Isn't It A Coincidence.

Chapter 1

The sweet taste of honey rolled across my tongue as I stared down at the cowering man. I had found him lying in my bed, completely wasted. A grimace set on my face as a wretched stench surrounded him. I scowled, glaring harder as he pissed himself. The man's quiet cries echoing in my ears. "Stand up," I ordered. 

My voice laced with malice as I commanded him to leave immediately. He quickly scampered out of my room, leaving the building through the maze of grungy hallways. I sighed, closing my door and twisting the lock shut as my expression melted to my usual scowl. I rubbed my face as I thought of how filthy this room must be after that ordeal. 

I opened my closet and quickly got to work cleaning every surface I could find before I stepped into my shower, turning on the water. I let the water cascade on my head and over my clothes as I thought back to how I managed to end up in this hovel. 

-Five years prior- 

I smirked down my nose at the woman in my office, brushing off her glare. "Mr Sackman, I cannot accept such a bogus offer. If you want to buy my company and knock me off the business scene, you're going to have to try harder than that. How much are you willing to pay to get rid of your only true opponent?" 

I grinned as I thought for a moment. "Well Ms Wickman, how about a wager?" A smirk adorned her beautiful face, her hand finally leaving her pocket. 

-Present- 

That stupid wager. She had my own people against me since the beginning, and pulled my company from right under me. I sighed and ruffled my hair, locking up my hovel and going out to take a stroll. I zoned out, gazing at the small town bustling around me. I snapped out of my daze too soon when I saw a child crying across the street. 

The people walking passed gave him pitied looks but never stopped, making my blood boil. I'm glad I was never one of those people. I dashed across the street, approaching the boy slowly and crouching in front of him. He looked to be almost a teenager, which explains why no one stopped. Assholes. 

I gently smiled at him, and he sniffled. I bought an apple from the nearby cart, handing it to him. I couldn't afford a comfortable apartment, but I could at least buy healthy food. He sniffled and wiped his nose with his sleeve, and I cringed inwardly. I kept a gentle, kind smile on my face, patting for him to sit with me while he ate. 

He ate down to the core, sighing in relief and letting out a last sniffle. "Thank you Sir," he whispered. "But why did you help me?" I smiled, slowly resting my hand on his head and ruffling his hair. I didn't know him, or his past, but I felt a strange connection with him. I held eye contact with him, taking in his wary gaze and curious eyes. 

I smiled, looking down at my now dirty hands. "I see my old self in you," was all I offered, wiping my hands on my trousers. He nodded, standing to throw away the apple core. 

A/N: Hovel-  "a small, squalid, unpleasant, or simply constructed dwelling"