Bound By Fate

Chapter One

If I had another life, I would certainly not choose this one.

Not with the kind of family I was born into.

“Get your ass up, Sophia!”

My mum’s voice sliced right through my sleep, louder than any alarm clock.

I didn’t answer at first. I just lay there, hoping she’d go away if I stayed still long enough. But of course, she didn’t. She never does.

“Sophia!” she yelled again, her voice rising like a siren.

“I’m up!” I shouted back, dragging myself off the bed like every bone in my body had turned to cement.

I didn’t want to go to work today. Honestly, I never do. But today felt heavier than usual.

I turned to the mirror across the room and blinked at the reflection staring back.

My hair? A frizzy, tangled mess.

My eyes? Puffy and tired.

My face? Worn out before the day had even started.

I was still wearing an old pair of pajama shorts and a faded t-shirt I couldn’t even remember owning.

“My life is a mess,” I muttered, shaking my head.

I stood there for a while. Not moving. Not thinking about anything in particular. Just... standing, letting the silence sit heavy on my shoulders.

After about five minutes of mental debating — and a second round of yelling from Mum — I finally forced myself out of the room.

In the dining room, the usual morning energy hit like a wall. My mum was by the stove, flipping something aggressively, and Kate—my sister—was already at the table, phone in hand, looking like she'd been born with a permanent attitude.

She looked up at me and immediately rolled her eyes.

“So you finally woke up,” she said, her tone thick with sarcasm. “You know you didn’t finish the dishes yesterday.”

Of course, I knew. I always know. Because I’m the one who does nearly everything in this house.

“Yeah, about that,” I said, sitting down slowly. “I was exhausted yesterday. I ended up falling asleep.”

Kate didn’t reply, just raised her eyebrows and went back to scrolling.

Then came Mum, turning around to look at me with that familiar expression I hated—like I was a burden that wouldn’t go away.

“Or maybe you were busy fantasizing about your CEO again and drifted off,” she said.

And that was it.

Another day, another round of disappointment from the two people who should have been my peace.

She snapped, tossing a pancake onto a plate like it had personally offended her.

“I always say, if you were actually useful, you’d be able to seduce that man into marrying you. But no—useless as always.”

“Mum, please,” I sighed, picking up my fork. “I’m not interested in any man right now. And I’m definitely not going to work to seduce my boss.”

“So now I can’t talk in my own house?” she yelled, crossing her arms.

“It’s pointless talking to her, Mum,” Kate added, eyes still glued to her phone. “Just let her be.”

Wow. Sister of the year.

Mum wasn’t done. “I know Sophia is useless, but you, Kate? You don’t even have a job. I don’t know how I ended up with two disappointments.”

“Mum, don’t yell at me!” Kate snapped, flipping her hair. “I’m not useless like that wench over there. Besides, Nathan might propose any day now.”

Of course. Her biggest dream in life: marrying a man with money so she wouldn’t have to lift a finger.

I cleared my throat. “I need to leave early today. There’s a big meeting at work.”

“Will your boss be there?” Mum perked up immediately.

“Oh, you mean Alexander Voss? The CEO of Voss and Vale Group? "One of the most powerful men in America?” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Yes, Mum. He attends his own meetings.”

“Don’t get smart with me,” she snapped. “Do something useful while he’s still single.”

Oh. For Christ’s sake.

“Mum, he doesn’t even know my name. He gives orders. I follow them. That’s it.”

And that was the truth.

Alexander Voss? He’s like a living statue—cold, rigid, terrifyingly handsome, and way too rich to breathe the same air as me.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile. I’m 99% sure he doesn’t even recognize my face.

Not that I want him to notice me.

He’s not my type.

Not even close.

...Okay, maybe just a little close.

But still—definitely not my type.

I left the rest of their noise behind, headed back to my room, and got dressed. Simple white shirt. Tailored black skirt. A pair of flats I could actually survive the day in. I tied my hair up, did the bare minimum makeup, and left the house.

The streets were already busy, loud, and pulsing with the energy of people who either loved their lives or were better at pretending than I was.

By the time I walked into the Voss & Vale building, I was mentally preparing my excuses to sneak in a few breaks.

The lobby gleamed with cold perfection—marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and staff walking around with that corporate air of self-importance.

I made it to my desk, set down my bag, and started sorting through the files on today’s agenda when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“You’re late today.”

