淑女的欲望

The day Scarlett had been eagerly anticipating had finally arrived. 

Tonight, she will be having dinner with Theodor's family.

Her nerves were on edge, knowing that she would be meeting Theodor's mother, Melinda Gilwynn, who also happened to be Roland Gilwynn's younger sister.

Scarlett's anxiety increased as their car drew closer to Theodor's parents' residence. 

She attempts to distract her mind with other thoughts. Still, the worry of being recognized and negatively judged by Melinda Gilwynn haunts her mind, tormenting her.

'Gosh, how exhausted!'

Again, she secretly took a deep breath, trying to relieve the tightness in her chest.

Beside her, Xander raised an eyebrow as he observed Scarlett's worried expression. Without hesitation, he reached for her hand and gently squeezed it.

"Babe, why do you look so tense?" Xander gently asks her, his eyes locked with hers, hoping to calm her.

Scarlett looked into his eyes for comfort but to no avail. The nervousness remained, refusing to fade away.

"I'm not sure why I feel this way, Xander. It's... I can't quite put it into words," Scarlett's voice trailed off, her confusion clear through her gloomy eyes.

Xander gently lifted his hand and caressed Scarlett's cheek, reassuring her as he spoke, "Babe, Theodor's parents are wonderful people. I've known them for a long time, and they've become like family to me. As my wife, they'll be happy to meet you..." His gaze met her worried eyes.

"I'm just afraid they'll recognize me," Scarlett admitted, her voice filled with worry.

She tried to convince herself once more that she was visiting Theodor Parker's house as Scarlett Piers, Xander's wife, not as Scarlett, the potential illegitimate child of Roland Gilwynn.

"Your disguise is flawless, even though I despise seeing you in that wig," Xander chuckled, his fingers delicately brushing against her dark blonde wig. "They won't see any resemblance to your father..."

"He's not my father yet! I still need to talk to him..." Scarlett couldn't bring herself to accept the truth, despite the DNA test results confirming their blood relation.

Xander smiled, finding amusement in her pouting face. "Alright, baby, I'll stop calling him that. Don't worry. I believe no one will recognize you under your makeup."

Scarlett glanced at him, her eyes reflecting her concern.

"...Xander, does my makeup look too heavy?" She worried that the makeup she had applied might be too thick, and she didn't want to make a negative impression in front of Theodor's parents, especially Melinda Gilwynn.

"No, you look magnificent. Your makeup appears very natural. Babe, your skills are exceptional; you could surpass any professional makeup artist out there..." Xander reassured her. 

But even though he praised her, deep down, he preferred his wife without any makeup at all.

"I'm glad to hear that! It puts my mind at ease about meeting them."

"But if it's unnecessary, try not to wear it like this. I prefer my wife without heavy makeup like this. I love you just the way you are..." Xander expresses his fondness, reminiscent of the first time they met when he jokingly commented on his disguised appearance.

Scarlett couldn't help but smile, finding his warning amusing. She simply nodded, her smile conveying her response.

It didn't take long for their car to pull up in front of a grand mansion, coming to a halt at the main entrance.

Scarlett caught sight of Theodor standing there, dressed in casual home attire — a dark brown sweatshirt, black trousers, and white sneakers, completing his look.

Wearing his brightest smile, he warmly greeted them, "Sister-in-law, Xander... welcome to my home!" He gestured for them to enter, leading the way.

With Theodor by her side, Scarlett's restlessness faded, replaced by comfort and ease.

They soon stepped into a spacious living room adorned with mid-century decor in earthy tones.

Scarlett's gaze was immediately drawn to a stunning woman with short ginger-red hair standing near the fireplace. The woman's eyes lit up with a friendly and welcoming smile as she spotted their arrival.

"Oh, Xander Riley, you've finally come to visit us..." Melinda approached Xander, enveloping him in a warm hug resembling a mother embracing her son.

"It's wonderful to see you again, Auntie..." Xander returns the hug, his gaze shifting towards Scarlett. "And this is my wife, Scarlett Piers..." he politely introduced her.

Scarlett, still captivated by Melinda Gilwynn's beauty and grace, snapped out of her trance when Melinda extended her hand for a handshake.

"Scarlett," Melinda's smile radiates warmth, instantly putting Scarlett at ease. "...Can I call you that?" Her friendly tone prompted Scarlett to nod quickly.

"Y-Yes, ma'am..." Scarlett replied awkwardly, accepting the handshake.

"Scarlett, please call me Auntie, just like how Xander does," Melinda gently patted Scarlett's hand, motioning for everyone to take a seat.

Theodor felt a warmth spread within him as he observed his mother's joy in meeting Scarlett. He wondered what would happen if his mother discovered Scarlett was her niece. Perhaps it would bring her even greater happiness.

Taking a discreet deep breath, he also reminded his mother to introduce his father to Scarlett.

"Hahaha, I almost forgot about you, Allaistar..." Melinda lovingly gazed at her husband. "Scarlett, this is my husband, Theodor's father..."

Allaistar could only smile as he listened to his wife warmly greeting Scarlett. 

"Scarlett, you can call me Uncle Allaistar. And I'm pleased to meet you..."

"Nice to meet you too, Uncle Allaistar," Scarlett responded, receiving his handshake with her best smile.

Upon arriving at the house, Melinda and Allaistar's warm welcome made Scarlett completely forget her previous worries.

Being in this house made her feel as though she were at the Morrison home in New York with her second family. 

...

After warm greetings, the men delved into business discussions while Scarlett casually chatted with Melinda. 

As Scarlett sat so close to Melinda, she couldn't help but admire her beauty. Melinda's face was strikingly radiant, and despite Xander's revelation that she was over fifty years old, she appeared to be in her early forties. 

What captivated Scarlett the most were the captivating eyes that Melinda possessed, bearing a resemblance in color and shape to her own.