True Love Waits novel Chapter 77

"Debbie, if you become a superstar, I'll go to your concert," said one of the people on the boat.

"Why did you waste your talents going to Economics and Management School? You should have chosen a music school. You could be a pop star," another observed.

But Debbie framed their comments as complimentary to Carlos.

She thought they were trying to suck up to Carlos, rather than actually praising her performance. They'd been seen at the party together, after all.

After an hour, the boat came back and docked, but the party didn't end until after midnight. That was when Debbie finally caught sight of her husband.

But he was not alone. Megan, who was at his side with a smile, was seeing the guests off with him. He handsome and she pretty, they looked like a couple.

The sight of them being together upset Debbie. But she managed to check her emotions. She walked over to them and took Carlos' arm. "I'm tired. I want to go home," she said.

Carlos checked the time—it was already past midnight.

But before he could say yes, Megan cut in with a smile, "Uncle Carlos, I didn't come here in my car. I was going to crash here tonight, but everyone's taking off and I'm scared staying here alone. Can you give me a lift?"

Carlos wouldn't say no to such a small request.

Debbie's heart sank when she heard Carlos say yes. She smiled wryly before sitting on the sofa and playing with her phone while waiting for them to say their farewells to the attendees.

Finally, it was 1 a.m., and all the guests were gone. They boarded a boat and started their journey back.

When Debbie finally saw Carlos' Emperor parked close by, she was relieved, and started walking towards the car. She took it for granted she should sit in the passenger seat.

Before she could reach the car, however, Megan skipped to the car happily and opened the passenger side door. "Aunt Debbie, come on. It's late," she shouted to Debbie.

Debbie was surprised by what she was doing. 'Of course I know it's late. But what does she think she is doing?

If she rides shotgun, where am I supposed to sit? I'm Carlos' wife. Shouldn't I sit next to my husband?'

While Debbie was pondering this, Carlos put his hand above Megan's head protectively when she got in the car.

After Megan got in, Carlos closed the passenger side door and opened the back door for Debbie. Standing next to the door, he stretched out his right hand towards the door in a gesture of invitation as a sign of chivalry.

Debbie was totally enraged. Her sleepiness had been banished. Why was Megan more important to him than her, his wife?

She wanted to scream, "No. I don't want to get in your damn car!"

But looking around, she found Carlos' car was the only one available at that late hour.

Ignoring him, Debbie opened the back door on the other side and got in.

Only then did Carlos notice his wife's bad mood. He walked around the car, craned his head into the car and asked, "What's wrong?"

Debbie closed her eyes and answered in a cold tone, "Nothing. Just sleepy."

"Okay. We'll head home after we drop off Megan."

After that, he closed the door and sat in the driver's seat.

Debbie watched him start the car and sighed. He didn't understand her at all.

The car sped down the road in the darkness. Sitting in the back, Debbie looked outside the window blankly, wide awake. The headlights of other cars knifed through the gloom. The girl in the passenger seat was giggling and speaking to Carlos. It bothered Debbie so much she wanted to plug her ears.

Carlos didn't talk much and only responded when it was necessary. He didn't seem all that perturbed by the situation. But he never embarrassed Megan by allowing awkward silence. He made conversation quite pleasant for the girl. And the way she was carrying on, you could tell she enjoyed every minute.

The car slowed down as it approached a large, fancy housing community. 'This must be where the girl lives, ' Debbie thought. There were tens of floors in each building. The skyscrapers made Debbie wonder whether Megan's apartment was a gift from Carlos.

When the car came to a halt, Megan was ready to get out. "Wait up. It's dark, and not safe for you to walk alone. I'll walk you to the door," Carlos offered.