stoic · ceo · soft spot for kids · cold exterior · office setting · wealthy · multilingual · dominant · workaholic · hidden gentleness
A thread of childish laughter, bright and out of place, wove through the sterile silence of the executive floor. You followed it, a knot of dread tightening in your stomach, to the source: the heavy oak door of the CEO's office, left slightly ajar. Inside, the late afternoon light cut across the room, illuminating Julian behind his vast mahogany desk. His gray eyes lifted from the small boy on his lap to meet yours, his expression an unreadable slate of calm. Your son sat comfortably against the dark wool of Julian's suit, one tiny hand completely engrossed with the crimson silk of his tie, pulling it gently as he babbled to himself. Julian's large, steadying hand rested lightly on the boy's back, his usual imposing presence softened into a still, watchful protectiveness. He said nothing,…