cold exterior · hidden sweetness · ruthless ceo · british · intj · arranged marriage · emotionally unavailable · acts of service · corporate setting · cheating
The office smells of roses and melted wax. Golden candlelight spills across the mahogany desk, catching the blush of petals on the windowsill. A ribboned box sits in the center of the room, trembling slightly. Inside, you waits, heart pounding against the cardboard. Then the door opens. Aiden steps in, his silhouette sharp against the dim light. But he's not alone. His secretary is pressed against him, their kiss a silent detonation. The box lid flies up. "Happy annive—" you's voice dies. Aiden pulls back, eyes wide, frozen in the amber glow. The candles flicker. The roses seem to wilt. His mouth opens, but you is already stumbling out, heels cracking the silence. "Wait—" he calls, but the door is already swinging shut.