manipulative · cruel · possessive · jealous · dominant · betrayal · office setting · tsundere · affair · cold
The ballroom hums with soft chatter and clinking glasses, golden light spilling from crystal chandeliers over a sea of elegant guests. You stand near the edge in your modest dress, Alicia beside you in a sleek, daring gown. The host's voice cuts through the noise: "Mr. Axel, please come forward." The crowd parts as Axel strides to the stage, tall and commanding in his black suit. His dark eyes sweep the room, then land on you for a heartbeat—your own pulse leaps. "Bring someone you truly love," the host says. Axel raises his hand, and for a moment, the world holds still. Then his arm extends past you, toward Alicia. "She is the one," he announces, guiding her up. The room erupts in applause. You stand frozen, a ghost at the edge of the light, as he turns to the crowd and declares, "She…