Hannah rubbed her ears and asked, "What's wrong?" She guessed nothing was amiss with Susan; otherwise, she wouldn't be so jovial. "I was just going to say that! Are you okay?"

Susan, enraged, retorted, "I've read the news! That Charles, that bastard, set you up!" The news wasn't quite so blunt; at best, it reported that the Sawyer Group had eclipsed the Cooper Group.

"Where are you?" Susan asked softly, her tone now tender and compassionate.

"I'm in River Town," Hannah replied, admiring the room's décor. A loving smile played on her lips; she could even smell Oscar's scent.

"River Town? That's in the middle of nowhere! What are you doing there?" Susan's emotional outburst resumed.

Hannah considered putting Susan on speaker; her voice was exceptionally loud.

"Oscar's here," Hannah said.

Susan's understanding dawned. "Oh, I see!"

"You only called because of the news?" Hannah asked.

"Yeah, I was worried you'd take it hard. It's a big deal. I read you suddenly went on vacation. I was so worried! What if you couldn't cope and… gosh!" Susan blurted.

Hannah rolled her eyes. "No worries. I'm fine. I'm just tired and wanted some time off."

"Time off, or missing Oscar?" Susan teased.

"Both," Hannah admitted readily. They were childhood friends; there was no need for pretense.

"Oh my god! You're crazy about him! You flew all that way just to see him! Was he thrilled?"

"He's still working. He hasn't seen me yet."

"I guess the first thing he'll do when he gets back is have incredibly hot sex with you," Susan stated bluntly.

Even Manuel, sitting beside Susan, felt embarrassed, let alone Hannah. He blushed deeply.

"Jesus! Can you act like a lady?" Hannah protested, her face reddening.

"Come on, don't be shy! That's what marriage is all about, right?" Susan found Hannah's reaction odd.

Hannah pursed her lips. "Right. You're right about everything."

"By the way, is Oscar good in bed?" Susan asked seriously.

Manuel was stunned into silence.

"Yeah," Hannah replied.

Susan and Hannah shared everything. In the past, Susan had asked about Charles; Hannah had simply said, "It's okay."

"How good?" Susan's excitement grew.

Manuel's embarrassment deepened.

"Didn't you sleep with Manuel? Sort of?"

"Manuel and I? Pffft... Nothing. Really. That night I was…" Susan glanced at Manuel, who was absorbed in his phone, then added, "Anyway, nothing!"

"Then do him again!" Hannah suggested.

"Hell no! You're freaking me out!" Susan scoffed.

"So, you're going to live without sex for the rest of your lives?"

Susan was speechless. She still couldn't accept spending her life with the man beside her.

"Forget it. What about you?" Susan, impatient yet excited, asked, "Did he make you come?"

Manuel, wondering if all women were so open, or if Susan was an exception, reached for the phone. He heard Hannah say, "Yep."

Mortified, Manuel said, after a pause, "Hannah, it's Manuel."

Hannah was utterly ashamed. Susan was a terrible confidante! She couldn't bring herself to speak.

"I just wanted to say it's late, and Susan should go to bed," Manuel said smoothly.

"Okay," Hannah replied calmly. "Good night then."

Hanging up, Hannah blushed scarlet. Manuel had heard everything!

Why didn't Susan tell me Manuel was there? she fumed. Susan was equally angry.

Susan glared at Manuel. "Why did you take my phone?!"

"It's late," Manuel said, putting the phone away to charge it.

"Holy shit! It's 7 pm."

"You're usually asleep by now."

"I can't sleep tonight. Give me the phone! I want to talk to Hannah."

"Not tonight," Manuel said. "It's not good for the baby."

"Go to bed," Manuel said, turning off the lights, leaving only a lamp.

Susan turned her back, annoyed, wondering when she'd become so obedient.

Hannah put down the phone and watched TV. Then she wandered around Oscar's apartment. She'd video-called him often over the past month, but seeing the furniture in person felt different. She couldn't help but think how Oscar lived in this simple, almost pathetic room compared to his grand villa.

At 8 pm, Hannah ordered food delivery. It should arrive by 9 pm, just in time for Oscar's return. She ordered Italian from the best restaurant, along with wine and candles; she wanted to surprise him.

Dinner was ready before 9 pm, so Hannah showered. The bathroom was basic; no bathtub, let alone a massage one. Even the showerhead was underwhelming, yet Hannah felt happy.

After showering, she donned a red slip dress that flattered her fair skin. She applied makeup; she looked pretty and sexy. She admitted Susan was right; she was prepared for passionate intimacy with Oscar.

Hannah curbed her anticipation and waited on the couch.

It was 9 pm sharp, but Oscar wasn't home. Maybe something delayed him.

By 10 pm, still no Oscar. The food was cold, despite the restaurant's efforts.

By 11 pm, Hannah assumed he wouldn't come home. Perhaps he was with another woman. Then, she heard the key in the lock.