Imperfect Desires

There were different chat groups for different people in this family. For instance, there was a family group where everyone was added regardless of their age. There was one with only the young age. Well, men had their secret chat groups while the ladies had their own. 

Just like Xiu, Nora and Dylan had their separate group chat where one could find all kinds of bickering, bantering, and nonsense. That chat group was a film on its own. 

But currently, Cali's blunder was that she sent the text in the friends' group where everyone from the younger generation saw it including Darren. While Xiu was the only one who replied and the rest chose to keep a mutual stance to being silent in this matter. It's not like there was anyone unaware of the complications between Darren and his birth mother. 

Cali didn't want to tell this to Darren but she wanted to give a heads-up to Xiu instead. Who knew she was so lost in her head that she made such a mistake?

Due to the time difference, it was already past midnight when this exchange of messages took place. Xiu didn't expect that Darren was still awake, she turned over and looked at him who placed his phone at his side again.

Xiu held his hand and asked, "Why did you wake up?"

"You sneaked out of my hands, how could I stay asleep?" he retorted making Xiu almost roll her eyes at his answer.

"Don't think about what Cali said."

Darren laid on his side and placed his other hand on Xiu's face as he said, "I wasn't going to. Just as you said, I don't have to think about unimportant people." 

"But you don't look..."

Before Xiu could continue, Darren cleared up for her, "I'm worried for my Mama. She is a sentimental person. I don't want her to think about this and forget about the happiness that is knocking at her door."

Xiu patted his hand reassuringly, "Mama is coming back in a few days. We'll make sure she doesn't let the past hinder the happiness of her present." She slid over to his side and allowed him to hug her again as she said, "Since you're awake, let's talk."

"Aren't you sleepy?" asked Darren.

"Forget my sleep," answered Xiu. "Little tiger is gonna wake up in an hour. It's better for me to stay awake. Besides, it's the weekend. You can also sleep in tomorrow."

Darren pinched her cheek, "No sleeping in. You have to follow your exercise plan."

Xiu groaned when she heard about exercise, "I've lost enough weight. Let's stop here."

Darren was quiet for a minute before he agreed, "Okay."

Xiu was stunned and looked at his face under the dim light, "You agreed? So easily? You're supposed to push me to lose weight."

"I'd never want you to do anything you don't want to do," answered Darren in his usual manner of giving into her way too easily.

Xiu sighed out, "But I do want to lose weight. It's just that I don't want to exercise!"

Darren chuckled, "I believe there is no such way where you can lose weight without exercising. You can go on a strict diet but can you, Sweets?"

Xiu looked horrified, "No way! I don't want to eat salad all day long. Those green leaves are for rabbits. I am not a rabbit."

Darren looked at her face saying, "Really? But you look like a cute bunny to me."

"No way! I don't," insisted Xiu. "If anything, I'm a cute kitten."

Darren laughed out, "So my dear kitten, how did you give birth to a tiger then?"

Xiu pinched his waist, "Don't ask me questions. If I say I'm a kitten, I'm a kitten."

"Yes, my queen!" 

Xiu rubbed her face on his chest and told him, "Let's go on a date tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What about our son?"

"Our son is also going on a date with his grandfathers," said Xiu. "You stop worrying about our son. His grandfathers specially called me today to tell me to prepare everything because they are taking their little highness out on a date."

Darren rubbed his forehead, "Are they gonna buy the whole city for him this time?" He still couldn't forget how those dear grandfathers chose to buy an amusement park for their dear grandson just because they thought he'd love to play there. Bloody hell! That grandson is barely over two months old! "I feel like those grandfathers are out to smash my son with their money."

Xiu laughed out, "I have already warned them not to go overboard. I strictly said no one is allowed to buy anything for my son. He is so young, he can't even play with toys yet. All he does is punch and kick his mother."

"Well, I hope they listen to you or else, I really don't know what my son's future is gonna look like," said Darren in worry. 

It wasn't that he didn't like it that his son was loved by so many people. But he really didn't want his son to grow up feeling like he ruled the world. If he wanted something, he'd have to work for it. 

"I never thought you'd be a strict father," said Xiu.

"I think Sweets, look at yourself. You're gonna be even stricter than me."

"No way!" argued Xiu. "I love my little tiger. I want to give him the whole world."

Darren laughed strangely, "Wanna have a bet?"

"What kind of bet?" she asked.

"That you'd be stricter than me with our son in the future?" 

Xiu thought about it and nodded, "What will I get if I won?"

"Who said you're gonna win?"

"I'm going to!" stressed Xiu. "But tell me the winning prize first."

"Let's keep it an open bet for now," answered Darren. "Whoever wins will get a prize from the losing party of his own choice. Is that alright?"

"I agree," said Xiu. "What's the time limit?"

"Let's talk on his sixteen birthday," suggested Darren.

"Alright!" Xiu readily agreed and Darren looked like this bet was already in his pocket. And he truly believed that as well. After all, he knew his wife better than she knew herself.