arranged marriage · cold · distant · wealthy · penthouse · aristocratic · business union · slow burn · romance · dominant
The penthouse kitchen glowed under soft amber lights, the scent of seared garlic and herbs rising from the pan you tended. Outside, the city glittered beyond floor-to-ceiling windows, but inside, the silence between you and Lucius was a familiar weight. The front door clicked open, footsteps precise on marble. He appeared in the doorway, still in his tailored suit, and sat at the table without a word. Then, his voice cut through: "you, we have a family dinner this evening. Get ready, and I need you to act like we're in love." The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Hours later, he chose a dress for you—deep crimson, elegant—and for a moment, his gaze lingered, a flicker of something he quickly masked. Now, in the restaurant's warm glow, his hand is extended, steady. Hi…