When she had gotten engaged, she had thought that finally she had something to be proud of in front


    of him. But now, even that was gone, and he had seen her leave her fiance’s ce in defeat.


    ‘Wesley, you idiot. Why did you have to leave so soon? I didn’t even get a good look at you, ‘ ir


    thought.


    When Carlos came out to the hospital entrance, once again, Debbie was nowhere to be found. He


    closed his eyes in frustration and thought that maybe one day his wife would set a new Guiness record


    in running.


    He called her. To his surprise, the call was answered only on the third ring.


    “Yes, Mr. Carlos? How may I help you?”


    “Where are you?”


    “In a cab.”


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    “Where to?”


    “Going home to pack and get the hell out of your life.”


    “Wait for me at home.”


    He said that much and hung up.


    Carlos was always quick to act. Before they had headed for the hospital, Debbie had heard Carlos


    telling Wesley on the phone that he was going back to the manor, but when she and Wesley reached


    the hospital, Carlos was already there waiting for them.


    And now, when the cab arrived at the manor, Carlos’ Emperor was already parked at the entrance. The


    man was leaning against the car door, smoking.


    Once the cab stopped, Carlos walked over to it with the cigarette in his mouth. He opened the door for


    Debbie, who was still paying the fare.


    As soon as Debbie left the cab, the smoke filled her nostrils. She could taste the acrid vapors, stale,


    with a hint of bitterness.


    “Ugh…Carlos… ugh…” She coughed violently, tears threatening toe out. She hated the smell,


    hated the taste, and most of all hated not being able to breathe. Carlos did this deliberately. He knew


    she hated the habit, yet he exacerbated the problem. He couldn’t stop ying pranks on her, and she


    walked into them all the time.


    Carlos smiled mischievously.


    The cab didn’t leave immediately. The driver rolled down the window and stared at Carlos. After a


    while, he asked, “You look familiar. Are you


    Carlos?”


    Carlos nodded indifferently, at which the driver pushed the door open excitedly and rushed over to


    Carlos. He stammered out a request, nervous at finally meeting the man.


    “I…my daughter… my daughter worships you very much. Can I get an autograph for her? Her


    birthday’sing up. It would make an awesome present.”


    It was a request from a loving father. Hard to refuse. Carlos wanted kids, and his heart softened around


    them, indeed, at the very mention.


    Carlos held Debbie tight in his arms and said, “Okay.”


    The driver ran back to the cab and rooted around in there for a long while, but he found nothing that


    Carlos could write with or on.


    He turned back and looked at Carlos, eyes full of disappointment.