Imperfect Desires

While Xiu was waiting for Gigi to bring her desired things, she also hoped that Darren wouldn't come before her. After looking around the suite room, she went to take a bath. Wearing a bathrobe, she looked through her luggage and cursed when she saw how Nora had swapped her clothes. 

This was definitely Nora's way of revenge for what Xiu did during Nora's date. But Xiu had already learned how to take advantage of any situation. In fact, this unforeseen situation just became more pleasing as it perfectly fits with what she had in mind for this night.

So she took that special piece of clothing and wore it without any hesitation. Looking at herself in the mirror, she praised herself without feeling ashamed, "Drop dead gorgeous!"

She was busy laughing all on her own when her phone rang again. It was like her phone had been ringing since a while ago. First, Ying called her then later Francesca called to ask where she was and why her phone was off. Then even Dylan called for the same purpose. And since Clara mom and Uncle Jing already knew she went to meet Darren, they only called to ask whether she reached safely or not.

Xiu had to say, once she barely had one person who cared about where she was or how she was but now, she had so many people that it left her feeling overwhelmed at times.

As she looked at the caller id, she picked the call.

"Xiu'er!" Nora's crying voice came from the other end.

"What happened?" Xiu asked calmly.

"Jackie stole my daughter!" Nora whined from the other end making Xiu almost laugh out loud. But she controlled her laughter with great difficulty. 

"Oh, how so?" 

Nora looked at the way Ava was following her little Uncle all around and felt even more indignant as she said, "Ah-Si said Ava never liked walking since someone was always carrying her. And now, she holds Jackie's sleeve and runs around the house."

"Hmmm... Isn't that a good thing?" 

"I don't know. I just know that Jackie is stealing my daughter's attention. She is still only willing to say his name. And she does everything he says." 

Nora didn't believe it at first when Ah-Si told her that Jackie had charmed their daughter. But seeing was believing. She brought Ava home over the weekend to spend time with her. Who knew that this princess only had eyes for her little uncle?

"Now don't distort things like that," stated Xiu. "If she is following Jackie's orders. Then Jackie is obviously giving in to her."

Nora frowned at her words and looked over at the two small figures sitting on lounge chairs in the balcony now where Jackie read books to Ava while she listened attentively. In fact, she had to agree that Jackie had never allowed anyone to disturb him when he was reading. But now, he not only let Ava sit with him, he read it to her and also shared his snacks with her.

This progress was really unreal!

"Xiu what did you do?" Nora blurted out.

Xiu chuckled, "Nothing. I just cleared your path so that you can enjoy your time with your love."

 "I..." Nora felt helpless as she continued, "There are so many layers of you that I'm scared now. Just how does that brain of yours work?"

Xiu was gonna smack her head if she was standing before her. But for now, she could smack with her words as she said, "Don't question my brain. Look at what you're up to. Who told you to put these stupid things in my bag?"

"Why? Isn't it good to spice things up?" Nora giggled making Xiu's mouth twitch.

"You know that I don't like it," retorted Xiu impatiently.

Nora shrugged her shoulders which Xiu couldn't see as she continued, "So what if you don't like it? It's not for you."

"Huh?" Xiu was perplexed.

"Dumbo! The question is not that you like to wear it or not. The real question is whether Darren would like to peel it off of you or not." 

"NORA CARTWRIGHT!" 

Nora instantly hung up the call when she heard Xiu's fuming voice. She looked at the phone screen and laughed. "You'll thank me later."

However, it didn't seem like Xiu had any plan on thanking her. Instead, Nora just called some trouble for herself. Xiu was definitely not gonna let this one go.

*Knock! Knock!*

Xiu threw her phone aside carelessly and walked up to the door. She opened the door while she hid behind the door and only craned her head out.

Gigi didn't care about her weird reaction as she passed the paper bag saying, "You can check everything."

Xiu smiled at her sweetly, "There is no need for that. Thank you! You can go to take a rest now. Paige must have arranged for the room. I'll call you if I need anything."

Gigi nodded her head and hesitated before saying, "Have a good time."

Xiu choked on her words and the way she said it with that stoic face. It sounded so weird. What did she think she was going to do? No thank you but she didn't have such a taste. As for the things she asked for, there was a very special reason for it.

Fifteen minutes later Darren also walked inside the room and looked around at the darkroom with a complex look.

"Sweets..." he called out and felt himself relaxing when she hugged him from behind just like earlier. "You didn't sleep?" he asked softly.

"No, I was waiting for you," said Xiu as she held his one hand brought it to his back, and did the same with the other. Darren didn't know what she was planning but he complied with whatever she did as always. 

"Swe-" 

His words died down in his throat when he heard a 'clink' sound along with something cold binding around his wrists. Wait! Was he just handcuffed? What the fuck!

His vision was already really dark but he could vaguely make out the silhouette of things but soon something wrapped around his eyes as he was left completely blind. Oh great! Now he was even blindfolded!

A very soft but alluring voice whispered close to his ear, "It seems we have a long night ahead of ourselves."