Take My Breath Away

Of course, what prompted Debbie to look into the link between Stephanie and James was something Miranda had said. She told Debbie there was something fishy going on there.

"Don't worry. Maybe Mr. Huo's not as savvy as James, but he's way wealthier, and more powerful. If anyone can dig up dirt on James, it's him," Jared said confidently. He had faith in Carlos.

"Let's not be carried away. Carlos isn't God. He can't do everything. He still doesn't know who killed Megan. Curtis won't do anything about it, but Carlos and Wesley are on it. Even they haven't found anything conclusive."

"I know that, but I don't think you give him enough credit. Oh, did you hear? The cops found Megan's diary. I think Carlos will have that diary soon. What do you think that manipulative bitch... I mean...um..I should respect the dead, right? What do you think Megan had written in her diary?"

Debbie shrugged. "How should I know? I spent more time trying to keep her away from Carlos than I did getting to know her."

And even more infuriatingly, even dead, Megan was still a troublemaker. Someone framed her for Megan's death. 'Whoever that guy is, I want to throw him into the sea and watch the sharks tear him apart!' she swore in her mind.

"Fine, I'll drop it. Doing anything fun for your birthday? I bought something for you. Your birthday is just around the corner—why haven't you said anything? No party?" Jared asked on the other end.

Debbie's lips twitched. "Aren't you nosy today? Is it because you're happy you'll have a kid soon?"

"I guess I am kinda talking your ear off. Sorry. And of course I'm happy. I have a kid on the way, you're going to be vindicated, my dad and Damon don't hate me because of you anymore, and you'll get back with Carlos soon. Why wouldn't I be happy?"

A ghost of a smile played across Debbie's face. She wasn't as happy as he was. "Look, Jared, when Carlos finds out the truth, he'll feel pretty bad about what happened. But that's not what I want. I want him to remember everything about me. I want the old Carlos back. I don't want his pity; I want his love. It will be hard for him at first, but at least he'll get it, and we can make up for lost time. Besides, when he spoils me again as he used to, that'll be the time I carry out my plan."

If his memory didn't return, all he'd be able to understand was the past few months. He'd feel bad, but it wouldn't be the same. He'd need his memory back to understand what she went through for three long years.

"So what's the plan?" Jared couldn't understand her intentions now.

Debbie grinned mischievously. "Payback time. He's given me a hell of a time, so it's time he gets a taste of his own medicine. He won't forget me after I'm done. He'll also learn to love me. I'm not a girl he can use and dump. I'm his wife, dammit, and it's about time he treats me that way!"

Jared echoed, "I feel ya, Tomboy! I'm behind you 100 percent. You're no pushover, my dear. And when Carlos gets his memory back, you'll go riding forth on a white horse, and hell will be riding with you."

Debbie laughed at his theatrics. She knew he was kidding, and he always knew what to say to hit her funny bone. "Okay, okay. Knock it off. I gotta pick up Piggy. Later!"

"Hey, why not bring her over here? You can cook for us," Jared quickly suggested before she hung up. He always liked how she cooked.

Debbie had no problem turning him down. "Cook for you? In your dreams. I'll take Piggy and Jus to Carlos' manor. He has lots of chefs there, so they'll get fed. Besides, I don't feel like cooking."

"You are so mean. Tell me why we're friends again," Jared protested jokingly.

"Okay. Hmm...let me think. I'd better let my aunt know. She might reconsider letting Sasha divorce you."

"Hey, no, don't do that, Tomboy... Wait..." Debbie ruthlessly hung up on him. Stunned, Jared stared at his cellphone in silence. After a while he put it down, and a smile spread across his face. He knew she was poking fun at him again. That was what they did. He was pretty sure happy days were close. She'd get back with Carlos, and that meant good things for her friends.

Debbie picked up Piggy and Jus from Curtis' house, and drove them to the manor. Carlos was still at work.

As she thought, there were maids already there. As soon as she pulled in, they swarmed around her and greeted her enthusiastically. One of them said, "Welcome, Miss Nian. Mr. Huo requested that we take care of you and the kids."

"Thank you." Debbie got out of the car with Jus in her arms, while a housemaid held Piggy's hand and walked with her into the villa.

Dinner was ready by the time Carlos came home. When he opened the door to the villa, he heard the children's chirpy laughter echoing around the house. He smiled, knowing that Debbie and the kids were here.

His weariness he felt from a hard day's work vanished into the air like smoke in a gale. He changed into his slippers and put the briefcase in a corner. Then he walked into the living room, shrugging off his suit jacket.

"Mr. Huo." A housemaid took the suit jacket from his hands and hung it on the wooden hanger on the coatrack.

Debbie was feeding Jus porridge when she heard the housemaid greet Carlos. She turned her head, but before she could call out to him, a little figure excitedly ran towards the man.

It was Piggy. The little girl had thrown her sippy cup aside and was clumsily running to Carlos. As she ran, she called out excitedly, "Uncle Carlos, you came!"

A broader smile crept across his face when he saw the cute little girl. He strode over, bent down and scooped her up in his arms. After pecking her cheek, he asked, "Did you miss me?"

"Miss you a lot!" Piggy wrapped her little arms around his neck, resting her head against his broad shoulder.

Carlos gently patted her back as he carried her into the dining room.

Seeing Carlos with Piggy, Jus inarticulately babbled, "Baba... Hi..."

The little boy looked at the handsome man with curiosity. Debbie reminded the boy, "Jus, you can call him Uncle." 'Baba? Did he mean brother? He's already more than thirty. Does he look that young to Jus?' Debbie wondered and shifted her gaze to the man. 'Well...he does look young.'

Jus nodded and greeted again, "Uncle... Hi."

Carlos touched Jus' head and teased, "Uncle? Debbie's your cousin, and I'll be...your cousin-in-law soon enough."

Debbie got all choked up by what he said. Caught off-guard, she blushed and rolled her eyes at him. "Just eat," she said angrily.

He nodded and walked to the bathroom to wash his hands, still holding Evelyn in his arms.

The manor used to be quiet with almost no one there. Now, the whole house was noisy with children's animated shouting and laughter. You could even hear them on the third floor behind closed doors.

Carlos didn't think he'd get any work done tonight, so he stayed in the living room to play with the kids after dinner.

When it was bedtime, Colleen called Debbie. "Debbie, how's Jus doing? Can you two handle the both of them? If not, I can pick him up if you need me to."

Debbie took a glance at the little boy and assured her, "We're good. Jus is just fine. He just took a bath and Carlos is telling stories to the kids."

"What? Carlos is telling them stories? He doesn't seem to like kids very much. You sure he has the patience for them?" Colleen asked in disbelief. She could hardly picture Carlos with a kid.

"Oh yeah, he's been playing with them after he got home. I don't need to take care of them. He does all the work," Debbie said with a happy smile.