Imperfect Desires

226 Being Nice

Dylan's gaze was fixated on Xiu with a mellow look radiating through his eyes. He observed her radiant smile, the way the sunlight shone at the side of her head making her appearance seem gentler than he had been used to.

It took him a moment before he turned to look around himself and pointed at himself, "Are you saying that to me?"

"Who else is here?" retorted Xiu with a mildly annoyed look on her face. She took a deep breath before continuing, "I'm really saying sorry to you. That's why I brought you here. I didn't know relationship talk was a bit off-limits with you and ended up hurting you."

Dylan leaned back in his chair as he gave a half-smile while she added, "Apologies mean nothing unless until you actually do something to make it up to the other person. I knew you like sweet things so, I decided to make it up to you in this way."

Dylan looked at the table full of sweet delicacies as he wondered out loud, "I wonder what Darren told you."

"Hm?"

Dylan shifted his eyes back to her saying, "Why are you feeling guilty for no reason? Although I can't be sure about what Darren said, I can assure you that I wasn't hurt." Xiu's brows snapped together as she looked at him inquisitively. "I was upset but not hurt. And I was upset only because of some memories not because you asked me about my ex-girlfriend."

"Isn't she also a part of those sad memories?" said Xiu off-handedly while she put a spoonful of chocolate mousse in her mouth. His mouth curved into a sad smile. He didn't expect her to bring it up like that. When she noticed he wasn't eating, she said, "What? Why aren't you eating? I ordered it all for you." Dylan could have sworn that the cream around her lips said otherwise but he didn't say it. "Try it. Everything is yum-yum yummy! Oh, coffee is here as well. Perfect!"

"I don't like coffee," reminded Dylan as he felt the need to since she had ordered for the both of them. "I really hate bitter things."

"Do you hate life as well?" asked Xiu staring at him strangely.

Dylan's eyes darted around before he shook his head saying, "No. Why would I hate life?"

"Because life is bitter as well," said Xiu in a duh-tone making Dylan's brows shot up in surprise. "Dear Didi, life is bitter, that's why people look for love's sweetness. Exactly that way, the best combination in life is a sweet cake with bitter coffee. Making it a perfect combination of bittersweetness."

Dylan ended up chuckling at her words. "Where did you come up with that?"

"Because I've seen life's bitterness at it's best and life's sweetness at it's best as well. And yet I'd like to point out that too much bitterness and sweetness alike are not good for health. That's why I love the bittersweet taste the most. It keeps the balance." She took a pause in her rambling to shove a spoonful of cake in his mouth saying, "Talk less and eat more."

"I'm literally getting chills right now," said Dylan out of the blue. "I mean why are you being so nice to me suddenly? It's giving me goosebumps."

"Should I not be nice to you?" questioned Xiu in a tricky way while staring him down.

"That's not what I mean, I just am not used to it. Besides, I really need to know why are you being this nice all of a sudden," told Dylan sincerely.

Xiu furrowed her brows saying, "Who said we need a reason to be nice to anyone? Just being nice is not enough? You're questioning my sincerity and that's not very nice."

Seeing her hurt look which she certainly was faking, he said, "Okay, I'm sorry. I might have gone too far. But I was just trying to make sure that you don't have any hidden agenda."

"Hidden agenda? As in what?"

"It could be anything. But I want to make one thing very clear, I won't break up with Darren. Not at any cost! If that's what you're looking for." Dylan sounded determined as he spoke.

Xiu laughed at his face as she said, "D, you gotta stop. Don't talk like you're dating him. He is your best friend. He is MY BOYFRIEND!"

"I know that," said Dylan while scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just meant that I won't go away from his life. No way."

"I know," said Xiu softly before adding, "If there is anything I have understood about you is that, you're a very loyal person. Why would I want to kick you out of Regan's life when you're as important to him as he is to you? I am anything but selfish. Oh, wait! I do have a selfish side but it'll only come out if someone tried to come between me and the man I love."

Dylan took a moment to recover from what she just said before asking, "Then if that's not your agenda, what is it?"

"Hmmm... I wanted us to sit down and have a talk like normal people do," said Xiu.

"Why? I mean we never did that before then why suddenly?"

"Exactly that's why. We never did it before. Every single time we talk, we don't hold back with sarcasm and insults. So, I wanted that to change since we are not just boss and employee anymore. And if we both are gonna stay in Regan's life, why shouldn't we settle our differences and get to know each other? Who knows, maybe we become good friends in the future."

Dylan had no reason to refuse. Not even one. Instead, he felt like her words made sense to the point that even he was shocked to know that he was agreeing with her. It wasn't such a bad plan to just sit down and talk. The talk that didn't involve her bringing up the murder weapons and him trying to snap her neck.

And he'd be lying if he said that he had never thought of snapping her neck before. He did. Every time she called him uncle, he really wished to snap her neck. But now that he sat with her, he really felt like she was right. They could've been really good friends if they both didn't get off on the wrong foot. Also, since they both held onto that first encounter, they both kept misjudging each other at every step.

Things needed to change even if it was just for Darren's sake. It had to change.Please go to