Take My Breath Away

Xavier told Debbie that the police hadn't granted her bail. Many of her friends tried to bail her out, including Ivan, Curtis and Jared, but they failed. Law enforcement wasn't budging on this. She was a superstar, and traveled too much. They considered her a flight risk.

Finally, Ivan was left with no choice. He called Carlos. Carlos' assistant went forthwith to the police station, trying to talk the bail bondswoman into letting Debbie go. He even tried subtle intimidation, but she wasn't budging. Carlos himself confronted an officer on vacation in a suburban resort area. They had spent several hours drinking tea and chatting before the officer finally granted Debbie's bail.

Debbie guessed that James was probably behind it. It was possible he used his influence to make sure the cops didn't make it easy for them. A corrupt cop could potentially deny someone bail and refuse payment.

Through the window, Debbie saw the myriad security guards patrolling the area. She sighed and went downstairs to the kitchen. Carlos had helped her a lot this time, saving her from jail and worse, and she needed to thank him.

She made a cup of chrysanthemum tea and headed for the study.

The CEO had told her she didn't need to knock. But that was three years ago, and he had amnesia now. He might not remember ever granting her that privilege. So she knocked on the door instead.

She didn't open the door until he responded. It was weird, hanging back like this, acting as though they were strangers. But she could do nothing else.

Carlos was hunching over his laptop, the light from the screen illuminating his face. She placed the cup on the desk and said, "Drink some tea first. It'll help your eyes."

"Thanks," he answered simply.

Debbie took a deep breath and began, "I need to thank you. If it—"

"Hello?" he said coldly.

After Stephanie said something, he suddenly raised his head to look at Debbie.

Debbie thought he was implying she should leave, so she turned around. But she heard him say, "I'm too busy to make it there. Go to bed early. Get some rest."

Debbie was at a loss whether she should leave.

Carlos hung up the phone, took a sip of tea, and said, "That hit the spot." He then told Debbie, "I'm hungry."

'Is he asking me to cook for him?' Debbie wondered.

Without turning around, she lowered her head and said nothing.

The last time she did that, he shared his meal with Stephanie. That was a humiliating blow, since she had specially prepared those dishes for him. She didn't want to go through that again.

Carlos' face darkened as he insisted coldly, "Cook for me."

Debbie turned around and shook her head. "Maybe you could ask your fiancee, Mr. Huo."

"She doesn't know how."

"I don't either," Debbie answered firmly.

At this, Carlos reached his wit's end. "So this is how you thank me?" he asked icily. "After what I did for you?"

Debbie took a deep breath and snapped back, "Trust me, I'm happy you could help. But I swore I'd never cook for you again, after what happened last time. I cooked for you, not for her. Hungry? Ask the chef."

"She didn't have any of your food."

"But she said she did!"

"I said she didn't eat! I ate everything! Clear now?" he said with a frown.

Debbie was stunned for a while. 'So Stephanie lied?' She asked, "Really? She didn't eat them?" She wanted to confirm.

Carlos cast an angry glance at her. "You don't speak Chinese? How about I repeat it in English, Spanish, Korean or Russian?" he mocked.

Debbie gave him an embarrassed smile. "No need for that, Mr. Huo. I only speak Chinese and English."

In fluent English, he said, "I ate everything."

Of course Debbie knew what he said. She heard it the first time, and understood what he just said. She used to get terrible grades. But Carlos' tutoring made a huge difference, and her English had improved greatly.

And that did it. She felt better conceding to his request. Her cheeks were rosy with a sheen of happiness. "Cool. What do you want?" she asked cheerfully.

"I'm not picky," he simply said.

Debbie pursed her lips and complained in her mind, 'Not picky? He'd make the book of Guinness World Records for the pickiest eater.'

Carlos, of course, noticed that. "What? You got a problem?" he asked.

"No, no. I'm going to the kitchen now."

Debbie left the study in a hurry. On her way to the kitchen, she wondered what she should cook for Carlos.

A half-hour later, Debbie appeared at the door of the study carrying a bowl of noodles topped with sliced tomato and scrambled eggs. The odor of food was like a trigger, and Carlos' stomach started rumbling the moment he smelled it. He put his laptop aside and watched as she placed the bowl before him with great care. "It's late, so don't eat too much. I'll make breakfast for you in the morning. Cool?"

"Mmm hmm." He took over the chopsticks from her.

While he was eating, she felt kind of bored and walked towards the bookshelf. Suddenly, she remembered something and offered, "There are more noodles if you're still hungry."

"Sure."

Debbie giggled and went downstairs again.

In the end, Carlos finished two bowls of noodles. He really was hungry.

While Debbie was doing the dishes in the kitchen, Carlos went downstairs. Watching her clean, he flashed a smile, as a feeling of warmth coursed through him.

Debbie turned off the light in the kitchen and walked out. She then saw Carlos relaxing on the couch, watching TV. "Did you finish your work?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah." Carlos stood up from the sofa and turned off the TV. "I think you should stay here. It's safer."

Debbie shook her head. "I have to find more evidence to clear my name." And that was when it hit her. 'Carlos used to be close to Megan. Now she's dead, and I'm the suspect.' She looked him in the eye. "You don't think I killed Megan, do you, old man?"

Carlos cast a sidelong glance at her. "I don't think you'd be out in the dark alone."

Debbie was dumbstruck.

'Ah! That's right. I told him I was afraid of the dark, so he'd stay in my apartment with me and I wouldn't have to sleep alone.'

So Carlos still remembered what she said.

She blinked her eyes and told Carlos, who was going upstairs, "I think your fiancee might want some company.

"She's fine."

"Can I sleep in your bedroom? I don't want Megan's ghost coming after me."

Carlos was rendered speechless.

After a while, he said, "Feeling guilty? Don't."

"I don't feel guilty. But I'm afraid of ghosts," Debbie said pitifully.

"You can call Ivan over. I don't mind you two staying in the guest room." Suddenly, he turned around and warned her expressionless, "But no sex."

Debbie's jaw dropped.

Ivan wasn't really on her mind. He was busy with something, though she didn't know what. Besides, she wanted to work on Carlos without anyone else around.

After saying good night, Carlos went to his bedroom, while Debbie went to the guest room.

At a high-class villa zone in Z Country

Ivan pushed the car door open, got out and slammed the door. Then he walked towards a villa. Many posh cars were parked out in front.

The music was quite loud. So loud you couldn't talk to another person without yelling. When Ivan entered, he saw more than ten men and women dancing and making out.

When she saw Ivan, a woman turned off the music. Silence befell the house.

With a long face, Ivan looked at a man who was sitting on the sofa and hugging another guy. The man looked up, and then moved away from his friend. He stood up, came over to Ivan and hugged him tightly. "Ivan, you're finally back!"

Ivan pushed him away and shouted angrily, "Fuck off! All of you!"