Chapter 96 - Enough Sweets?

The following day...

Dylan had left Darren's place late at night after listening to Darren's version of the kiss which ended before it could even begin as Darren had only said, "I kissed her." Dylan's veins throbbed violently as he really didn't know how his best friend could be so... Bland? Who described a kiss like that? 

And after Dylan left, that's when Darren had the time to sort out his thoughts.

Now with a new day, he had new thoughts in mind. He decided to first observe Xiu's reaction after last night before stressing himself so much. And since he had something to discuss with Nora anyway, he chose this excuse to see Xiu as well.

After ringing the doorbell, he patiently waited outside their door. During the night, more than the kiss, Darren's mind had replayed the scene of how Xiu hugged him at the bus stop. Of course, before slapping him hard. Well, not like he didn't deserve that. So, he didn't blame her for that.

That was the thing about Xiu that he really couldn't get out of his mind. Her little gestures always managed to touch him unexpectedly. Just like that hug and the way she held his jacket on their way back. He was even moved by that slap. Because of that he even questioned himself if he was becoming a masochist.

The door before him finally opened but he frowned when he didn't see anyone. "I'm down here..." Hearing that voice, Darren lowered his eyes and saw a young boy who wasn't even able to reach his waist. 

Darren's brows quirked up slightly in surprise but he composed himself and smiled at him saying, "Hey, little mister. And who you might be?"

The little boy scrutinized Darren from head to toe and asked, "I don't talk to strangers."

Darren nodded his head in understanding and that's when Nora came in his view. "Hey, Darren! Why are you standing at the door?" She touched the little boy's head and said, "Jackie, why didn't you invite our guest in?"

"Dad said no unfamiliar boys should enter the place where only two girls live alone," stated her little brother, Jackson trying to seem smarter than his age.

Nora rolled her eyes at him and said, "Relax. Darren is not a stranger. He's our neighbor. Besides, with your protection, we'll be safe." Then she looked at Darren and invited him inside. 

Darren followed her inside and sat down at the sofa while Jackson sat opposite him with a vigilant look. It was Darren's first time being under the scrutiny of a young boy and it made him feel funny. Of course, he couldn't possibly be intimidated under a six-year-old' gaze.

Nora offered him a glass of water and asked curiously, "Are you here to see Xiu?"

Darren coughed a couple of times and said, "No. Not at all. I'm here to see you about that exhibition at your hotel." Nora gave an inconspicuous smile and played along with him as she nodded in understanding. However, after a moment, Darren asked, "But where is our Sweets. Must be sleeping till now, right?"

Nora's smile turned into a full-blown grin at his words. She found him so adorable while trying to act nonchalant. "No, actually, she's in the kitchen," said Nora trying to conceal her mischievous grin.

"Huh? She actually woke up before noon on Saturday?" Darren was surprised. From his interactions with Xiu, he was clear about Xiu's love for sleep. 

Nora leaned close to whisper as she pointed at Jackson and said, "You see that little thing. He's my younger brother, Jackson. But let me be honest with you, he's closest to Xiu. Since mom and dad dropped him off here in the morning, Xiu couldn't sleep after that because of her happiness."

"Oh, so Bai Xiu is in the kitchen for Jackson..." Darren trailed his words. "What did little mister request for?" The question was directed at Jackson.

"My Baby Xiu is making tiramisu cake for me," Jackson replied with a straight face. He wasn't familiar with Darren and that's why he seemed a bit distant.

Darren came to sit beside Jackson and looked at the game Jackson was playing on his cellphone. "So little mister likes playing 'The Sniper Call'?"

Jackson lifted his eyes to look at Darren and asked, "You also play the game?" 

Darren nodded and replied, "I used to play the desktop version. Never tried the mobile version."

Jackson passed his cellphone and said, "I can't complete the mission. Can you help me?"

"Will we be friends after that?" asked Darren.

"Mmm... It depends on your performance." Jackson replied with a thoughtful look and Darren smiled at him. With a nod of his head, Darren took the cellphone from him and got himself familiarized with the mobile version before starting the mission.

Both boys were engrossed in their own world after the mission began. The mission was a bit tricky but Darren managed to complete it even though he had to face some difficulties because it was his first time playing this game on a phone. Jackson took his phone from him and jumped up and down in happiness.

"Wow! You're even better than Baby Xiu at this game," Jackson hugged Darren and added, "Now, we can be friends."

Darren laughed out slightly as he saw how easy and simple it was to win a kid's, innocent heart. "Does your Baby Xiu also play this game?"

Jackson shook his head and added, "Nope. But Baby Xiu knows everything about this game."

Darren didn't speak for a while as if he was lost in thoughts. That's when Xiu joined them and looking at Darren, she acted absolutely normal. As if last night never happened at all. But Darren wasn't paying attention for now.

"Here's your cake," Xiu gave a slice of cake to Jackson and turned to see Darren. "Oi, neighbor! Would you like some cake?"

In a daze, Darren shook his head and replied, "I think I've had enough sweets last night, Sweets. All thanks to you for that."

Xiu: "..."

Nora: "..."