Susan lay quietly in bed, as still as a mouse. Manuel watched her several times. Usually, he'd tell her to quiet down when she was loud and talkative, but her subdued behavior was unusual.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," Susan replied, her spirits low.

"Come on. Tell me," Manuel urged softly. "You don't want to go to work?"

"Nah," she said, turning to look at him intently.

Manuel frowned, uncomfortable under her gaze. He felt as if she might pounce. "What's bothering you, then?" he asked hesitantly.

"I'm afraid you'll hook up with Clara when you get back to work," Susan finally admitted.

Manuel couldn't help smiling. He'd expected something far more serious.

"Oh god! You smiled!" Susan nearly exploded. "You smiled when you heard her name!"

Manuel was speechless. He'd smiled because of her dramatic reaction.

"Don't forget, I've been caring for you for four months without complaint! Be grateful! Don't act like a jerk!"

He was silent again, feeling she was taking undue credit.

"Listen, Manuel. If you hook up with Clara, I... I swear I'll kick your ass!" Susan roared, her face flushed with anger.

"I won't," Manuel said.

"Are you sure?" Susan's earnest gaze melted his heart. Her eyes were filled with hurt.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"What if she throws herself at you? Damn it! It feels like I'm the other woman trying to steal you away," Susan murmured, lacking confidence in her ability to win his heart.

"No," Manuel said flatly.

"What?"

"You're not the other woman," he clarified slowly.

"So, Clara is the other woman?" Susan asked, her eyes wide.

"No," Manuel replied.

Susan was confused.

"There's nothing between Clara and me," Manuel explained.

"How could you say that? You slept with her!" Susan's voice was heartbroken.

She had given her virginity to Manuel and remained faithful. She'd even rejected other admirers. The thought of Clara sharing Manuel's body filled her with rage.

"When did I sleep with her?" Manuel asked, bewildered. How could she accuse him falsely?

"Do you remember when I went on that business trip after you lectured me? I came back to the office and found you and Clara... having sex in the restroom," Susan choked back tears. "Why didn't you go to a hotel? Why the office?"

Manuel strained to recall. Finally, he said, "I wasn't in the office that day."

"What?" Susan froze.

"Did you see me in person?" he asked.

"No."

"How could you be sure I was with her?"

"I heard her voice. She asked if you were coming. And she even made the sex moans... ah... oh yeah..." Susan imitated the sounds.

"Fine. Stop it," Manuel blushed at her imitation.

"That's how Clara did it," Susan pouted.

"I was in Hannah's office that day. I had something to discuss with her. I wasn't in my office."

"Jeez! Clara set me up!" Susan's face cleared. "Damn it! What a bitch! I've been avoiding you since then. I thought you were dating her, that you were seriously involved, and I couldn't be the other woman!"

Manuel looked somber. He hadn't expected Clara to go to such lengths. He knew she had a crush on him, but he kept her on as his secretary only because of her father. He decided to transfer her to another department upon his return.

"You mean there's nothing between you?" Susan asked happily.

"Nothing," Manuel confirmed.

"How about Martina? Did you sleep with her?" Susan asked, seemingly unconcerned.

Manuel glanced at her. "Nope."

"Really? But she was naked in front of you. You didn't want her?" Susan's joy was unrestrained.

"I wasn't attracted to her."

"How could you control yourself? She was a looker."

Manuel remained silent.

"Exactly. You could refuse sex with me even when you were drugged. They're not as hot as I am!" Susan declared confidently.

Manuel saw where this was going. Susan was incredibly self-assured.

"Tell me. How did you manage to control yourself? I was drugged too, and I can never forget that feeling. It was agonizing. How did you do it?" Susan asked curiously.

Manuel would never reveal his regret at having kicked her out of the room.

"Manuel," Susan said, unexpectedly hugging him.

Manuel was stunned. Then, Susan unconsciously pressed herself against him.

"I love you so badly," she whispered, clinging to him.

Manuel was aroused, but he didn't push her away. He swallowed hard, realizing he'd brought this on himself.

The next day, Susan wheeled Manuel to the office. Four months had passed. Susan found returning to work difficult. They entered Manuel's office under the watchful eyes of their colleagues.

Clara was surprised by Manuel's sudden return. She had no idea where he and Susan had gone that night. The news of the accident had been suppressed, known to very few. Clara believed Susan had simply taken him away. She'd tried contacting him without success, and was considering quitting. Then, Manuel reappeared.

Clara was flustered. Seeing him in a wheelchair, she approached solicitously. "Mr. Johnson, you're back! Oh god! Four months! Where have you been?"

Her voice, soft and tender, bordered on overly sweet. She was clearly fawning over him. Susan rolled her eyes, thinking Clara couldn't be more shameless. Only Manuel's confession had prevented her from expressing her outrage at Clara's feigned intimacy.