I turned to see Henry, one of the only humans in this place who didn’t act like I was invisible.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “You know how chaotic my life is.”

He smiled. “That’s why I saved you a coffee.”

I lit up. “You angel. This is why I love you, Henry.” I took the coffee and immediately took a sip.

“I don’t pay for romance.”

The voice hit like thunder behind me. My heart stopped.

I froze, coffee cup halfway to my lips, and turned slowly.

Of course.

Alexander Voss.

Tall. Impeccably dressed. His charcoal suit hugged his frame like it had been made for his soul. His sharp eyes—dark and unreadable—stared straight through me.

“That’s—” I started, panicked.

“Follow me. Now.” he said. Then he turned and walked off, just like that.

And I just stood there, clutching my coffee, staring after him.

Then, without thinking, I followed.

He was faster than me, so I couldn’t catch up no matter how much I tried. By the time I finally reached his office, my heart was already racing. I paused just outside the door, staring at it like it might open up and swallow me whole.

Please, God. Let this be a dream.

But it wasn’t. I was still standing there, awkward and unsure, until his voice cut through the silence.

“Was I the one that called, or was it the door?”

I flinched. His voice was deep—low and commanding—the kind that didn’t need to be loud to make you feel small.

Swallowing the knot in my throat, I quickly composed myself and stepped into the office.

Alexander Voss sat behind his desk, suit flawless, expression unreadable. He didn’t look up. Didn’t need to. The energy in the room shifted the moment I walked in—like I’d disturbed something I shouldn’t have.

“What time is it?” he asked, flipping through a file with the kind of calm that felt more dangerous than yelling.

I froze. What time was it? Late. Definitely late.

“Hm… work hours?” I offered weakly, trying to joke.

That got his attention.

He looked up slowly, eyes sharp and narrowed, and the message was clear: Shut up.

I swallowed hard, silently cursing myself. Why did I say that?

“Are we friends now?” he asked coolly. “You came in late. What’s your excuse?”

I couldn’t exactly tell him the truth—that my family turned breakfast into a screaming match, or that my mother telling me to seduce him.

So I lied.

“There was traffic, sir,” I said, forcing a nervous smile.

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. His gaze didn’t leave my face.

“Traffic,” he repeated, like he was testing the word.

“Yes, sir,” I nodded quickly, trying to look innocent.

He closed the file with a soft thud, then looked back at me with those piercing eyes that felt like they could see right through me. I panicked and started rambling.

“There was traffic and also—”

“Save it,” he cut in, voice cold.

I blinked.

I’d forgotten that Alexander Voss didn’t care about explanations. He didn’t want reasons. He wanted results.

“Whatever it is that happened,” he said flatly, “I need you to be punctual. This is not a playground where you stroll in whenever you feel like it. If the rules don’t work for you, you’re free to leave.”

My heart dropped to my stomach. I needed this job. I needed the paycheck. I needed something to hold on to.

“I’ll be punctual, sir. I promise,” I said quickly, almost pleading.

He didn’t respond right away. Just stared at me like he was trying to decide if I was worth the breath I just wasted. Then he sighed.

“I need the report on today’s presentations. Don’t make me wait.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, nodding, turning to leave.

But just as I reached for the doorknob, he spoke again.

“Sophia.”

I paused.

“Yes, sir?” I turned back slowly, nervous all over again.

He didn’t look at me at first—just stared down at his file. Then he cleared his throat and met my gaze.

“You missed a button on your shirt.”

My eyes widened. I looked down, and—oh my God—he was right. One of the middle buttons had popped open, leaving more exposed than I’d care to admit. Heat rushed to my face.

“Oh! I—I didn’t notice. It must’ve come undone while I was rushing out this morning,” I said, fumbling to fix it.

He just nodded and returned to his file like it wasn’t a big deal, while I stood there burning with embarrassment.

I left the office as fast as I could without sprinting and collapsed into my seat at my desk, letting out a long sigh.

“Hope he didn’t chew you out too badly,” Henry said with a chuckle.

I glanced at him, still buttoning up. “You know how your boss is. Terrifying.”

He laughed like I’d just told the funniest joke, but I wasn’t kidding.

Terrifyingly handsome. Terrifyingly blunt. Terrifying, period.

But what could I do?

He was still my boss.