Saturday morning sunlight streamed into the Gordon family's elegant dining room, casting a golden glow over the polished table. Ally sat across from her parents, quietly stirring her tea, her mind drifting far from the buttered croissants and silverware clinking around her.
Her father, Mr. Gordon folded his newspaper, looked over his glasses, and asked bluntly, "So, how are things moving along with the wedding?"
Ally paused, her spoon still in mid-air. "We haven't really started planning yet. Brad and I want to take a little time to get to know each other better first."
Mr. Gordon's brow lifted. "Get to know each other? What's there to know? You two have been friends since you were children. That's more than enough history."
Ally forced a small smile. "I like Brad. He's kind. I'm hoping... I can learn to love him."
Her father's expression hardened. "Love? Ally, love doesn't matter in our world. Power does. Position. A marriage alliance with the Mason family will restore everything we've lost and secure your future. That's what matters."
A painful silence followed. Ally looked down, hiding the sting in her eyes. Her mother, elegant in a pale silk robe, reached over and touched her daughter's hand gently.
"There must be another way," her mother said softly.
"There isn't," Mr. Gordon said firmly. "Brad is the best possible choice. He's smart, ambitious, from the most powerful family in the city. He's not a bad young man."
Ally's throat tightened. No, Brad wasn't a bad man. He was charming, generous, and everyone liked him. But she couldn't help but feel like she was being placed on display-something valuable to be traded.
Her mother gave her hand a squeeze. "You can grow to love him, sweetheart. Many marriages start like this."
Ally nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hope so. It's not like I'm in love with anyone else anyway."
A long pause fell over the table. Her father unfolded his newspaper again, the conversation seemingly over.
Just then, Ally glanced at her phone. A new message from Brad popped up.
Dinner at our place tonight. My mom's cooking. Bring that smile I like.
She looked up. "Brad has invited me for dinner tonight. At their house."
Her mother lit up. "That's wonderful! You should go. I'll help you pick out something to wear. Something elegant but soft-you always look so lovely in pale blue."
Mr. Gordon didn't react immediately. "Dinner with the Masons..." he muttered. "It could be good. Just don't say anything foolish."
Ally nodded again, barely hearing them. Her mother continued chatting about dresses and shoes, but Ally's thoughts were somewhere else. Something in her heart tugged, a quiet ache she couldn't name. Maybe she could fall in love with Brad. Maybe this was how it began.
Or maybe, deep down, she already knew it wasn't.
She folded her napkin and excused herself from the table, leaving the grown-up deals behind for a moment of solitude.
Tonight, she would dine with the future her father had chosen. And somehow, she'd have to make herself believe it was what she wanted too.
----
Ally sat in the backseat of the sleek black car, her fingers nervously tracing the embroidery on her pale blue lace dress. The evening sun had dipped low, casting a golden haze over the city streets as she made her way toward the Masons' estate. The dress was elegant, knee-length, fitted just right, and chosen with care. Not too formal, not too casual. It was the kind of outfit someone wore when meeting their future in-laws, though Ally still wasn't sure how she felt about that phrase.
Her reflection in the car window stared back at her, polished but uncertain. Her thoughts wandered. She had once dreamed of a life far different from this..a life driven by ambition, not obligation. In high school, she'd been known for her warm smile, spontaneous laughter, and wild dreams. She had imagined running her own law firm someday, maybe focusing on advocacy or justice. She had even applied to law school behind her father's back, gotten into Harvard, and completed the program with distinction. Yet here she was, dressed up for a dinner that felt more like a business meeting than a personal milestone.
She thought of Brad.
Tall, confident, effortlessly charming. He had always been the center of attention, the guy everyone admired. And to be fair, he had been nothing but kind to her lately. He remembered the smallest details from their childhood, called her beautiful in front of others, and had a magnetic kind of charisma that could make any room feel warmer.
Maybe she could grow to love him.
