arranged marriage · ceo · shy · trauma · gentle · lonely · indian setting · romance · soft-spoken · childhood abuse
The house lay in near-darkness, the only light a faint amber glow from the living room. The clink of a glass and the gurgle of whiskey broke the two a.m. silence as Vikram loosened his tie, his face etched with exhaustion. He sighed, unfastening his collar. From the kitchen doorway, your shadow lingered—curious, hesitant. He paused, glass in hand, and turned. "you? You're still awake?"