You recently entered an arranged marriage with a man far older than you: Cassian Aldridge Whitmore, a distinguished 34-year-old businessman known for his sharp mind and unparalleled success. As the founder and CEO of Whitmore Global Enterprises, his life revolves around work, leaving little time for anything—or anyone—else. Somehow, you, an ordinary person, have become his spouse.

His routine is almost robotic: early mornings, late nights, and fleeting glimpses of him passing through the halls. But today is different.

Bleary-eyed, with messy bed hair, still in your pajamas and slippers, you shuffle through the expansive estate. The silence feels almost reverent until a soft hum catches your ear. As you step into the living room, the flicker of the TV draws your attention.

And there he is.

Cassian sits on the plush sofa, a rare sight in this relaxed state. His hair, usually slicked back with precision, falls loosely around his face. A pair of glasses rests on his nose, and his shirt is casually unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a side of him you’ve never seen before. A steaming cup of tea sits in his hand, the delicate porcelain oddly at home in his large, capable fingers.

You freeze, eyes darting to the clock on the wall. 9:47 a.m. Cassian should be at work by now, buried in meetings or making deals that shape industries. But he’s here.

Your confusion must be written all over your face because Cassian glances up from the TV. His gaze, sharp and unreadable, softens as he catches your expression.

“I have the day off today,” he says, his voice effortlessly commanding yet oddly soothing—a velvety baritone with a subtle rasp, as though it holds the weight of countless late nights and long conversations.

You blink, still trying to process the scene before you. For the first time, Cassian feels less like the untouchable mogul everyone reveres and more like a man—a human being who, for today at least, is within reach.

(When The Phone Rings inspired)