Mr Carlos Huo, She's Your Wife

"Who is the 'old man' you referred to?" Hayden asked as he was surprised by Debbie's response when she answered his call.

"Never mind, I was referring to no one in particular," Debbie replied casually. "What made you call?"

"I've been in Y City for a couple of days now. I have no plans tonight, so I'm thinking maybe we can have dinner together."

"Oh, sorry. I'm out of town. I'm on a trip."

Hayden hadn't expected her response. For a moment, he was in a daze but soon realized that Debbie was such a travel gal. He remembered how much she enjoyed going to places. She had visited different tourist destinations, more than he ever had. He envied her determination and her free spirit.

"Oh! I see. It's okay. Anyways, my schedule will be cleared out early next month. How about I take you to England for a vacation then?"

"No, thanks." Debbie turned him down immediately. "I've been busy lately. I have all these different classes every day. I had to make time for this trip."

Debbie was telling the truth. When her trip was over, she would once again be occupied with dance, yoga, English, and other classes.

"Debbie, don't lie to me. I know you. You always hate studying. You're just trying to blow me off by making up those classes."

"No, I'm not. That's the old me. People change. Now I have yoga, dance, English, Advanced Mathematics, and so on, but I don't learn martial arts anymore."

For a moment, there was only silence at the other end of the line. "You used to say you will never quit martial arts. My mom and I once asked you to quit, but you refused. Why now?"

Hayden knew how much she used to hate those classes she just mentioned.

Debbie smiled and said, "Because I don't have to protect you anymore." One of the reasons why she had worked hard on martial arts was to protect Hayden and his sister, Portia Gu, who was frail like a willow leaf.

days before her 18th birthday, for some unknown reasons they broke up. During those two years, being his girlfriend, Debbie was the one who had protected Hayden and his sister, although she herself was a

ridiculed by Hayden himself. "You are not womanly at all," Hayden had

reply on the phone made his heart tighten. "I'm sorry, Deb. I didn't treat you well before. I didn't treasure what we had. I've regretted it. I've missed you for the past three years. Can we start

with dozens of women after Debbie had left him, but none

so thoughtful in a way that, even though she didn't know how to cook, to make sure he ate well, she used

that Hayden's mom liked quiet girls, she had always reminded herself to be quiet in front of his mom, just to get

wealthy, he got kidnapped or blackmailed a lot, or sometimes into some other kinds of trouble. All those times, Debbie tried her best to protect him, no matter how dangerous

him, just because drinking was bad for his health and she wanted

had done so many things for

had lost her, that girl who had loved him like a fool. Now he was back, and he wanted

late." Every time Debbie mentioned his name, it hurt. She was the one who gave and gave in their relationship, but in the end, all she got was

she was over him now.

continued roaming the streets as if nothing had happened. When she passed by a dessert bar, the delicate desserts in the glass cupboards drew her attention. There was cake, icy pudding, and multi-layer steamed bread. Durian flavor was her favorite. She remembered how Hayden hated it. Every time Debbie ate a durian snack in

Carlos. She could tell that Carlos hated durian's smell too. But he had eaten the snack with her even though he despised it. She knew by the

crispy durian cakes and durian pancakes for Debbie the other day when they were eating on the fifth floor

he was several years older than Debbie, Carlos was thoughtful in many things. He would ask Julie to make durian

After that, she had tried to sneak into his room again, but he never busted her. To think about it, Debbie

She had come to Portia Gu's bedroom in the middle of

suddenly thunder roared and lightning flashed. She was too scared to sleep. But she couldn't go to Hayden's room. That would be

the door. "Don't interrupt my sleep again!" she had warned her. She remembered how

all of sudden, Debbie missed Carlos,

screen. There was one missed call from Carlos. She made up her mind that

Carlos still didn't call.