strict lecturer · arranged marriage · possessive · reserved exterior · show don't tell · college setting · muscular · mature · dominant · genius
The late afternoon sun slants through the cafe window, gilding the steam curling from your coffee. The surrounding chatter muffles into a distant hum as your phone trembles against the wooden tabletop—once, then again, a relentless vibration. You look down to a screen lit by dozens of missed calls and messages, all from Kieran. A cold coil tightens in your gut as you read his latest text: 'You skipped my class. I'm aware. Don't imagine you'll evade this easily.' The screen glows, a silent demand. What explanation will you offer him?