Take My Breath Away

"No problem. Leave it to me." Debbie turned to look outside the window, eyes sparkling with happiness. She sincerely hoped that Kasie could fall in love with someone again. And Ivan would be a wonderful choice. Kasie was irresponsible, where Ivan was careful, methodical, and good at taking care of people. Debbie remembered how he took care of Piggy, and the care he showed as a single man.

At the paternity testing center of Y City

This was the second time Carlos had been here. For the first, he took Piggy here to do the DNA test. The second time, he came with Frankie to get the results.

Wearing a surgical mask and gloves, a lab tech handed the report to Carlos. "As per your instructions, I conducted the tests all the way through. No one else was involved."

"Good job," Carlos nodded, looking at the folder full of papers, his face betraying no emotion.

Frankie was expecting Carlos to open the folder and read the report right there, but the cold man stood up and left the center, report in hand.

Then Frankie drove him back to the manor. "Mr. Huo, remember Miss Nian's flight is due to touch down at 4:41 p.m.," he reminded.

"Mmm hmm."

When Carlos walked into the villa, Piggy was playing with the nannies. Seeing him come back, the little girl clumsily trotted towards him like usual.

He scooped the little girl up with one arm and held the folder with the other hand. As he walked towards the staircase, he told the nannies, "I've got her. Don't come up here without my say-so."

"Yes, Mr. Huo."

After carrying Piggy to his bedroom, Carlos set the little girl down on the floor. Piggy ran towards the bed, and climbed up onto it herself. "Uncle Carlos, sleepy."

"Okay. Let me help you with the blanket."

"Thanks," Evelyn said in a meek voice.

Carlos sat on the edge of the bed, fixing his eyes on Evelyn's lovely face. As time marched on, she began to resemble Debbie more and more.

Because she felt safe with him, Piggy fell asleep in no time.

After checking to make sure she was sound asleep, he opened the folder with the DNA result, deep in thought. His heart raced a bit faster as the nervousness set in. Two minutes later, he opened the report and flipped to the last page.

He wanted to know what it said.

Debbie stayed with Ivan's mom for two days. The older woman wanted her to stay a little longer, but Debbie's excuse was that she was worried about her daughter. And then she flew back home.

Of course, Ivan also flew back with her, because he needed to focus on winning Kasie's heart.

On arrival, the first thing Debbie wanted to do was hold a birthday party of her own.

She didn't plan to host a party at first. It was Kasie and Jared who had forced her into it. As she didn't have much time to prepare, she had no choice but to borrow Carlos' private room at the Orchid Private Club. And she had only invited a few close friends.

As soon as they got off the plane, Ivan took her to the mall to pick out a dress. Then she was taken to a hair salon for a facial and get her hair styled before hurrying to the club. She didn't even have time to drop off her luggage at home.

Jared, Sasha and Blair were already in the private room by the time they arrived.

The room was fully decorated, and it was all Carlos' idea. When she called him to borrow the room, he put himself in charge of the decorations.

Everything was blue and white. Blue and white balloons were attached to the ceiling. A long table was placed in the middle of the room, and a blue-and-white table cloth covered it; the luxury brand silverware was actually made of sterling silver. The cake was also blue and white, and more than a meter tall, with three layers. More amazingly, on top of the birthday cake was a little doll dressed in a blue princess dress.

Everyone except Ivan widened their eyes in shock when they saw the doll on the cake, because the dress looked precisely like the one Debbie was wearing now. They were the same dress in every way except the size.

Debbie slowly tilted her head to Ivan for answers. He picked out the dress. Truth be told, she didn't want this dress at first. It looked more Piggy's style. But Ivan insisted on this particular dress and even paid for it.

It was out of character for him to force her to do anything. It made sense now when she saw the birthday cake.

But then she was confused. Carlos was the one in charge of the decorations, and Ivan bought the dress. Did they work together? Or was it a coincidence?

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Ivan shook his head helplessly. "Well, it wasn't my idea..."

'Not Ivan's idea? So is it...'

Jared blurted out a name, "Carlos!"

Ivan nodded, "Yeah, he arranged everything. Hey, hey...why the tears? Should a princess cry?"

Tears were threatening to fall out of Debbie's eyes as she was so touched. But Ivan's funny words made her burst into laughter instead. Even her friends were amused. Jared rested his arm on Ivan's shoulder and said, "I've been kicking around the upper-class circles for a long time. You're the most generous husband I've ever seen. Nice!"

Debbie rolled her eyes at him. She stretched out her hand and said gruffly, "Just hand me the present."

Jared shook his head and thrust out his empty hands in the air. "You know, I'm gonna be a father. I need to save up money for my child. What if I don't have money to buy formula because of this?"

"Sasha, dump this loser. I'll hook you up with a rich man. Jared's kid will get used to saying Daddy to another guy," Debbie said to Sasha.

"Sounds good to me!" Sasha clapped her hands in excitement.

Then she reached out to grab Jared's arm, in a bid to drag him outside. The tall guy hastily moved out of the way and took out an exquisite gift box. "Not before I give this to Queen Debbie," he said, looking at Sasha. He handed the box to Debbie. "Happy 25th birthday, Tomboy! We've known each other for 11 years now."

'11 years... Jared and I have been friends for more than a decade.' Debbie's eyes reddened with tears as she thought of their long-term friendship.

She took the gift box from his hands and hugged him. "Jared, we..." Her voice trailed off as she began to sob. Taking a breath to compose herself, she continued, "We were friends, and now we're family. You've really changed. You were always a good guy, except that you liked girls way too much. But anyway, you quit that bad habit too after falling in love with Sasha. I'm so glad..."

Someone pushed open the door to the private room. It was Carlos, Evelyn in his arms, and Kasie, who happened to arrive at the same time.

While the manager greeted the new guests, Debbie was hugging Jared and pouring out those emotional words about their friendship. Jared faced the door, but Debbie had her back to it.

The door opened quietly, and Debbie was so immersed in the touching moment that she didn't know what was happening. But Jared got a good look at who entered. 'Oh, crap!' He tried to struggle out of her arms.

Debbie thought that Jared wasn't used to her sentimental side, so she patted his back and said, "Don't move. Just listen." She was still so moved when thinking of their friendship.

"No, Tomboy..." Jared saw the icy-cold look in Carlos' eyes. If he didn't push Debbie away as soon as possible, he would be dead meat.

"Don't interrupt me. Let me finish, okay?" Oblivious to the situation, Debbie thought Jared was just trying to ruin the atmosphere. "From now on, don't call me Tomboy anymore. Sasha's my family, and you will be too. So maybe 'Sister'? I'd love it if you called me that.

"No problem. But can you please let go..."

"Sshh! Don't interrupt. Jared, I really miss the old days. We fought and skipped classes, and..."

"Debbie..." Blair called out in a hushed voice, winking at her.

Debbie stuck her head out and asked, "What's wrong with your eye?"

Blair was speechless.

Debbie was taken aback when she heard a cold and familiar voice coming from behind her. "Happy Birthday, mother of Evelyn."