Bound By Fortune

Chapter 1 : An Unexpected Proposal

Alina Shaw tapped her pen against the polished mahogany desk, her thoughts drifting away from the quarterly reports spread before her. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office, the city of New York buzzed with life, but the hum of activity did little to ease the restlessness she felt. As the heir to the Shaw luxury brand empire, she was used to juggling a demanding schedule, but today, something felt off.

She glanced at the time-5:15 PM. Her father, Richard Shaw, had asked her to meet him in his office at 5:30. The request had been vague, almost cryptic, and that alone was enough to put Alina on edge. Richard Shaw was not a man known for surprises. He valued order, precision, and above all, control. Alina had inherited those traits, but she also valued her independence, something she had fought hard to maintain in the male-dominated world of high fashion.

As she gathered her papers and prepared to leave her office, her phone buzzed. It was a text from her father's assistant: Your father is ready to see you now.

Alina took a deep breath, smoothing down the crisp lines of her tailored blazer, and made her way to the executive floor. Her father's office was a stark contrast to the rest of the Shaw Enterprises headquarters. Where most of the building was sleek and modern, his office was more traditional, reflecting his old-world sensibilities. Dark wood, leather-bound books, and an imposing fireplace gave the room a sense of gravitas, much like the man himself.

"Alina, come in," Richard Shaw said as she entered. He was standing by the window, his back to her, gazing out at the city skyline. Even from behind, his presence was commanding.

"Good evening, Father," Alina replied, closing the door behind her.

Richard turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "Sit down, Alina. We have something important to discuss."

Alina's heart skipped a beat, but she remained composed as she took a seat in one of the leather chairs opposite his desk. "What's this about?"

Richard sat down as well, steepling his fingers as he studied her. "You know how much the Shaw name means to this family, how much I've invested in building our brand."

"Of course," Alina replied, her tone cautious. She knew this was leading somewhere, and she wasn't sure she was going to like it.

"There's an opportunity to secure the future of Shaw Enterprises in a way that would ensure our dominance in the market for generations to come" Richard continued. "A merger with Grayson Tech."

Alina's brow furrowed. "Grayson Tech? The tech company? What would they have to do with a luxury brand like ours?"

"Leon Grayson, the CEO of Grayson Tech, is a man of vision. He's taken his company to heights no one could have predicted. A merger between our companies would combine the best of both worlds-our brand's heritage and his company's cutting-edge technology."

Alina nodded slowly. "I see the business logic in that, but what does this have to do with me?"

Richard's gaze sharpened, and for the first time, Alina felt a pang of unease. "The merger would be more secure if it were bound by something stronger than a contract. A marriage."

Alina's heart dropped. "A marriage? You mean... you want me to marry Leon Grayson?"

Richard nodded. "Yes. It's the perfect solution. A union of two powerful families, sealing the merger in a way that benefits everyone."

Alina was silent for a moment, the weight of her father's words sinking in. "But I don't even know Leon Grayson," she finally said, her voice laced with disbelief.

"You'll have time to get to know him," Richard replied smoothly. "He's agreed to the arrangement."

Alina's mind raced. "So, this has already been decided? Without even consulting me?"

Richard leaned forward, his expression softening slightly. "Alina, I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't think it was the best course of action. This isn't just about the company; it's about securing your future as well."

Alina felt a surge of anger. "My future? Or yours?"

Richard's jaw tightened. "Our future. The Shaw legacy."

Alina stood, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. "I need some time to think about this."

Richard nodded, though his eyes held a note of finality. "Take the evening. But Alina, this is an opportunity that won't come again. Leon Grayson is a man of few words, but he's agreed because he sees the value in this union. I hope you'll see it too."

Alina left the office in a daze, her father's words echoing in her mind. She had always known that being part of the Shaw family came with responsibilities, but she had never imagined this. A marriage arranged for the sake of business? It felt archaic, like something out of a bygone era. And yet, the way her father spoke, it was clear that he expected her to go through with it.

As she stepped into the elevator, Alina's thoughts turned to Leon Grayson. She had heard of him, of course-everyone in their world had. He was known as a brilliant, if somewhat aloof, tech mogul who had revolutionized the industry. But what kind of man was he? And more importantly, what kind of man would agree to a marriage like this?

The elevator doors opened, and Alina walked out into the lobby, her mind made up. She wasn't going to let anyone dictate her future-not even her father. If Leon Grayson thought he could marry her like she was just another acquisition, he had another thing coming.

Author's Note : Please do let me know how is the character arcs and don't forget to vote🫰