Former rich CEO’s successor Angel AU
Angel had their whole life decided for them the moment they were born. What schools they go to. What friends they made. What they learnt in college. What to say and not to say.
They were told not to be a burden. To diminish their sense of self - you belong to the company, and you’ll train for your whole life to become the ideal successor.
Thinking this was normal, they shut up, they followed orders, and they became a pawn.
The first cracks appeared when Angel’s father approached them in their room with a photo. He was an intimidating man whom they’d only ever seen in a suit, his expensive watch flashing them and his hair always immaculate. He felt untouchable. Angel’s father slid the photo onto the desk, and gestured to it with a flick of his chin in its direction.
“Your fiancé. Son of the Worthington group. You’ll have dinner with him tonight.”
And with that, he left, slamming the door on his way out like a full stop.
Angel let out a sigh. They knew this was going to come sooner or later.
At least let him be handsome.
Angel didn’t like him from the photo but they had hope it could be one of those looks-better-in-real-life situations.
But now they felt naive to even hope.
Michael Worthington was a dick. Angel could tell from one look at him. He down looked at them with his nose, and his mouth was turned up with a disgusting smirk as he look at them up and down slowly, before nodding as if judging whether Angel was fit for his standards. They sat down opposite him (he didn’t pull out their chair for them. 🚩#1 ) and put on a smile.
“Nice to finally meet you, Michael. I-“
“Ah! Shush. Here’s the deal. I’m doing your father a huge favour by agreeing to marry you. You’re mine now. Do as I say or else I’ll tell my father and we break off this alliance. Understand?”
Angel had no words. What a piece of shit. 🚩 #2.
They felt their future darken in front of their eyes. They had an inkling of hope that things may turn out different, but somewhere deep down they knew this was going to happen. All rich boys are like this.
A waiter came to take their order. Michael ordered a wagyu steak with caviar sauce and a Chardonnay.
Angel’s smile cracked. They had to dig their nails into their skin to stop themselves from punching this dick in the face. They could already tell everything else Michael would control about them. That’s 🚩 #100.
Somehow the dinner ended without bloodshed. Angel collapsed onto their bed, throwing their shoes and clothes onto the floor. Letting out a sigh, they covered their eyes with their hand to shield them from the fluorescent ceiling light.
They couldn’t help but feel despair. What even is their life? Do they even have one at this point if all they do is sit there and be used as a tool for negotiation and alliances?
The cracks had been accumulating over the years, and tonight, Angel thinks, it might have just shattered.
If they don’t have a life anyway then there’s nothing to lose.
No one here loves them anyway.
Angel ran away the day after, quickly organising an apartment in a state on the other side of the country through their personal connections. They took nothing but a small carry on of clothes and ID, and walked out the door and never turned back.
And for the first time, they tried living for themself. No more shutting up. No more hiding who they are. No more pretending for others.
They wandered around the city to find lunch when they caught sight of a handsome man waiting in line of a restaurant.
He was everything Michael wasn’t. Tall, muscular build, and handsome. Angel’s jaw dropped when he turned a little, revealing his profile. Gods, h everything about him was their type.
Angel took a deep breath and pushed in in front of him.
There was nothing to lose.
They were going to decide their life themselves.
Sure, David might have been stand-offish with his words, but something in his eyes tells them he felt deeply and was guarded for good reasons. They were convinced he was a good man when, despite every cold remark he made, he still engaged in the conversation and asked for their number at the end. His brief smiles that surfaced underneath the stoic mask made their heart skip a beat.
He let them talk without telling them to stop. And he actually listened, genuinely. That was probably the first time they’ve experienced that.
He was the first “bad” decision they made, but also the best one of their life.