Debbie hadn't seen Hayden for more than two years. She had thought she had forgotten him, or that she wouldn't be emotional when she saw him again.
She was wrong.
After all, she had loved him once. It was impossible for her to feel nothing at all. You never quite stop caring for the other person, even if the other person turns out to be not who you thought they were. Something always lingers, always tugs at you. No matter how thin the thread that holds you, love is always the tie that binds.
There was a dull pain in her heart. That was all.
When Debbie remained silent, Hayden just smiled wider. "It's been a long time, Deb. You're looking hotter than ever." He'd been watching her ever since she walked in.
She had changed so much he could hardly believe this was the same girl that he'd been with for two years.
This meeting had brought memories of the old days rushing back into her head. Debbie fell into deep thought. Two years, it was a long time to be together, even if it didn't feel long while you were in the midst of it. And the memories it left—they last a lifetime. And when it's over, all the things you used to do, places you used to go, the feelings attached to those things linger. Debbie was lost in her head. It was not until Jared nudged her that she came to her senses. Back in the present, she turned Hayden down quietly. "Thank you, Mr. Gu. But I wasn't going to pay them anything."
The gentle smile on his face turned to a grim one at her response. How she could be so haughty was beyond him. She was only married to a secretary, after all. And she was even bold enough to offend so many powerful families.
"Deb, don't be like this..."
At this moment, Curtis and Colleen were at her side. Carlos insisted they show up. They were sharing a moment in the car earlier when he called.
The man had just straightened his suit. But his tie was still slightly crooked, his normally perfect hair a bit mussed. Not to mention his slightly flushed cheeks and the goofy smile on his face.
"Debbie, what's the matter?" he asked.
Before Debbie could say anything, the old lady of the Qin family saw Curtis and regarded him with a sour face. "Let me guess, Mr. Lu. you'll take responsibility for her too?"
Curtis smiled and answered politely, "Yes, Mrs. Qin. Debbie is young and made a mistake. I apologize for any trouble she's caused."
Hearing this, Emmett tugged at his sleeve and reminded him, "Re
high, Damon walked over to the flippant boy and kicked him in the leg. "Dude! Shut up! You got a mouth on you. Want me to take it from you?" he said.
Even a blind person could tell that that kick was just for show. It didn't hurt at all. Clearly, Damon and Curtis were protecting Jared and Debbie. And they weren't going to let anything happen to the pair. Looking at them, the parents and their daughters trembled with rage.
By now, Hayden thought Emmett had called Curtis and Damon to back him up. Of course, as Carlos' secretary, he was totally capable of that.
With that thought in mind, he turned to his assistant and said, "Quinn, cut every young lady a check for three times the price of their dress."
"Yes, sir." Quinn Yang took out the checkbook, and began to draft the requested amount.
But Debbie put a hand on the assistant's pen. She took a deep breath and said, "Thanks, Mr. Gu. But I don't need this. It's my fault."
As more and more people got involved, Debbie felt bad. She turned to face the parents and their daughters, ready to apologize. Knowing what she was trying to do, Damon beat her to the punch. "Someone told me what happened. It's not Debbie's fault. There were more than ten of you. Bullying a girl like that, hardly fair," he scolded. Carlos had found out the truth and told him about it. Damon wasn't afraid to offend any of those so-called important families.
'What just happened? A few simple words from Damon and Debbie isn't responsible at all? He even made her sound like a victim, ' the crowd wondered. 'Can I leave now?' Debbie mused. She just wanted this night to be over.
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