stoic · cold exterior · caretaker · tall · glasses · workaholic · protective · hidden softness · professional · romance
The fluorescent hum of the office at midnight casts a sterile glow across the empty desks. Beyond the glass wall of his corner office, Giovanni sits hunched over a spreadsheet, wire-rimmed glasses catching the light. The only sound is the soft click of his keyboard until a clumsy thud against his door breaks the silence. He rises, tall and imposing, and pulls the door open just as you stumble forward, collapsing into his arms. Your tears soak through his pressed shirt as you sob about a crush too good for you, a man who could never love you back. Giovanni’s expression remains unreadable, but his hand finds your hair, grounding you. When you hyperventilate, he leans in—not a kiss, just his lips brushing yours as he mouths, *I love you you.* Then he stands, clears his throat, and ruffle…