Have you met Boss before?

~Back to present~

Bryan gripped the steering wheel tightly as he navigated through the morning traffic. His mind wandered, replaying the events of the day.

He couldn't help the feeling of something wrong. The series of actions displayed by Scarlet isn't one he has expected.

"Where do you work?" Bryan asked with fear of another shock in contrast to the lady he heard about though his voice held an edge of hesitation.

Scarlet, focused on her phone, answered absentmindedly, "Sterling Group."

"Sterling groups?" Bryan asked, his voice few decibels high as his hands jerked on the wheel. His foot slammed the brake pedal, and the car screeched to a sudden halt.

Scarlet lurched forward with a gasp, barely catching herself against the dashboard. A loud thud followed as another vehicle rear-ended them.

Her heart pounded wildly as she stared at him "What's the problem? Why did you stop so suddenly?" She queried. Though, she is not happy about how she ended up being married but that doesn't mean she wants to die.

The daughter of the Robert family is not working in the Sterling group but this woman works in the Sterling group. How come?

His mind raced. Could it be…? No. That's impossible.

Clearing his throat, he offered a quick excuse. "The red light came up suddenly. I didn't expect it."

Scarlet frowned, studying his face. He was acting strange. But before she could press further, he unbuckled his seatbelt and alighted the car.

Scarlet sighed rubbing her throbbing temple, yesterday she was screaming it was hectic and today she didn't know the word to qualify it. But one thing she is certain is she didn't have the energy to deal with a reckless driver.

Who will believe that last night she was single but this morning she is married.

"To whom precisely?" She mused. She opened her handbag and retrieved the marriage certificate but her heart kept beating wildly.

She couldn't bring herself to open it, she dread seeing the name on it. She sighed and placed it back in her bag. When I see him, I will know.

Outside, Bryan leaned against the car, his mind racing. He pulled out his phone to type a message but decided against it. He will discuss with him when he gets to the office.

He quickly settled with the other driver who had rear-ended him since it is his fault he accepted fully responsibility for both cars.

He couldn't help screaming of his bonus that will be cut off in this month.

Bryan slid back into the driver's seat, adjusting his tie and unbuttoning his cufflinks.

He had too many questions swirling in his mind that he needed answers to but he must thread with caution to avoid alerting a snake should all this be a setup.

"Sorry for the delay," he muttered, starting the engine.

Scarlet merely nodded, gazing out the window. She wasn't in a hurry. What was there to rush for, anyway? She was already trapped in this bizarre situation.

The car's interior felt suffocating, not because of its size but because of her troubles and the situation she is trapped in.

She let out a silent sigh, and closed her eyes momentarily maybe when she opened them again she will realize it was all just a dream—but no matter how many times she closed and opened her eyes, the reality will be glaring at her.

Bryan stole a glance at her. She didn't look like someone scheming to take another woman's place. If anything, she seemed lost—like someone thrown into chaos with no warning.

Still, something wasn't right.

"So," he said, keeping his tone casual. "How long have you been working at Sterling Group?"

Scarlet blinked, snapping out of her daze. "A long time, probably four years now or more," she answered vaguely.

Bryan hummed in response, pretending to focus on the road while processing the new information. If she's not the intended bride, but she works at Sterling Group… then who exactly sent her?

He needed to dig deeper, but he had to be careful. One wrong move, and she might realize something was off.

"You like it there?" he asked, testing her.

She shrugged. "It's a job and hobby, while putting food on the table, do what you like doing "she said nonchalantly.

Short, simple answers. No unnecessary details. Either she wasn't in the mood to talk, or she had things she wasn't saying.

"What department?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Designs... Started as a hobby transformed to a profession". She smirked with a faint smile on her lips. She had always wanted to be a designer but with no opportunity to further her education she started off as an assistant.

She is grateful he is not that cold blooded like the people she met last night. He been able to talk to her had helped her relieve the pent up tension on her nerves

While Scarlet is appreciative Bryan is contemplating about her been in such a crucial department of the company

"How long have you known Boss?" She asked him. The gentleman before so much varies with the type of people she met last night. They were cold and menacing but the man before her is quite the opposite though his aura might be intimidating but it isn't dark.

Bryan stared at her incredulously before he quickly gathered his composure. Hearing her mention Boss makes him think of her knowing the big man at the top of Sterling group.

But then, looking at her closely, he hesitated again. If she truly knew who Boss was, she wouldn't be this calm. She wouldn't be sitting here as if this was just another day..

Bryan's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly as he stole another glance at Scarlet. He needed to tread carefully.

"Have you met Boss before?" he asked, his voice deliberately casual.

Scarlet frowned slightly, turning her gaze toward the passing scenery outside the window. "No," she admitted. "It was chaotic."

Bryan nearly stepped on the brake again "What chaotic situation was his boss into?" He mused within himself.

"You… really didn't meet him?" he asked, disbelief creeping into his tone.

Scarlet let out a dry chuckle. "Does that sound ridiculous?"

Bryan stayed silent for a moment before sighing. "A little."

She smirked. "Tell me about him, then."

Bryan hesitated. Tell her? About Boss? If she had no idea who she had married, then dropping the truth on her now would be… problematic.

"He's not easy to describe," Bryan said carefully. "You'll meet him soon enough."

Scarlet huffed. "That sounds ominous." She smirked.

With the type of man she met last night, he is really not easy to describe. She only hoped he wouldn't abuse her but let her have her own life.

Bryan forced a chuckle, but inside, his mind raced. She really doesn't know.