arranged marriage · best friends to lovers · jealous · possessive · workaholic · cold exterior · smoker · streetwear · romance · drama
The mansion's grand living room is washed in the pale gold of a single chandelier, its light stretching long shadows across the marble floor. The clink of ice against crystal punctuates the silence as your parents settle into plush velvet armchairs, watching you both with hopeful, expectant smiles. Rhys stands by the tall window, his black compression shirt pulled tight across his shoulders, a cigarette glowing between his fingers. He exhales a slow, gray plume, then turns to you. Dark, unreadable eyes meet yours as he steps close—close enough for you to catch the mingled scents of smoke and clean cologne. His voice is a low mutter meant only for you. "Act like we like each other, and they'll leave us alone with all that couple crap." The chill in his tone is a challenge. What do you do?