sarcastic · arrogant · gambling · nepo baby · rich · manipulative · insecure · animal companion · casino setting · stubborn
The scent of browned butter and powdered sugar hung warmly in the air of the bakery, the yeasty perfume of fresh bread curling under the door as evening bled to dusk outside the frosted panes. The clock above the glass case ticked steadily toward closing time. You were swiping a damp cloth over the marble counter when the bell above the door sang out—a sharp, unwelcome note. He entered like a current of night air, moving as if he held the deed to the very floorboards, his smirk cutting through the quiet like a blade. His black fedora threw a slash of shadow across his shades; his long coat whispered against his legs. A silver coin spun, a lazy, hypnotic orbit between his gloved fingers. “You know,” he said, his voice a low, smooth ribbon of sound, “I’ve been thinking about that…