Carlos had already prepared all the necessary materials and papers for registering their marriage. All Debbie needed to do was sign her name on the license.
They went through the formalities smoothly. In a few minutes, they got their marriage licenses and walked out of the hall, with the blessings from the staff there.
Carlos got what he wanted the most, and all he cared about now was to escort Debbie back to his car and ignore all the reporters. However, Debbie had other ideas. She snatched the licenses from his hand and showed them off to the reporters. Smiling proudly, she said, "Thank you all for your interest in our marriage. We're officially remarried now. Thank you for your support."
Carlos felt that something wasn't right.
Nonetheless, he went along with her and kissed her cheek, showing off his love for her. Debbie smiled affectionately and gazed into his eyes. Everyone could see the love and affection that they had for each other when their eyes met.
Suddenly a big round of applause erupted from the adoring crowd. They cheered and called out their blessings to the happy couple. Carlos then cautiously escorted her to the car, and they sped away from the crowd and the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Once they were in the car away from the prying eyes of the crowd, a surge of mixed feelings coursed through her body as Debbie looked at her marriage license. She had been waiting so long for this day. After overcoming so many difficulties, she was finally the legal Mrs. Huo again.
She could feel how much Carlos loved her. That was the reason why he couldn't wait any longer and forcibly took her to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get remarried.
Debbie snuggled into his arms, bathing in his warmth and love. She felt guilty to torture him anymore.
'No, no... Debbie, don't forget the pain and grief that he caused you.' She reminded herself not to forgive him so easily.
Carlos kissed her forehead and asked tenderly, "What would you like to eat now? We'll dine together."
Debbie sat up straight and slightly pulled away from his embrace. "No need. I'm not hungry. I have work to do this afternoon."
Carlos sensed that she was trying to put a barrier up again. He slowly moved closer to her side as he said, "But I'm hungry. You need to come with me."
"You're not a kid. Why do you need me to go with you for a meal?"
"I need my wife's company."
"No, you don't."
"Yes, I do."
"No..." Before she knew it, his lips were on hers. Then he threatened her in a low husky voice, "If you don't come with me, then I'll make love to you right here."
Debbie bit her lower lip in anger. 'You brazen jerk!' she cursed in her mind.
Given the alternative, Debbie agreed to have lunch with him. They dined on the fifth floor of the Alioth Building. Carlos ordered a table full of delicious dishes and romantically fed Debbie from each of them.
When they had finished lunch, Carlos dropped her back off to the company. Before Debbie got out of the car, she turned to him and said, "Mr. Huo, we've remarried now. Don't worry. I won't betray you."
Carlos smiled and pecked her on the cheek. "Of course, I trust you. Hey, how about we go and pick Evelyn up together later?" Carlos suggested.
"No, I can't. I won't finish my work until late tonight. Then after work, I need to pack my luggage at Champs Bay Apartments for the business trip tomorrow." With that, she got out of the car without giving him a second glance.
Carlos watched as his wife coolly walked away, and he felt down in the dumps again.
He knew that Debbie was a handful and that she wouldn't ease up and make his life more peaceful.
He leaned back into the car seat and closed his eyes, racking his brain for a solution. Then it suddenly came to him. Carlos sat up, whipped his phone out and dialed a number. "Reduce my wife's workload. To one concert a year. No commercial advertisements, no variety shows, and no business trips!"
As a result, Debbie's original one-week business trip had shortened to a two-day trip, yet she didn't know why. Three days later, she was back at Y City Airport, pulling her luggage behind her.
When she saw that Carlos had come to pick her up, she was even more puzzled. Carlos had a broad smile on his face as he strode toward her, then gallantly took over her luggage as he kissed her on the cheek. She looked at him curiously and wondered how he knew that she would be coming back today.
Once they were both in the car, she couldn't help but ask, "Carlos, does my coming back earlier have something to do with you?"
He nodded and admitted with honesty. "I gave a few instructions to the senior managers. But they're the people who decide on your schedule."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: True Love Waits