"Really?" Scarlett said, staring at me intently, her eyes locked onto mine as if she was trying to figure out if I was lying.
"Of course! When have I ever lied to you?" I replied.
"I'll trust you on this one," Scarlett said as she continued to eat her lunch. "So, tell me, what have you been up to abroad these days?"
"What could I do? Just find a hotel to stay in, lay low for a few days, and then come back to work."
"Is that so?" Scarlett raised an eyebrow slightly, not saying another word to me.
But the slight smirk on her lips had faded, and her expression had turned somewhat grim as if she was displeased with me.
Could it be that she could tell I was lying? Or was she trying to trick me, to get me to confess what I had been up to abroad?
I couldn't figure it out, and I didn't dare to speak first, afraid that Scarlett would find loopholes in my words and force me to reveal things I didn't want to say.
Scarlett remained silent, and I followed suit, focusing on eating my meal while keeping an eye on her.
I saw her take her phone out of her pocket, unlock it, open an app, and show me a message on the screen.
"Take a look, anything to explain?" she asked.
Following her gaze, I saw a picture of Catherine and me walking the red carpet at a banquet. We were both dressed in black outfits with subtle sparkles, clearly looking like a couple.
Scarlett then took back her phone, switched to another app, opened a video, and placed it in front of me.
I glanced at it and felt like dying inside.
It was a video of Catherine and me at the banquet, showing us having snacks together and me getting into a fight to protect her.
The video also captured me threatening the person who caused trouble, every moment dedicated to declaring my loyalty to Catherine.
If it were just a picture, I could come up with excuses, like being hired as a bodyguard by a wealthy woman.
But with this video, I couldn't possibly claim that it was all staged, could I?
The person I fought was already beaten up badly, with a swollen nose and a missing tooth, clearly not acting.
"Um... Scarlett, let me explain..." I pleaded.
"Explain or make excuses?" Scarlett set down her utensils, propped her chin on her hand, and looked at me with cold eyes.
For some reason, even though Scarlett and I were not in a romantic relationship, I couldn't help but feel guilty under her questioning.
"No... that's not what I meant..." I responded hesitantly, my mind racing to figure out how to phrase my words.
"So what's the deal? You lied about hiding from the military officer's wife for revenge, then flew abroad just to date someone else?"
"No, I didn't lie to you. I did go abroad to avoid the military officer's wife." I set down my utensils, my tone urgent and rushed.
I was afraid that a second delay or a wrong tone in my voice would lead to suspicion of lying.
"Will you listen to my explanation?" I begged.
Seeing Scarlett's mood slightly soften, I also calmed my tone a bit and continued. "I did go to avoid the military officer's wife, and it's true I dated someone else, but it's all because Ryan wanted me to sleep with you and get you pregnant."
In case Scarlett had more questions, I quickly added, "Don't doubt it, I'm willing to have a child with you."
Seeing she ready to listen to me, I kept going, "We were supposed to resist in front of Ryan, but just talking wasn't enough. So I thought if I started dating someone, Ryan would think I had a girlfriend and it would create a convincing illusion, so he couldn't pressure us into having sex again."
Hearing my words, Scarlett was lost in thought. I continued, "Later, we can secretly have sex, and if you get pregnant, you can say it's Ryan's child. If he questions it because of his infertility, just say it's a medical miracle or a misdiagnosis."
"Isn't this good for both of us?" I asked softly, my gaze fixed on hers.
Scarlett pondered my words for a moment, seemingly having no objections. "What about that girl?"
"Don't worry, she won't know," I assured.
This was a secret between Scarlett and me, how could I let a third person know?
"Alright, you're an adult and it's time for you to date. How is that girl?" Scarlett asked, her tone elusive.
"How is she?" I repeated Scarlett's question, and Catherine's face unconsciously appeared in my mind.
She was shy, blushing every time I teased her or engaged in dirty talk.
But she would try her best to satisfy my desires and follow my lead as much as possible.
Even if it were something she found difficult to accept, she would strive to overcome it just because I said so.
Where else could I find such a good girl?
Although Mia, Emily, and others had also been cooperative with me, the feelings of a woman losing her virginity to me and someone else were different.
"She's good, very beautiful, and has a great personality." I nodded faintly, my liking and longing for Catherine reaching its peak in my heart.
"Alright, as long as you like her. Bring her over when she's back from her business trip. Ryan and I are your family, after all," Scarlett said plainly.
"Sure, I'll ask her opinion when she's back from her trip."
"Okay." Scarlett nodded lightly, her plate now empty, and she got up to leave with the dishes.
As I watched her walk away, I didn't know what to say. Her expression and posture seemed a bit desolate.
Could it be because I was dating someone?
That wouldn't do. I hadn't won Scarlett over yet, so I had to make things right with her quickly.
I quickly got up, took the dishes to the sink, and hurried to catch up with her.
Scarlett had just entered the elevator, and as the doors were about to close, I quickly reached out a hand to stop them.
"Wait up, Scarlett," I cried out for her.
She looked surprised to see me, but when she noticed I had stopped the doors with my hand, her expression shifted to annoyance.
"Are you crazy? What if you got hurt?" she snapped.
"I'd blame you. My hand got stuck because I was chasing you," I replied shamelessly.
"Get lost, go find your girlfriend." Scarlett rolled her eyes at me and stepped away.