Chapter 181 - Sweet & Salty

Sometimes, we don't know how much we missed someone until we hear their voices. That voice of his pulled at her heartstrings wildly. Xiu's heart was shaken as she shot up from her seat alarming even Dylan who had been disregarding her presence on purpose.

Xiu had yearned to hear his voice so much that she felt like she was dreaming again. So for the sake of confirmation, she asked again, "Who did you say you are?"

"Did you forget your boyfriend?" asked Darren in a pleased manner.

Hearing his voice gave her a feeling of being at ease as she said being a little temperamental, "Which one?"

She heard a gasp from the other side, "Gosh Sweets! How many boyfriends do you have?"

"Oh, I don't know. I think I have one who is all sweets and sends me flowers all the time. There is another who is very understanding and considerate, he's never forgotten to call me. And then there is this idiot one who was supposed to come back I don't know like a week ago. But, he vanished leaving me hanging."

Darren was really amused as he heard Xiu's answer and said, "I wonder which one is my Sweets favorite?"

"None of those," said Xiu and added, "I'd like the one who'd actually come to see me."

"Then why are you still standing there?" 

Xiu's eyes widened in surprise when she understood his meaning and looked around the restaurant to find him. But to no avail. When she couldn't find him she huffed, "I don't have time to play around with you. And you know what, I don't want to see you anymore. Forget it! Stay wherever you are!"

"Are you sure about that?" Xiu's body stiffened when her back felt the heat of another body. Then a hot breath hit her neck as she heard his voice so close, "Sweets..."

Xiu closed her eyes to relish the sensation that tingled throughout her body. She could smell his scent which further proved that he was really here. Right behind her. All she had to do was turn around. However, she didn't turn around. Actually, she didn't make any movement at all.

When she didn't turn around, Darren came before her and tapped her nose saying, "Are you that upset that you won't even look at me? Should I really leave then?"

Xiu's hand lifted to stop him but she forced herself to put it down. Darren had seen her action and couldn't help chuckling silently. What bothered him was that she still didn't open her eyes. He really wanted to see those sparkling eyes of hers. But he didn't have the slightest idea how scared Xiu was of opening her eyes. The possibility of him not being there was really getting to her.

"Looks like Sweets didn't miss me at all," said Darren while playing with her hair.

"I didn't," replied Xiu and puffed up her cheeks adorably.

"Really? Not even a little?" he asked again but in a very low and deep voice. 

"Well... I might have missed you... A little," said Xiu and cursed herself silently for actually falling for his voice. What was wrong with her?

Darren placed his hands around her body and pulled her closer. He planted a quick kiss on her lips and bumped his nose with hers as he said, "But I missed you a little..." his lips traced to her ear as he added, "A little too much."

Xiu's eyes opened almost instantly as she stared into his grey orbs at such a close distance and lost herself. "Hi, there!" He said seeing how she was finally willing to look at him again. His hand was placed at the side of her face as he said, "I remember my mom warned me about the drugs in the streets but she forgot to warn me about the ones with brown eyes and a heartbeat."

"You're flirting again?" Xiu stared hard at him. 

"How can I?" Darren acted completely oblivious and added, "I'm already addicted to this drug with an adorable temper."

Xiu hit his chest and kept hitting it while she said, "You're the worst! I waited so much for you. I don't even want to talk to you but I'm an idiot who really wants to hear your voice as well. I don't want your stupid flowers, I want you. I missed you to the point of going crazy. I'm mad at you really mad at you."

Xiu wrapped her arms around his body and sobbed like a baby. Darren looked at Dylan who shrugged his shoulders and looked away shrinking his presence as much as it was possible. Darren rubbed circles on Xiu's back to soothe her emotions and said, "Sweets, why are you crying now? I'm right here."

"Just let her be," he heard Nora's voice. "She had been holding back her tears for a while now. I knew she was gonna breakdown before you."

Then she held Dylan's hand and pulled him away from there, giving them privacy. Dylan wasn't very pleased as he said, "Why did you drag me here?"

"Have some common sense," replied Nora while rolling her eyes at him.

Dylan looked back at the hugging couple and asked, "How did you know she'd breakdown before Darren?"

"Isn't it obvious? For Xiu, those arms are the most comfortable place. She doesn't feel like she needs to pretend to be strong before him," elaborated Nora and Dylan nodded in understanding.

Back on Xiu's side, she looked up at Darren and asked, "Everything's okay with your business?" Darren caressed her head and hummed in affirmation. "Okay, then don't leave now."

Darren nodded his head saying, "I won't. And if I really have to, I'll take you with me. Alright?"

Xiu tip-toed and kissed him on the cheek before saying, "That sounds like a good deal."

He smiled at her genuine happiness and lowered his head to capture her lips. Xiu wasn't passive this time around. She looped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. The intense kiss lasted for a good minute before Xiu became aware of the fact that she was in a restaurant with a dozen pairs of eyes around her.

Hesitantly, she pulled away from him but her arms didn't move from around his neck. "Darren touched his lips as he said, "Sweets is not sweet anymore. She's sweet and salty now." He was obviously talking about the aftertaste of her tears lingering on her lips.

Xiu hit his shoulder making him chuckle. He tightened his arms around her and said, "But I love it this way as well." Hearing that, Xiu buried her face in his chest and closed her eyes in content.