Work Text:
You are the heir to a large successful company. You were your family’s only child, so everything was pressured onto you; one of those things is marriage. You were already expected to have a spouse or, at the very least, a significant other. Your parents wished you to marry someone rich for the business, money, and most importantly, an heir. For many reasons, you were against this. You had no interest in getting married for money or an heir. You swore that if you were to marry, you would marry for love. Your parents did not care about that, but they did not even argue. Their main priority was that you were to get married. On top of getting married, your parents wanted you to get married as soon as possible. To make that happen, they hosted a huge party, and any rich family with a successful company and a child your age were invited. You had no other choice but to dress your best and attend.
You make it to the venue, which was some fancy hotel, dressed up and as soon as you enter, everyone turns to you. In the eyes of everyone there, you were stunning. You weren’t too fond of the attention, even if you were the person of the hour.
“Oh, sweetheart! I would like you to meet Jacob Darren. He’s the heir of the Darren Law Firm.”
“Honey, this is Maria Ito. Daughter of Lilia and Jennifer Ito, founders of the Elegance fashion company.”
Your mom or your dad would try to introduce you to some rich heirs and CEOs, some would even try to talk with you but all they talked about was their company or their family or their money. Turns out, they were more interested in your money and expanding their company too. You walk over to the bar to get yourself some water. You had no plans of drinking alcohol tonight, you wanted to get home sober and pretend the night never happened.
“Hey~ You’re (L/N)’s kid, right?”
A guy approaches you in a fine black and gold suit. By looks alone, it was definitely expensive. “Yeah,” you replied. You decided to keep your replies short and concise to avoid conversing with this guy. You weren’t even facing him but you could already smell the alcohol right off of him. “I’m Tino, I’m the CEO of my dad’s company. Maybe you’ve heard of me?” he asked, clumsy making his way to the barstool next to you. ‘I don’t know you and I don’t care. I don’t even want to be here,’ you thought as you sipped on your water. “Ah, a shy one, huh? I do like them strong, silent types,” the guy tries to scoot closer to you.
“Care for a drink? Surely, you’re not just gonna drink water all night–”
“No, I’m doing fine, thank you.”
You stand up from the barstool and try to walk away from the bar, only for your wrist to be grabbed by this drunken bastard’s hand. “Hey, listen here ya little prick! Do you know who I am–”
“(Y/N) (L/N)?”
A new voice comes in, and a deep one at that. You turned to where the voice was coming from and saw a tall and rather handsome man. His suit looked even more expensive than the drunk’s, it was a white and red suit styled with different red and gold accessories. His hair was long and black with streaks of red here and there. He sported some very beautiful eye-makeup, accentuating his already stunning gold eyes. “It’s a pleasure meeting the heir of the (L/N) Company in person. Might I say, you are quite the sight up close,” his voice was deep and somewhat comforting to listen to. He took your other hand and kissed it, making you blush. It was forward but you did not really mind it.
“Hey! I saw them first! Back off, will ya?!”
The grip he had on your wrist tightened, causing you to wince. “Ow…,” you mutter and the man looked at the drunk, still grabbing your wrist. “Is this man bothering you?” the man asked, his tone concerned. You were not sure whether to trust this man or not.
“No, we were having a blast ‘til you showed up!”
“Oh, Tino Chatterley, son of George Chatterley,” the man walked up to the drunk, taking his hand off your wrist so easily. The warm look he had in his eyes mere seconds ago turned into a sharp glare that could cut steel. “Ouch, Man! What the hell?!” your mysterious savior whispered something in the man’s ear, causing him to turn pale, sober up, and run away. “I don’t think he’ll be bothering you anymore,” he said confidently before walking up to you. “Thank you,” you say as he smiles at you courteously. “No problem, I noticed you from afar actually. I saw the man making you feel uncomfortable, it was only natural that I stop him,” he says, sitting on the now empty barstool next to you.
“Still, thank you. May I get you a drink, um…?”
“Akuma. Vox Akuma.”
“Oh, then, may I get you a drink, Mr. Akuma?” You asked as he chuckled, “Haha, ‘Vox’ works just fine. I get that it is a formal occasion but let’s ditch the formalities, even for a bit. But, sure, a drink would be nice” he says. His aura was so formal and professional, yet at the same time casual and calming. You only met the man and yet you felt like you have been friends with him since childhood. You ask what drink he wanted and he said a red wine, so you bought him one and you got one for yourself as well. “It must be tough, huh?” he asks you, sipping on his drink. You look at him confused, “What must be tough?” you asked. “Being you. You have to marry some rich schmuck for the sake of financial gain and an heir,” his explanation was not far from the truth. You let out a sad sigh, “I wish things were different. I don’t want to get married, not for wealth at least,” you explained to him as he nods.
“If you do get married, what would your reason be?”
“Love. I want to marry for love and love alone. Why bother getting married to someone you don’t love? It is pointless.”
He looked at you shocked, his mouth ajar before forming a small smile. You could not help but blush at how handsome and comforting his smile was. “Hm, are you blushing from that alcohol, or is it me?” he says, teasingly. You could not reply and just stayed quiet, blushing and fiddling your fingers, not even looking at him.
“But I get it.”
“You do?” you asked as he gives you a reassuring nod. “A marriage or any relationship for that matter should be built on trust, communication, and love. If I were your parents, I would probably be very proud to have a kid with a good head on their shoulders,” the blush on your face just got brighter. Nervously, you sipped on your beer as Vox gave you a comforting smile.
“If I was the person you were going marry, I would definitely consider myself the luckiest man alive.”
The sudden compliment made you choke on your drink. You began to cough a lot as Vox chuckled a little before ordering some water for you. “Sorry, was that too forward?” he asked as you shook your head. “N-No, I’m just a little shocked and flustered,” you confessed. The alcohol was slowly kicking in, so you downed the water that Vox got for you. You want to get home in one piece and have the ability to walk straight. “Apologies, but I do mean it. You’re a great person to be around with. Any person in this room would be lucky to have you, if only they could see that,” he said, his voice making your heart flutter more than it should. “Thanks, that’s really sweet of you, Vox,” a small smile formed on your face.
“Thanks for escorting me out, Vox.”
“It’s my pleasure, (Y/N). I had a great night with you.”
The party came to an end and it did not end on such a sour note. Then again, Vox was the only person you spent most of, if not, all your time with throughout the party. “My parents are probably expecting that I finally chose someone at this party,” you sighed. “Well…did you?” Vox asked, curious about your answer. You looked at the tall man as a small smile crept up on your face. The look on Vox’s face was rather hopeful.
“Nope!”
“Eh….”
Not the answer he was expecting.
“But…rather than marry…I did pick someone I want to take out first…on a date.”
His eyes widened a little in shock as you handed him your calling card. “Call or text me whenever you’re free. Maybe we could meet again, somewhere less formal maybe?” you asked, rubbing the back of your neck sheepishly. “Sounds great,” he says, taking the calling card from your hand before taking your hand in his and planting a soft kiss on your knuckles. A blush crept on your face and up to your ears at the sudden gesture. “Wow um, m-my ride’s here um…thanks for tonight, Vox,” you said, flustered as he chuckled. “The pleasure was mine, good night, (Y/N),” he said as you waved goodbye and stepped into the car sent by your father to pick you up. You’d think your parents, the ones who hosted the party in the first place would pick you up, but apparently, they had some work-related matters to deal with. Throughout the trip, you held the hand he held close to your heart. It was beating so fast. You placed your lips over the area he had just kissed and smiled to yourself. You arrived home sober and definitely not forgetting this night or the man you just met.