“DEAL”
Chapter 20
Operation XiYou Phase Two
By the time Xi Men and Xiao You returned to downtown Shanghai it was almost seven in the evening already. On their way back, there was a slight traffic jam on the highway.
According to their “son’s instructions” their next location was at the fancy restaurant where Xi Men brought Xiao You for a shock treatment.
The two weren’t particularly happy to find out that that’s where they were going next.
For Xiao You, it brought bad memories for her. Does it mean ‘our feelings are so true’? She was so naive then.
For Xi Men, it brought embarrassing memories for him. No. That’s my room number. Xi Men Yan, you can be such an ass.
Together, they rode the elevator in silence. The restaurant was located on the 18th floor.
Without even giving their names, the waiter welcomed them and brought them to the very same table they were seated last time.
“I’m sorry about this.” Xi Men said once they were seated. “I’m gonna have a talk with Mei Zuo and Lei tomorrow.”
“It’s okay. We’re already here. Nothing we can do. Let’s just get through dinner and to the next location.” Xiao You said.
Appetizer? Good.
Main course? Delicious.
Dessert? Both didn’t feel so good.
The waiter arrived. “Excuse me Miss-”
“Oh don’t say ‘You’re Most Beautiful Tonight.’” Xiao You interrupted their waiter.
The waiter had a blank expression on his face.
“I’m sorry.” Xi Men apologized. “Just leave the dessert on the table.” He instructed.
The waiter did so and left.
“Well, are you opening it or not?” Xi Men asked.
Xiao You looked apprehensive. She touched the lid cover and slowly lifted it up. A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
Xi Men looked curious too and leaned in. Xiao You completely took the lid cover and placed it on the side of the table.
Instead of the numbers ‘1573’ written it was Xiao Tian’s photo.
Xi Men chuckled too.
“Idiots.” He murmured, shaking his head.
“Who?” Xiao You looked at him.
“Mei Zuo and Lei.” He replied.
Xi Men still doesn’t like sweet things so he insisted that Xiao You ate all the dessert. He watched as she finished off the pudding.
Xi Men was feeling relaxed that the evening was going smoothly. There was still no message alert as to where they would be going next.
“I think I’ll head home after this.” Xiao You announced.
“Eh?”
“I enjoyed this so-called ‘a walk to remember’ but I’m pretty tired and I wanna go home.” She said.
“Oh, okay. I’ll take you home then.” Xi Men offered.
They were standing up when their phones beep. What they read drained the color off their faces.
Rooftop.
Seriously. I’m gonna kill Mei Zuo and Lei. Xi Men annoyingly thought.
“We don’t have to go.” Xi Men stated at once to Xiao You.
“No.” She faced him. “Let’s go.” She said very firmly.
“Xiao You?”
“We’re told to go there and we might as well go there.” She said. “Also, I think it’s about time we settle what needs to be settled between the two of us. We’ve stalled it for quite a long time now.”
Xi Men was left speechless. So he just nodded.
Both were quiet as they made their way to the building whose rooftop has become a special meeting place for them.
Fortunately, it was still early in the night and the elevators were working. They reached the fortieth floor within seconds. They walked and climbed the short flight of stairs that eventually led to the rooftop.
It was quite dark. And a little bit windy. Xiao You wrapped her arms around her small body. Xi Men saw it and took off her jacket and offered it to her.
“Use it.” He told her.
“Thanks.” She put it on. Xiao You could smell the musky scent of his cologne on it. She had always loved that smell on him. And it made her realize how much she missed his smell. Especially on her.
Jiang Xiao You! She silently scolded herself.
Xi Men was standing facing towards the other building where Xiao Geng’s secret message for him used to be there.
“What are you thinking?” Xiao You asked him as he stood beside her.
“I’m thinking what if I all those years ago I’ve confessed my feelings to you.” He replied with all honesty.
“Do you regret it?”
“You know I do.”
“And what about our deal? Do you regret it too?”
“Never. I will never ever regret it especially since it gave us a beautiful gift.” He said heartily.
Xiao you looked up at him.
“Me too. Xiao Tian is a blessing to me.”
“And to me us well. Thank you for giving birth to Xiao Tian.”
“Your welcome.”
“Xiao You?” Xi Men had turned around and was facing her.
She also turned around and faced him.
“Can you forgive me and give me a second chance?” He spoke softly.
Xiao You fixed her eyes on him. “Okay.”
Xi Men was holding his breath waiting for her answer. “Really?” He couldn’t hide the joy when he heard it.
