From Heartache to Heir

Chapter 1

Archer stood In front of the mirror, his hand on his bowtie as he stared nervously at his reflection.

He cleaned up nicely.

It was a far cry from how he looked normally, like someone the cat dragged in.

He sighed to himself, he wanted today to be special for Hailey.

He has spent the whole year working his ass off and saving up to buy a ring and a suit to make her birthday a dream come through.

Archer's smile brightened as he thought of the love of his life, Hailey. They had met when they were in college.

He had been the charity case and she, the daughter of a renowned businessman. Others chastised him for daring to dream big by chasing her.

But Archer knew it was meant to be.

She was the only one he needed. Abandoned by his parents in the orphanage, Archer had to work for every single thing in his life.

Hailey was the only one who understood him, she stayed with him and loved him regardless of what people said about him.

His sweet angel, Hailey.

Archer kept smiling like a lovesick fool as he kept thinking about it. He remembered the first day he met her.

The basketball team was bullying him as usual when she stepped in and scolded them.

She held his hand and gave him one of her sweet smiles as she helped him stand up. Her smile almost blinded Archer that day.

All through classes, he kept thinking about it. He wanted to know her but he quickly backed off when he realized she was never going to look at him, not while he was poor.

Hailey didn't give up, she kept coming to him even when the bullying got too much because of it.

But Archer got better at hiding it so it didn't make her sad. The only thing that got him through the bullying was Hailey.

Her love for him made him emotionally stronger than he was before he met her. She was truly the angel he needed in this fucked up life of his.

His heart swooned the more he thought about her.

His attention was when his phone vibrated in his pocket, he rushed to pick it up thinking it was Hailey.

Archer winced when he saw it was one of Hailey's loud friends, he took a deep breath and placed the phone in his ear.

"Hello?"

"Where are you? We have been waiting." her voice boomed.

"I am on my way. I got home late from work today..."

"I don't care. Just get your lazy ass here," she yelled and hung up.

Archer didn't let the call ruin his mood. He couldn't get angry at that.

He was going to ask Hailey to marry him.

The thought brought a big grin on his face.

Archer headed to the hotel Hailey's friends had planned her surprise. His sweaty palm did nothing to boost his confidence.

He arrived at the hotel, and he was directed to the hall shortly.

He was accustomed by one of Hailey's friends. She looked at him with such disdain.

"You are late. Seriously, you did nothing much. We only asked you to show up." she sneered.

"Sorry, work was hectic."

"Save it," she peered around him like she was looking for something.

"Where is her gift?" she asked.

"What?"

"Are you deaf? What did you get her?" she asked again.

Archer smiled, he ignored the insult on purpose. He reached into his pocket and brought out the box that contained the ring.

"You bought a ring?" she asked.

He nodded eagerly.

The girl did the last thing Archer never expected. She threw her head back and laughed.

"Hey, come take a look at this." she gestured to her other friends.

Archer quickly tucked the ring back into his pocket.

The girls surrounded him with fake smiles on their faces.

"Come on, let's see the ring." they urged him.

"No, I don't want to ruin the surprise."

They nodded and moved away but Archer could hear snippets of their conversations.

"I can't believe Hailey wants to marry this guy."

"That's if she says yes."

"I mean, it's high time she dates someone on her level not this poor thing."

"I am here for the wine and drama. This is outrageous."

Archer closed his eyes to let the hurt wash over him. He knew Hailey settled for him but he loved her.

He checked his watch again and frowned when he saw she was running late. He walked to the friend who organized it.

"Hi, did you tell Hailey the time?"

She looked at him with pure contempt, "Yes I did. Or maybe she realized she was wasting her time on you."

Archer ignored the last statement and called Hailey, it rang and went straight to voicemail.

Worry pooled in his guts for Hailey. She was never late for anything.

"I am going to look for her," he muttered before leaving the hotel.

He heard them mock him for not knowing his place but he quickened his pace trying to get to Hailey.

He kept calling her but it went straight to voice mail.

"Damn it!" he cursed as he hailed a cab.

During the car ride, Archer bounced his knee nervously, worried sick that something might have happened to Hailey.

Today was supposed to be the happiest day in his life and it was falling apart one after the other.

He brought out the ring and stared at it, willing it to help him stay calm. Maybe the location didn't matter where he proposed to Hailey as long as she said yes.

When he saw her, he would bend on knee and promise her a lifetime of love and happiness for as long as she would have him.

The cab dropped Archer in front of Hailey's apartment and he hurried inside after paying the fare.

He took the steps two at a time, rushing to get to her. He got to the door and raised his hand to knock when he frowned.

The door to her living room was left open, he shook his head and thought nothing of it. He pushed the door open and entered.

Her clothes were thrown all over the floor, Archer picked it up and frowned.

His lips pursed, and he continued his journey to the bedroom when he paused.

He shook his head when he heard Hailey giggle.

Maybe she was dressing up to come meet him, the thought brought a smile to Archer's face.

But why would she be giggling alone? It's weird.

Hailey giggled again.

He thought nothing of it but his confusion turned to shock when he heard the male voice.

"I love your body, Hailey." the voice said gently.

"Oh stop it!" Hailey said as she giggled.

The sound of moans and groans filled the room, it wafted through the door to where Archer was standing like a lost soul.

"Who do you love?" the man asked.

"You, only you." His girlfriend answered the man with no hesitation on her part.

And there, in the middle of his girlfriend's living room, Archer felt his heart break into a million pieces.