Take My Breath Away

"No, thanks. We'll get a cab ourselves. Go," Debbie urged, pushing Jared towards his car. "Tell me when Sasha gets back."

"Okay. Bye then."

After Jared drove off, Debbie and Kasie stood by the side of the road waiting for a taxi. Debbie's phone rang before they could get one. "Hi, Ivan."

"Debbie... if you're not busy, could you attend a dinner at Glory Hotel?"

"A dinner? Now?" Debbie checked the time. It was already 9:20 p.m.

"Yes. Many advertising agencies are unhappy about you leaving Z Country all of a sudden. Milo will be there too. You can apologize to him so we won't lose his business."

"All right then," Debbie said.

She gave her suitcase to Kasie. Kasie already knew where she was going, thanks to what she overheard of the phone conversation. "Want me to go with you?" she asked Debbie.

"No, just wait for me at home."

"Okay. Call me when it's all over. I'll ask the driver to pick you up."

"Okay."

It was nearly ten p.m. when she arrived at Glory Hotel. In the sumptuous hotel, she followed a waiter. They turned one corner after another and finally were at the booth Ivan had reserved.

Before the waiter pushed the door open, Debbie put on some lipstick to make herself look a little more vibrant.

There were more than ten people sitting in the booth. Debbie frowned at the thick smell of alcohol and cigarettes wafting in the air. The atmosphere was smoky, stinging eyes and lungs.

But before she could get used to the strong smell, a sonorous voice said to her, "Hey, look who's here. Debbie Nian, the superstar. It's a great thing to see you in Y City."

The voice sounded firm and sonorous. Debbie knew the owner. It was Milo Yu, the boss of a media company based in Z Country.

Debbie had met him twice already. He had a forthright manner. So far, they had gotten on okay. She had to be wary, though. She wasn't comfortable with him announcing her presence like that.

She smiled at him in return. The host led her to the table. "Mr. Yu—" she greeted the man as soon as she took her seat.

But when she raised her head, she saw who was in the seat of honor. She was so sh

led malevolently, took a single step forward and wrapped her arms around Carlos. She held him tight.

She felt his body freeze. To make her point, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.

It was a light kiss, but somehow, Carlos felt it was special.

He had kissed Stephanie before, much like this. It felt different. It hadn't felt so...beautiful.

Debbie was a smart girl. Before Carlos pushed her away, she took one step back and said with a smile, "Old man, kissing you is just as beautiful as it ever was." Her gentle voice tugged at his heartstrings.

She turned to leave, but a hand grabbed her wrist.

She turned her head back. Carlos still held her fast. "Want more, old man?" He was merciless with his attention before. Now it was payback time. From now on, she would do exactly what he did to her.

Carlos ended the call and put his phone away. "What do you want?" he asked, staring at her.

Debbie was interested in the question. She grasped the hand holding hers and caressed it.

Being groped by a woman, Carlos was stunned.

Then it occurred to him that they were just strangers. He released her hand and stepped further away from her. "Say it."

"What do I want?" Debbie put on that malevolent smile again. "I asked you that a lot in the past. You know how you answered me?"

Carlos looked at her in confusion.

She walked closer to him and whispered in his ear, "I want you."