“Yes.” She nodded.
He pulled her in for a hug. “Oh, Xiao You, thank you, thank you, thank you! You made me very, very, very, happy!” He said tightening the hug.
“Your welcome.” She said, smiling and hugging him too.
Xiao You surprised herself with her own answer. But his sincere answer to her question earlier touched Xiao You so much. And if she were really to admit it, revisiting the places and moments that were special to them made Xiao You realized that she could never live without Xi Men. Her life is incomplete without him. And she will always love him.
Xi Men was elated. He hadn’t expected that Xiao You would finally forgive him and gave him a second chance. This is it Xi Men Yan. Bring You’re A-game from now on and just be true to yourself.
Just then their phones beep. They pulled apart from the hug, checked their phones. It was another recorded video of Xiao Tian.
“Hello Daddy and Mommy!!!” Mei Zuo’s baby talk voice greeted them. “Did you like the surprise tour I prepared for you? I hope you did. Because I really want my Mommy and Daddy to be together again. So please kiss and make up already. Love your cute son Xiao Tian.”
Xiao You giggled.
Xi Men put his phone back on his pants pocket. “Well, we’ve made up so I guess we just need to kiss.” He eyed Xiao You teasingly.
“Ah no, not yet Xi Men Yan.” She started to walk away.
But Xi Men was quick to grab one of her hand.
“Hey! Let go.” She protested but her eyes were twinkling.
“No. I don’t think so.” He closed in the distance between them. “Xiao Tian wants his Mommy and Daddy to KISS and make up.” He said as he let go of her hand and held her by the waist. “So I think we have to comply with our son’s request.” He lowered his head.
“That wasn’t even Xiao Tian. That’s Mei Zuo.” She replied.
She could feel his cheek against hers. They were cold just like hers. A gust of wind suddenly blew making her turn her head a little which made it easier for Xi Men’s lips to capture hers instantly.
He kissed her ever so softly tracing the contours of her lips. He was happily nipping one corner of her mouth when he felt that her arms had found its way to his neck. And she was kissing him back.
Xiao You felt a tingling sensation the moment Xi Men’s lips touched hers. He was kissing her gently and she liked that he did so. In every brush of his lips against hers, she felt his love for her. That just like this slow kiss that he was giving to her, they would have to take it slow with their relationship. In this second chance that they have they don’t have to hurry anything or even worry about what may happen in the future. Because right here, right now is just the beginning of a ‘second chance in a lifetime.’ That thought made her happy and she snaked her arms around his neck so that she could kiss her back with passion.
Xi Men was turned on and began to deepen his kisses. He pulled her closer as his hunger for her grew stronger.
Xiao You had kissed Xi Men before but this kiss was nothing like the ones they shared. This kiss was all about savoring their feelings for each other. This kiss was the only kiss that mattered. It’s their first real kiss if one has to count scores. So she responded with equal fervor as Xi Men lips continued to crush onto hers.
They only broke apart when the need for air was felt. Breathing heavily, they leaned on each other’s heads.
Xi Men gazed at her. “I love you.” He whispered.
Xiao You smiled. “I love you too.”
© Franzz P. Follow on Instagram @onceinalifetimearc2018
Date written: December 24-25, 2018
Note: There’s plenty today.
1. “Delicious… Feel so good.” - I’m gonna use them a lot in this fanfic.
2. According to Google -
A) “pudding is a type of food that can either be a dessert or a savory dish.”
B) A wind gust is a sudden, brief increase in the speed of the wind followed by a lull. [Vocabulary.com definition: A gust is a strong, short, burst of air. If you’re walking around on a brisk, cold day, hold on to your papers tightly - a gust of wind could sweep in and send your notes flying into the air.]
C) Musky scent: This natural “musky” aroma is a natural aphrodisiac to most men…[Urban Dictionary]. Musk is a scent that deer secrete to convince a mate to cuddle with them, and so a musky odor often does the same for humans [vocabulary.com].
3. Have you also noticed the other subtle use of XiYou/XiJia nicknames, endearments, phrases spread all over this story?
4. I’m really not sure this was the right chapter to have our XiYou couple kiss and made up but Xiao Tian wants his mommy and daddy to be together again. I’m just complying with the Little Master’s request.
"... I must speak to you by
such means as are within my reach.
You pierce my soul.
I am half agony, half hope.
Tell me not that I am too late,
that such precious feelings are gone for ever.
I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own….
I have loved none but you.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Merry Christmas!!!