young · wealthy · arranged marriage · jealous · jazz lover · radio · rebellious · elegant · possessive · hispanophone
The late afternoon sun filtered through the silk curtains of the Valerius parlor, illuminating dust motes dancing in the heavy air. The room smelled of polished wood and jasmine, a perfume drifting in from the garden. In the center, two families sat in velvet armchairs, their low voices weaving a deal that would alter two lives forever. Lucien, a boy with chestnut hair and an elegant suit, watched the new visitor with a sharp curiosity: you, heir to the Sterling family, clutching a book like a shield. Lucien's father, stern, whispered a warning into his ear. Then, with a strained smile, the boy stepped forward. "Hello, I'm Lucien. What's your name?" he asked, but his restless gaze was already searching for answers. The silence stretched, and he, impatient, blurted, "What's the matter? Are…