Chapter 662: A Dinner Party (1)

Still drowsy, Susan sat up in bed. Last night, she'd slept less than usual, preoccupied with Henry's marriage proposal. She worried about refusing him a month hence and hesitated about making her disinclination clear. She’d pondered this nearly all night, finally falling into a sleep filled with strange, erotic dreams.

She couldn't recall the specifics, only the lingering heat in her lower body upon waking. Feeling unwell and perplexed by the dream, she rushed through her morning routine, finally leaving for work.

Reaching the garage, she saw Henry's car and him waiting. She stopped and approached.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"I'll drive you to work," Henry replied, smiling.

"I have a driver," Susan retorted, glancing around.

"I've sent him away. I'll drive you to and from work from now on," Henry said, his smile widening.

Susan frowned. "A boyfriend should," Henry added smoothly, opening the car door. "Come on in."

Susan entered. The car glided smoothly along the road.

"We'll be late," Susan said, checking her watch. She'd been delayed this morning.

"It's alright. I'm quite pleased to be late with you," Henry chuckled.

Susan was speechless, sensing Henry's persistence. Yet, she also believed his dedication would eventually falter, hampered by her demanding schedule and his own career ambitions. She doubted he could adapt to her lifestyle.

As she mused, they arrived at the Phillips Bank building. Entering the lobby, they encountered Manuel, unusually late for his habitually early arrival.

The three took an elevator, finding themselves alone. Embarrassed, Susan stiffened as Henry placed a hand on her waist. She quickly glanced at Manuel, then averted her gaze as he briefly looked in her direction, seemingly reacting to a noise.

Exiting the elevator, Manuel watched them go, noticing Henry's hand on Susan's waist. He smiled, seemingly realizing something new about their relationship, particularly given their lateness. He himself had had a disturbing erotic dream the previous night, prompting a late-night linen change and resulting in his own tardiness.

Susan, tired, wished to leave early but received a call from her father.

"I have a banking dinner tonight, and you're attending," Edward demanded.

"No!" Susan declared, her disinterest evident.

"I'm not asking your opinion; you're going."

"You're increasingly overbearing," Susan retorted.

"I'm getting old, Susan. These dinners are difficult for me. I have high blood pressure, and the doctor warned about the risk of a stroke if I drink," Edward pleaded.

"Ask Manuel to go," Susan suggested.

"Manuel will go, and so will you."

"I absolutely refuse," Susan insisted, embarrassed at the prospect of attending with Manuel.

"Don't be silly. Manuel doesn't feel that way about you," Edward dismissed her concerns.

"I..." Susan mumbled.

"He can't hold his liquor. City hall officials will be there, and he'll need to drink with them. You'll need to go with him and manage his drinks," Edward explained.

"Is Manuel your son and I'm not your daughter? It's unbelievable that you'd ask your daughter to manage drinks for an outsider!" Susan raged, also disliking the idea of excessive drinking.

"You don't have to get drunk. Just manage his drinks," Edward conceded, then added, "You asked for money for a bag the other day. I'll buy it for you if you go."

Susan was excited but skeptical. Edward had been tight with money lately.

"Did I lie to you?" he pressed.

"Don't break your promise," Susan replied.

"Promise to ensure Manuel doesn't get drunk. He has an important meeting tomorrow," Edward insisted.

Susan, deeming her father heartless, reluctantly agreed. After hanging up, she called Henry.

"Don't wait. I'm going to a dinner party—my father's insistence."

"The banking dinner?" Henry asked, already seeming aware.

"Yes," Susan confirmed.

"With your father?"

"No, with Manuel," Susan admitted, choosing not to explain her reluctance.

"Don't drink too much," Henry instructed calmly.

"Alright," Susan replied.

"I'll pick you up afterward."

"Let's decide after dinner," Susan responded, unsure of the dinner's duration and unwilling to keep him waiting too long.

"All right."

Relieved, Susan hung up. It was six o'clock. Sitting silently beside Manuel in his car, she noticed his deliberate distance. She wondered why he didn't simply ask her father to find another companion; he was clearly a favorite with her father who would readily comply with his wishes. The silence and solitude with Manuel continued to make her uneasy.

Reaching their destination, a server guided them to a large, opulent room filled with people. Susan anticipated a night of heavy drinking.