Imperfect Desires

189 Just A Mistake?

On the other side, when Dylan and Nora were leaving the cafe, Nora stopped in her track and said, "Dylan, you can leave without me."

Dylan looked at her for a moment before asking, "Why?"

Nora looked back at him and replied, "I can't leave like this. I really want to talk to him. Even if it's just for a minute, I want him to look at me."

Dylan pressed his lips together and wanted to talk her out of it but seeing the desperation in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say anything at all. Instead, he nodded his head and went in the direction of his car.

Even though it was an early autumn night, there was still a chill in the air that made Nora shiver or perhaps, it was her jumbled up nerves. Regardless of which it was, she rubbed her hands up and down her arms and looked at the glass door of the cafe which opened and Qiu Meihui walked out with Xin Xiaosi right behind her.

Both of them were talking happily when Nora's voice was heard, "Can we talk for a moment?"

Xin Xiaosi's expressions turned somber while Qiu Meihui stared at Nora curiously before she took the box of cake from his hand and patted on his shoulder before leaving them alone to talk. But even after Qiu Meihui went away, both Xin Xiaosi and Nora stayed silent for a good few minutes.

Finally, the silence was broken when Nora asked, "How have you been?"

Xin Xiaosi scoffed lightly as he said, "That's funny coming from you."

"Huh?" Nora was dumbfounded with his reply since she didn't understand at all what he really meant by those words. "Si, what do you mean by that?"

Xin Xiaosi took a deep breath and changed his look of accusation and questioning to a straight face as he replied, "I mean you didn't bother asking this in the past four years. Why are you so curious now?"

Nora looked down at her feet and said, "I wanted to ask but I didn't want to disturb you. Besides, you left so suddenly and I had no way of contacting you."

"Do you still have my old number?" his sudden shift in question made her brows to crease up as she nodded. "Can you dial that number?" Nora pulled out her phone and dialed his number which she remembered by heart and was surprised when he waved his phone's screen before her eyes showing the sign of incoming call. "If you had tried, you could have reached me. Because I didn't change this number even once." 'In hopes that you'll contact me. Wishful thinking on my part.' He left the last of his words unsaid and turned to leave.

Nora held his arm to stop him and said, "Yes, I didn't try to contact you but it was because I thought you didn't want to see me or talk to me."

"And why would you assume that? Because last I remember, we were really close friends," replied Xin Xiaosi matter of factly.

Even Nora couldn't deny his words at all. Indeed, they were very close. Even though she never showed her feelings for him, he always treated her like someone special in his life. But as the memory of their last encounter flashed past her eyes, she let go of his arm and stepped back saying, "I assumed that because of what happened that... night. I apologized to you for whatever happened that night but without a single reply, you barged out. And it didn't take you longer than a month before moving to New York. If that wasn't all to avoid me than what was it?"

"You still don't know why left like that?" he questioned with a skeptical look.

"How am I supposed to know when you never said anything? I told you I was drunk that night. I also told you I didn't do it intentionally. It was a mistake. I regret it just like you do. I also wish it didn't happen but it did."

Nora didn't even realize it that as she spoke, Xin Xiaosi's fingers curled up. His nails dug into his palms but even his jaw clenched tightly as he held himself back. "I don't know what to say at this point. Even after four years, you remember me as a mistake. Ironic, isn't it? However, that's the only joke I can't bring myself to laugh at." Saying that he turned around and walked away leaving a stupefied Nora behind to stare at his receding back.

Nora didn't understand what he meant or what she said that made him angry enough to look at her with that gaze. But she knew without a doubt that it hurt. It hurt beyond her control. She was startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look at Dylan looking at her with a look of sympathy.

"You didn't leave?" she asked.

"No, I had to stay for this show," his choice of words earned him a deadly glare from Nora. He laughed awkwardly before offering his car keys to her. Nora eyed the eyes with knitted brows and he said, "You won't find a taxi at this time and you certainly don't want me to drive you home. So, take my car. I can just ride with my sister, we're going to the same destination anyway."

When Nora took the car keys from his hand, he ruffled her hair playfully and said, "FYI, you can cry in peace. I don't have any hidden cameras inside my cars."

"Now, I'm really doubtful," replied Nora making Dylan pout.

"Sweatheart, you should feel honored that Dylan Qiu is letting you drive his car. I don't even like people touching my babies. I'm being considerate of your feelings right now, don't make me reanalyze my decision."

"Weirdo," replied Nora and turned to leave.

However, what they both didn't notice was that there was someone who was keenly watching their interaction from a distance since the time Dylan ruffled her hair. Xin Xiaosi closed his eyes briefly as he whispered, "No wonder, you always call me a mistake. And I'm the fool who still don't regret falling in love with you."Please go to