Take My Breath Away

When Debbie arrived at the offices of Sunjoy Group, she was blocked by the guards at the entrance. In an anxious voice, she asked, "Is Carlos Huo here?"

One of the guards said in a serious tone, "Lady, I can't tell you that. If you don't have an appointment, you need to leave."

Debbie bit her lower lip and began racking her brains to find a way inside. That was when she saw a familiar car. It was the car that Carlos had gotten into. She was sure of it!

Thrilled, she ran full tilt towards the parking lot and only stopped when, breathless, she reached the car.

She knocked on the driver's side window. As the window rolled down with the customary faint electrical buzz, she saw a strange man sitting there. He gave her a confused look.

Taking a deep breath and trying to stop her heart from bursting through her chest, Debbie asked, "Hi. Is this Carlos Huo's car?"

Disdain was written all over his face as he answered her, "Buzz off. To get to Mr. Huo you'll have to go through me. And that ain't happening. But I like you. So I'll tell you straight. See those cars out there?" He pointed to the cars nearby. "Each of those cars is full of bodyguards. And them? They don't like anyone."

Although he didn't answer her question, the answer was quite obvious. Carlos was here. Debbie was so excited that her eyes went red. Ignoring his implied threat, she continued pestering him. "So he's not dead?"

Annoyed, the driver nudged her backward and snapped, "Are you nuts? Where did you hear that? God! So pretty and so dumb!"

"He... he was in a car accident a few years ago, right?" She was dying to learn more about Carlos, if this was indeed her husband. She wasn't even angry with the driver who pushed her. She held on to the car door to steady herself.

The driver opened the door, trying to make her lose her balance. "Will you just go away? Yeah, he was in an accident. He got better. I thought you liked Mr. Huo. Why are you bringing up all this bad stuff? Look, get lost, or I'll call the guards."

Debbie looked at the entrance of the building, but everyone was cooped up inside. She kept on asking the driver more questions. "Why is he here in Z Country? Is he still the CEO of ZL Group?"

"You a paparazzo?" The driver narrowed his eyes. "I'm warning you. Mr. Huo guards his privacy carefully. Your story won't go anywhere. And if you post something on the internet..."

Debbie smiled helplessly. "No, it's not like that." 'That's my Carlos! Before he met me, he always played it close to the vest, ' she thought.

The driver got impatient and waved at the cars behind him. Instantly, two tall, strong bodyguards in black suits got out of a car. "Go away. You really don't want to be carried out," he mocked.

Debbie rolled her eyes. She had been practicing tae kwon do all these years to avenge herself. She held a red belt and was 2nd dan.

Ignoring the approaching bodyguards, Debbie pleaded with a hopeful expression, "I'll go, after I get answers."

"Just shut up. You're not getting anything out of me." The driver opened the door again and got in the car.

Afraid that he'd drive off, she grabbed the door so that he couldn't close it. "You don't know me? Are you from Y City?" she asked. If he was from Y City, then he should've known who she was. After all, Carlos used to parade her around in public. Not to mention that James had spread terrible rumors about her and made almost everyone in Y City believe she betrayed Carlos.

The driver didn't answer. The two bodyguards seized her and grunted angrily, "What are you doing? Time to go!"

Debbie shook them off and pressed down on the window to stop him from rolling it up. "One more question. When does Carlos get off work?"

Impatiently, the driver pushed her away and closed the window.

The two bodyguards lifted Debbie from her feet easily. They were going to carry her away from the parking lot. She struggled and yelled, "Let me go! I'll be good!"

One of them snorted, "Liar! Stop playing games and get out of here."

Debbie felt a little embarrassed.

But she wasn't done. She put her chin down, against one of the bodyguard's arms. Then she held on to it with both hands, which giving him a vicious back kick to the groin. He groaned and went down. The other one tried to grab her from behind, but she sidestepped and gave him an elbow to the throat. He staggered, unable to catch his breath.

Seeing this, several more bodyguards got out of the cars and surrounded Debbie, who had just straightened her dress.

'Holy crap! This dress was useful at the party. But definitely not now, ' she thought.

Left with no choice, she kicked off her high heels and raised her hemline with her hands.

Since her hands were busy now, she could only use her legs to fight the bodyguards.

As she clashed with the bodyguards and held her own quite well, someone yelled, "Mr. Huo is out!"

Excited, Debbie knocked down the two men in front of her. She was in such a hurry that she forgot to put on her shoes and ran to the entrance.

The bodyguards had no time to stop Debbie. They straightened their clothes and ran to the entrance as well. They had to stand in two rows at the entrance before Carlos got out.

As the gates opened, a group of men in suits came out.

With hemline in hand, Debbie stood close to the gates, panting.

As the group came closer, her heart skipped a beat.

In the bright light, she caught sight of the man in the middle.

She fixed her eyes on him. The man was listening to a manager's report, his face solemn. He betrayed no emotion, and didn't even seem to notice her. As far as he was concerned, his men were just throwing out a nosy reporter.

He was so dazzling at dusk. 'It's Carlos! My husband, my love...'

Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

"Carlos Huo!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. Ignoring everyone's curious eyes, she ran full tilt towards him as fast as she could.

Carlos, who was bidding goodbye to the other businessmen, heard someone call his name and turned by instinct to look who it was.

He was stunned.

In the starlight, a woman in a red dress ran towards him, barefoot, hands holding the hemline. Her long hair danced in the air.

She had some light make-up on her face; her plump lips wore bright red lipstick. Tears sparkled in her eyes.

Debbie stopped in front of Carlos, gasping for air. Her heart ached as his eyes were so cold.

He looked at her as if looking at a stranger.

Despite the confusion in her heart, she was overwhelmed by emotion and threw herself into his arms excitedly.