Imperfect Desires

Finally reaching the destination, Xiu alighted the car and wanted to stretch her body but was greeted by such cold gust of wind that she ended up hugging her body. 

"Ssss... It's cold. Cold. Very cold!!!"

Gigi had also followed her out as she said, "It's not that cold though."

Xiu gave her a strange look as she said, "Cold people like you can't feel it. I'm a warm person! I can't deal with this much coldness!"

"Oh." That was all Gigi could say in reply but it wasn't like Xiu was looking for any argument right now since even her teeth had started chattering. When Gigi noticed Xiu rubbing her arms even though she was wearing a warm coat, she frowned. "Are you really that cold?"

"Why would I joke about this?"

Gigi looked at the sun that had yet to set in the horizon as she added, "But it's gonna be a lot colder once the sunsets. How are you gonna survive then?"

Xiu blew into her hands to warm them as she said, "Well, I'll just have to steel myself for this battle with cold then!"

With that, she had already walked ahead to the location which Dylan had chosen for his proposal. Dylan had picked the experienced individuals to do the work and most of it had already been done before Xiu arrived, all she had to do was look over the preparations and see if anything was missing or anything needed to be altered. 

Gigi was standing at her side silently as she noticed how Xiu's whole persona changed when she ordered people around to move things around or set up everything according to her wishes. In fact, she couldn't find her previous playful version anywhere. 

"You're not cold anymore?" 

Xiu smiled at her slightly, "My blood is boiling with excitement. How can I feel cold now?"

"Your mood swings are severe," said Gigi and didn't continue as she let Xiu emerge in her role of bossing people around. She seemed to be very good at this role.

After Xiu was satisfied with the preparations, she heaved a sigh of relief and walked over the sandy beach and stood right where the ocean waves were close to her reach and yet couldn't touch her as she saw the sun setting leaving with orange hues. They say standing before an ocean gives way to a million dreams.

Oddly, Xiu was only reminded of one thing... Or rather only one person.

Rummaging out her phone, she sent a video call request and as soon as it connected, Darren's eyes only saw the vast ocean along with the beautiful sun sending a farewell kiss. His smile softened as he heard Xiu's voice, "Dear husband, can you guess what's on my mind?"

"That it's a beautiful sunset," answered Darren gently.

Xiu turned the camera angle and her face appeared on the screen. Her nose was adorably red from the cold wind and ever her cheeks had gotten a beautiful glow. Her eyes seemed moist as she sniffled before rubbing her nose.

"Sunsets are all beautiful but I believe there is something missing in this one." She brought her phone even closer to her face as she asked, "Can you tell me what's missing?" 

"Although the sunset is beautiful, you aren't in my arms. How can it be complete?"

Xiu gasped at his reply before her eyes looked at him with visible admiration and overflowing love. "My husband is indeed the best. He is in a league of his own for sure!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Regan, do you know that's the only thought that came to mind as well?" Darren smiled knowingly as he let her talk. "As soon as I stood here, I couldn't even appreciate the beautiful view because all I thought about was how you aren't here with me. That's why I instantly called you to share this view with you. But now that you mention it, I do think your arms should be wrapped around me."

"I didn't know my wife misses me so much every day," teased Darren.

"Who is missing you? Don't think so much!" Xiu hastily chose to deny it. Although the denial was just her way of avoiding the embarrassment when it clicked that there is no such thing as embarrassment between husband and wife, she turned bold. "Actually, you know what... I am missing you. It's weird, I just saw you in the morning. How can I miss you like I haven't seen you in days?"

Darren was amused to hear her words but was also very happy. "Now if you say it like that I'd want to rush to you immediately."

"There is no need for that," said Xiu. "I'm still working."

"Working?" Darren's brows quirked up.

Xiu rotated the camera and showed him the set up as she went on saying, "See all that? Your best friend has gone crazy in love. I never thought he'd be this romantic. There are fairy lights, candles, a perfect candlelight dinner on the beach, and roses scattered on the way. There is also a huge piano and he is also planning on serenading his would-be girlfriend."

Darren listened attentively and even nodded his head in appreciation as he said, "Didi has grown up."

"Oh, please! That's not growing up! This is the cheesiest proposal in the history of proposals! I'm telling you, if he dared to pull the stunt of fireworks, I'm gonna beat him right then and there!"

Darren pressed his lips together asking, "You still don't like fireworks?"

"What's the point? It'll only lit up for a couple of minutes and then? Poof! What's the point?" She wasn't feeling tired at all as she kept on talking. "Besides, we get to see fireworks every year on National Day. What's so special about it?"

"The 'special' thing is the feelings of the person setting it up. Those on National Day doesn't really count to this."

"Husband, you really want to take your best friend's side right now?"

Darren chuckled in reply, "I wouldn't dare do that before the Imperial Empress of my family and my heart." He took a pause seeing her satisfied smile before he said, "But you can stop finding faults with Didi's arrangements already. It's written all over your face how proud you're to see him taking such a romantic initiative for his love."

Xiu touched her face as she furrowed her brows, "Where is it written?" Pouting at him she added, "Sometimes I really don't like it that you can read me so well."

Darren felt like squishing her face. She looked extremely tempting today for some reason and he didn't know how to control himself and wait for her silently here. He just wanted to run to her already. Coming to this empty apartment without her was already making him feel out of sort. Bloody hell! He was way too used to seeing her smiling face the first thing after coming home.