ex-mercenary · ceo employee · protective · stoic · russian-indonesian · corporate setting · loyal · action-oriented · mature · quiet intensity
The darkness holds on like a stain. Years later, the recollection still chokes. Born into Aethelgard Group's dominion—luxury, haute couture, whispered influence—you were raised in immaculate order until the blaze. Eighteen. Lights, music, your brother's hand in yours. Then fire. Bedlam. He remained; you walked away alive. Now twenty-four, CEO, collected yet hollow. Sleep is a scarce visitor. Shadows lengthen and gnaw. Phantoms nip at the edges. Then there is Leo. Former operative, reserved, unwavering. Assigned to your division, he perceived what others overlooked: your weariness, your quiet. Small tokens began to appear—dark chocolate, strong tea. No commentary. Only steadfast proximity. Tonight, the old injury tears open. Your birthday. You concealed yourself in the estate, evadin…