Even though Xiu was inwardly tempted, she couldn't reveal that to Darren. For once, she actually believed that she had done enough already. There was no reason to scare him away with her crazy curiosities. Besides, she had plenty of time for that.
She still blinked at Darren showing her innocent expression as if she didn't even understand what he was saying. As if there was no one more naive then her in the whole world.
But Darren could easily read her through and through by now. It wasn't the first time he was seeing her acting this cute. Her cuteness knew no bound but he was also the only one who knew that her wild nature also knew no bounds.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Don't test me, I might really punish you next time."
Xiu sucked in a cold breath at the way his hot breath assaulted her neck making her tingle all over. But to keep her senses intact, she pushed him slightly and said, "You already did." Darren gave her an uncertain look as she rolled her eyes at his reaction saying, "Do you have any idea how many hickeys I have all over my body? How am I supposed to step out of the house?"
Darren smiled proudly as he languidly sat down at the couch and continued to stare at his phone saying, "The best solution is don't step out the door."
Xiu frowned at his reaction but she couldn't deny that his idea was also the best. It was already past 10, there was no point in going to the office to face Dylan. Besides, she knew for sure that Dylan would tease her to death if he even got a glimpse of those red marks on her neck.
She stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest and sat down at the other corner of the couch, keeping a distance between them. "That is not the point. The point is that-"
Her words had yet to leave her mouth when Darren slid close to her as he stared right into her eyes. Xiu gulped down her saliva, not at the close proximity. It was more so because of the emotions surging in his eyes. She could clearly tell that he was enraged and yet sulky at the same time. Moreover, he was feeling crushed and desolate.
He ran his fingers through her hair as he spoke softly, "I was scared last night. So, I couldn't hold back when I held you in my arms. Sorry for losing my control."
Xiu felt remorse and regret. She was remorseful for actually worrying him even when it was not her intention to do so. Regretful for actually drinking beyond her tolerance again.
Before she could say anything, Darren's phone rang and he pulled back. He picked up the call and listened to the other person before humming in reply. Then, he simply went up to the main door and opened it as he turned to look at Xiu and said, "It's for you."
Xiu's brows knitted together in confusion but she still got up from her seat as she asked, "Who is it?" A roaring voice was heard from the door, "Xiu'er! You sneaky little thing!" Xiu had to cover her ears to save her eardrums from Nora's piercing voice. "You scared us so much! Where the hell were you? And what were you thinking when you drank that much? How can you be this careless?!"
This Latina was surely after Xiu with her claws out and pointed right at Xiu's head. Ugh! Nora came rushing to Xiu's side, held her shoulders and shook her incessantly to the point that Xiu was feeling a bit nauseous now. She just had breakfast and now an overly aggressive Latina was shaking her like she was a doll.
Then suddenly when Xiu was feeling like she could see stars, Nora wrapped her arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly. "You really love to worry me to death," said Nora in an exhausted tone.
Xiu was stunned by her change before she patted Nora's back and said, "I didn't do anything. You just love to worry about me." Xiu pushed all the blame on Nora from the get-go.
"You didn't do anything?" Nora's voice held a hidden meaning as she exchanged a glance with Darren and said, "After being a whole hot sensation on social media, do you really think you didn't do anything?" Xiu had a dumbfounded look at what Nora said. What? What was she again? Hot sensation? Although her memory of last night was clear now, she still couldn't tell what Nora was talking about at all. Nora however, jabbed at her forehead as she said, "You really do all sorts of unexpected stuff."
Seeing how Xiu was still seemingly out of sorts, Nora pulled out her phone and finally showed the famous video of her singing. Xiu bit on her nails anxiously as she watched the whole clip before she looked up at Darren with complex emotion. He raised his brow at her, waiting for her to say anything and what he got in return was...
Xiu foolishly smiled at him. "I am an amazing singer, aren't I? Man, even I fell in love with my own charms. How can someone be so talented?"
Both Nora and Darren gave her a look that said, 'Are you kidding with us? Where is this conceitedness coming from?' However, in all honesty, the first thought after watching her perform in her intoxicated state that popped in both of their heads was in fact that Xiu was really good at singing.
Now, that Nora had calmed down after seeing Xiu safe and sound. She finally noticed those fade red marks on her neck that Xiu had tried to hide with make-up. But how could she escape from Nora's keen gaze?
She pulled Xiu to a side and with a suggestive smile said, "Looks like, you had a fun and adventurous night."
Xiu noticed where Nora was looking and glared at her before slapping her head.