Carlos held on to Debbie's waist. "Want me to throw you out of the room?" he spat. 'You're the only woman that can climb into my bed. Isn't it obvious I love you?' he thought angrily while staring into her eyes.
"I wouldn't if I were you. You'll be lonely," Debbie said playfully, tracing a finger down his nose, and wrapping her arms around him.
Her sweet smile turned him on. His breathing came in short gasps. He gritted his teeth, trying hard to stop himself. After a while, he cussed angrily, "Fuck! I really want to bang you now!"
Debbie was stunned. This was the first time she had heard Carlos say such vulgar words.
"Don't, Mr. Huo. I have a husband."
Carlos tightened his grip on her waist. Did she try to make him suffer? Was she doing this deliberately?
He sneered and tried to scare her. "So? You think that'll stop me?"
"No. But you won't do that now. I'm a star, and I'm married. We'll both be in trouble if anyone finds out we're having an affair. Think of your reputation."
Carlos smirked coldly. "We're still in trouble. We slept under the same quilt. Nothing happened, but no one's gonna believe that."
Debbie was lost for words. He was right. People would judge them no matter if they had sex or not. Their relationship looked too fishy.
She blinked naughtily and a sly smile crept across her lips. "So what should I do? Go to the press? And then you take care of the rumors?"
Carlos pinched her cheek. "Cut the crap. I can't bang you, but at least, help get me off."
Debbie was confused.
'How?'
After a long while, Carlos went to the bathroom to take a second shower. Debbie brushed her teeth, wincing. Her arms were sore and aching.
Looking at her hand, recalling what just happened moments ago, Debbie blinked her eyes innocently. She hoped that Carlos wouldn't get mad at her once he found out her marriage to Ivan was a sham.
She was impressed. He'd held off, even after she tempted him.
The next morning, when Debbie woke up, Carlos wasn't in the bedroom. She guessed he might be downstairs, playing with Jus and Piggy.
After freshening up and changing into a proper outfit, she came downstairs. Carlos was helping the two kids with their breakfast.
Debbie kissed the two cute guys and sat opposite Carlos. As she ate the congee, she asked, "When do you have to be at work?"
"I'm leaving in half an hour."
"I see." She began thinking about her plans today.
After Carlos took off, she stayed in the manor with the kids. She didn't feel like going outside. Together with two maids, she watched the kids play by the hot spring.
The next day, she flew to Z Country. She went with Ivan, leaving Piggy behind.
But before she left, when Carlos knew she would go back to Z Country with Ivan, he pressed her against the wall and warned her, "Don't flirt. Don't get too close. Don't touch him. Don't sleep in the same bed with him. Don't…" He bombarded her with a barrage of "don'ts" regarding Ivan.
Carlos didn't let her go until she had repeated his reminders, word for word.
Then, Curtis and Colleen came and picked up Jus. Carlos wanted Evelyn to stay with him. He would take care of the little girl personally during Debbie's trip.
The CEO had an ulterior motive. He didn't want Debbie knowing about it, but he needed Evelyn to do something very important.
Once they arrived, Elsie was quite upset to discover Evelyn hadn't come along. But anyway, she still was happy to have the couple back, so she prepared a rich dinner for them.
After dinner, Ivan held Debbie's hand and they took their leave. "Mom, I have work to do. Debbie and I should get going now."
Elsie stopped them and glared at her son. "You haven't stayed overnight here even once since you two got married. What do you want, Ivan?" she asked sternly.
Ivan explained resignedly, "Mom, you know both of us are very busy."
"Fine. You go to work, and Debbie can stay here. That'll give you a reason to come back here!" she ordered. Left with no choice, Ivan left the Wen family's house alone.
In order to dodge the drama, he didn't come back until after 2 a.m.
He pulled out his phone and tapped the flashlight app so he wouldn't have to wake anyone by turning on lights. Using the beam of the LED as light, he quietly walked into their bedroom. Debbie heard the noise. "Ivan?"
"Yeah, it's me. Did I wake you?"
She shook her head. "I can't sleep."
Carlos had her on video chat for a long time. He seemed quite worried that something would happen between Ivan and her. He finally ended the call a few minutes ago because she was falling asleep on him.
Ivan closed the door and carefully locked it behind him. Since she wasn't asleep, he turned on the lights. "Can't sleep? Or won't? You don't need to wait up for me."
Debbie moved to the other side of the bed and pointed to another pillow and quilt. "There's a spot."
"No, it's almost dawn. I can just sleep on the couch." Ivan had drunk a little wine and was feeling heavy and tired. He carried the quilt and pillow over to the couch.
Debbie didn't stop him. The couch was certainly big enough for Ivan. Comfy, to boot. Watching him disappear into the bathroom, she lay on the bed again.
A couple of minutes later, he came out, switching off the overhead light. Then he spread the quilt as evenly as he could on the couch, fluffed the pillow, and tucked himself in.
Debbie suddenly started a conversation. "Ivan… we…" she stuttered hesitantly.
Ivan thought she was asleep already. Surprised, he asked, "What's up?"
In the darkness, she bit her lower lip. Gathering her resolve, she asked, "When will we… How long are we gonna keep lying to your mom?"
Ivan understood what she was getting at. Last time, Carlos had blatantly asked her to get a divorce in front of everyone. He thought for a while and said, "Um…maybe wait a bit. Can you?" If his parents found out the marriage wasn't real, that might come as a shock. Maybe he should try getting a real fiancee before dropping that bombshell.
'A real fiancee…' A woman's face popped up in his mind.
"Okay. That's settled," Debbie nodded understandingly.
But Ivan added, "Hey, I have a way out of this. But I need your help." Debbie looked at him quizzically. "It's about a girl," he added.
"You talking about Kasie? So is it love?" Debbie blurted out outright.
Ivan frowned. "Am I that obvious?"
"Well, you kissed her. How much more obvious could you be?" Debbie tittered under her breath.
"She told you?"
"Yeah she did. She cried a lot and apologized. Poor Kasie. She doesn't know about our arrangement. How do you really feel?" Debbie wouldn't help Ivan before she figured out everything. She wouldn't help him if Kasie was just a fling.
He turned his body on the couch. "How do I feel? At first, I thought it was just sympathy. I felt bad for her having to bury her lover. But then I realized it was something more than that. I…I think I love her. I want to find out, but she won't do anything because we're married."
"Okay. Tell you what: I'll hook you up after I get back home. Ivan, just remember, treat her right. She's suffered a lot. She deserves to be happy."
Ivan nodded, putting his hands under his head. Staring at the ceiling, he assured her, "Of course I will. But I want to do this right. That's why I need your help. You know why my mom insisted that we stay overnight? She wants a grandkid. Ending our marriage will make it easier to give her one."
