Introductions

Looking at both of them—arms crossed, standing like two overprotective mother hens—Scarlet felt her temple throb.

She shot Mario and Mirabel a glare. These girls… Didn't I tell them to wait?

Letting out a sharp sigh, she marched over, grabbed them both by their wrists, and pushed them toward the staircase.

"You. Go. Up," she drawled, her voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

Her words were met with amused laughter.

Mirabel smirked. "Alright, alright, we're going."

Mario rolled her eyes but still followed. "You owe us the full story later."

Scarlet didn't respond. She simply watched them disappear up the stairs before exhaling deeply, steeling herself for what was to come.

Once they were gone, she turned back to Lucian, meeting his gaze head-on.

"I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but I'm not comfortable going back with you tonight," she said, her tone steady. "I know you might find it hard to understand, but I need time. Time to process everything."

Lucian's expression didn't shift, but his jaw tightened.

"You plan to spend your wedding night elsewhere?" His voice was unreadable, calm yet firm.

Scarlet held his gaze, refusing to back down. "With all due respect, you and I both know this wasn't an expected marriage. And since it's already happened, I think it's wise to take some time to adjust."

She was choosing her words carefully, but she wasn't foolish enough to think this conversation would go smoothly. Lucian Sterling was not a man who played by the rules—at least, not the rules others set for him.

Scarlet wasn't naïve. She may not have wanted this marriage, but she knew her place well enough. Still, she could only advise him—whether he accepted it or not was entirely up to him.

But the thought of actually going home with Lucian Sterling, her boss, as her husband, sent shivers down her spine.

"What will my colleagues think?" She mused.

She had just been transferred to the President's office, and already, there would be whispers—people assuming she had climbed into Lucian's bed for power.

The mere thought and imagination of the place of gossip and how she will be looked at made her stomach twist.

"Also," she added, her voice softer but firm, "I need to clear some things up with my friends before anything else. We can talk tomorrow—either at work or over the phone."

Scarlet, wished she could just maintain a cordial relationship with him as boss and subordinate for the time being.

Lucian was momentarily stunned. He wasn't used to people dismissing him so casually.

His instinct was to argue, to remind her that she was his wife, but a firm pat on his back made him pause.

Brandon had stepped beside him, his expression unreadable.

"Give her time," he advised, his voice calm but laced with understanding. "You might be comfortable with this marriage because it aligns with what you wanted, but she needs time to adjust."

Lucian exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple. "You're right."

Then, as if making a sudden decision, he turned to Scarlet.

"Alright, I won't push tonight. But before you go, come here—I want to introduce you to someone."

Scarlet raised a brow but stepped closer.

Lucian gestured toward Brandon. "This is my closest friend, Brandon." His voice was calm, but his gaze flickered with an unreadable intensity—was he hoping for recognition? Curiosity?

Brandon stiffened. He hadn't expected Lucian to take the initiative to introduce them.

Scarlet studied Brandon for a second before giving a polite nod. "Nice to meet you."

Then, as if something struck her, she turned toward the entrance and called out, "Wait a second."

A moment later, Mario and Mirabel reappeared, their curiosity getting the better of them. They exchanged quick glances before approaching, their eyes scanning both men with interest.

Scarlet motioned toward them. "Meet my friends—Mario and Mirabel."

Then, turning back to the men, she smirked slightly. "This is Brandon." And her gaze resting on Lucian "You already know him I guess. He's never missing from the news."

Lucian's gaze darkened slightly at her words.

Never missing from the news?

He didn't like that. Others were introduced properly, but she had reduced him to nothing more than a public figure. He wasn't one to flaunt his name or seek attention, and yet, here she was, making it sound like he thrived on the headlines.

Scarlet, unaware of Lucian's thoughts, continued, "Anyway, now that introductions are done, I'm heading back upstairs."

Brandon smirked slightly. "You have good friends."

Scarlet nodded. "Yes, they really are."

A brief silence lingered between her and Brandon. For a fleeting moment, an odd feeling of familiarity flashed through her mind, but she quickly brushed it off.

Mirabel, however, wasn't done. She tilted her head slightly, a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Brandon Roberts, right?" she asked, her lips curving into a faint smile.

Brandon nodded, his gaze falling on her.

For a moment, he studied her—her elegant oval face, her crescent-shaped eyes that twinkled in the dim light, her perfectly poised demeanor. A flicker of recognition.

She was the blind date his mother had arranged for him.

The one he had deliberately avoided, using a sudden business emergency with Lucian as an excuse.

Mirabel, seemingly unaware of his thoughts, maintained her soft smile.

Mario, on the other hand, had a more skeptical look in her eyes, though she said nothing.

Scarlet glanced between them, noting the shift in energy.

"Well," she finally said, breaking the pause. "Now that introductions are done, I'm heading back upstairs."

Lucian nodded, though his gaze remained intense. "Alright. Sleep tight."

Scarlet rolled her eyes. "Goodnight, Lucian. Brandon."

With that, she turned on her heels and disappeared inside with her friends, leaving both men standing in thoughtful silence.

As soon as they were gone, Brandon exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, that was… interesting."

Lucian shot him a glance. "You recognized her, didn't you?"

Brandon didn't answer right away. His fingers grazed the edge of his jaw as he mulled over his thoughts.

"She was my blind date," he finally admitted. "The one my mother arranged. The one I avoided meeting."

Lucian's brows lifted slightly. "And now?"

Brandon smirked, shaking his head. "Now, I'm wondering if I made a mistake because running into her here. I might not hear the end of it when I return" he snickered.

Lucian scoffed, crossing his arms. "And you think she recognized you?"

Brandon stared at him lightly "Otherwise?"

"I think you are smitten by her", Lucian pointed out noting how he glances back at their figures.

Brandon laughed under his breath, but his gaze drifted back toward the door where Scarlet and her friends had disappeared.

"Maybe," he murmured. "But something tells me this time, I might have underestimated a situation."

Lucian didn't reply. He simply turned, heading for his car.

"Come on," he called over his shoulder. "Let's go."

Brandon followed, his thoughts lingering on his encounter with Mirabel