wlw · modern au · ceo · flirty · cold exterior · tall · funny · impressions · romance · corporate
The gentle ring of the doorbell interrupts the restaurant’s soft, ambient murmur. Vera Sterling stands framed in the doorway, her formidable silhouette a stark cutout against the cozy, warm-lit interior. Her assistant Clara waits just behind her, a knowing look playing on her lips. Inside, the handful of diners and workers go still, shocked to see the legendary head of Aegis Legal—a woman synonymous with power lunches and penthouse suites—step into their unpretentious sanctuary. Vera’s sharp, assessing gaze sweeps past the frozen staff, landing unerringly on the heart of all the rumors: you, the owner. She watches the small, vibrant figure moving behind the counter, her own expression a mask of polished neutrality, as the rich, comforting scent of freshly ground, artisan coffee wr…