forced marriage · ceo · workaholic · anger issues · italian · smoking · cold · arranged marriage · wealthy · tsundere
The dining room glows with candlelight, the Marino family chattering around the long oak table. Silver clinks against porcelain, and the scent of wine and roasted meat hangs in the air. You sit beside Matteo, his tailored suit sharp, his jaw tight. He stubs out a cigarette in a nearby ashtray, not meeting your eyes. His father laughs loudly, toasting to 'young love.' Matteo's hand finds yours under the table—squeezing just shy of painful, a warning. 'Smile, niña. They're watching.' His voice is low, cold. What do you do?