Phillip stood at his desk, his back to the room's door, the decor mirrored his persona - a blend of emotionless monochrome, shades of black, white, and gray painting his world.

Tina, without a second thought, kicked off her shoes and sprawled out on the bed in a casual, kneeling position.

At 1:20 AM, she had boldly made her way into a man's bed without any reservation.

Phillip could never forget their first encounter two years back, her clear-cut rules of engagement - essentially, post-marriage, live as you please.

Such pre-engagement demands were rare, from women and men alike. If it stemmed from her personal desires, then it all made sense.

She was indeed a free spirit, adventurous and capable of bold moves, unafraid to make advances, yet equally quick to move on to another man if rejected, not returning home until the early hours. Phillip had no intentions of rushing into intimacy, despite their engagement.

But if she had any desires, he'd prefer to be the one who satisfies them.

Tina, unaware of his gaze, opened a folder on her laptop. "I just finished editing these photos; they're unpublished, and you're the first to see them," she said.

Phillip sat beside her, listening intently as she animatedly shared the stories behind each photo - the dark rivers and poisonous creatures of the Amazon, the challenges and triumphs of climbing Everest, swimming with dolphins in the Red Sea, the turmoil in Syria...

filled with human emotions against a backdrop of

a true explorer, not

she spoke of vast landscapes and colorful worlds, Tina

was an excellent listener, his occasional pointed

her eyes, she asked, "What, trying

and in a steady voice. "I just want

reflecting in his eyes

vel

me," Tina retorted, convinced their marriage was just a facade for family alliances. "Knowing my family should be

than your family," Phillip

though Tina couldn't recall who initiated the

checking her phone afterward and seeing it was 3

keeping Phillip up until

just as mad to

have work the next day, but that night marked the beginning of their more frequent conversations and, noticeably,

lived by her own rules, valuing freedom above all. Kissing Phillip was one of those pleasant

herself

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