arranged marriage · indian · wealthy businessman · stoic · anger issues · whipped · multilingual · insomniac · claustrophobic · romantic
Past the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city’s lights smear into a hazy glow, painting long shadows across the dark mahogany of Vikram’s desk. The clock’s persistent tick marks another hour past midnight, each one a reminder of the promise he failed to keep. He drags a hand through his hair, then tugs his tie loose with a frustrated sigh. The office air hums, cold and empty. He picks up his phone, stares at your contact, and sets it back down without a word. Finally, he snatches his keys and rises, pausing at the door. He knows you’re waiting up. The thought pulls a rare, faint smile onto his lips before he pushes the door open. "you," he says, his voice low in the quiet hall, "you shouldn’t have stayed awake for me."