Chapter 1179: Birthday (4) — It Wasn't Just a Dream

Hannah gritted her teeth and finished her drink. Susan launched into a game of drinking and gambling, but Manuel, unable to tolerate the liquor, intervened. He tried to stop her, but Susan proved unyielding, forcing Manuel to carry her away. Initially startled, Susan retaliated with punches and kicks to Manuel's shoulder. "You jerk! Let me go! You think you're so strong? Let me go... if you dare to make me pregnant again..."

The ensuing chaos was nothing new to the onlookers. Seeing Susan and Manuel depart, Theodore quietly took Little Bunny and left, leaving Oscar and Hannah alone. Hannah watched them go, then rose to leave herself.

"Hannah," Oscar grasped her arm.

"Don't."

"I don't want to."

"Why are you avoiding me?" Oscar asked intently. "Do you hate being around me that much?"

"Yes, I do. So let go."

"No," Oscar firmly refused.

Hannah glared at him.

"Is it because of your face? That's why you've avoided me for the past two months?" Oscar studied her still-healing scars. "No."

"Do you know how happy I am right now?" His eyes welled, brimming with emotion.

Hannah looked away.

"I thought I'd never see the old you again." His voice cracked.

"It's not for your sake. I just don't want to live my life pretending someone else is myself forever."

"I know," Oscar smiled, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I'm sorry," he apologized unexpectedly, making Hannah uneasy.

"For what?" Her heart pounded.

"For everything that happened before... I'm sorry for putting you through all that pain."

"That's all in the past. There's no need to bring it up again." Hannah's tone was cold, dismissing their shared history.

"Okay." Oscar nodded slowly, a tear tracing a path down his smiling cheek. Hannah pushed his hand away, preparing to leave, but the alcohol hit her, and the room spun uncontrollably.

Oscar swiftly caught her.

Hannah startled. "Let go of me."

"I won't, you'll fall."

Hannah couldn't argue. "I'll help you inside and let you rest for a while," Oscar said gently.

His grip tightened. Had she not been dizzy, she would have pushed him away. They embraced and returned to the main hall.

Under the watchful eyes of the guests, he escorted her to a spare room.

Susan watched them go, shaking her head. "I think Hannah will be eaten up by Oscar tonight," she muttered.

Manuel glared at Susan. Hannah's parents, Miguel and Michelle, exchanged knowing smiles; this was the outcome they’d anticipated.

Oscar gently laid Hannah on the bed. Her dizziness intensified; her cheeks flushed and burned. He helped her remove her coat, shoes, and socks, then covered her with a blanket. He fetched a warm towel, preparing to wipe her cheeks.

As he reached for her face, she spoke, "Don't press too hard."

Oscar paused. Hannah's voice was serious.

"My face isn't completely better yet," she murmured.

Even drowsy, she guarded her face.

Oscar's smile was tender. He carefully wiped her face, captivated by her features. He gazed at her for what felt like an eternity, his admiration giving way to desire. He couldn't resist the allure of her full, rosy lips.

The alcohol fueled his desire; his heart pounded like a young boy's experiencing his first romantic encounter. He longed to kiss her without waking her.

His lips neared hers, their faces inches apart. Just as they were about to touch, Hannah opened her eyes, her hazy gaze fixed on him.

Caught, Oscar panicked, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.

"Easy there," Hannah said. "It's not done yet."

Oscar laughed.

Did Hannah know what she was saying?

"Okay, I'll be gentle."

True to his word, he leaned down and kissed her. Her soft lips tempted him to deepen the kiss, but he held back. And then, Hannah responded, her tongue lightly brushing his lips.

He lost control, deepening the kiss.

When they awoke, Hannah was disoriented, suffering a slight headache. She sat up, just as Oscar opened the door.

"I was about to call you down for dinner. Are you awake?"

"Um... have I been sleeping long?"

"Five hours," Oscar replied.

Hannah was startled.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked.

"Much better."

But I'll never fall for Susan's tricks again, she thought.

"I'll get you a warm towel."

"Don't need to..."

Oscar had already entered the bathroom.

Hannah got out of bed. He'd prepared the towel.

"Here you go," he said.

Hannah took it.

"Can you please leave while I wash my face?"

His eyes remained fixed on her.

"Okay," he nodded.

As he turned to leave, he paused, crouching down and quickly kissing her before departing. Hannah was surprised by his swift, unexpected kiss. She wondered if she'd been too kind. She washed her face, noticing the flush on her cheeks. She should be angry, she thought. Then, a memory surfaced—the kiss in her drunken stupor. It wasn't a dream; she remembered the feel of his lips, the reality of the touch.

Damn it!

It wasn't a dream at all.