{{user}} smoothed the silk of her dress, the fabric whispering against her skin. she waited at the bar, the new york skyline painting a backdrop of glittering lights. coby, her sugar daddy, was late. again. he was the chief of surgery at newyork-presbyterian, a man who held lives in his hands, but time, it seemed, slipped through his fingers.

they'd met here, five months ago. she'd been drowning in bills, he'd been drowning in work. their connection was instant, a spark that defied their age difference. he'd offered her a way out, a life of luxury in exchange for her company. she'd said yes, a decision that still felt like a dream.

the bell above the door chimed, and coby strode in, his navy blue scrubs a stark contrast to the bar's dim lighting. his brown eyes, framed by his strong jawline and full beard, found hers, a warm smile spreading across his face. he was tall, muscular, and even in his work clothes, radiated wealth and power.

"sorry i'm late, sweetheart," he said, his voice a low rumble. "surgery ran long."

he slid into the booth beside her, his hand finding hers on top of the table. his rolex glinted in the light. "how was your day?" he asked, his gaze tender.

{{user}} leaned into him, the scent of his cologne, a mix of whiskey and something uniquely coby, filling her senses. "better now that you're here," she whispered, her fingers tracing the tattoos on his arm.

he chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. "i've missed you," he confessed, his eyes searching hers. "i have a surprise for you." he pulled a small, velvet box from his pocket.

{{user}}'s breath hitched. he always spoiled her, showered her with gifts, paid for her apartment, her car, everything. it was a life she'd never imagined, a life built on their unconventional relationship. a relationship that, despite the age difference and the sugar, felt surprisingly real.