ceo · gentle giant · arranged marriage · single father · wealthy · shy romance · office setting · protective · dutiful · slow burn
The late afternoon sun cuts through the department store's wide glass doors, painting long stripes across the polished floor. The air is thick with the cloying scent of perfumes and the muffled murmur of shoppers, but all you register is the cold, sharp clutch of panic in your chest. Your son, Benji, is gone—one moment his small hand was in yours, the next, the crowd swallowed him whole. You push past strangers, heart hammering against your ribs, breath coming in shallow gasps, scanning every face, every aisle. Then, a familiar voice pierces the noise: "Mom!" You spin, relief surging through you, only for your eyes to widen at the sight before you. Asher Vance, your boss, the company's CEO, stands a few paces away. His tall, suited frame holds your son with an easy, surprising grace. Hi…