Chapter 1184: Romantic Dinner

The large conference room was silent. Suddenly, a woman’s furious, yet surprisingly pleasant, voice erupted from Oscar’s phone.

“Oscar, will you ever stop? You’re buzzing around my ear like a mosquito—it’s nauseating!”

Oscar quickly silenced the phone. An even deeper silence fell over the room. Everyone held their breath, the air thick with tension. A pin drop would have echoed.

Which woman dared address the Commander so? Calling him a mosquito, claiming he made her nauseous? Who knew even the high-and-mighty commander faced romantic rejection?

Theodore, also present, recognized Hannah’s voice instantly. He chuckled, finding Oscar’s apparent failure to win her over amusing. Theodore’s laughter only amplified the awkwardness.

Oscar shot him a withering glare, to no effect. Theodore cleared his throat and said seriously, “Our commander is human; he can fall in love.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, a collective attempt to ease the tension.

Oscar’s lips tightened. “Report your results separately,” he stated coldly, rising and leaving without a backward glance. Even at his young age, Oscar’s presence commanded the room, leaving others feeling subdued.

His departure brought a collective sigh of relief. Theodore urged the others to continue, privately surmising Oscar’s abrupt exit was to respond to Hannah. At least she was responding, however impatiently.

Unobserved by Theodore, others discreetly checked their phones, lost in thought.

Back in his office, Oscar replied to Hannah's message. “Sorry to bother you while you’re working,” he apologized.

“Don’t talk to me,” Hannah retorted, her frustration palpable. She was overwhelmed by her new job, constantly busy and stressed. She envied Manuel’s ability to manage three companies while maintaining a life with Susan. Oscar's incessant messages were driving her mad. The very sound of his messages irritated her, even after her earlier scolding.

“Okay,” he replied curtly, adding a silencing emoji.

His mood remained positive; Hannah hadn’t refused his dinner invitation.

That afternoon, Oscar finished work early, waiting for Hannah in Kensbury. He knew her schedule by heart. Though it was 8 PM when she finished, he waited patiently in his car, finally spotting her at 9 PM.

He approached as she emerged, noticing her surprise and confusion. She hadn't actually agreed to dinner, overwhelmed by work, but Oscar had taken his invitation seriously.

Face-to-face, a whirlwind of emotions flooded Hannah. Oscar smiled charmingly at her confusion. “Are you done with your shift?”

She nodded silently.

“Let’s go eat, then.” He took her hand; she didn't resist.

Oscar, surprisingly nervous, felt less poised than anticipated. Her lack of resistance emboldened his smile. They drove to a nearly empty restaurant, enjoying their meal in secluded privacy.

“I’m sorry about this. But maybe we’ll always have dinners like this.”

“It has nothing to do with me,” she replied, implying she wouldn't accept further invitations.

Oscar smiled, sensing her words belied her true feelings. Hannah felt a sudden surge of anger. When, she wondered, had their boundaries blurred so completely? They’d agreed to no relationship, yet he slept in her bed again. They’d agreed to separate work and pleasure, yet she worked for his company. They’d agreed to no contact, yet here they were, sharing a candlelit dinner.

He presented her with roses; she accepted them but set them aside. He seemed unfazed.

“Oscar,” she said seriously, “I need to talk.”

“I’m listening.”

“There’s nothing between us.”

“That’s why I’m pursuing you again.”

“I reject your advances.”

“Your right,” he replied nonchalantly, his charming smile unwavering. “But it’s also my right to pursue you.”

“I don’t want a romantic relationship.”

“I can wait.”

“I don’t want anything romantic with you.”

“I can change.” He reached for her hand; she evaded him.

“We have history, unpleasant history, but I can’t change the past. I can only focus on the future.” He smiled handsomely in the candlelight. “In this lifetime, there’s no one else but you.”

Hannah remained silent, wrestling with herself and Oscar’s declaration, unable to refuse or consent.