Oscar’s name flashed on the screen. He called around this time every day since leaving Kensbury City a week ago, and it was the highlight of Hannah’s day. She controlled her crush and answered, "Clock off?"
"On the way, and you?" Oscar asked, his voice gentle and magnetic.
"Me too."
"Busy day?"
"Yeah, the South Bay New Town project."
"I got a call from Theodore today."
Hannah frowned. "I've always been curious, how come Theodore does whatever you say?"
The Wold family operated on both sides of the law; the four powerful families all respected them. Yet Theodore was always obedient to Oscar. It was confusing.
"Do you want to know?" Oscar raised his eyebrows.
"Will you tell me?"
"No."
"But you can instruct Theodore to do anything," Oscar messaged. "Are you sure?"
"Mrs. Wells, relax. He'll obey you without complaints."
"..." Was this a warning?
Oscar changed the subject. "Did you have dinner?"
"Yes, you?"
"Me too, but I'm still hungry."
"Then eat some more."
"Nothing satisfies me," Oscar sounded melancholy.
"Nothing appetizing?"
"Not really. It's just… there's no Mrs. Wells here."
Hannah frowned.
"I can't make love to you, so I'm hungry."
"..."
"Is anything making you think of someone?" Oscar asked.
Hannah denied it directly, avoiding any possibility of being pressured. "No."
Oscar's voice held a sense of loss. Hannah felt a little cruel, not taking his honesty seriously.
"But I miss you every night when I see your things," Oscar said, sounding hurt.
"Such as?" Hannah asked, always trying, and always failing, to avoid his traps.
"Didn't you notice the big hole in your bedsheets?"
Hannah's face flushed. What a jerk!
He meant to embarrass her. "I can only make out with them while you're not here," Oscar said coquettishly.
"..."
Hannah blushed at his flirtation. "I'm home," she said, sensing the underlying sexuality even through the phone. Controlling her feelings, she added, "Do miss me. Good night."
Irritated, Hannah hung up. Sometimes she felt she could get pregnant just from talking to him.
Oscar sighed, his eyes on the River Town night scene. Someday he would return to Hannah, his identity innocent.
Susan couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning. She’d been insomniac since Hannah’s call. She checked the time: 1:00 AM.
She felt unwell, nauseous and uncomfortable. She got up for water. Outside her bedroom, the living room glowed dimly. Manuel was asleep on the couch; he'd been sleeping there for a week. She wondered if it was comfortable.
She went to the kitchen. As she placed a glass under the water dispenser, her stomach churned violently. Morning sickness was unpredictable.
She vomited on the floor while searching for a trash can, initially expelling a large amount, then water. She squatted, hands on her stomach, wracked with uncontrollable vomiting.
Suddenly, a hand – large and warm – rested on her back, trying to soothe her. Susan wanted to refuse but couldn’t speak; her stomach continued to churn.
After a while, she felt better.
"Feeling better?" Manuel asked.
Susan didn't reply. He handed her a tissue; she wiped her lips and stood.
"Do you want to go to the hospital?"
"No need," Susan said. "I'd rather die."
She took the water and left angrily. Manuel watched silently, then retrieved a mop to clean the floor.
It was inconvenient for him to clean. Susan returned and saw him, surprised. She had planned to clean herself once she felt better; it was late, and she didn’t want to bother Tia.
She took the mop. "I'll do it myself," she said angrily.
Manuel looked at her.
"I don't need your help," Susan insisted, focusing on the cleaning. Manuel had nearly finished already; Susan only needed to do the final bit.
Manuel said nothing, wheeling himself to the sofa. Susan saw him struggling to lie down. His leg disability made it difficult.
She was annoyed. "Go sleep on the bed!"
She had to admit her insomnia stemmed from Manuel. She kept thinking about Hannah’s warning about the harm of him sleeping on the couch; how bad it was for his health.
But what did it matter to her if he died or not?
Susan had a breakdown.