淑女的欲望

Rex stood in front of the main door, watching Scarlett's car disappear from his sight. He remained rooted to the spot, his mind in chaos.

Well, not only was his mind messed up, but his heart too, ever since he kissed Casey. Something had been bothering him ever since that kiss.

He stood in his place for a few moments, unable to move or even utter a word to Casey, who stood beside him. However, when he heard Casey's footsteps moving away from him without a word, it made him worry.

'Is she mad?' He silently talks in his heart. 

Then, Rex looked back and saw her walking inside. Suddenly, a sense of guilt washed over him, and he clenched his fists in frustration with himself.

Driven by an unexplainable force, Rex walked, almost running, after her. "Casey," he called out as she reached the top of the stairs. "We need to talk!"

When he saw Casey frown at him, he quickly ran upstairs to catch up to her.

"Follow me," he said, motioning for her to come with him. He led her to his study room on the other side of their bedroom.

Rex gestured for Casey to sit on the leather couch, and he took a seat opposite her. He didn't immediately address the topic he wanted to say. Instead, he took a moment to collect himself, carefully choosing his words so as not to hurt her.

After a few seconds passed, he noticed Casey growing increasingly uneasy before him.

"Casey, I'm sorry," he said sincerely.

"Sorry?" Casey furrowed her brow, looking puzzled. "What for?"

"For kissing you earlier," Rex apologized with genuine remorse. "I was foolish to do so without your consent..."

Casey was at a loss for words. She had expected Rex to bring up something important. But it turns out he was talking about the kiss earlier. It made her whole body feel warm again at the thought of their first kiss.

"There's no need to apologize," Casey smiled, trying to reassure him that she was fine with the kiss. In fact, she had immensely enjoyed it. "I understand that it was part of our act to convince Xander and Scarlett that our relationship is real."

Rex was taken aback by Casey's response. He had expected her to be angry, but instead, she appeared calm and displayed a maturity he hadn't anticipated.

"Anyway," Casey paused, gazing at Rex with a smile in her eyes. "You know how I feel about you, right?"

Rex was speechless. How should he respond to her question?

"I have feelings for you, Rex Morrison!" She continued with a tinge of bitterness, noticing Rex's silence. "And I can't force you to feel the same way. If tonight was just an act for you to convince Scarlett, it wasn't for me. I enjoyed it and truly saw myself as your partner..."

"Casey..."

"Rex, please let me finish," Casey interrupted him, and upon seeing his nod, she continued. "Even though I know my feelings are unrequited, I don't feel hurt. I won't pressure you to like me either." She lowered her head, unable to meet Rex's gaze, as she poured her heart out. She was too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

Rex opened his mouth a couple of times, but no words came out from his lips. His forehead creased as he looked at her in silence. He was at a loss for words, feeling an increasing sense of guilt after listening to her confession.

After a long silence, Rex finally regained himself. He said, "Casey, I'm sorry for not being able to answer your feelings..."

Casey slowly lifted her head, meeting his gaze. 

"It's okay, Rex! I understand..." She forced a smile to ease the tension between them, though inside, she scolded herself for being so open about her feelings for him. Now, she wished she could disappear from there. She felt too embarrassed to remain in the same room with him.

Once again, Casey turned her gaze elsewhere. But when she heard him call her name. She quickly glanced back at him.

Their eyes met.

Rex continued speaking in a calm tone. "But, Casey... I don't mind if our fake relationship continues."

"What do you mean?" Casey asks, confused. 

"You can still be my girlfriend. I don't mind," he explained.

Casey couldn't fully grasp the meaning behind his words. Her mind felt muddled, as if a fog had descended upon her thoughts.

After a few moments, she attempted to comprehend Rex's statement. And then, her eyes widened in surprise. "R-Rex, are you saying I can still tell Scarlett that we're dating?"

"Hmm, you can," he affirmed.

Instantly, her cheeks flushed with a blush.

"And you can also call upon me if you need my help as your boyfriend," he added.

It seemed that Casey's brain wasn't functioning properly, causing her to lag for a few seconds before responding to Rex's words. 

"A-Are you serious, Rex? But what if... the others start believing we're dating?" she asked. 

Casey was worried because there was a possibility that the core members at FOX knew about their relationship.

Rex let out a chuckle before replying, "Of course, I'm sure. Well, have you forgotten? If Scarlett finds out about us, it means the entire Core Team will know we're dating. Even my mother probably already knows..." He took a deep breath, imagining his parents against his relationship with Casey.

However, Rex set aside his concerns about his parents. Right now, he yearned to find answers to the unfamiliar emotions he felt when he kissed Casey, and he was willing to give her a chance.

He couldn't force himself to love her, but he would try to see her as more than just a co-worker, opening his heart to the possibility of something deeper.

Casey was overwhelmed with joy. She felt as if she were floating on cloud nine, momentarily forgetting about the potential obstacles they would face, particularly Rex's parents. 

That night, she found herself unable to sleep, overwhelmed by the fear that what happened tonight would vanish by morning, as if it were all just a dream.