Imperfect Desires

"Let's buy this one," suggested Zhao Wei as she pointed at the heart pendant.

"But I like this one better," added Zhao Huan as she pointed at another pendant.

Meanwhile, Francesca was almost squashed between them because of the confusion these two sisters created for her. She was already a confused person but because of their different aesthetics, Francesca was left even more confused. 

On the other side, Cali yawned as she looked at the three ladies who had been in this shop for the last hour. She was tired but she had no courage to say it out loud. One of them was her future mother-in-law, the other was her best friend's mother, and the last one was Xiu's mother. She couldn't run from any of them. 

Besides, it was her idea to bring them to Italy for shopping as well.

She just didn't expect that she'd suffer along as well. She who had only known how to run around the hospital was now out shopping. She was like a fish in the desert, unaware of how to survive in this new atmosphere. 

*Ring!*

Taking out her phone, she connected the call and looked at the screen where she could see Xiu's face. "What's up, Cali?!"

"It's better if you don't ask," answered Cali ruefully. She looked at Nora who passed from behind Xiu and called out, "Nora, since you love to shop. Give me some idea how to survive this?"

"What happened?" asked Nora as she came over at the mention of 'shopping.'

"These ladies have been shopping for the past five hours, I don't know about them but I'm dead tired."

"Say it to them," suggested Nora.

"As if I dare to say that out loud," retorted Cali.

Nora laughed at her condition. "It seems you really have it bad."

"Don't even mention it," groaned Cali. "I don't mind shopping with them but why are they indecisive? If you like something just buy it. Why have a discussion for an hour when in the end, you're gonna buy the same thing?"

"Keep grumbling and soon, you're gonna be beaten by someone."

"Does your mom do the same thing?"

Nora shook her head, "My mom is strongly against things that waste her time. She loves her work and her family. She would never compromise her time. Why waste time on shopping when she can spend it with her family or at work? That's what she loves to say."

Xiu also chimed, "Nora is right. Clara mom only goes to the supermarket and she always makes Uncle Jing accompany her. If he is not available one of the family members has to take his place."

Cali already had learned that Clara Cartwright preferred her work and family over other things. But then again, the three ladies with her were also like that. Take her mother-in-law, for instance, she left her work because she didn't want to neglect her family. As for Francesca, she wasted her youth working hard to make sure her son gets whatever he needs in his life. And even Zhao Huan had worked all her life and yet never neglected her time with her husband.

She suddenly sighed out. No matter what she had to say, the Zhao sisters had the best luck when it came to their love lives. Both had doting husbands who even at this age didn't forget to spoil their wives in every way possible. And both went against their families for the sake of their wives. This kind of love always seems enviable to the younger generation who always have insecurities in their hearts.

After all, time and people never stay the same. One can never come over the insecurities completely. 

"Take care of my mothers," said Xiu suddenly as she looked at Cali seriously. "And make sure my Mama gets what she likes. If she is not happy with something, I'll also make you unhappy, dear cousin!"

"You don't have to threaten me for that," replied Cali.

"Sorry, I've gotten too used to threats," said Xiu sheepishly.

Cali shook her head at Xiu and asked, "Where is my nephew? Let me take a look at him. I miss him so much."

Nora jumped up from the side with the little tiger in her arms saying, "Good thing I refuse to take long trips. Wouldn't want to miss my cute nephew."

Cali's lips twitched at Nora's provocation, "I didn't know you're this childish."

"Well, now you know," said Nora with a laugh.

While the little tiger looked at Nora and Cali with his big eyes, Cali spoke up, "Baby can you see? Your aunt Nora is childish."

Nora hugged the little tiger tightly, "He knows but he still loves me."

"How do you know that? He can't even talk yet."

"I just know it. I have a connection with my baby nephew. You won't understand distant relative who is quite a distance away right now."

"I really want to get inside the screen to punch your face!"

Nora doesn't pay attention to her while Xiu tries to mediate the situation, "Cali, let's talk later when you're home. Take good care of yourself as well. And tell Mama to call me when she has time."

"Alright," agreed Cali before the call hung up.

On the other side, finally which pendant to buy was agreed on and they paid for it to leave. Cali followed them out as she heard her mother-in-law saying, "Cali, why are you so slow? Young people should be more active."

"Sorry," Cali instantly lowered her head.

Francesca hit Zhao Wei's arm saying, "Weiwei, don't mess with her." Then she looked at Cali and added, "Don't worry about this one. She is just trying to scare you for her own entertainment."

  Zhao Wei looks at her sister for support, "Sis, did I say anything wrong? Shouldn't young people be more active?"

"Yes, they should be active but we are also quite young," replied Zhao Huan.

"Oh, that's also true," agreed Francesca and the three ladies made Cali laugh.