From Heartache to Heir

Chapter 3

Archer's eyes welled up with tears, the walls of his heart tightened and his body protested with the pain.

He had no idea how long he stayed there with his head bent while his life crumbled around him.

His heart hurt so much that Archer hit his chest to lessen the pain. It didn't help.

It hit Archer then that the only person he had in his life had betrayed him and let someone else beat him to a pulp.

He shook his head and looked up, his eyes brimmed with painful tears.

When the tears threatened to fall, he got up with his last strength and started walking home.

Archer kept walking as slow as his body could let him, he stopped when he heard the sound of a car.

He looked behind him and saw a luxury car followed by a line of SUVs like a convoy.

Archer's lips parted in awe but he stepped out of the way. He wondered what it would be like to be inside the car.

His jaw dropped when the car stopped beside him. Archer took a step back out of fear as men in black surrounded him.

He got scared, maybe the man sent people to finish what he started. He got into a fighting pose even when his sides protested.

The window at the back seat of the luxury car rolled down and an elderly man smiled at Archer.

"Young master, get in," he said.

Young master? Archer looked around to see if the man was addressing someone else.

Archer shook his head vehemently, his brows were slightly knotted as he tried to make sense of the situation.

Someone was playing a heavy prank on him.

"No, thank you," Archer said and made to walk away but he was stopped by the men in black.

He took a step back.

"Get in," the elderly man said again.

"Why?" Archer questioned him.

"You were thrown out of that building like a common slave, correct?" the man pointed at the hotel.

"Yes," he answered even though he had no idea what that has got to do with anything.

"What if I said I was the answer to your prayers?" the man asked.

Archer scoffed at his question, his lips pursed as he stared at the man indifferently.

He wasn't sure if the man was serious or if he was playing pranks on him.

As he contemplated within himself, the man slowly got out of the car.  "I'm sorry for coming at you like this, but you see, I'm sought of in a hurry."

"Huh," was all that left Archer's lips.

The man walked closer to Archer, but he took a few steps backward. "I'm sorry for not properly introducing myself."

He cleared her throat and then stretched his hand towards him, "I'm Gabriel, your grandfather's secretary."

 "My grandfather?" Archer asked.

Gabriel nodded.

Archer snorted, he just confirmed this was a prank.

"I'm sorry, but I won't fall for your jokes. You can leave now. I am an orphan."

  "I'm not joking," Gabriel said.

"Don't tell me that this was a well-thought-out plan? Is this how you pick a random stranger just to deceive them?" Archer's cold voice contained undisguised mockery.

Gabriel shook his head as his face softened. "No, I am not trying to deceive you. Just hear me out." he pleaded.

Archer calmed down and just stared. He had nothing more to lose after what happened to him today.

"Fine," he said, "I will hear you out."

Gabriel gestured to one of the men in suits and they opened the back door for Archer. He stepped in.

He admired the interior of the car, one of his life dreams was to own a car just like this but he would settle for just being inside one.

Once inside, Archer turned to Gabriel.

"What do you want from me? I have no family left and I have no money if that's what you are looking for," he said.

Gabriel chuckled, "I can assure you, that's not why I approached you."

"Then why did you?"

"Because you are important to my boss."

Archer furrowed his brows, "I don't understand what you mean."

"You are the heir to your grandfather's fortune."

Archer felt a jolt of shock through him, the news terrified and intrigued him at the same time.

He had grown up in the orphanage, it can't be true.

"You must be mistaken. I have no family left." he shook his head.

Gabriel offered him a kind smile, "It's not a mistake. Your family's wealth was kept a secret to protect you but it's time to claim what is rightfully yours."

Archer was in disbelief, he eyed Gabriel carefully.

"You are the rightful heir to a multi-billion dollar business conglomerate, Archer."

Silence.

Archer threw his head back and burst into laughter shocking Gabriel.

"Oh, that's good. You almost got me," he said as he wiped a tear from his eye.

"You don't believe me?" Gabriel asked.

Archer nodded.

Gabriel grabbed his phone and dialed a number. Archer just watched skeptically.

"Hello,"

"Yes, I am here with him. He is quite the doubtful young man."

Gabriel stared right at Archer, "Yes, a little push would do."

"Push?" Archer asked.

Gabriel pocketed his phone after he hung up and turned to Archer.

"Now what?" Archer asked.

"Now, we wait," Gabriel said.

Archer sighed to himself, it served him right for being poor.

People like this won't find him gullible enough to manipulate him. For a minute, he wished it was all through.

What he wouldn't do to turn his life around for the better.

His phone vibrated and Archer pulled it from his pocket and stared at it.

Archer's eyes widened when he read the message. It was a confirmation from his bank notifying him of a deposit of 100 million dollars into his account.

"This is..." Archer trailed off not knowing what to say.

"Is that enough?" Gabriel asked.

Archer turned to the man, "Are you people trying to scam me?"

"I assure you, young master. That money in your bank account is real."

Archer shook his head, he wasn't desperate enough to fall for this sham.

A part of him wished for it but another part told him to be sensible and stand his ground.

His phone vibrated again and he grabbed it. It was an unknown number. He quickly picked it up.

"Hello?" Archer said nervously.

"Hello, Mr. Darkwood. This is Marcus, your bank manager."

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"I couldn't believe it but there has been an activity on your bank account. You deposited 100 million dollars." the man said.

Archer felt his brows disappear into his hairline. "Yes, I did."

"Thank you for banking with us. We are pleased to have you. When will you be coming to pick up your black card, sir?" he asked.

Archer's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Sir?"

"I will let you know," he said quickly as he hung up.

He stared at the message with the money, the figures were still the same, and his heart was beating so fast that she was afraid Gabriel would hear it.

He found himself at loss for words.