Imperfect Desires

Xiu pocketed her phone and stared at the closed door of Darren's apartment. Even Francesca wasn't there since she had been helping Zhao Wei all this while. 

*Ding*

As she heard the elevator's ding, she turned her head and saw Ying coming out while yawning. 

"Ying Jie, where are you coming from?" 

Ying looked up at Xiu before turning to unlock the door of her own place as she replied, "I just went to get some banana milk for myself."

"Where is it?" asked Xiu seeing how her hands were empty now.

"I drank it," replied Ying nonchalantly leaving Xiu sigh. "Anyways, what are you doing out in the hallway?"

"Oh," Xiu ran over to her side as she said, "I was just about to look for you. Get your car keys."

"What for?" inquired Ying.

"I just told you yesterday, if you're gonna follow me just do it openly. I need to go somewhere."

Ying looked at her face before nodding, "Give me a minute." She hurried inside and came out almost instantly with a jacket and keys in her hand. "Let's go!"

Xiu hummed in reply and went with her. As they both settled in the car, Ying asked, "Where are we going?"

"Dylan's place," replied Xiu. Ying's hands paused a little before she tapped the steering wheel and nodded her head. "We are going to Dylan's place. Not his parents' place. Besides, his sister has moved in with his parents now." Xiu felt the need to clear this detail for Ying's sake.

Ying gave her a sideways glance. "Kid, you're a lot more aware of your surrounding and the feelings of people around you than people give you credit for."

"I can't survive as a dense person," answered Xiu as she fastened her seatbelt and clapped her hands, "Let's go now!"

The drive was supposed to be silent but with Xiu around, it was not possible. "I love your car by the way. But why are driving so slow?"

"Safety first," said Ying with her eyes on the road.

"Woah! I never took you for the person who plays safe though."

Ying chuckled her words, "I indeed don't play safe but I'm supposed to keep you safe. Can't neglect my duty just for my own thrill."

While Xiu was nodding agreeably, Ying's cell phone rang. Since it was connected with the car, Xiu could read the caller id on the screen at the front, "Ying Jie, who is Yi?"

"Dylan's father," said Ying with a wink at her before she pressed the button on the steering wheel to accept the call. "What's up, Yi?"

"It's Yi's wife speaking," came the reply making Ying frown and Xiu to look at her with wide eyes.

"Oh, hello there, Weiwei!" Ying wasn't really surprised. "How come you decided to call me today? And that too from your husband's phone."

"I don't have another way to contact you," replied Zhao Wei. "Anyways, I need your help."

"Feel free to say it," Ying's voice held no animosity or hatred. It was still as calm as spring water. If one looked at her, no one could tell what was running through her mind.

"Meihui told me that you are acquainted with the famous wedding planner and I was hoping if you could arrange a meeting. I know it's on very short notice but I didn't like the other wedding planner that we met."

Xiu opened her mouth to say something when Ying put a finger on her lips to signal her to stay quiet. 

"You could just ask Zizi to do this. His one phone call can do wonders," said Ying calmly.

"And do you think that Xin Zimen would actually make a call to a wedding planner just because I'm asking? No way! Even if it's for his own son's wedding, he'd never use his connections or family name!"

Ying smiled knowingly. Even she knew that but she still couldn't help testing the waters. 

"I'll arrange the meeting for today," said Ying as she stopped the car at the red light and saw Xiu glaring at her dangerously. 

"You should come as well," came Zhao Wei's polite and exciting invitation.

Ying laughed softly at Xiu's angry look as she shook her head back and forth. It was loud and clear that Xiu wanted her to refuse. Fortunately, Ying was in sync with her. "Sorry, Weiwei! I have a prior commitment. I can't spare time."

"What are you saying? It's your best friend's wedding? Aren't you gonna help?"

Seeing how Ying pressed her lips together thoughtfully, Xiu pinched her shoulder and whispered, "Don't you even dare think about saying yes!"

"Ying? You there?" 

"Yes, I'm here. I'd love to help but you arranged everything so suddenly that I can't spare time now. I have promised someone already. I can't break the promise now. I'm really sorry. But you can tell me if you need help with anything else. I'd love to be of help."

Xiu rolled her eyes at Ying and looked at her helplessly. What was wrong with her brain? How could she even agree to help in arranging the wedding for the person she loved for decades? Was it a joke? 

And how come people were so oblivious to her feelings? Xiu could say that perhaps, Zhao Wei never noticed Ying's one-sided love for Xiaoli but Qiu Meihui knew it. Then why did she ask her mother to ask for Ying's help? Was it really on purpose? For what? Just to hurt her?

Bloody hell! This was making her really mad as if the one hurting wasn't Ying but she. 

"I know everything is happening really fast but you can't just stay at sidelines now. Later you'd say you can't even attend the wedding. How is that gonna work?" Zhao Wei sounded displeased.

Ying scratched her head and held the steering wheel as she saw the green light before saying, "As I said, I'll help with whatever I can. And don't worry, I'll be at the wedding. It's my one and only friend's wedding. I wouldn't miss it for the world. But today, I really can't come."

"You sound really suspicious now, Ying," came Francesca's voice. "Tell us honestly. Are you going on a date with someone?"

"Maybe..." Ying didn't want to lie so she ended up giving a suggestive reply instead who knew the two ladies on the other side would get over-excited to hear that?

"Great! Then have a good time and we'll catch you later for details. Bye!"

As the phone hung up, Ying glanced at Xiu who was crossing her arms over her chest as she stared out the window moodily.