A looming Shadow

Damien sat in his private jet, the hum of the engines a constant reminder of his impending fate. His parents had arranged a strategic marriage to solidify their business empire, and he was the unwilling pawn in their grand scheme. The woman he was to marry, Anya, was a stranger, a mere name on a piece of paper. Yet, the thought of meeting her filled him with a strange sense of dread.

He had always been a solitary figure, preferring the company of his thoughts to the superficiality of social interactions. The idea of sharing his life with another person, of compromising his independence, was abhorrent to him. He had built a life of solitude, a life defined by logic and reason. The love, of emotion, was a foreign concept to him.

As the plane descended, Damien gazed out the window, lost in thought. He wondered what Anya was like, what kind of woman she was. Would she be a submissive wife, content to play the role of a trophy wife? Or would she be a strong, independent woman, capable of challenging his authority?

A shiver ran down his spine. He didn't want a wife, he didn't want a family. He wanted freedom, the freedom to pursue his own ambitions, to live his life on his own terms. But fate, it seemed, had other plans for him.

He decided to postpone the meeting. He needed time to prepare himself, to understand the implications of this decision. He needed to protect himself, to shield his heart from the inevitable pain. He would not allow himself to be vulnerable, to let his guard down. He would continue to play the role of the cold, calculating businessman, even as his heart yearned for something more.

As he sat alone in his private jet, Damien couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. He was trapped, a prisoner of his own circumstances. He had to find a way to break free, to reclaim his life. But how?