Take My Breath Away

Chapter 74: Wear Dresses More Often

Carlos selected a pair of high heels and some accessories for Debbie. Now, all that was left to do was put on the makeup. He looked at Debbie's bare face and turned to one of the stylists. "Light makeup."         

    

"Yes, Mr. Huo."     

When the stylist was about to rouge her lips, Debbie stopped her, excused herself and ran up the stairs. After a while, she came back carrying a delicate box. She opened the box carefully, treating it as if it had her most precious belongings. "May I use my own lipstick?" she asked with a hopeful smile.     

Inside the box were dozens of lipsticks of different brands and colors.     

The stylist was a bit surprised by her request, but then nodded. "Sure. Why not?"     

Debbie beamed and selected a pink one from the box.     

Carlos walked up to her and picked up the box casually. He stared curiously at the lipsticks, and asked, "I thought you disliked wearing makeup. Why do you have so many lipsticks?"     

Debbie answered indifferently, "It's true that I don't like wearing too much makeup. But that doesn't mean I can't have a few lipsticks."     

As he put the box back on the dressing table, Carlos immediately remembered what had happened in the Shining International Plaza last time. Olga had snatched a lipstick set from Debbie and instead of siding with his wife, he had bought the set for Olga and even threatened to throw Debbie out of the mall.     

'Oh my God! What have I done? Debbie must have felt so wronged back then.' Carlos realized the mistake he had made and wanted to make amends for the past.     

Debbie was discussing the texture of the lipstick with the stylist. Little did she know what Carlos was thinking about.     

Once she was done, she jumped off her chair and ran towards him. She gave him a sweet smile and asked, "Do I look good now?"     

He was lost in his past memories and was somewhat absent-minded. Staring at her with blank eyes, he nodded without saying a word.     

Debbie pouted, disappointed by his lack of enthusiasm. She thought Carlos would be stunned by her beauty, but he remained unaffected. She put the lipstick into her purse because she might have to fix her makeup later. The box was taken back safely to her bedroom.     

When they reached their destination, Debbie finally understood why she had to get up so early that morning.     

It was already noon by the time she was done with her makeup. After lunch, they arrived at the harbor. There, they boarded a ship and after traveling further into the sea, they had to take a helicopter. When they reached the island, it was already dark. 'I really don't understand these rich guys. Why do they feel the necessity to hold a party on such a remote island?' Debbie had thought to herself on her way to the island.     

But when she arrived, she soon understood why.     

While in the helicopter, Debbie looked down at the island and the ocean surrounding it. The green island looked like a giant emerald, adorning the blue ocean.     

Putting the European style villas and the classic decoration aside, the colorful flowers, the clean beaches and the blue ocean formed a beautiful landscape.     

The island was covered by tropical trees and flowers. The temperature here was above twenty degrees throughout the year.     

After she quickly climbed out of the helicopter, Carlos helped Debbie take off her wind coat and handed it to the butler standing next to them. Debbie stretched her arms to loosen up her sore muscles and smoothed her hair lightly.     

All of a sudden, she felt Carlos' warm breath on her ear as he whispered, "You should wear dresses more often. You look great today." Debbie blushed scarlet at his unexpected compliment.     

She feigned anger and complained, "I asked you whether I looked good in the villa, and you walked away without answering me. I thought I didn't look good."     

Carlos handed his coat and waistcoat to the butler. He looked handsome in his white shirt. Walking closer to her, he swiftly pulled her into his arms and kissed her on her lips, without minding the people around them. "You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," he said, releasing her from the kiss.     

Debbie's face turned tomato red instantly, mostly because of his compliment, but also because the butler was still standing behind them. She gripped his shirt with one hand and pushed him away with the other. "Don't... People are watching us," she murmured.     

Carlos flashed a sly smile and continued to tease her, "Are you saying that it's okay to do this when we are alone?"         

    

Words left Debbie as she stared into his hungry eyes. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on his cheek once. "Will you let me go now?" she asked, with a shy smile.     

Carlos was amused, almost shocked by her quick peck on his cheek. He thought it was adorable and was reluctant to let her go now. He held her tighter and said, "No."     

Debbie pouted her lips, ready to retort. But Carlos added, "I'll let you go for now. But when we reach home later, wait for me in my bed." Debbie didn't know whether to cry or laugh. She was safe for now, but she was a little worried about what would happen in the evening.     

"Debbie!" A man's voice brought her back to her senses     

She turned to see who it was. From not too far away, a couple was approaching them, arm in arm. Colleen was wearing a long yellow dress and her partner was Curtis.     

He stared at Carlos and Debbie in confusion. "Why are you two here together?" he asked.     

Debbie was also surprised to see Curtis and his girlfriend there. "Mr. Lu, Colleen, how are you doing?" she greeted them. As she said her hellos to them, she pushed Carlos aside to keep him at arm's length. This made Carlos' face turn sour.     

Colleen gave Debbie a friendly smile and said, "We're doing great! Debbie, the last time I saw you and Carlos, you were not on good terms with each other. Since when did you two become so close? Is there a story you want to share with me?"     

Curtis was as curious as his girlfriend to know that.     

Debbie was too embarrassed to answer her question. She lowered her head, staring at her shoes, not knowing what to say. When she failed to respond, Carlos reached out to pull her into his arms and said nonchalantly, "She's my wife. Of course, we are close to each other."     

Carlos remembered that Curtis has a soft spot for Debbie. He cast a challenging glance at Curtis. Although Carlos didn't know about the nature of the relationship between Debbie and Curtis, he decided to keep her away from Curtis anyway. 'She is my wife and I will be the one to take care of her from here onward, ' he swore to himself.     

Curtis and Colleen were held speechless by Carlos' declaration. They both stood stunned, not knowing how to react. Shock was written all over their faces. Even Curtis, who always kept his calm, was at a loss for words.     

As Carlos' friend, Curtis knew that he had gotten married three years ago. But he didn't know that his wife was Debbie!     

'So, Carlos' wife is my...' Curtis thought.     

"Debbie, come here for a minute!" Curtis said, waving at her. He had kept a secret from Debbie and hadn't planned on telling her now. But it looked like it was time to let her know. If Debbie were someone else' wife, Curtis wouldn't have been worried about her. He knew that she was not the one to be bullied easily.     

But she was with Carlos. Curtis knew his buddy well, and he was actually worried about Debbie now.     

Debbie began to walk towards Curtis, but Carlos grabbed her right hand tightly and pulled her back. He said in a low growl, "Honey, you are a married woman. When another man waves at you and asks you to go with him, you should turn him down. Understand?"     

Everyone was rendered speechless and Curtis raised his eyebrows in surprise. They wondered why Carlos was so jealous and possessive all of a sudden.     

Debbie, whose face had become red again, said in a whisper, "Then you come with me." She didn't want to turn Curtis down impolitely. After all, he had treated her well in the past.     

"Fine. Next time if someone asks you to go with them anywhere, just call me and I'll come with you."     

Debbie looked intensely at Carlos' face, trying to figure out whether he was joking. But it looked like he really meant it.     

Colleen chimed in, "Hey, Carlos. Curtis only wants to have a word with Debbie. Why do you have to show off your affection in front of us? Are you even the same cool Mr. President anymore?"