Take My Breath Away

"Hi, Aunt Debbie. What the heck? When did you and Uncle Carlos tie the knot?" Megan asked with an innocent look on her face. She let go of Carlos, came over to Debbie, and held her arm like an old friend, though this was the first time they had met.

Debbie gave an awkward smile. "We got married three years ago, but he was always busy, so we weren't able to go out on a date until recently."

"Oh, I see," Megan responded. Then she turned to Carlos and complained, "Uncle Carlos, this is all your fault. You guys have been married for three years. So how come we haven't seen her til now?" Carlos held Debbie's hand with a smile.

"You are right. Mea culpa. I'll make up for it," he promised while looking Debbie in the eye.

Debbie blushed. She noticed Carlos was flirting with her again and every time he did that, her heart started pounding.

When the group walked in, a throng of young people already packed the venue where the party was being held. Everyone was having fun.

When people saw them, the women went crazy. "It's him! It's Carlos Huo! And his friends too! My God! I can't believe I'm seeing Carlos Huo!" one of them exclaimed.

"Wow! They're so hot! I like all four. What should I do?" a second woman said.

"Megan was right. She really is tight with Mr. Huo. But who's the woman next to him?" another wondered.

"I dunno! Never seen her before, but she's gorgeous," their friend said.

Their discussion went on like that, making this or that comment, usually about their looks.

Later, the group split up. Damon was pulled away from his friends by two beautiful women. Curtis and Colleen went somewhere alone. Wesley left his friends with Megan while she held his arm. Only Debbie and Carlos stayed put.

A waiter came to them offering all kinds of alcohol. Carlos took a glass of wine from the tray. When Debbie thought it was for her, Carlos told the waiter, "A glass of lemonade, please."

"Yes, Mr. Huo."

After the waiter had left, Carlos sipped the wine and asked Debbie, "There's food over there. Hungry?"

Debbie didn't respond. She looked at him and asked, "Why lemonade?"

"For you," answered Carlos.

Debbie was struck speechless. She looked around and everyone else had a glass of something alcoholic: Wine, liquor, champagne, even cocktails—no one was drinking lemonade. "Lemonade? Seriously

he let go of Curtis' hand and asked, "Debbie's alone on the dance floor. Aren't you worried?"

"Nope," he replied.

In fact, Curtis wasn't worried at all. When they walked in, everyone had seen Debbie with Carlos. That was enough to ensure that no one was going to mess with her even if they didn't know who she was.

Besides, all the guests at the party were good people. Debbie knew martial arts, too. She could take care of herself. So Curtis was going to let her do what she wanted and have fun.

Hearing what Curtis said, Colleen didn't insist on going back to the dance floor and stayed at his side.

Later, two women invited Debbie to go sailing. She wanted to go. She also thought she should tell Carlos about it in case he was worried. But he still hadn't come out of the room yet, so Debbie had to go alone.

Fortunately, before she stepped on the boat, she saw Colleen and invited her along. So Curtis also knew where she was.

Once the two girls were aboard, Curtis told the pilot, "It's late. Don't go far. A circuit around this area will do."

"Yes, sir."

There were quite a few people on the boat. Debbie didn't talk much with strangers, but because of her lively and outgoing personality, she fit in very soon.

Musical instruments were available on the boat. Debbie took a guitar and played "Never Grow Old" for everyone. "I had a dream. Strange it may seem. It was my perfect day. Open my eyes, I realize, this is my perfect day..."

When the song was over, everyone was enthusiastically clapping, and made their enjoyment known.