Bound By Fortune

Chapter 2 : Resisting Fate

Alina Shaw paced back and forth in her spacious apartment, the skyline of New York glittering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her father’s words from earlier echoed in her mind, each one fueling the fire of indignation that had been building since she left his office.

A marriage for the sake of business. It was absurd, preposterous even, and yet her father had spoken as if it were the most natural thing in the world. As if her life, her future, could be reduced to a mere business transaction.

The thought made her blood boil. She wasn’t some commodity to be traded for the benefit of Shaw Enterprises. She was Alina Shaw, a woman who had worked hard to prove herself in a world dominated by men. She had earned her place in the company, not because of her last name, but because of her intelligence and determination.

But now, it seemed, all of that meant nothing. Her father wanted her to marry Leon Grayson, a man she had never met, for the sake of a merger. It was like something out of a medieval fairytale, but without the romance.

She stopped pacing and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She needed to think clearly. There had to be a way out of this. But how? Her father was adamant, and she knew that once Richard Shaw set his mind on something, it was nearly impossible to change it.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing on the coffee table. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from her father: Leon Grayson will be joining us for dinner tomorrow evening 7 PM at the Plaza.

Alina stared at the message, her heart sinking. So, it was happening. Tomorrow, she would meet the man who was supposed to become her husband. The thought filled her with a mixture of dread and defiance. She wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

The next evening, Alina arrived at the Plaza Hotel, her emotions tightly controlled behind a mask of composure. The Plaza was a place she knew well—her family often entertained guests there, and she had attended more galas and fundraisers in its grand ballroom than she could count. But tonight, the opulence of the surroundings felt suffocating.

As she stepped into the private dining room, she was greeted by her father’s approving nod. Richard Shaw stood by the table, impeccably dressed as always, his demeanor calm and collected. Next to him was Leon Grayson.

Alina’s first impression of Leon was that he was every bit the tech mogul his reputation suggested. Tall, with a commanding presence, he exuded an air of quiet authority. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp blue eyes held a gaze that was both assessing and inscrutable. He was dressed in a tailored suit, perfectly fitting for a man of his status, but there was a certain coldness about him, as if he were more machine than man.

“Alina, this is Leon Grayson” Richard said, breaking the silence. “Leon, my daughter, Alina.”

Leon extended a hand, his expression unreadable. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alina.”

Alina forced a polite smile as she shook his hand. “Likewise.”

They sat down, and for a few moments, the only sounds in the room were the clinking of glasses and the rustle of the waitstaff serving dinner. The tension was palpable, and Alina could feel her father’s eyes on her, silently urging her to make a good impression.

But Alina had no intention of playing along. She wasn’t going to sit quietly and accept this arrangement without a fight. As the main course was served, she decided to break the silence.

“So, Mr. Grayson,” she began, her tone sharp. “I understand you’ve agreed to this marriage. May I ask why?”

Richard shot her a warning look, but Alina ignored.