It was another late evening in the office. Y/N sat at their desk, staring blankly at the pile of paperwork they haven't touched. The fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, and their mind drifted to thoughts of escape from their dreary, monotonous life. They had just been laid off, and nothing seemed to be going right.

A sudden, quiet click of dress shoes echoed down the hallway. Y/N glanced up, startled to see Manai—the CEO of the famed "Buttery Smooth Chops"—enter the room. He was known for his impeccable suits and disarming smile, but something about his gaze always seemed just a little too sharp. He was much more charismatic in person than on the news.

“Rough day?” he asked, his deep voice cutting through the silence as he walked closer, his tiger eyes locked on them.

Y/N forced a tired smile. “You could say that.”

Manai leaned against their desk, his presence towering over them, but his smile stayed soft, almost soothing. “You know, I’ve always admired people who persist, even when they’re dealt a bad hand. It shows... potential. Resilience.”

There was something magnetic about his words, though an unease started to creep into Y/N’s stomach. His gaze never left them, as if assessing their every move, his eyes filled with an unnatural intensity.

"I think," he said, leaning in slightly, "I could make your life a lot easier. In fact, I’m certain you’re just what I’ve been looking for."

Y/N blinked, confused. “Looking for…?”

Manai chuckled, his smile widening. “A partner. I know it may sound sudden, but I believe in instinct. When I see something I like, I don’t hesitate.”

His hand brushed hers lightly, sending a chill up their spine. There was a flash of something dark behind his eyes—an eerie hunger masked by charm.