淑女的欲望

Scarlett was speechless at how much Rex enjoyed teasing Xander.

Without Rex telling her, Scarlett immediately knew Xander didn't like cats from the way he held Cloud. She could guess Xander only pretended to like cats for her. 

"Brother Rex, why did you come to my place so early in the morning?" Scarlett quickly changed the topic, taking the cat from Xander's lap. She didn't want Xander to feel uncomfortable. She hugged Cloud affectionately, looking back at Rex.

"To scold you!!" Rex's face suddenly turned angry. This girl didn't even tell him she got to this city sooner! If it wasn't for Cruz, he wouldn't even know.

Scarlett was taken aback by Rex's sudden change of expression. She noticed his anger brewing, and it made her speechless. She could only try maintaining her composure and said, "Scold me? Why?"

"Because you didn't even bother to let me know you arrived," Rex replied, his voice filled with annoyance. "I could have helped you with so many things if you had told me earlier, little sis..."

"Oops, sorry, brother. I didn't tell you on purpose..." She grinned, then glanced lovingly at Cloud in her lap and pinched Cloud's head. She couldn't resist Cloud's cuteness. 

Sensing Rex still glaring at her, Scarlett continued as she looked at him again, "Can you stop being angry? Now we meet, right!? Besides, I didn't inform anyone, only Mom…"

"What!? Mom knows you arrived?" Rex's eyes widened in surprise. Even though he had stayed at his parent's house for the past few days, his mother never mentioned Scarlett's arrival. He felt like an outsider. "Why didn't you tell me earlier, Sis? I could've picked you up at the airport."

Scarlett chuckled, "Relax, brother. I can take care of myself. After all, Xander will take care of me..."

Rex sighed, "Alright, alright!" He said, feeling defeated. 

"Brother Rex, I'm hungry, but you came without bringing breakfast for me!" Scarlett said, slowly trying to divert the conversation, so Rex wouldn't sulk anymore.

"Rex, can you go back now?" Xander, who didn't say much because he was worried that Scarlett would give Cloud to him again, finally said something. "We were going to the nearest cafe, but you ruined our morning plans!" His voice was clearly displeased.

'Why did this pair suddenly bear such a striking resemblance to one another? Their shamelessness is now more pronounced.' Rex muttered inwardly.

Rex took a deep sigh before saying, "You two! Let's go. I'll bring you to the best cafe in town!" He stood from his seat.

Scarlett swiftly rose to her feet, handing Cloud over to Xander. "Let's go, Xander. Could you hold onto Cloud for a moment?" She asked, but she abruptly stopped handing Cloud to him as she remembered something. 

"Uhmm... no need. W-Wait here, I will put Cloud back first to his room..." Scarlett said and walked fast to the cat room, leaving Xander and Rex alone in the living room.

Xander took a deep breath to calm himself, but his anger resurfaced when he heard Rex's words. "What are you talking about?" he asked with a scowl.

Rex chuckled, patting Xander on the shoulder. "Come on, man. You can't fool my sister. She knows you don't like cats. So stop pretending, just tell her..." he said, walking towards the cat room.

Xander watched him go, feeling irritated. "I don't have to pretend to like cats," he muttered. "I just don't want to be rude to Scarlett and her pets."

Not hearing any response from Rex, Xander took a deep breath and walked to a corner to look at Central Park below while contemplating Rex's words.

Rex's words made sense to him. He couldn't pretend to like cats just to make Scarlett happy. 

Sigh!

After thinking for a while, Xander has decided something important. He needs to be honest with his wife about his cat aversion.

...

Before long, Xander heard the cat room door open. He turned and saw Scarlett and Rex walking out.

"Should we go now?" Xander asked and walked to Scarlett. 

"Yes. Let's go!!" Scarlett held Xander's arm as they walked to the entrance, but the bell rang before they could even get to the door.

The three of them stopped in their tracks, exchanging glances.

"Are you waiting for other guests?" asked Rex while looking at Scarlett, who was worried. This is an uninvited guest, someone who might want to hurt her.

"NO!" Scarlett shook her head. She also found it strange why so many people visited her this morning. Even though only a few people know her schedule for visiting this city.

"Babe, who knows your password to get on this floor?" Xander asked calmly, but worry flickered in his eyes, and Scarlett could sense it.

Scarlett thought for a moment before replying, "Only Cruz!"

"Maybe it's him!" said Rex.

"I'm not sure because I gave him leave until early January," said Scarlett. "So he won't come to my place until I call him!"

At once, Rex and Xander's faces became alert. They exchanged a glance before turning back to Scarlett.

"We need to be careful. Whoever it is, we don't know their intentions," Xander said, his voice firm.

Scarlett nodded in agreement, "You're right. Let's see who it is first before we let them in."

With that, Rex took the initiative to walk toward the intercom to check the visitor's identity.

Scarlett felt anxious because this is the first time she set foot in New York since her accident a year ago. If her pursuer knew she was returning, they might come after her. But then she realized she had been able to keep her location hidden safely all this time. It seemed impossible for them to find her here, right?

"Who is it?" Scarlett asked in a low voice from behind Rex.

Rex didn't answer Scarlett's question but asked if she was sure only Cruz knew her password. 

Scarlett frowned and thought deeply. After a moment, she opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out. She was shocked to realize that she had forgotten about that person.

"Gosh!! How could I forget!!" She said softly.

"Sis, open the door!" Rex said as he walked into the living room. "Looks like we're not going anywhere!" 

Xander, who didn't understand what they were talking about, could only stare at Rex and Scarlett in confusion.

"Who!?" Xander asked, but they had already moved away from him. He couldn't help but chuckle and followed Rex into the living room.