Lucian stood at the doorway, impeccably dressed in a razor-edged, pristine suit. His tall frame exuded a quiet dominance that is hard to ignore, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
His expression calm, his piercing gaze resting on Scarlet as if he had all the time in the world. He didn't seem hurried, yet his presence carried a silent command.
Scarlet's breath hitched. How long had he been standing there? And more importantly, how had she not heard a car pull up? She stared at him with confusion etched on her face.
"Were you waiting for me?" Her voice coming out in a almost as a whisper.
Behind her, Mario, who had been heading toward the kitchen, froze at the sharp clatter of Scarlet's handbag hitting the floor. Its contents spilled across the hardwood, the sound slicing through the morning silence.
"Scarlet? What's wrong?" Mario asked, concern lacing her voice as she moved closer.
Scarlet forced a tight-lipped smile, her fingers curling at her sides to hide their slight tremble. "I'm okay, Mar. Just… surprised."
Mario reached the doorway, and the moment her gaze landed on Lucian, her breath faltered. Her lips parted slightly in shock, but she quickly masked her reaction.
"It is really a surprise, how early had he left his home to arrive here before Scarlet finished her preparing for the day?" She mused silently
With a faint smile "Good morning Mr. Sterling." She greeted not expecting his response but to her surprise, he nodded lightly.
"Care to come in for tea?" She asked with utmost courtsey.
Lucian's cold, unyielding stare flicked to Mario for a second before returning to Scarlet. "Thanks, I appreciate that."
Mario's eyes darted between them briefly, reading the tension that crackled like an unlit fuse. She swallowed hard before turning to Scarlet with a meaningful look. "Alright then. Take care, okay?"
Scarlet nodded stiffly, her lips dry as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
"Goodbye, Miss Mario," Lucian finally spoke, his voice richly deep and crisp..
Mario gave a brief nod, but her expression betrayed her curiosity. She hesitated for a moment before stepping back into the house.
The morning air felt colder. Scarlet's hands twitched as she slowly bent down to gather her scattered belongings, but before she could, Lucian moved.
In a fluid motion, he crouched down, his long fingers brushing against hers as he picked up her phone. The touch, however fleeting, sent an unexpected jolt through her.
She snatched her hand back, cradling it as if burned.
"Are you done staring?" Lucian's voice was low, his gaze locked onto her with an intensity that sent her heart racing.
Scarlet blinked rapidly, heat creeping up her neck. "I—I wasn't staring," she retorted, quickly stuffing the rest of her things into her bag.
Lucian stood to his full height and adjusted his cufflinks with an air of elegance. "We're leaving," he stated, not waiting for a response as he turned and walked toward his sleek, black car parked at the curb.
Scarlet swallowed. He wasn't asking. He was telling.
She shut the door behind her and casting one last glanced at the door. She inhaled deeply and followed him.
Slowly, they walked down the stairs, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps filling the quiet morning air. Scarlet's heart pounded with each step, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach.
When they reached the car, she hesitated, her fingers tightening around the strap of her handbag. Lucian, already standing by the open door, arched a brow at her reluctance.
"Why don't you go ahead?" she said, forcing a small smile. "I can take a taxi. It wouldn't be appropriate for an assistant to be driven to work by her boss."
Lucian's gaze darkened slightly, his lips curving into something that wasn't quite a smirk. His voice was smooth but edged with quiet authority when he spoke.
"Mrs. Lucian," he said, drawing out the title deliberately, "do I need to remind you that skipping meals leads to gastritis? You should eat."
Scarlet's breath caught in her throat, her face heating instantly. The casual way he addressed her as 'Mrs. Lucian' sent a wave of unfamiliar emotions over her.
Her fingers fidgeted at her side as she avoided his eyes. "I—I wasn't planning on skipping," she mumbled, though the guilt in her voice betrayed her.
Lucian tilted his head slightly, then nodded "Yes, you will definitely not". He smirked. Then, without another word, he stepped aside and gestured toward the open door.
Scarlet swallowed hard. It wasn't an invitation. There's no way to avoid this.
With a reluctant sigh, she stepped forward and slid into the car, her pulse quickening as the door closed behind her. He walked over the other side and boarded the car.
Slowly, Lucian pulled away from the neighborhood, maneuvering the car with ease.
Scarlet leaned against the cool glass of the window, watching as the morning calmness draped over the city.
The golden rays of the rising sun kissed the buildings, casting long shadows on the streets.But her thoughts were anything but calm. Several questions swirled in her mind
"Where are we going to eat? Will I meet colleagues there and what happens if people see us together, won't my years of effort be in vain? She wondered, anxiety creeping in.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag. She had to be cautious—she couldn't afford to be the subject of workplace gossip.
Concerning the matter of going to the company she made a decision "I'll ask him to drop me a few poles away from the company," she muttered.
Just as she was about to speak, her thoughts were cut off by the shrill ringing of her old phone.
The screen flickered with an all-too-familiar caller ID. Scarlet inhaled sharply, pressing her fingers against her throbbing neck as an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.
Lucian, though concentrated on the road flicked a glance at the worn-out device in her hand. The cracked screen, the scuffed edges—it had clearly seen better days.
His eyes darkened slightly, and he made a mental note to replace it.
The phone kept ringing, persistent and insistent. Yet, Scarlet made no move to pick it up.
Lucian's sharp gaze flickered to her. His brow arched in silent inquiry.
"Why aren't you answering?" His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable weight of authority.
Scarlet swallowed, her fingers tightening around the device as if it burned her. She hesitated.
What could she say? That it was her mother? That she already knew what the call was about, and she wasn't ready to deal with it?
She forced a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "It's nothing important."
Lucian didn't look convinced. His gaze lingered on her for a second longer before he returned his attention to the road.