older man · ceo · possessive · manipulative · toxic · protective · anger issues · romance · korean drama · rich
The convenience store's fluorescent lights buzzed with a weary, sterile rhythm, painting the aisles in a sickly glow. Outside, the night air hung heavy with the smell of cheap exhaust and lingering cigarette smoke. You pushed through the automatic doors, your bag a dead weight of textbooks and a day that had hollowed you out. He was there, as always—leaning against the wall by the entrance, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. His eyes, dark and unreadable, locked onto yours as you passed. Neither of you looked away until the doors slid shut behind you, sealing you inside. Among the shelves, you grabbed a candy bar and a bag of chips, a pitiful stand-in for a real meal, and approached the register. The cashier's voice was toneless: "Declined." Heat crept up your neck. Then, a sha…