The girl was one of Carlos' fans, so Debbie signed his name as well, right next to hers. She also drew a heart between their names.
Looking at her work, she flashed a broad smile and handed the pen and notebook back to the girl. "Done. I hope it's okay. My writing's a mess."
"Thank you, Mrs. Huo. Er, can I call you 'Debbie?' You're so down to earth. Thanks for the autograph!"
Before Debbie could answer, more pens and notebooks were put in front of her for her to sign. She wondered if she would get cramp in her hand before she finished.
Actually, Debbie felt a lot more comfortable and happier with these young girls. Compared to those fake women at the expo, these girls were cheerful and real. Coming from a noble family didn't guarantee that a person had a noble personality. In fact, it was often the opposite.
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Debbie's head. With a cunning smile, she told Carlos' fans, "Well, my husband looks cold and uncaring, but he's actually a nice guy. If you ask him for autographs, I'm sure he'll do it."
"Really? If he says no, can you help us out, Mrs. Huo?"
"No problem. But he's busy right now. Not sure when he'll be done," said Debbie.
In stunned disbelief, the security guards looked at Debbie, who was busy chatting with the girls. She was so nice and unpretentious. She sounded like she was happy to be there, and they got the sense that it wasn't an act. They'd never been assigned to guard a celebrity who was so amiable and easy to approach.
And she was not just some actress or pop star, but Carlos Huo's wife.
At the expo, a security guard sprinted into the main hall and found Carlos, who was discussing business with a few guests. "Mr. Huo, your wife's being mobbed by fans..."
Carlos set his glass on a nearby table. "Thanks. I'll check it out." He then turned to Tristan. "Take your men and find two popular stars. Make it obvious they're around. Then split them up. That should keep the fans busy chasing them rather than my wife."
"Yes, Mr. Huo."
Debbie's right hand became shaky after so many signatures. All of a sudden, people around her began to scream. "Aaaargh! It's Mr. Huo! Look! Carlos Huo!"
A dozen bodyguards led the way, and Carlos walked towards Debbie, the picture of poise.
Another two popular celebrities left the building in two different directions, just as Carlos had ordered, and their fans followed after them in a hurry. This effectively dispersed the crowd that had formed around Debbie.
With his bodyguards clearing the way, Carlos managed to get close to Debbie quite easily. He pulled her into his arms and said, "I thought I told you to wait for me. What happened?"
His eyes were full of affection. The fans yelled and screamed at the top of their lungs as if Carlos were talking to them.
Debbie felt like she was in a club where they played the dance music so loud she had to scream to be heard. She stood on tiptoe to get close enough to his ear. "The expo is so boring. I'm going home."
"I'll come with you."
At that moment, the girl whom Debbie had talked with asked excitedly, "Mrs. Huo, you promised you'd get Mr. Huo to sign autographs. I've been a fan for years."
The girl was practically in tears because she was so excited.
Another girl piped up, "We're all fans. I've followed you since you were in the military. We need your autographs." However, Carlos' bodyguards intervened. They stood between Carlos and the fans, making them stand two meters away from their boss.
Debbie stared at the scene from Carlos' arms, mouth agape. 'Wow, these are really intense fans. They've liked him longer than I have, ' she thought.
"Mr. Huo! Mr. Huo! I've liked you for ten years. I..." A fan was so overwhelmed that she couldn't breathe. She passed out and fell to the ground.
The crowd began to panic. "Someone passed out! Help! Help her!"
Debbie was also startled. She grabbed Carlos' sleeve, and then had a better idea. "Someone call an ambulance!" she yelled at the fans.
Carlos patted her back reassuringly, and then walked past his bodyguards to the unconscious girl. When he verified she was breathing, he commanded one of his men to call an ambulance. Then he unbuttoned his suit and got down on a knee to check on her. He looked at the girls around him. "Step back. She needs fresh air."
And that was when he began in earnest. He carefully positioned her limbs so that she lay on her back. Her chest rose and fell slowly, so he knew she was okay. He rolled up his suit jacket, and used that to elevate the fan's legs above her heart level to avoid swelling. Debbie fell in love with him all over again. His quick thinking had really saved the day.
Soon, the girl slowly opened her eyes, blinking from the sudden influx of light, but they eventually fluttered open normally.
When he saw that, Carlos stood up, grabbed a wet napkin from a bodyguard and began to wipe his hands.
"Aaaargh! Mr. Huo is so handsome!"
"What a great guy! He's a hero!"
Carlos heard the girl say that Debbie had promised them she would have him sign autographs for them. He took a notebook from a nearby fan, and signed his name.
When he received the third notebook, he saw Debbie's handwriting. She not only signed both their names, but also drew a heart between them. A satisfied smile spread across his lips. Her tiny gesture put him in a good mood. That spurred him on, and he signed many more notebooks.
But there were too many fans there, and he didn't have enough time to sign autographs for everyone. He was busy, and time was money. After signing for ten more fans, he and Debbie said their goodbyes as the mob got louder. Shielded by his bodyguards, they both got into a Bentley.
The car slowly rolled away, and the fans continued to make noise. In the car, Debbie and Carlos could finally enjoy peace thanks to the soundproof windows.
Debbie heaved a long sigh of relief. She was exhausted, physically and mentally. She leaned in the back seat and closed her eyes.
Seeing her sleepy face, Carlos pulled her into his arms. "Get some rest," he suggested.
Debbie didn't refuse him. Smelling his cologne, she leaned on his shoulder and asked casually, "Why did you suddenly out us?"
With a smile, he stroked her hair and asked in reply, "Why ask that? You're not happy, are you?"
Debbie made herself more comfortable and grumbled, "That little scene back there is what I was trying to avoid. I'm still mad at you. I remember everything you did to me."
Stifling a giggle, he pinched her cheek and asked, "Really? So how do I make you happy?" Deep inside, he chuckled, 'Deb is so cute.'
"Um... We'll talk tomorrow." All she wanted right now was to sleep.
She was tired. That was a fact. The way she talked and the pale color of her face stung Carlos' heart. He decided to be still and let his wife sleep.
Thinking of Debbie's need for privacy, Carlos pulled out his phone and sent Emmett a text message saying, "Delete all news related to my wife."
He had gotten what he wanted—people now knew Debbie was his wife. He didn't think it necessary to make her life hell by having fans watch her every move.
"Yes, Mr. Huo." Emmett's reply came soon. Carlos' phone was not on mute, so the notification sound woke Debbie up.
She raised her eyes, looking at Carlos' jaw, and murmured, "Just to let you know, I cancelled our trip to the Maldives."