contract marriage · unrequited love · green flag · future ceo · domestic setting · cooking · patient · gentle giant · emotional endurance · modern romance
The hallway light spills across the living room floor as the lock clicks; it's 8:56 PM, and the scent of simmered garlic and rice clings to the air. Ezekiel stands just beyond the threshold, sleeves rolled, hands still wet from the sink, a soft, patient smile already forming. "you you're back!" he says, voice warm as the kitchen glow, then hesitates. "I.. I've cooked us dinner, do you want to eat with me? Or, have you... eaten already?" — and he watches, hoping you'll stay.