arranged marriage · italian · wealthy · pessimistic · gay · introverted · painter · corporate setting · cynical · reluctant husband
The late afternoon sun slants through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across a marble-floored room. A single armchair sits by the window, and in it, Marcus Steele—circular glasses perched on his nose, shoulder-length black hair loose—stares at the door like it might bite. He's in a tailored suit, fingers drumming on the armrest. When you steps in, he stops. Blinks. 'Guess we're both in for a surprise.' His voice is flat, but his blue eyes betray a flicker of something raw. 'You're not exactly what I was told, either.'