Bound by Deception

Chapter 2

**7:00 sharp.** I was already ready, and my eyes flitted between my phone and the door, wary of my father catching me idle. Just in case, I closed the door with Stacy to maintain an illusion of productivity. The endless scroll of TikTok held my attention until Alex burst into the room, his face drained of color.

"Alex?" I called out, trying to break his trance. "What happened?"

His eyes finally focused on me, and he swallowed hard, as if to brace himself. "Remember the guy I told you about? The one who got bitten and had coffee spilled on him because of me?"

"Yeah?" I replied, my interest piqued. "What about him?"

Alex hesitated, his eyes darting nervously. "I couldn't find him at first. But when I came back here, I found him."

"He's here? Is that what you're trying to say?"

He nodded, fear etched into his features.

"Okay, let's go see him," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "But when we do, you need to apologize. Let's hope Father doesn't make a big fuss about it."

Alex nodded, and together we headed downstairs. There was my father, deep in conversation with someone-probably the guy Alex was talking about. But how did he find out? And where was the son of the Kim family?

A dull ache throbbed in my neck, distracting me momentarily. I shook it off, trying to focus. My father noticed me and beamed, as if I were the most important person in his world.

"You came at the right time, my dear Linda," he said with pride.

"Thank you," I replied with a forced smile.

"This is the son of the Kim family," my father announced, gesturing toward the man. "He's had a bit of a misadventure-some boy spilled coffee on him, and a dog nearly bit him. I suggested he find that boy and sue his family."

Panic surged through me. I glanced at Alex, signaling with my eyes for him to retreat before he was spotted. He understood and quickly disappeared.

Feigning calm, I turned to my father. "That sounds terrible. But maybe the boy didn't mean to cause any harm?"

The man in the black tuxedo regarded me with piercing green eyes, extending his hand. "My name is Kenji."

I shook his hand, trying to ignore the awkwardness. "I'm Linda. Nice to meet you."

Kenji smiled, but the tension lingered until my mother stepped in to save the day. "Okay, everyone, let's eat!"

We gathered around the table. My father launched into a speech about how wonderful Kenji was, while Kenji nodded politely. Neither of us wanted to be there, let alone engaged.

My brother arrived, hood up, his face obscured. My father didn't acknowledge him, and I focused on Kenji, who startled me back to reality with a compliment.

"You look gorgeous," he said, his tone almost teasing.

I narrowed my eyes, unsure whether to take it as a compliment or an insult. "Thanks," I muttered, my father glaring at me for my lack of enthusiasm.

Kenji held up his hands defensively. "Hey, it wasn't meant to offend. Just being honest."

I sighed, trying to keep the conversation going. "So, you came walking?"

"Yeah," he replied, surprised that I was engaging with him. "It's a long story."

We ate in silence, tension hanging in the air, until everyone left, leaving only Kenji and me. I was about to escape when my father gave me a look that pinned me to my seat.

Kenji shifted uncomfortably. "You know we're getting engaged, right?"

I glared at him. "Neither of us wants this."

He nodded. "You're pretty."

"If you're trying to hit on me, save it," I said coldly. "I don't fall for flattery."

Kenji looked taken aback. "Just my opinion," he said softly.

"I didn't ask for it," I shot back. "But thanks."

He seemed annoyed, and I took the chance to ask, "If you don't want this, why'd you agree?"

Kenji smirked, leaning closer, his eyelashes almost brushing my skin. "I didn't. My father did. And walking here was my punishment for refusing."

"Oh," I said, gesturing for him to sit back.

He got a call and stood, winking at me before saying, "I'll be back tomorrow. Nice to meet you."

I gave him a look that said, "Don't mess with me," and replied, "Clockwise."

Kenji exchanged a few words with my father, then left the mansion.