Chapter 981 Contact

"Just tell me the room number, and I'll ask her myself," Manuel said.

Susan gave him the number, then turned toward the door.

"Wait," Manuel said, grasping her arm.

"What?"

"I'll come with you."

"No need. Just wait outside. You make me nervous," Susan refused. "I can't perform well with you around."

Manuel was confused. "How are you supposed to 'perform'?"

"Anyway, don't follow me," Susan insisted.

"I'll at least walk you to the door," Manuel persisted.

Susan sighed and nodded. They walked together toward Besse's room.

"Okay, you can go back now," Susan said, reaching Besse's door.

"I meant to wait for you here," Manuel explained.

Susan was forced to allow him to escort her. "Now can you leave?" she asked at the door.

"Call me when you're ready, so I can pick you up," Manuel reminded her.

"Manuel! It's just a few steps away!" she exclaimed in frustration.

"You're pregnant. I'm worried about your safety," he replied seriously.

"What's there to worry about? Am I not fine?" she questioned.

"You forgot about our abortion last time," he said sternly.

Susan, angry and embarrassed, retorted, "Manuel! Are you still dwelling on that?"

"...No... I'm just trying not to repeat history," he conceded.

"I knew it! You've remembered this whole time!"

"No, I haven't."

"Then why did you mention it?" Susan asked, her eyes welling up.

"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. Just come back early, okay?"

She smiled brightly. She enjoyed his protectiveness, even if he couldn't control her.

"That's enough. Go now," Susan said.

"I'll wait until you're inside."

"Manuel…" Susan was impatient.

Manuel, about to leave, suddenly kissed her passionately. Susan was startled but her heart quickened. She wondered at his sudden boldness.

"Don't stare too hard at Doyle," Manuel warned seriously.

"So that was your intention all along?" Susan laughed slyly.

"You're a married woman; you should abide by the rules of marriage."

"Okay," Susan replied surprisingly, "Besides, Doyle isn't even staying in Besse's room, right?"

"What if he was?"

"I get it, you're jealous," Susan teased, pushing him playfully. "Go now."

If he didn't leave soon, they'd be up all night.

Manuel finally left. Susan breathed deeply, knowing she needed a clear answer.

As she was about to knock, someone called, "Susan?"

Besse stood there, smiling. She didn't resemble Hannah, and her smile made Susan want to cry. Each passing minute solidified Susan's answer.

"What are you doing here?" Besse asked, surprised.

"I came to find you," Susan replied calmly.

"To find me?" Besse seemed confused.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course."

Besse opened the door to her opulent suite.

"What about Mr. George?"

"Doyle and I just finished dinner, but he had work, so I came back. Are you looking for him?" Besse asked casually.

"No, no, I'm here for you," Susan clarified quickly.

Besse smiled, seemingly accustomed to Susan's personality.

"Sit down. Let me get you a drink. What would you like?"

"Coke... no, I'm pregnant, just water, please," Susan said, forgoing the soda lest Manuel scold her.

"Sure thing," Besse said, disappearing into another room. Her smile stirred many emotions in Susan.

Besse returned with drinks. "I can hardly tell you're pregnant."

"Really? Am I not getting fat?"

"Nope," Besse said, sitting beside Susan. "Your condition doesn't look like that of an expectant mother."

"Manuel says that too," Susan pouted.

"Your husband spoils you," Besse commented.

"How did you know?"

"I'm not blind," Besse teased. "At the banquet, Mr. Johnson never took his eyes off you. I saw how alert he was, protecting you."

"Is that so?"

Susan's happiness was evident. She felt lucky to have married Manuel.

"By the way, what did you want to ask me?" Besse asked.

They chatted harmoniously.

"Oh, I brought you some cake," Susan said, handing it over.

Besse was surprised. "You just came to give me cake?"

"I just came from a child's birthday party."

"You mean the little boy named Sal?"

"How do you know?! Oh, did you meet Salem at the amusement park today?"

"Yes, his name is Salem... Is he okay?" Besse asked, concerned.

"Just a graze. But even with a graze, Oscar is incompetent. He hasn't taken his son out in a year and a half. He finally takes him out, and Sal gets hurt! How can he be a father?" Susan complained.

Besse's expression changed. "Is Oscar Salem's father?"

"Don't you know? Didn't you meet him today?"

"He was wearing a cap and mask. I didn't recognize him."

"You didn't recognize him?" Susan's voice became serious.

Besse frowned, sensing Susan's strangeness.

"Isn't this weird? I'm not familiar with your commander after all," Besse said.

"But," Susan said, her voice choked with emotion.

Besse was inexplicably saddened by Susan's tears.