Chapter 181: The Beginning

When Susan hung up the phone, it was 2:00 AM. She was still thrilled and moved by Hannah's kindness. If Hannah were a man, she'd probably marry him!

She set down her nearly dead phone. If not for Oscar needing attention, she would have talked to Hannah longer. She suspected Oscar might have found a way to get Hannah into his bed. She imagined him with Hannah at that very moment.

Hannah, however, lived a regimented life, typically sleeping from ten to six. Susan, on the other hand, was a night owl.

Soon, a call came from friends at the nightclub. "I'm not going out," Susan answered.

Lying in bed, she felt a need for change. Her wedding was approaching, and being filmed dancing by paparazzi would embarrass Henry. She decided to avoid nightclubs after the wedding, wanting to be a devoted wife. When bored, she'd work alongside Henry as his assistant, always by his side. She eagerly anticipated that life.

"Hey, I'm not asking you to drink!" a noisy voice crackled from the other end.

"What?" Susan struggled to hear.

"Wait, I need a quieter place," her friend murmured.

After a while, the noise subsided.

"I'm not asking you to drink."

"Then what?" Susan asked. "Need to borrow money?"

"Just listen!"

"Okay."

"Do you know who I just saw?" her friend began, teasingly.

"I'm sleepy," Susan grumbled.

"You're so boring!" her friend complained. "I saw Manuel leaving with the hottest stripper!"

Susan froze, then replied casually, "Not my business."

"She's gorgeous! No man could resist her," her friend continued excitedly, oblivious to Susan's response.

Susan remained silent, uninterested.

"No comment?" her friend finally asked.

"Comment on what?"

"He's your stepbrother, isn't he?"

"None of my business," Susan said coldly. "Hope he enjoys sleeping with a whore."

"You sound weird."

"I wish he gets AIDS."

"See? You're uneasy!"

"Hey…"

"Susan, I heard you two were… involved in high school," her friend said curiously.

"Who told you that? It's a lie! I'll find whoever started that rumor!" Susan fumed.

"Was it true?"

"Fake!"

"Someone said they saw you kiss him."

"Bullshit!"

"You initiated it? Or him? Or both?"

"Shut the fuck up and get a drink!" Susan exploded.

Her friend, sensing her anger, quickly hung up.

Susan tossed her phone aside. 'Who spread that kiss?!' she thought angrily. She had indeed kissed Manuel impulsively and deeply regretted it. She wished it had never happened.

Anger welled up. She pulled the quilt over her head, yearning for her wedding day. The thought of marrying Henry brought a renewed thrill. Lost in anticipation of the future, she drifted to sleep.

Then she dreamt of Manuel. 'Fuck, why are you still haunting me?'

In her dream, Manuel wore his high school uniform. She remembered their senior year, preparing for the New Year's party. Manuel was playing a piano solo; Susan and her classmates were to perform social dances afterward. Her dance partner fell ill, so the teacher paired her with Manuel.

It was their closest moment. Her partner frequently missed rehearsals, making Manuel her regular partner. Both from privileged families, they adapted easily to social dancing. Manuel, usually quiet, showed surprising talent. Their performance was a highlight of the night.

After their dance, perhaps exhilarated, Susan accidentally sprained her ankle. Manuel caught her, scooped her into his arms, and rushed her to the dispensary. Seeing his worried face, she forgot the pain.

Fortunately, the injury was minor. After treatment, Manuel carried her back to the party. She tiptoed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

Her impulsive kiss stunned Manuel. Their hearts raced. Everything changed after that.