Chapter 281: Susan Helped Manuel Get Changed

"Oscar, who do you call a dog?" Susan's anger flared. Who was he to speak to her like that?

"I was calling the stupid person a dog," Oscar retorted.

"You're stupid! Your whole family is stupid!" Susan exploded, nearly leaping from her seat. "If you're not stupid, go help Manuel get changed now."

"I won't listen to you!" Susan refused, a person easily swayed by persuasion but not by coercion.

Oscar's face darkened.

"It's okay," Manuel interjected quickly, attempting to quell the argument. "She could help me." He gestured randomly at a female staff member.

The staff member, previously hesitant, quickly responded, "Sir, I'll help you change your clothes now." She began to push Manuel's wheelchair.

Hannah, already dressed in a black dress and emerging from the dressing room, apparently overheard the altercation. Addressing Susan, she said, "You go help Manuel get changed."

"Why should I?" Susan challenged.

"Because your name is next to Manuel's name!" Hannah explained.

Susan remained silent, feeling aggrieved. Since childhood, she'd been unable to refuse Hannah. No matter the situation, Hannah's intervention meant obedience.

"Sweetie, do it now. We'll be waiting," Hannah urged.

Susan pouted, pushing Manuel into the dressing room, her displeasure evident. She felt a little embarrassed, as well.

"I can put on the shirt and jacket myself," Manuel offered, "but I'll need help with the pants."

Susan didn't reply. Manuel, understanding her reluctance to speak, lowered his head and began undressing.

Susan had turned away, but for some reason, glanced back. She noticed the bruises on Manuel's body were gone. His complexion was remarkably fair.

She'd always wondered about Manuel's physique. He never seemed to exercise, appearing rather slight. Could his form be divinely bestowed? The more she considered it, the more unfair it seemed.

She watched as he undressed, donned a white shirt, and then a perfectly tailored suit jacket.

"Susan," Manuel called.

Susan's gaze snapped to his. She blushed, realizing she had been captivated by his appearance. When would she shed this habit of admiring handsome men? Certainly, not while helping Manuel!

Shame fueled her anger. "I told you not to call me like that!"

Manuel's lips tightened slightly. "Susan, please help me with my pants, thank you."

"If I'd known, I would have brought your maid," she muttered, yet still went over, squatting to help him remove his trousers.

Manuel's seated position made the task difficult, compounded by his weight. They struggled for a long time.

Finally, she removed his pants and helped him into a pair of black trousers. She was drenched in sweat.

She wondered how she'd sunk to helping someone get changed. Taking a deep breath, she stood. Manuel's face seemed suspiciously flushed.

Who had been struggling? Why was he breathing heavily now?

Lowering her head, she saw her strapless dress had slipped, becoming revealing. She quickly covered herself. "Manuel, what are you looking at?"

Manuel looked away, his face crimson. "I'm sorry."

Susan's anger momentarily subsided, though still simmering. Manuel's vulnerable appearance easily aroused pity. His apology disarmed her.

Manuel had considered reminding her, but seeing her effort, and feeling a fleeting impulse, he'd hesitated. Her disgust saddened him; they weren't even friends, let alone husband and wife. Her anger was understandable.

Susan adjusted her dress and prepared to leave.

"Su...Susan," Manuel tried.

"What!" she snapped.

"Do you want to change into another dress?" he asked, concerned about the potential for exposure.

"Why?" Susan didn't understand. She loved this dress.

"If it falls off at the party..."

"It won't!" Susan declared. "I just wasn't paying attention. It won't happen again."

Manuel tried to speak further, but Susan left. He wanted to mention the dress's revealing nature, but unlike Oscar and Hannah, he felt unqualified to dictate her clothing choices.

He wheeled himself out of the dressing room. Hannah and Susan were in another room applying makeup.

He joined Oscar in the lounge.

Oscar looked up from a magazine. "Where's your bow tie?"

"Here," Manuel replied, producing it.

Oscar tied it for him. The two rooms weren't separated by a wall; Oscar and Manuel were visible from where Susan and Hannah sat.

"Why do I have the feeling those two guys would make a cute couple?" Susan mused.

Hannah glanced over, sensing an unusual dynamic. "Manuel's supposed to be a bottom. Why would he marry a girl?" Susan commented, leaving Hannah speechless.

"By the way, do you think Oscar and Manuel look somewhat alike?" Susan asked.

Hannah frowned. She hadn't noticed until it was pointed out, but now saw a resemblance.

"Their noses," Susan observed, "They're too similar."

"They belong together," Susan concluded.

Hannah rolled her eyes. Susan consistently defied expectations. She shouldn't have any expectations for Susan!