Shadows of the billionaire

CHAPTER1

Unexpected Arrangements**

Zara Thompson’s fingers, covered in paint, worked slowly on her latest artwork. Her small gallery was full of beautiful paintings and was the only place where she felt at peace.

She glanced at the clock and saw it was almost time for her afternoon class at the community center. She cleaned her brushes, took one last look at her finished piece, and prepared to leave.

Just then, the gallery door opened.

Zara turned and saw her mother, a small woman with gray hair and a kind smile, walking in with an envelope.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” Zara asked, hugging her mother.

“I need to talk to you about something important,” her mother said, looking serious. Zara’s brow furrowed as she led her mother to a small seating area.

“What’s wrong? You look worried,” Zara asked.

Her mother handed her the envelope.

“This came in the mail today. It’s from the Hughes family,” her mother said.

Zara’s heart skipped a beat. The Hughes family was one of the richest and most powerful families in New York City. Why would they want to talk to her?

Zara opened the envelope and read the letter inside. Her eyes widened as she read it. The letter was an invitation to a formal dinner at the Hughes’ penthouse, mentioning an important family matter.

“Why would they invite us?” Zara asked, confused.

“I think it’s about your father,” her mother said quietly. “He owed them a lot of money before he died. Maybe they want to settle that debt.”

Zara’s mind raced. Her father had been a gambler, and his debts had caused many problems for their family. But why invite them to dinner instead of sending a lawyer or a debt collector?

“I’ll go,” Zara decided. “I’ll find out what they want and see if we can solve this.”

Her mother nodded, looking worried. “Be careful, Zara. The Hughes family is not known for being easy.”

The Hughes’ penthouse was even bigger and more luxurious than Zara had imagined. Marble floors, beautiful paintings, and priceless art filled the large space.

Zara felt out of place in her simple dress, as if she were a poor girl in a grand mansion.

Alexander Hughes, the heir to the Hughes fortune, stood by the grand piano, talking with his parents. He was tall and confident, wearing an expensive suit.

When Zara entered, everyone looked at her. She took a deep breath and walked forward, trying to stay calm as Alexander’s intense blue eyes met hers.

“Miss Thompson, thank you for coming,” said Robert Hughes, Alexander’s father, with a polite smile.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Zara replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “Please, have a seat,” said Victoria Hughes, Alexander’s mother.

“We have much to discuss.” As Zara sat down, she felt Alexander’s intense gaze. He was handsome, but there was a coldness in his eyes.

“We’ll get straight to the point,” Robert said. “Your father owed us a lot of money. After he died, the debt remained unpaid.”

Zara nodded, feeling a heavy weight. “I didn’t know the debt was so large, but I will do whatever I can to settle it.”

Robert looked at his wife and son before continuing. “We propose an arrangement that would benefit both our families. We suggest an arranged marriage between you and Alexander.”

Zara’s eyes widened in shock. “An arranged marriage? That’s...unbelievable.”

“Think of it as a business deal,” Alexander said calmly. “Your family’s debt would be forgiven, and your gallery would get the funding it needs. In return, you would join our family, helping to strengthen our business and social connections.”

Zara looked at Alexander, who seemed both curious and challenging.

“This is too much to process,” Zara said, her voice trembling. “I need time to think about it.”

“Of course,” Victoria said softly. “We understand this is a big decision. Take a few days to consider it.”

Zara nodded, feeling the weight of their gaze. “Thank you. I’ll give you my answer soon.”

As she stood to leave, Alexander stepped forward. “I’ll walk you out.”

They walked silently to the elevator, the tension between them clear. Inside the elevator, Alexander turned to her with an unreadable expression.

“I know this isn’t what you expected,” he said, his voice softer. “But it’s not just about the debt. I believe we could make this work.”

Zara looked at him, searching for honesty in his eyes. “Why do you care? To you, this is just another business deal.”

Alexander sighed. “It started that way, but after learning about you, I see you’re more than that. You’re talented, determined, and stand up for yourself. I admire those qualities.”

Zara was surprised by his words. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” he replied. “Think about it. We could start from there.”

The elevator doors opened, and Zara stepped out, her mind full of thoughts. “I’ll think about it.”

Over the next few days, Zara felt confused. She talked to her mother, who saw the benefits of the arrangement despite her initial shock. Zara’s friends were more cautious, warning her about marrying into a powerful family. Zara weighed the pros and cons.

On the third evening, Zara returned to her gallery, looking at the unfinished painting from before. Her phone buzzed with a message from Alexander.

**Alexander:** Have you made your decision?

Zara took a deep breath and replied.

**Zara:** Can we meet to discuss it further?

They met at a quiet, fancy restaurant where Alexander had reserved a private room.

As they sat down, Zara felt nervous.

“I’ve thought about your proposal,” Zara began, looking at Alexander. “If I agree, I have conditions.”

Alexander leaned forward, interested. “I’m listening.”

“First, I want full control over my gallery. No interference from your family,” Zara said firmly.

“Agreed,” Alexander nodded.

“Second, this marriage should be a partnership. No feelings involved,” Zara continued.

Alexander smiled slightly. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“And third,” Zara hesitated, then said, “we need to get to know each other properly. This can’t just be a business deal.”

Alexander’s smile widened. “I agree. We should take time to understand each other and build a connection.”

Zara felt some relief. “Then I accept your proposal.”

Alexander raised his glass, and Zara did the same. “Deal?” he asked.

“Deal,” Zara echoed, clinking her glass against his.

As Zara walked home, she felt her life was about to change dramatically. She was about to marry someone she barely knew for reasons beyond love.

That night, as she lay in bed, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Two weeks later, the engagement was announced at a big party hosted by the Hughes family. The elite of New York gathered to see the union of the two families.

Zara stood by Alexander’s side, trying to calm her nerves. While mingling with the guests, she overheard some conversations, both supportive and jealous. Among the crowd, she noticed a man in his late thirties with piercing green eyes approaching her.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” he said, sounding polite but with a hint of slyness.

“Thank you,” Zara replied with a polite smile. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met.”

He extended his hand. “Ethan Carter. I’m an old friend of Alexander’s.”

Before Zara could say more, Alexander appeared beside her, his face tense when he saw Ethan.

“Ethan, I didn’t expect you here,” Alexander said.

Ethan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I wouldn’t miss this. It’s not every day you see an arranged marriage in our circles.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Ethan turned back to Zara. “I hope you know what you’re getting into. The Hughes family can make things...complicated.”

With that, Ethan walked away, leaving Zara feeling uneasy. She looked at Alexander, seeking reassurance.

“Who is he?” Zara asked quietly.

Alexander’s face was dark. “Just someone who likes to cause trouble. Ignore him.”

But Zara couldn’t ignore the uneasy feeling in her stomach. Ethan’s words kept echoing in her mind. If only she knew what she was really getting into…