being his father's son
1005 Words
Darren Ashford POV
Darren Ashford had learned one important thing about people.
They always saw what was easiest to see.
His last name.
His family's wealth.
His father's reputation.
Very few people cared about the person behind it.
That was why Darren preferred university.
Here, he could walk across campus with a backpack on his shoulder, buy cheap coffee from the student café, and sit in the library for hours without anyone treating him differently.
Here, he was just Darren.
Not Damien Ashford's son.
Not the future heir of Ashford Holdings.
Just Darren Ashford.
And he liked it that way.
"You know, most people don't spend their free time studying."
Darren looked up from his laptop.
Ryan dropped into the seat across from him, placing two cups of coffee on the table.
"Most people also don't complain about failing every semester."
Ryan looked offended.
"I don't complain."
Darren glanced at him.
"You complained for twenty minutes yesterday."
"That was a discussion."
"It was a complaint."
Ryan shook his head.
"One day, you're going to realize you wasted your youth studying."
Darren smiled.
"One day, you're going to realize you should have studied more."
"See? This is why I need smarter friends."
"You need a miracle."
Ryan laughed.
Darren couldn't help smiling.
Friends like Ryan were rare.
He didn't care about Darren's family.
He didn't care about his father's money.
The first time they met, Ryan didn't ask about the Ashford name.
He asked if Darren wanted to join a football game.
That was why Darren trusted him.
After finishing his assignment, Darren walked across campus toward the parking lot.
The afternoon sun was warm, and students filled the walkways.
A group of freshmen passed by, laughing loudly.
A couple argued over where to eat.
Someone rushed past him, apologizing because they were late for class.
Normal problems.
Normal lives.
Darren sometimes envied that.
His problems had never been normal.
Being an Ashford came with expectations.
From a young age, Darren had been taught how to sit in business meetings before he was old enough to understand them.
He learned how to shake hands.
How to read people's expressions.
How to stay silent when powerful men spoke.
His father called it preparation.
Darren called it a cage.
Damien Ashford had built an empire and expected his son to continue it.
But Darren had never wanted that life.
He didn't want people agreeing with him because of his name.
He didn't want respect that came from fear.
He wanted something real.
Something he earned himself.
His phone vibrated while he was walking.
He didn't need to look to know who it was.
His father's assistant.
Not his father directly.
That was how Damien usually communicated when he wanted something done.
A reminder.
A schedule.
An expectation.
Darren stared at the screen for a moment before answering.
"Hello."
"Mr. Darren, your father would like you to attend dinner tonight."
Darren looked toward the road.
"Is that a request?"
A pause.
The assistant knew better than to answer honestly.
"He would appreciate your presence."
Darren almost smiled.
That was the closest anyone ever came to saying Damien Ashford wanted something.
"I'll be there."
he said plainly
The Ashford estate was exactly how Darren remembered it.
Large.
Beautiful.
Impressive.
And strangely empty.
The moment he entered, several employees greeted him.
"Welcome home, young master."
Darren forced a polite smile.
He hated that title.
He always had.
He wasn't a prince.
He was a person.
His mother appeared moments later.
Her smile immediately made the house feel warmer.
"Darren."
She hugged him tightly.
"You look tired."she said warmly
"I've been studying."he answered
"You say that like it's a good excuse."
He laughed softly.
With his mother, he could still feel like himself.
Dinner was quiet.
Damien sat at the head of the table, reading through documents even while eating.
That was his father.
Always working.
Always planning.
Always thinking ten steps ahead.
Darren watched him for a moment.
The world respected Damien Ashford.
Business leaders wanted his approval.
People fought for his attention.
But Darren had always wondered something.
Was power worth losing everything else?
"Your university results arrived."
Darren looked up.
His father continued eating.
"They are good."
It was the closest thing to praise Damien usually gave.
"Thank you."
A moment passed.
"After graduation, your position at Ashford Holdings will be prepared."
Darren already knew.
The conversation was never really a conversation.
It was a decision waiting for his agreement.
"I appreciate it."
Damien looked at him.
"But?"
Darren placed his glass down.
"But I want to choose my own path."
Silence.
His mother looked between them.
Damien didn't argue.
He didn't need to.
He simply returned his attention to his documents.
That was somehow worse.
Because Darren knew his father believed time would change his mind.
Later that night, Darren left the mansion.
The moment the gates closed behind him, he felt like he could breathe again.
He wasn't running away from his family.
He was running toward himself.
"Finally!"
Ryan's voice came through the phone.
Darren smiled.
"What?"
"You disappeared all evening."Ryan said
"I went home."
"That explains the sadness in your voice."
Darren laughed.
Ryan continued.
"There's a club opening tonight."
"No."
"You didn't even think."
"I know you."
"That means you know I'm right."
Darren shook his head.
"I have class."
"You have class every day."
"Because that's how university works."
Ryan sighed dramatically.
"Just one night. Stop acting like you're fifty."Darren shook his head at that thought.
Darren looked at the city lights ahead.
For once, he considered saying yes.
Maybe he did need a break.
Maybe he needed one night where he wasn't thinking about his father, his future, or expectations.
"Fine."
Ryan immediately cheered.
"Yes!"
Darren smiled.
imaging how Ryan would be dancing at his answer.
the call ended and look up at stars, smiling about how free they are and wished that his life had turned out different.
he really hope he could be finally free from being his father son.
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