nora nodded and gave Xiu a suspicious look before walking with him.

"Oi!" Xiu shouted at their back and when Ah-Si turned around to look at her, she went on, "Bring my girl back by 10 pm. And when I say 10, I actually mean an hour earlier. I believe you know the drill."

Ah-Si gave her a mock salute as he replied, "I'll keep that in mind, Sir!"

Xiu was satisfied with that answer, "Then have fun."

When they got into the elevator, Nora turned to Ah-Si, "Don't mind whatever Xiu said. She is a little bit crazy."

Ah-Si smiled at her pleasantly which surprised Nora. "I find her rather cute though. She is like a rabbit baring its teeth but at the end of the day, its still a rabbit which is adorable."

Nora thought about his words and couldn't help nodding in agreement. 

At the entrance of the building, he opened the door for Nora before taking his own seat behind the wheel. Just as he buckled up, his phone chimed. He took it from the side and checked the message since it was from Xiu. It read...

'You both are passive kind of people. But I advise you to be a little active this time around. Otherwise, your daughter might reach the alter but you both will be stuck right where you are! You love her, she loves you. Stop wasting time. Life is already very short!

P.S. If you both didn't take this relationship anywhere by the end of the day, I'm gonna lock you both in a dungeon!'

A smile spread on his lips as he read the message.

"Is everything okay?" inquired Nora when she saw how silent he had been. Ah-Si turned to look at her and nodded his head firmly.

"Everything is perfect," he said before driving out of there.