Criminal Love

38. Dangerous Game

Sunday night

Dylan and Yue have just finished eating one of the last delicious meals cooked by Lucía, the soon-to-be-fired housekeeper. Although the food has been great, Yue is unwavering about her desire to let her go, mostly because she wants to build a new life with Dylan, not a patchwork, half-lived half-started existence.

Nonetheless, deep inside Yue appreciates how willing Dylan is to agree to her requests. He didn't even flinch about replacing oblivious Lucía.

How can their love and bond be so strong if they've only known each other for a little over 4 months? Doubts begin to fill Yue's mind. Can this relationship truly last if it was built so quickly?

Noticing how absent-minded Yue is while jingling around with the cutlery on the plate, Dylan calls her repeatedly by all the nicknames he has for her in a soft tone.

"Shen Yueee?" his pitch a little higher now since this is the fourth time he's called her.

"What?!" Yue exclaims and drops the fork on the plate, making a louder clinking sound.

"Are you okay? You've been staring at the dish for 10 minutes. What is it?" Dylan compassionately rests his hand on her shoulder and Yue feels the warmth of his touch through the robe.

"Dylan?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you become a painter?"

Dylan tilts his head quizzically at the sudden question.

"I wanna know you better. I feel like we need to talk more..." Yue blurts out of the blue.

There it is. Dylan knew she would resent the weekend agreement; he did not expect it to be so soon though. His demeanor changes and Yue notices immediately. He stands up and focuses on placing what was utilized for dinner inside the dishwasher.

Yue springs off the chair, concerned, and hugs him from behind. "I didn't mean to say that we should replace the painting with the talking... I just..." Yue sobs and Dylan feels a pang in his heart.

He turns around promptly and hugs her tightly. "Why are you crying? What do you want to know? I'll tell you everything..." he tries to remedy.

Dylan grabs her hand and leads Yue to the couch, where he sits her on his lap. However, Yue's tears are now flowing like a river to the sea. Her insecurities still play tricks on her, especially since her period is about to make its appearance. All her life Yue has been feeling she isn't enough for anyone; how can she be enough for Dylan? Maybe he'd be happier with Lucía?

"I wish I could read your mind right now, cookie. You're getting my t-shirt all wet and I have no idea why. Is it because I didn't answer your question right away? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have reacted that way."

Then, thanks to the app Lina recommended, Dylan remembers her cycle is due soon; perhaps that's why her feelings are all over the place even more than usual. Dylan recalls that his mom got emotional too; he clearly remembers his father ordering the boys to leave mom alone periodically, and around age 14 Dylan discovered the reason. It grossed him out, but it has helped him be more sensitive towards women.

"Cry all you need, sweetie. When you're ready, I'll tell you why I became an artist."

It takes about 5 minutes for Yue to gain her composure back. She feels so silly, weeping like that in front of Dylan, although he is so supportive about it that she is thankful. Her upcoming period is definitely to blame for her commotion.

Yue wipes her face, breathes deeply and talks seriously: "Tell me. I want to know everything about you."

And so, the tale begins...