Keanu stood up as well. “Then I'11-"

“Let's see them off," Corrine interrupted, winking playfully at him.

After all, she had just insisted they needed some alone time, so it wouldn't make sense for him to leave immediately.

Keanu caught on quickly, swallowing the words “I'll take my leave too" and instead replacing them with a simple, "Sure."

Corrine and Keanu walked the others to the elevator, exchanging polite farewells.

As the elevator doors slid shut, Keanu chuckled. "Corrine, you asked me to pretend to be your boyfriend out of the blue. Good thing I'm decent at improvising. Did I do okay back there?"

Corrine nodded. “Not bad. Your acting was convincing enough. If I hadn't been part of the act, I might've believed it myself."

Keanu smiled. "Glad I could help. Well, I should get going now."

“Wait a moment."

"Is there something else?"

Without warning, Corrine stepped closer, pushing him gently against the pristine white wall of the corridor.

"Keanu," she began, her voice teasing, "you said I was your childhood idol, right?"

She tilted her head slightly, her face close to his, the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air.

Keanu froze at her unexpected proximity, his mind racing. He instinctively nodded. “Yes.”

“Do you want to marry your idol?" Corrine asked, a playful smile dancing on her Lips.

What?! Marrying his idol?

Did he hear her correctly? Was she joking with him?

Keanu's heart skipped a beat as he gazed at her captivating expression. He swallowed hard and stammered, "Um, no!"

Corrine's eyes narrowed slightly as her delicate fingers trailed over his chest. "Why not? Do you think I'm too old for you?"

Keanu's muscles tensed instantly.

He swallowed again, his voice tight. "No, it's not that!"

“Then is it because you think I'm sharp-tongued, bad-tempered, or that I can't cook?" she teased, moving even closer, her warm breath brushing against his skin, her eyes filled with an enticing spark.

Keanu felt goosebumps rise along his arms. Pressed against the wall, he could barely move, his hands pinned awkwardly at his sides.

“It's... it's not that I don't Like you," he stammered, barely able to form the words. “It's just that... I'm not worthy of you!"