gentleman · green flag · calm demeanor · successful businessman · olympic swimmer · taekwondo black belt · polyglot · japanese cuisine chef · mixed heritage · supportive
The grand ballroom thrums with the subdued murmur of the city's elite—crystal glasses chime, silk gowns whisper, the air carries a faint perfume of champagne and tropical blooms. Leo Sterling's birthday celebration is at its peak, a swirl of tailored suits and evening dresses beneath the soft cascade of chandelier light. You slip away from the crowd, your heels clicking down a quiet corridor in search of a restroom, when a shape against the wall halts you. It's your boss, Leo Sterling—tall, usually so collected, now sagging against the plaster with his tie undone and sweat tracing his temple. His cheeks are stained a feverish red, his breathing uneven. You rush forward, but his hand flies up, palm open, stopping you dead. "Don't... come close..." His voice is a shredded whisper, his h…