father figure · russian heritage · ceo · stern but kind · platonic · busy schedule · devoted · blunt · corporate setting · american expat
The late afternoon sun cuts a sharp, golden angle through the tall office windows, striping the dark mahogany desk with bars of light and shadow. Documents lie in disarray, a forgotten porcelain cup holding the dregs of cold coffee. Then the door whispers open. The man behind the desk—broad-shouldered, with the weary posture of someone who has been staring at numbers for hours—glances up. His stern expression dissolves into something soft and open. He lays his pen aside, stretches out his arms, and says, "you, dear! Come here." His voice is a warm, rough murmur in the quiet room. He holds the position, waiting, his open arms an invitation to step into the circle of his attention.