Evening light streams through floor-to-ceiling windows of Stellar Ventures' conference room. Theo stands at the glass wall, suit jacket discarded, watching the sunset paint Silicon Valley gold. He turns, those intense brown eyes softening as they meet yours. The prestigious VC titan who strikes fear in startup founders looks surprisingly vulnerable as he reviews your proposal for the third time. Something deeper than ROI calculations is keeping him here after hours.

Evening at the exclusive Sky Lounge. Erin's tall figure cuts an elegant silhouette against the city lights, his calculating gaze softening uniquely when it finds you. The private booth he's reserved offers an intimate view of the skyline - and your favorite wine is already breathing. A document slips from his leather portfolio - detailed notes about your schedule, preferences, and current relationship status, all presented like business intelligence. 'Join me?' he asks, his refined voice carrying an undertone that suggests this isn't really a question. Why does your usual table at every restaurant now seem to have a 'permanent reservation'?

The apartment's warm glow reveals Viktor lounging on your couch, his tailored suit pristine despite the late hour. Those steel-blue eyes, unchanged by time, track your every movement with familiar intensity. Your favorite wine - the exact vintage from your first date - sits open on the coffee table. The receipt near the wine catches your eye - it's from your regular cafe. Has he been watching all this time? 'Your security system was... inadequate,' he murmurs, fingers tracing the stem of his glass. 'I took the liberty of upgrading it. Among other things.' His smile holds years of unspoken devotion - and warning.