True Love Waits

"Here's the divorce agreement, Philip. I've already signed it. Please give it to Carlos Huo."

It was difficult for Debbie Nian to work up the nerve to hand the agreement that would end her marriage to Philip Zhuo, the Huo family's steward.

Sighing in resignation, Philip Zhuo went over the document and noticed clauses that made him frown. He looked at the girl sharply and bellowed,"Debbie!" Incredulous, he asked,"Do you realize how stupid this is? I can understand if you want to divorce Mr. Huo. After all, you haven't seen the man for the past three years. But why aren't you asking for any money?"

At 20, Debbie Nian was an undergraduate. Her father died while she didn't know who her mother was. In Philip Zhuo's opinion, she shouldn't want a divorce, let alone get out of the marriage without any money.

Debbie Nian scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. She was well aware that Philip Zhuo always treated her as a daughter, so she had no plans to keep anything from him. "I... I want to drop out of school," she stammered.

"What? Why do you suddenly want to leave school? What happened? Are you being bullied?" The steward's eyes widened in astonishment.

"No, no, no! You're overreacting, Philip. You already know, I-I don't like studying. So, I don't want to waste my time in university," she explained.

The excuse of dropping out of school was lame but the only one that came to mind quickly to stall him off. But she was not telling anyone the real reason for wanting a divorce.

She was silent for a while, as several thoughts ran through her mind. 'Tomorrow is my 21st birthday and third wedding anniversary.

I'm still young. I don't want this hollow marriage to stand in the way of pursuing true love.

I've never even seen Carlos Huo in person. My father arranged this marriage. How can anyone live like this?' she thought desperately.

Sensing that the girl was not about to share anything else, Philip Zhuo conceded,"It appears you've made up your mind, so I will..." He waited for her to say something. "I'll hand the divorce papers to Mr. Huo tomorrow," the steward said with a deep sigh when she didn't respond.

"Thank you so much, Philip!" She let out a huge sigh of relief before giving the man a sweet smile.

But Philip Zhuo could not help himself as he stared at the young girl. "Debbie, Mr. Huo is a good man. I believe you are a perfect match, so I do hope you will think this through carefully and reconsider. If you change your mind, you may call me anytime," he said sincerely.

Of all he said, two words stood out that made Debbie Nian cringe. 'Perfect match? He didn't even show up at the wedding! The man was at a dinner reception for a foreign president at that time. And the photograph on our marriage certificate was Photoshopped.

even laid eyes on him. So, what is Philip saying that we

She had intended to say,"I've made up my mind," but as a sign of

have a change of heart, Philip Zhuo waited until the next afternoon to inform Carlos Huo about the divorce papers. But to his disappointment, she didn't call him. Slowly, he brought out his cell phone and

that?" came the cold reply. He noted a hint of impatience in Carlos

briefly, the steward answered,"A divorce

froze as Carlos Huo let the words sink in. He closed his eyes and rubbed

a wife. If Philip didn't call me now, I

the papers in my study. I'll be back in Y City in a

Mr. Huo," Philip Zhuo acknowledged,

Blue Night Bar in Y City, the bar was dimly

flocked to the establishment, that

was a table littered with beer, wine, champagne and a variety of snacks.

room was the venue for a birthday party. The

occasions that she donned something feminine instead of her usual attire

the celebrant started to have fun by drinking with her classmates. Stacked in one corner of the room were the many presents Debbie Nian received from friends and

slightly tipsy Jared Han broke out in a song, with his arm slung around another boy's shoulders. "I knew you

voice was so grating that many of

Stop that singing. Let's just play games that won't bust anybody's eardrums." It

cheerful girl, full of confidence, who always got

suggestion had everyone in the room turning silent. The boys and girls in the room turned to look at Kasie Zheng, waiting

known party animal, and was popular

eyes, Kasie Zheng said,"Let's play Truth or Dare!" A cunning smile crossed her lips as guests balked

time, Jared Han, a rich second generation, got back at Kasie

stared at Jared Han defiantly and continued,"Today is Debbie's 21st birthday, so we'll make the game more exciting!" She flashed

pure and innocent. They were familiar with the game; the consequences for the dares were usually singing the high notes in Mariah Carey's 'Loving You', carrying the heaviest guy around

in mind for Debbie Nian. The celebrant's cheeks were already crimson from too much champagne and wine. As the first round started, Kasie Zheng winked at the others, who quickly caught on what

this round has to go out the door, turn right, and then kiss the first person of the opposite sex they run into on the lips. If he