Imperfect Desires

"Maybe Xiu is just turning a new leaf, why are you all being so suspicious about her?"

Cali had had the least interactions with Xiu which was strange considering how she came to the country for Xiu. But along the way, she realized how distant Xiu was from her. Even now, Xiu kept a very polite distance from her. Yes, she treated her like a friend but she wasn't like Xiu's close friend. Her interactions with Xiu had a vast difference from Nora and Ying's. 

As they said, the comparison would always hurt and it hurt her as well. After all, she thought Destiny was her cousin and she should be closest to her. But it wasn't like that. 

"Xiu already said she'd turn a new leaf in life and that lasted for only five minutes around me," said Dylan as if he was proud of his accomplishment of being the most annoying person to Xiu. But then again, he indeed was very proud of that. "She can never be a nice person. Period!"

"But I think she is a very person already," said Han Bohai. He didn't know why but he felt like he needed to defend her?

Dylan looked at Han Bohai and sighed, "Of course, she is nice to you and it's making me feel jealous."

"Huh?" Han Bohai was dumbfounded by that reply.

"Hedi, are you trying to drag my boyfriend into this?"

Dylan raised his hands and stepped away, "No way. Ying Jie, how can I even dare say anything to your boyfriend." He took a pause to sound calm as he added, "In fact, what I meant was that Han Bohai is such an amazing person that even someone like Xiu can't help being nice to him."

"Dylan, I just think you are always finding faults with Xiu for your own amusement," said Cali.

Dylan pouted at his girlfriend as he said, "That's true but believe me it's not my fault. Xiu is indeed an unreasonable person. She loves to bully me as well. Around me, her sarcasm level goes off the charts and it's unbelievable." Before anyone could say anything, he went on, "But that's also true that whenever I need her, she's the first to show up. I have said it plenty of times before, the relationship between her and me is just like this. We are always at each other's throat but we always have each other's back as well." He rubbed his nape as he added, "But today, she looked at me rather differently, it took me off guard. It was as if she was trying to distance herself from me. And I really don't like this feeling."

"I don't think it's just you though," chimed in Nora. "Xiu had been acting different today. I think something is on her mind."

"Instead of assuming, why don't you all just go and ask her?" suggested Han Bohai. He didn't think it was that big of a deal.

"Ask Xiu what's wrong with her?" repeated Nora and seeing him nod, she laughed out. "Mr. Superstar, you really don't know my sister. She is an overthinker. She's rather let her thoughts kill her than actually sharing those thoughts with anyone." She paused and abruptly added, "No, there is one person who can pry those thoughts out."

"And who is that?"

"Regan Darren Salvay!" 

Ying, Dylan, and Nora had said that name all at once. These people are all close to Xiu and knew the influence Darren had on Xiu.

"Then what are you all worried about?" started Han Bohai. "If the one who can help her is right by her side, what's there to worry about?" He looked at his own girlfriend pointedly as he added, "Shouldn't you all be more focused on your own lives?"

He felt a tug at his jacket and looked down at the kid who didn't even reach his waist. Jackie had to tilt back his head to look at Han Bohai as he stretched out the napkin in his hand saying, "I'd like to take an autograph."

"I didn't know I have such a handsome fan," said Han Bohai with a bright smile.

Jackie smiled back, in a friendly manner as he said, "Of course, I'm a huge fan. If Xiu likes you then Jackie likes you. No question asked."

"Eh?"

While Han Bohai was surprised, Nora shook her head and explained to him, "My little brother is a Xiu fan. If his sister Xiu likes something, he'd dearly love that thing. But sister Xiu hates something, he'd never even look at that thing. She has a lot of influence on him."

Jackie tried to push Nora's hand from his head saying, "Stop treating me like a kid."

"Okay, young master. I won't treat you like a kid anymore."

Han Bohai crouched down before Jackie as he asked, "So what's my little fan's name?" He had his pen in hand as he waited for Jackie's reply.

"Don't write my name. Write Xiu's name. I want to give her the autograph."

Han Bohai couldn't help smiling with even more warmth as he said, "But your sister Xiu already has my autograph."

"That's different," replied Jackie. "You and I are two different people, even if we give her the same gift, the feeling, and meaning behind it would be different."

Han Bohai blinked at him as he asked, "Where did you learn that?"

"Xiu said it on my birthday last year when I received the same gift from two of my friends."

"Don't mind him, Mr. Han. My brother has an obsession with his sister Xiu. He'd repeat her words anywhere and anytime," told Nora helplessly.

Han Bohai signed the napkin and gave it back to Jackie saying, "It seems like you and I'd make very good friends, little master."

"Oh? Why is that?" inquired Jackie curiously.

Han Bohai patted his shoulder saying, "I also had an obsession with my sister Xiu. And I also love to repeat her words anywhere and anytime."