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.

two years. Just a few days before her 18th birthday, for some unknown reasons they broke up. During those two years, being his girlfriend, Debbie was the one

Hayden himself. "You are not womanly at all," Hayden had said to

before. I didn't treasure what we had. I've regretted it. I've missed you for the past three years. Can we start over?" Hayden apologized, his voice full of remorse.

of women after Debbie had left

she didn't know how to cook, to make sure

her character for him. She was perky, but when she learned that Hayden's mom liked quiet girls,

family was wealthy, he got kidnapped or blackmailed a lot, or sometimes into some other kinds of trouble. All

his health and she wanted him to stay healthy. Thus, at first she could only handle 50 grams of

done so many things

loved him like a fool. Now he was back, and he wanted her back. He promised himself that he would

too late." Every time Debbie mentioned his name, it hurt. She was the one who gave

pained her when she reminisced about their past, but she was over him now. She had moved on. Except for the pain, she didn't

and multi-layer steamed bread. Durian flavor was her favorite. She remembered how Hayden hated it.

night when she was with 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 look on his face that he

had specifically ordered crispy durian cakes and durian pancakes for Debbie the other day when they were eating on

Carlos was thoughtful in many things. He would ask Julie to make durian dishes or

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

was afraid of thunder and lightning. She had come to Portia Gu's bedroom in the middle

in the guest room that night, suddenly thunder roared and lightning flashed. She was too scared to sleep. But she couldn't go to Hayden's room. That would be inappropriate.

her dismay, however, Portia Gu pushed her out of her room impatiently and locked the door. "Don't interrupt my sleep again!" she had warned her. She remembered how scared she was that night. She had to bear with the thunder and lightning and sleep alone

sudden, Debbie missed Carlos, that

at her phone screen. There was one missed call from Carlos. She made

passed. Carlos