淑女的欲望

Zara frowned, more and more questions swirling in her mind. She couldn't help but ask, "If not Rex, then who, Scarlett? Who? Is he someone I know?"

"Maybe you know him. Maybe you don't. I don't know. But his name is Xander Riley! He owns this hotel and restaurant. So, what Cruz said, that I don't need to buy this restaurant to eat here for free, for that reason..."

Scarlett stopped to see their reactions. She smiled, seeing them freeze as if they were still digesting her words.

She continued to enjoy her dessert for the two of them to absorb her words first.

After a few minutes passed, Tyler, who was usually calm about anything, spoke first. He said, "Scarlett, you can't play tricks on us like this. When, where, and how do you know Xander Riley? Your story is hard to believe." he raised his eyebrows in confusion.

As much as he thought there was no way Scarlett would have the chance to meet Xander Riley. He knew who the man was.

He and Rex were classmates in college with Xander Riley. However, because Rex disagreed with Xander, they finally lost contact. But even though he no longer sees Xander, he still hears news about him. Because every year, his name always appears in Forbes Magazine as one of the top ten wealthiest people in the world.

And he also knew Scarlett's private life almost perfectly. This girl was an utter introvert! She's not good at making new friends. Or not willing to make new friends unless she is forced to.

Not only Tyler looks confused, but also Zara. She is lost within herself, though, trying to figure it out from when Scarlett knew Xander Riley!?

The last time she heard from Cruz, The Riley Group under Studio Phoenix tried to meet Scarlett. At the time, Scarlett always refuses because she doesn't want to accept new movie projects for the time being.

But now!? What has happened? Why did she suddenly change so much after returning to this country? And even married to Xander Riley!?

Zara looks at Cruz and wants to ask him for an explanation. It seemed her brain was still having a hard time accepting this news — she still doubted her!

"Cruz, tell me that what Scarlett said is true? How did she suddenly marry Xander Riley? Didn't you say that the person who contacted you was Carter Riley?" She was confused.

Cruz wiped his mouth, having finished his chocolate ganache cake. He looked at Zara with a half smile, "She is telling the truth!! Our boss did marry Mr. Xander Riley, while Carter Riley is her brother-in-law!"

Scarlett could only smile. She was too exhausted to explain to them. Gosh!

"No way! When?" replied Zara and Tyler.

"It's been over a month," Seeing Zara and Tyler shocked, he raised his hands in surrender before continuing, "...guys, don't ask me! You ask her. Frankly speaking, I  also learned about this after she got married!"

pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ Cruz placed the napkin on the table and asked Logan to move with him to the sofa area in the corner. It felt like he became even more stressed when he heard their conversation.

Zara didn't look at Scarlett, but she exchanged glances with Tyler, who currently had the same expression as her, confused and shocked.

"Scarlett, since when did you know Xander Riley?" This was the number one question that came to Tyler's mind. He was curious.

Then Zara said, "Yeah, I'm curious too! I've known you since you were in high school. And you had never mentioned that guy before! You never even mentioned you wanted to get married this young. You had always said you would get married when you were a bit old. So, I've always thought you would end up single for the rest of our youth, and you would only be married when I already married and had kids." After her long, annoyed speech, Zara tilted slightly to see Scarlett's facial expression. She had known this girl for almost a decade and would reckon if Scarlett was lying or hiding the truth!

Scarlett supported her face with one hand and lazily looked at Zara. She secretly took a deep breath.

She can't blame Zara and Tyler. She will also react the same if Zara suddenly declares she is married to someone; because she knows Zara hasn't had a boyfriend in recent months.

"Would you guys believe me if I said… I met him before I flew to the US!?"

Zara and Tyler are Scarlett's best friends. Still, she isn't ready to share how she met and married Xander — the incident at the Beach Front hotel and the marriage contract agreement.

So, Scarlett tells a story she made up with Xander about how they met in the past before she went to study in the US.

"Well, it's almost hard to believe. Still, we are your best friends, so we believe you!" Zara said.

"Of course, we believe you, Scarlett!!" Said Tyler, convincing Scarlett even more.

She smiled as she sat up straight while leaning her back against the back of the chair.

"Well, the first time I met Xander, nothing happened between us! We didn't even exchange a word. Because I was too young, so was he. And then, fast forward to when I went on an Island for vacation two months ago, I accidentally met him again."

Scarlett could feel butterflies dancing in her stomach, remembering that night. She blushed.

"...I couldn't tell you in detail. But that night, Xander asked me to marry him because I'm single and not a girlie. Something he said he looked for in a woman. So, I accepted his proposal because, after we talked, I felt comfortable spending some time just talking with him. That's why I accepted his proposal without hesitation."

Zara, "..."

Tyler, "..."

"And just like that, we plan to register our marriage the next day and become husband and wife! If you ask, did we have a wedding party? No! I want no publicity. Only our family knows we were married." Scarlett smiled, "Well, that's what exactly happened to me these past few weeks!"

Zara gapes at that. "Girl, do you also plan to become a scriptwriter? Why do I feel like I'm hearing a synopsis of a play or a novel?" She could only shake her head after hearing Scarlett's explanation.

"Gosh! I'm telling the truth here!" Scarlett's shoulders shrank, feeling helpless talking to Zara. "It's up to you whether you want to believe it!"

After talking so much, Zara drank a glass of water to moisten her dry throat. Later, she placed the empty glass on the table and looked at Scarlett again. This time, Zara looked calm and started to believe the entire story Scarlett told them.

"Although this sounds ridiculous..." Scarlett responded with a nod. She thought so, too. Her encounter with Xander was so absurd. "...But, I will try to believe you, Scarlett!" Zara continues.

"Me too! I believe in you, Scarlett. I know you're one of those women who won't lie!" Tyler said while adjusting his sunglasses calmly.

Scarlett silently swallowed. 'Sorry, Tyler!! I lied to you! I hope you understand!' Scarlett said to herself, and another water went down her throat.