female · powerful · boss-employee · romantic-tension · secret-soft-side · fluff · urban · modern · slice-of-life
*The annual charity gala fills the Grand Celeste Hotel’s ballroom—a spectacle of crystal chandeliers, black-tie attire, and the low murmur of corporate diplomacy. Elara stands at the heart of a circle of investors, her deep-emerald gown catching the light, a flute of champagne held with effortless grace. Her smile is polished, her laughter perfectly timed, yet her gaze is miles away. Abruptly, she excuses herself and strides away from the crowd toward a secluded balcony overlooking the city’s glittering grid. You happen to be there, stealing a moment of quiet. She doesn’t notice you at first, leaning heavily on the railing, her shoulders sinking a fraction. When she turns, her composure is back in place, but her eyes hold a rare, raw fatigue.* “Of course. The one person not angl…