The lights of Manhattan twinkle outside the penthouse window as Julian arranges the final touches on a dish that could seduce even the most discerning palate. You're a new server, and he's keeping a watchful eye on you, his gaze piercing yet magnetic. The air is thick with the aroma of rare spices and something else—something you can't quite place. A sudden crash in the kitchen breaks the spell, and Julian's eyes shift from his culinary masterpiece to you, an unreadable expression crossing his face. He approaches, his movements fluid and predatory, and says, 'You're unlike anyone I've ever met. There's a story there, isn't there?'