Imperfect Desires

36 A Play-Off

With her small and soft hands tightly wrapped around Nora's arm, Xiu was grinning from ear to ear. After a whole day of a bad mood, she was finally at ease in Nora's presence. She kept telling Nora about her day with enthusiasm, not even taking a break.

Nora certainly was enjoying Xiu's carefree look. She scarcely found Xiu chattering like this. It put her mind and heart at ease.

"Let's head to the rooftop restaurant. I'll treat you to dinner tonight," Xiu announced as she pulled Nora along towards the elevator.

.

Nora had to run in her high heels to keep up with Xiu's pace and as the elevator doors closed, she said, "My stingy Xiu'er is actually gonna buy me an expensive dinner? My my! Am I dreaming?"

Xiu slapped her playfully as she glared at her and stuck her tongue out childishly, "You know I'm not stingy when it comes to you."

Nora pinched her adorable nose saying, "I know. But you're stingy when it comes to yourself."

"How is that?"

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"Baby Xiu'er, you still haven't bought a car for yourself. Even though it's very important for traveling." As Xiu opened her mouth to say something, Nora added, "And don't say that you can't afford it. You very well know about your finances."

Xiu couldn't argue with that. She indeed could buy the car if she wanted to. But the problem was simple. She didn't want to! "Nora darling, you know I still have trouble with driving. I have to stay focused while driving. And then those mirrors. Argh! You know I'm not comfortable with them."

Living as Chen Xiu, she always had a nanny van right there at her service. She never had to bother with driving since it was a hassle. And she never even learned to drive back then. But living as Bai Xiu, Nora had taught her how to drive and even managed to get her driving license. However, Xiu was literally just an average driver.

She was the kind of person who never managed to park the car properly. And counting herself as a lost cause, Xiu had given up on learning. It was just not what she could get better at. And she didn't want to either.

"Besides, in public transport, I get loads of time to clear my head. I get to zone off, dose off, and even get a chance to let some steam off." Xiu added as the elevator stopped at the top floor.

"Steam off?" Nora asked in surprise and confusion.

"Yeah! You know when someone tries to harass a passenger, I get to yell, shout, and sometimes punch them. It's a very fulfilling feeling." Xiu explained with a satisfied expression while Nora shook her head at her.

"I think you should be saying that you get to show off." Nora remarked helplessly as she turned to the usher and said, "Table for two."

"Right this way, Ms. Cartwright," the usher obviously knew Nora as the manager of the hotel. Therefore, she was extremely polite and humble with her as she led them to a table.

As the usher left, Xiu looked around at the most beautiful city that could be seen from their table. The landscapes and natural beauty of An City were already mesmerizing but its nightlife and skyscrapers weren't any lesser in beauty. The roads lit up in colorful lights making it seem like the dark sky was painted with rainbow colors. The view from there was breathtaking and the slight chill in the night breeze was even more refreshing.

"Nora, by the way, I'm not a show-off. You're simply a turn-off." Xiu remarked as she took the menu from the server standing beside them. She looked carefully through their variety of cuisine before settling on, "We'll have chips and salsa for appetizers. And Chicken Mole as the main course for me. What about you, Nora?"

"Chicken Parmigiana for me," Nora told the server without even looking. She was huge fan of Italian food, so her choice of food didn't come as a surprise to Xiu at all.

"Are you fine with Pana Cotta in dessert?" Xiu inquired and Nora nodded. "Alright. We'll go with Pana Cotta then."

"Also, a classic jalapeno margarita," Nora added along making Xiu's face brighten up but then she said, "And add fruit mocktail for my friend here. That'll be all." She gave back the menu and reclined back in her seat.

"If you're having a margarita, so can I. Why are you being such a put-off?" Xiu huffed in annoyance. It had been a long time since she touched alcohol. Oh, how she missed it! Xiu shook her head knocking this stupid thought off.

"Baby Xiu'er, I learned my lesson very well. I'll never let you drink again. You become a totally different person and last time, you're like a kid on sugar-roll. I can't take the risk of getting you drunk ever again." Nora reminded Xiu about her last encounter with alcohol making her lower her head in embarrassment. It can be said that she wasn't very proud of that moment.

It wasn't like this before. But as Bai Xiu whenever she drank, she'd end up acting like the characters that she used to play in her serials and movies as Chen Xiu. She used to merge herself with the character that she played that's why so many people were envious of her talent. Now that talent only came out when she was drunk.

"You also drink a mocktail with me." Xiu insisted since it was really torture seeing Nora drink. Especially since Xiu was once an alcoholic. Well, Chen Xiu had become an alcoholic. But she was clean as Bai Xiu. She did want to keep her distance from alcohol but since that was the only thing that accompanied her till her last breath, she really couldn't help the itch that arose in her heart whenever alcohol was brought before her.

"Be a good girl. I'm going through a heartbreak, I deserve that margarita. You should be glad that I didn't order my favorite bottle of Villa Wolf Gewürztraminer Wine." Xiu nodded her head knowing well enough that with wine she'd have really lost her control. She didn't insist on this again.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Xiu questioned after a moment of silence.

"What?" Nora asked in response.

"That ignoramus fucker was ripping you off?" Xiu added with disgust as that boy's face came back to her mind. She had already killed him a thousand times in her head but it wasn't really enough.

"Why does it matter? Didn't I already tell him to fuck-off?" Nora wiggled her brows at Xiu as they both laughed together. The play of that suffix, 'off' was going great between both of them till now.

"Let's just end this stand-off." Xiu emphasized on the 'off' part making Nora laugh again.

Following that, their dinner was served and both of them ate heartily with a light conversation. Forgetting all about their argument, the whole day's tiredness, their bad moods, and annoying co-workers. What mattered was that both of them could sit together for a delicious dinner and An City's top restaurant. In the company of the best view and soothing live music.