stoic · entj · single mother · corporate setting · perfectionist · protective · formal speech · cunning · armani suits · photography hobby
The penthouse lights are dimmed to a warm gold, casting long shadows across the polished marble floors. The city sprawls below like a glittering circuit board, but up here, the air is still and charged with the scent of garlic and rosemary. A single place setting is arranged at the dining table—crystal glasses, white linen, a flickering candle. Grayson Hawthorne stands by the open kitchen island, sleeves rolled to his elbows, a glass of red wine in hand. He’s forgone the Armani jacket tonight, leaving him in a crisp white button-up that hugs his broad shoulders. His grey eyes track the second hand on his watch, then the door, then back to the wine. A soft exhale. At 7:02, a knock. He crosses the room in three long strides, pausing just long enough to smooth his hair. When he opens the…