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.

their relationship lasted for two years. Just a few days before her 18th birthday, for some unknown reasons they broke up. During those two years, being

himself. "You are

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

dozens of women after Debbie had left him, but none of them truly

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

she changed her character for him. She was perky, but when she learned that Hayden's mom liked quiet girls, she had always reminded herself to

blackmailed a lot, or sometimes into some other kinds of trouble. All those times, Debbie tried

dinner party, she drank his alcohol for him, just because drinking was bad for his health and she wanted him to stay healthy. Thus, at first she could only handle

had done so many things

now it was over. Hayden had lost her, that girl who had loved him like a fool. Now he was back, and

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

still pained her when she reminisced about their past, but she was over him now. She had moved on. Except for the pain,

multi-layer steamed bread. Durian flavor was her favorite. She

suddenly recalled that 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 was just forcing himself to eat the durian snack.

had specifically ordered crispy durian cakes and durian pancakes for Debbie the other day

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

his room again, but he never busted her. To think about it, Debbie thought maybe it was not that he didn't know that she was sneaking in. Maybe he had let her in

she was young, Debbie was afraid of thunder and lightning. She had come to Portia Gu's bedroom in the middle of the night before when she and Hayden

night, suddenly thunder roared and lightning flashed. She was too scared to sleep.

and locked the door. "Don't interrupt my sleep again!" she had warned her. She remembered how scared she was that night. She

all of sudden, Debbie missed Carlos,

made

had passed. Carlos still didn't call.