Mr Carlos Huo, She's Your Wife

Seeing that Debbie wanted to leave, Curtis smiled with resignation. "Debbie, it's just a dinner. Come on."

Debbie took a deep breath, but her mind was made up. "I'm not hungry anymore," she said stubbornly to her husband, refusing to look at or talk to Curtis.

Carlos turned around and explained to her, "This is Colleen's restaurant. And it's expensive, to boot. Let's just eat and let Curtis pay the bill? We can rip him off. It'll be fun."

"Since when do you care about money?" Debbie retorted curtly. The VIP card for the fifth floor of Alioth Building cost a million each. Carlos had given Debbie and each of her closest friends a card like that without blinking. Of course, right now, he wasn't complaining about the cost. He was trying to pull a prank.

With a smile, he coaxed, "Hey, I get it. But you're hungry, right? Since we're already here, let's get something to eat."

Debbie knew Carlos wouldn't let her leave, so she reluctantly followed the two men inside. Nothing would be gained by continuing to resist, so she decided maybe she was hungry, after all.

Curtis led them into a booth. Before they walked in, a waiter had already carried a pot of soup stock inside the booth, and put it on the stove to heat it. A faint delicious smell filled the air when the three stepped inside.

They took their seats. Debbie sat next to Carlos, and Curtis was on his other side.

Soon, the waiter brought in several ingredients so they could finish making the hot pot. There was thinly sliced lamb and goat, beef, egg noodles, bok choy, crown daisy and winter melon, spinach, lettuce, carrots, taro, daikon, and watercress. Not to mention various condiments like soy sauce, garlic, white pepper and XO sauce. The ingredients here were much more exquisite than those she had eaten at other hot pot restaurants she'd tried. This place looked like it catered to an upscale clientele. Which was appropriate since she was here with Carlos.

Assuming Curtis and Carlos were going to eat with her, she didn't stop the waiters from bringing in dish after dish. There was enough for a sumptuous feast.

When the stock started boiling, Curtis picked up some ingredients and threw them in. Debbie didn't see everything he used, but there was definitely some goat and daikon. When the food was ready, Carlos fished it out of the pot with his chopsticks, putting it on Debbie's plate. She ate without complaint and life was good. At least for now.

When there was a lull, she looked around at the two men she ate with, and noticed they hadn't touched their chopsticks. "Why aren't you two eating?" she asked Carlos.

Glancing at the greasy beef rolls he had between his chopsticks, he shook his head and replied, "I already ate."

"Me too. I ate when Carlos did," said Curtis.

Tonight, they had gone to the same dinner and left at the same time. Afterwards, Carlos had gone back to the manor, and Curtis had come to this restaurant.

they're just here to keep me company while I eat?' Debbie suddenly felt embarrassed.

spend their evening making sure she ate well. She wasn't that delicate. "Guys, I'm good here. You two must have

smiled. "I came here to

Why?" Debbie was

Curtis said. "Why did you get pissed when you learned that

and answered in a low voice, "Because you're

figured out you were my niece. Never mind. Just eat." Afraid to bring up something that might make

kept eating, and kept a silent vigil at the table.

pot was still crammed with food. Curtis stood up and walked out

door was finally closed, Debbie raised her head and stared at it. "Is he mad at me?"

at him? Why should she give

decided to tease

Every time she thought about it, it still throbbed. She hated all the Lus. Since Curtis was a member of the Lu family, it jumped right to her head that he

he's in your corner," Carlos pointed out succinctly, taking care not to upset her. Lord knew she'd been through enough, and he decided that she

"How? I swear, I never met him before

didn't believe a total stranger

to explain. She just refused to

her head. "Old man, you've come

that wasn't something she wanted to

silence for a moment. 'I guess I can drop it, but did she have

even the thick smell

but since Curtis was carrying it, it was embarrassing

eager look in her eyes. Curtis put the pizza down on the table and sliced it evenly. Then

of her and

'Curtis can make

she should eat it at first. She was still mad, after all. Nonetheless, after a