Archer was surprised at Ferguson's tone. He waited a breath for people to counter him but nobody did.He saw the old man sigh from the corner of his eyes."Why?" Archer gathered up the courage.Ferguson's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean why?""Why are you asking me to leave?"Ferguson snorted, he turned a glare at Archer for speaking to him like a child."Next time we summon you, come early, and don't keep anyone waiting." Ferguson snapped.Archer held in the scoff that threatened to leave his lips. He met Ferguson's gaze and nearly grinned at the man."So?"Mumbles filled the room at his words but Archer kept his face stoic.Mr. Maxfield, the old man adjusted his tie as he cleared his throat. The room hushed into silence."Nobody is going anywhere," he declared, his voice carrying authority. The board members exchanged glances, curious about the unexpected announcement.He looked around the room, "What exactly is happening here?" he asked.Ferguson sat up straight, his face red fro
Ferguson opened and closed his mouth like a gutted fish. His eyes were as wide as saucers. He looked around him and everyone was looking at him, wondering what he would do.He was in disbelief about how Archer spoke to him. His fist clenched and unclenched as he tried to calm himself down.He glared at Archer who widened his smug smile at him as if he was daring Ferguson."Now, you listen here, you stupid...""That's enough!" Maxfield said firmly."But...""I said, that's enough." Maxfield snapped.Ferguson snapped his mouth shut.Archer chuckled, he looked at the wimpy director who only feels superior when he puts others down. It was almost comical to see him submit to a higher authority.It was plain pathetic."Let's begin," Maxfield said again as he gestured to Madison.Madison took the floor, a file in her hand. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. The look in her eyes screamed confidence.She tilted her chin and looked everyone in the eye."Let's begin,""You asked fo
Archer returned to his department and leaned against the doorframe. He watched his colleagues talk amongst themselves and sighed.He walked straight to his desk and took a seat. Lola skipped over to him immediately. Her wide grin immediately changed his gloomy mood."Hey, Archer, what's got you looking so gloomy?" she chirped, a curious smile on her face.Archer glanced at her, "Nothing at all, I am just exhausted.""You were gone a long time, is everything okay?" she asked with concern.Archer nodded, "I am, don't worry about me."Lola narrowed her eyes but she smiled at him."Guess what?"Archer turned to look at her, "what?""They fired the manager."Archer played the surprise card, "What? Really?"Lola nodded happily, her head bobbing up and down with excitement."Yes, heard it this morning."Archer shrugged, "Serves him right. He deserved it."Lola furrowed her brows, studying Archer's expression. "You don't seem too surprised about it. Did you have something to do with it?"Arc
Archer stared at her with so much on his face. His lips pursed as he looked for a way to answer her.His ears rang with the waves of mistrust coming from her. He had no idea Lola would question him like this."I can't believe you would even ask me that,""Oh stop it! Why can't I ask?" Lola snapped, her hands flailing around making her look even more furious.Archer was shocked by the amount of venom in her voice. She had never spoken to him that way before.It didn't stop Lola, she glared at him so fiercely and started yelling. Everybody started staring and the whispering started again."How could you deceive me like this? I thought we were friends. You used me just like every other man out there..." "Shut up," Archer snapped.He ran a nervous hand through his hair to keep calm.Lola clamped her mouth shut, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at him. Archer sighed.He took a deep breath to remain calm so as not to spook her."Let's go get some coffee."Lola shook her head, "are
Archer gathered his things and headed back to where his colleagues were. He got there and took a deep breath. He cleared his throat loudly and all eyes turned to him, Archer adjusted his shirt collar nervously."The conference in five. We have a briefing."They all murmured words he couldn't hear. Archer walked to the conference room and waited. He waited for a long time before they trooped in looking like they didn't want to be here. It pissed him off but he said nothing.Lola came in last, and when Archer arched a brow at her, she shook her head and mouthed, "I tried," to him.Archer smiled ruefully and shook his head when he saw they left the door open. He walked to it and closed it. He kept his eyes trained on them and they all stared back at him, the tension was so tight that you could cut it with a knife.Archer could see the jealousy and anger on their faces. As much as they hated his new position, they secretly wished it was them.He shook his head at the hypocrisy. They a
The room fell silent as Archer looked around to see if anyone still wanted to interrupt."Good," he mumbled to himself.He meticulously dissected the details of the two crucial projects laid out before the team. He had to make them understand how important it was for his company and as well as his position that this goes well."Your job is to bring these companies in. So there would be a lot of researching, investigating, and decisions made on this.""Teaching us how to do our jobs? Classy." Eric mumbled.Archer stopped short and leveled him with a look, "If you were doing your job like you say, I wouldn't be here."He turned back to the rest of them as they snickered, "Any of you."They all kept quiet.Archer's voice echoed in the room as he assigned the roles for the projects. "Eric, Lola, Charles," he declared, fixing his gaze on each of them, "you will be the team leaders. Your responsibility is to spearhead the efforts and report directly to me."Eric straightened. Pride fille
Eyes wide from shock, Archer froze as the lights threatened to blind him. He looked at the strange faces that surrounded him.They were talking to him but he couldn't hear anything from the ringing in his ears. The shock traveled through his bodyDarkness danced in his vision as he struggled to stay awake. He willed himself not to pass out in front of all these people.They advanced on him, their camera lights going fast and taking pictures of him. Archer was sure he looked like a deer caught in headlights.Fear gripped him as he kept staring at the malicious faces who were seeking his downfall. He could feel himself on the verge of a panic attack.Archer tried to organize his thoughts. The breathing exercise that got him through school played in his mind and he started practicing.He took a lungful of breath and expelled it calmly. He repeated the action thrice before his vision cleared.Don't faint.Breathe.Don't faint.Breathe.He cautioned himself as his palm clenched to fists at
Archer sighed, he ran a shaky hand through his hair. He sank into a nearby chair as a breath escaped him.He looked at Madison and whispered a broken, "What?"It was all his fault. To defend him, the company is now in trouble. He hid his head in his palm."Don't blame yourself," she said.Archer said nothing.Madison took a deep breath as she sat down, her eyes fixed on Archer's clenched fist. She gently reached out and grabbed a hold of his hand as she explained."Archer, you need to calm down," Madison started, her voice calm but laced with concern. "Mrs. Wheeler spoke to the press, accusing us of unlawful termination. It's all over the news."Archer leaned back, scoffing at the accusation. His jaw tightened, but he opted to remain silent for the moment, waiting for Madison to reveal more details."It gets worse," Madison continued, her grip on Archer's hand tightening slightly. "The manager we fired also spoke to the press, claiming we have some sort of nonexistent relationship. T