She hadn't really loved anyone before. She had gone on dates, flirted with the idea of romance, but nothing serious had ever come from it. No one had stirred her soul, or her heart, in any lasting way. At least this way, she wouldn't be breaking anyone else's heart… only possibly her own.
As the gates of the Mason estate swung open, she inhaled sharply. The house ahead of her loomed large, all glass and modern stone, with manicured lawns that stretched out like a magazine spread. It wasn't just a house, it was a statement. A reminder that marrying Brad meant stepping into a legacy, not just a relationship.
The driver opened her door, and she stepped out, smoothing the front of her dress. The cool evening breeze kissed her skin as she walked up the steps. Before she could even ring the doorbell, the front door opened.
Brad stood there, every bit the picture of charm in a navy blazer and an easy grin.
"Ally," he said, his voice warm. "You look… absolutely stunning."
She smiled politely, "Thank you, Brad."
He leaned in to kiss her cheek, then offered his arm. "Come in. They're all dying to see you."
Inside, the house was even more impressive. Expensive art lined the walls, a soft jazz tune played from invisible speakers, and the scent of roasted duck floated in from the kitchen. The dining table had been set with fine china and long-stemmed crystal glasses. A bottle of red wine already breathed at the center.
"Mother, Father....Ally's here," Brad announced as they entered the drawing room.
His mother, Camille Mason, looked up from her seat by the fireplace and stood with graceful poise. She was elegant and intimidating, with silver-blond hair swept into a bun and pearls around her neck.
"Ally," she said, crossing the room with a tight smile. "It's so lovely to finally have you over for dinner."
Ally extended a hand, which was taken in a firm but polite shake.
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Mason. It's a pleasure."
Mr. Mason was seated on the far side of the room, reading something on his tablet. He looked up, gave a curt nod, then stood and approached.
"Good to see you again, Ally. Your father tells me you've been doing well at Gordon."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity," she replied. "I've been working with the legal team and learning a lot."
He gave a grunt of approval. "That's good. Loyalty to the family business is important."
Brad led her to the sitting area, and soon they were all sipping on drinks..wine for the men, sparkling water for Camille and Ally. Small talk filled the air: market trends, mutual family friends,and summer travel plans.
Dinner was served shortly after. The table was set impeccably, with servers moving in and out quietly, refilling glasses and clearing plates. The conversation drifted to the engagement.
"We were thinking of something small and elegant," Camille said, dabbing her lips with a napkin. "Perhaps an intimate garden wedding in spring?"
Ally glanced at Brad, who smiled and reached for her hand across the table.
"I think spring sounds perfect," he said. "What do you think, Ally?"
She hesitated for a second too long, then nodded. "Yes… spring would be lovely."
Camille clapped her hands softly, clearly pleased. "Wonderful. I'll speak to a few planners I know. We want something tasteful."
Ally's stomach tightened. Everything was moving fast. Too fast.
After dinner, Brad led her out to the garden for some air. The night was cooler now, the city skyline glimmering in the distance.
"So," Brad said, turning to face her. "How was that?"
"You have a lovely family," she said, her voice calm.
He chuckled. "That's the polite way of saying they're intense."
"No," she said softly. "They're proud. I get it."
He reached out and brushed a stray curl from her face. "You're going to fit in perfectly, Ally. My mother loves you already. And my dad, well, he respects competence. You've got that in spades."
She smiled faintly, grateful for the kind words but still feeling the weight of it all. "I hope so."
Brad's expression grew serious. "Look… I know this isn't exactly the love story you imagined. But I like you. A lot. And I want to make this work."
She nodded. "I know."
There was a silence between them. Comfortable for him. Heavy for her.
As the night wound down, Brad walked her to the car. Before she stepped in, he leaned in and kissed her cheek again, lingering just a moment too long.
"Thanks for coming, Ally. I'll call you tomorrow."
She nodded again and slid into the back seat. As the car pulled away from the mansion, she watched the lights disappear behind her.
She wasn't sure if she felt like a bride-to-be… or just another business deal.