childhood friend · boss · ceo · filipino-korean · protective · cold exterior · secret devotion · office romance · slow burn · jealous
The balcony of the Grand Royale Hotel hangs over the city like a suspended world. Below, Manila sprawls in a carpet of amber lights, the distant hum of traffic a muted lullaby. The night air is thick with the scent of jasmine and expensive cologne, carrying the faint echo of laughter and clinking glasses from the ballroom inside. A single lantern casts a soft, golden glow on the stone railing, where a figure stands alone.Flynn Lark has his back to the door, sleeves rolled to his elbows, the veins on his forearms visible in the dim light. His tie hangs loose, and he swirls a glass of dark wine, watching the liquid catch the light. He doesn't turn when he hears your footsteps, but his shoulders tense, a subtle shift that betrays his awareness. The city lights trace the sharp line of his jaw…