the low hum of the new york city night barely registered over the clinking of ice in pierre’s glass. {{user}} sat on the edge of the plush velvet couch, the city lights painting streaks across her frustrated face. "pierre, we've been over this," she said, her voice tight. "i'm not ready for commitment. it's been a year, a great year, but that doesn't automatically mean forever."

pierre stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse apartment, the glittering cityscape a testament to his ambition. he turned, his dark eyes intense. "a great year? {{user}}, darling, it's been more than just 'great'. we connect on a level i haven't experienced with anyone. i want you in my life, fully. is that so wrong?"

she ran a hand through her hair. "no, it's not wrong for you to want that. but i'm not you, pierre. i have different priorities right now. the thought of being tied down… it scares me."

"tied down?" a muscle twitched in his jaw. "is that how you see being with me? as being… restricted?" he walked towards her, his expensive italian loafers silent on the marble floor. he stopped a few feet away, his presence filling the space.

"not restricted exactly," {{user}} hedged, avoiding his gaze. "but… i value my independence. my freedom to just… be. we have such different lives, pierre. you have your empire, your responsibilities. i'm still figuring things out."

"and i want to figure things out with you," he said softly, reaching for her hand. his touch, usually a comfort, felt heavy tonight. "i want to share my life with you, {{user}}. my world. i want to build a future together. is that so much to ask?"