Imperfect Desires

575 Double Wedding

On her way to Jing House, Xiu was worried about Darren's first meeting with her Uncle Jing. She already knew how Clara mom loved him but Uncle Jing was different. Even though he agreed to let her get the marriage certificate without as much reluctance as she had expected, but she didn't know how he would react to meeting Darren.

That's why right now Xiu's jaw almost hit the floor because right before her...

"Son-in-law!" Uncle Jing not only looked happy, but he was also even hugging Darren like a real father-in-law. He even patted his shoulder saying, "Why did you bring presents? It's not like we're meeting for the first time."

"But it's my first time meeting you as your official son-in-law. Mama said I can't come empty-handed." Darren was still as well-mannered before elders as Xiu remembered. But...

"When did you guys meet? And why do I not know that?"

Both Darren and Uncle Jing looked at Xiu's frown and cleared it up that they knew each other even before Darren started dating Xiu. Since every time Xiu brought up her boyfriend's name, she never described him in detail so Uncle Jing didn't realize it was Darren until he and Clara met Darren with Francesca in a restaurant a few weeks ago.

Only now Xiu understood why Uncle Jing's reaction to her dating changed so dramatically lately.

"France, it's so great to see you again!" Clara greeted Francesca as if they were long time friends meeting after a long time. "But you didn't have to bring presents. That's totally unnecessary since we are a family now."

Xiu's brows knitted up even more. Just last night over the dinner weren't they talking about their first meeting to Clara mom and Uncle Jing? Oh, wait! The exact words of Francesca were, 'I have to meet them as well. Let's visit them tomorrow. You both have to pay your respect as well.'

She snorted to herself. So, it turned out this is just their first visit to this house as in-laws. Otherwise, they have had their introductions done already. How stupid of her to be worried over nothing!

"Mama, I thought you didn't know Clara mom and Uncle Jing since you said you want to meet them." Xiu was pouting adorably at this turn of events. So, it turned out even she could be pretty clueless about some things.

"Of course, I had to meet them how else we will decide the wedding details? You aren't expecting to be done with it with just these marriage certificates, do you?"

Hearing that reply, Xiu pursed her lips and shook her head, "Obviously not. That's all up to you guys." With that, she lowered her head and stopped talking. With how excited these people were, she couldn't just dampen their moods by saying that she was very much content with these certificates, that's all!

Tugging at Darren's sleeve, she complained, "You didn't even tell me that you met Uncle Jing as well."

Xiu felt touched to hear that. She was very happy to see that Darren respected and admired her Clara mom and Uncle Jing just like she did. But she was not happy about the fact right now Clara mom was busy with Francesca while Uncle Jing was talking to Darren. She however was left to sidelines to stare at them.

Excuse me? Is no one even gonna talk to her here?

Since no one actually paying her any attention, she decided to help the maid in the kitchen but she was about to enter the kitchen when an arm slung around her neck in a tight grip and came a raging voice.

"Xiu, the viper!"

"Ow! Nora, that hurts!" Xiu tried slapping her arm away but Nora wasn't willing to.

"Oh, I'm doing it to hurt you, bloody turncoat!" Nora was still not done as she went on, "You have any idea when I heard from mom and dad that you got married without even inviting me how hurt I was? Bloody traitor! What kind of best friend are you?!"

Xiu finally understood why Nora was so mad. Well, she couldn't just say that she hadn't expected it. And she also couldn't deny that she hurt her.

"I'm sorry! I was in a rush."

Nora let her grip loosened up but her hand still lingered on her shoulder as she asked, "Why? Tell me, are you pregnant?"

"WHAT?!" Xiu exclaimed so loudly that even the elders in the other room heard her voice.

Darren even came running over as he asked, "Is everything okay?"

Nora who had her hand over Xiu's mouth smiled at Darren with hostility and said, "Everything is abso-bloody-lutely peachy! Don't worry, brother-in-law!" Darren felt fidgety when she addressed him like that and added, "You should get back to the room. I have things to discuss with my sister."

Darren looked at Xiu who could only nod at him to let him know that she was fine and he didn't have to worry. After he reluctantly left, Nora dragged Xiu to her room and locked the door. Then turned around to face Xiu as she questioned again, "So? Are you really pregnant? You can tell me anything."

"What nonsense are you spouting? There is nothing like that. This is my time to enjoy a honeymoon period. Why would I want a kid to intervene in this time? At least, for five or ten years, I hope there is none!"

Nora squinted her eyes at Xiu and placed her hands on her hips. "Other than that reason I can't think of a reason why you guys would opt for a shotgun wedding. I mean it's not like your parents don't agree and you had to elope."

Xiu rolled her eyes at Nora as she said, "Don't be ridiculous. It's nothing like that. I don't consider it a shotgun wedding since we didn't hold the ceremony. We just got our certificates legally."

"So, should I call it a flash marriage then?"

"How is that a flash marriage? I have been dating him for months and didn't I repeatedly told you that I want to marry him? Let's think it like this, one day I opened my eyes and looked at the beautiful sky only to realize that there won't be a better day than today to become Mrs. Salvay. And that led me to the Civil Affairs Bureau."

Nora sat down beside Xiu on the bed and said, "You really know how to do everything that comes to your mind."

"Well, I don't like wasting time when I'm certain of what I want."

Nora smiled at Xiu and nodded, "You certainly don't waste any time at all." She took a pause to add, "But I had so much planned for my sister's wedding. I thought I'd be your maid of honor. I used to tell you all about that. How can you do this to me? But then again, now you don't need me since you have your husband. How can I compare to him? Poor me!"

Xiu rolled her eyes at Nora and punched her arm. "Stop it, eh! I didn't forget any of your stupid wedding dreams. And the wedding ceremony is still gonna happen. You can still be my maid of honor if you want to be."

"What do you mean if I want to be? Aren't you gonna ask me to be your maid of honor? If not me, who else are you gonna ask?"

Xiu smacked her head and said, "I thought you wanted to have a double wedding. How will you play the role of maid of honor at your own wedding? Unless you don't want that double wedding to happen anymore. I believe that the planner must be hidden under your bed even now."

Nora's eyes widened as she pointed at Xiu and gasped, "You! You got your memories back?"

Xiu smiled at Nora's reaction and nodded her head.

Nora clapped her hands, "You really remember everything?"

"Not everything but I remember a lot now. Like how you wanted us to wear the same wedding dresses. Also, what was the theme you chose?"

Nora hugged Xiu tightly as she said, "Forget it all. I'm so happy to know that you remember it." Pulling away, she wiped her eyes and said, "Today must be a good day! Not only sister is married, she even got her memories back. I'm so happy. This calls for a celebration!"

Xiu really didn't know how Nora was so excited over this. So, to tease her she said, "But you do realize I don't need a memory manual to stick to me now, right?" Nora's excitement vanished in a moment as she stared at Xiu. She just realized that before the memory loss, Xiu was a very mysterious person. But after the memory loss, she had gotten even closer to Xiu. Since after the memory loss, Xiu loved to talk to her about everything.

Seeing her face Xiu shook her head and pinched Nora's cheek saying, "But I still need my sister. So, you better not get any ideas of estranging."

"Never ever! I only have one sister, after all."