Chapter 265 - Chained-Up

As Xiu looked at that familiar-looking pair of mugs, her blurry memory of last night started clearing up a bit. She stared at him and asked, "Why did you open the gift? I still had something to put in it."

Darren raised his brow as he touched her head and said, "You still have something else? Isn't this gift enough? Besides, how many times do you want me to fall in love with you?" 

Xiu furrowed her brows as she said, "Why are you saying that? You gave me the most precious gift by saying those words yesterday in that interview. How can I not even do anything for you? Besides, there is no trace of me in your apartment, and I didn't like that." If it's her territory, then she must make it seem like one. 

Darren caressed the side of her face as he said, "Sorry for making you cry." Xiu was startled that he suddenly said that but she didn't say anything in reply and instead continued to sip on her coffee. Darren got up from her side and was about to leave the room when he stopped and said, "By the way, it's weird that you didn't notice." Xiu quirked up her brow in question as he pointed at her and said, "Check the belt of your bathrobe."

Saying that he walked out leaving Xiu confused. She took the belt in her hand and just as she turned it, she read 'Xiu' embroidered on it in gold color. It was hers! He got it especially for her! Xiu gaped at it in surprise before she looked down and found that the female slippers beside her side were also new. And she most certainly hadn't seen that pair when she first came to his place.

Thinking of something, Xiu abruptly stood up and ran towards the bathroom. Her surprise was clearly palpable on her face as she saw everything in pairs. Even in his closet, she found brand new clothes hanging as if tailor-made for her.

Xiu didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Cry because he was always ten steps ahead of her while laughing because she was genuinely happy. She freshened up before she finished her breakfast and changed into a dress that was in his closet. She didn't have to run back and forth between her apartment and his anymore. Because he had gotten every possible thing that she might need. It almost looked like Xiu also lived there.

She ran out of the room to look for him and found him in the living room staring intently at his phone with a frown etched between his brows. He looked furious for some reason.

Sensing her presence, Darren lifted his eyes to stare at her with a complicated look in his eyes. "What wrong?" she asked cautiously.

Darren instead of saying anything passed his phone to her. Xiu took it and as she looked at the video playing on the screen, her face paled.

It was security footage. The worst part was that the security footage tracked her every single location yesterday. For instance, it started from the time she left the company with Dylan and went to the bar. Even the traffic camera followed her movements. Then from the bar to the accident location was also recorded. Not only that, her visit to the police station and who actually bailed them out could also be seen. The more she looked, the more she wanted to bury herself in the ground.

Darren was also noticing her changing expressions as he stood calmly at a side. Actually, the footage was sent to him last night just like Ben had promised him. But Darren got distracted, he didn't pay attention to his phone until now. 

"Sweets..."

The way he called her sounded more like a repressed growl but one could faintly detect his helplessness as well. He was angry but he was really feeling incapable as well.

"Baby, I..." 

Xiu really didn't know what to say. She didn't realize that he would find this all. She thought he wouldn't know if Dylan didn't open his mouth but apparently, her boyfriend had other ways. And his way was so damn well executed that even she couldn't come up with an excuse. No wonder Dylan said he was most scared of Darren because as simple as his best friend looked, he wasn't simple at all.

"Why didn't you call me after you both got arrested?" Darren asked in a heavy tone.

"First, I didn't want to worry you and second," she observed his expressions before continuing in a small voice, "I was scared that you'd be disappointed in me. It wasn't like it was the first time. So, I thought you might think I'm troublesome and someone who-"

Her words were cut off when Darren held her in his arms and said, "I don't know how your doubts will go away but you can't disappoint me. Ever! Stop belittling yourself so much. If you can't trust yourself. At least, have some faith in my love for you." He looked down at her face and added, "I know you're trouble but so what? If I'm willing to accept you why are you not willing to do so? I thought you finally learned to be confident in yourself."

Xiu's nose itched as she felt tears pooling in her heart. She looked up into his eyes and answered, "I'm confident around the world. I can stand against the world. But I really don't have the courage to lose you."

Darren shook his head at her and asked, "You didn't get hurt in that accident, did you?"

Xiu hastily shook her head, "No. Not at all. It was just a small one and it was my fault. Dylan was the one driving but I caused the accident."

If Dylan knew that she actually defended him like that even though she had been insisting on blaming him for the accident last night, he might puke blood. Or maybe he'd rather question, 'What is this devil planning now?' After all, he'd rather die than believe that Xiu had any goodwill for him.

"Can you stop worrying me to death?" said Darren as he kept his arms around her, not letting her go at all. "I'd really go crazy without you." Xiu had a small smile on her face while her tears were threatening to fall at any moment now. He pinched her cheeks and said, "If you didn't stop worrying me, I think I'll have to chain you by my side."

Seeing that thoughtful and curious look on Xiu's face, Darren flicked her forehead saying, "I can't believe you're actually thinking about being chained up. Have you lost your mind?!"

Xiu blinked at him with innocence. "I was not," she denied his conjecture all together without feeling guilty for lying right at his face.

"Ms. 'I love e.r.o.t.i.c romance', I think your face says otherwise!"