Time seemed to freeze everything in place, the three parties stood frozen. Hailey's eyes were wide with shock and jealousy as she surveyed the scene in front of her.The green monster threatened to show its face but Hailey calmed it. She settled for a laugh that sounded like she was cackling.She let out a scoff as she strode in from the door to stand in the middle of the room, her eyes darting from one corner to the other.Anything to avoid looking at the scene in front of her.Archer gently released Lola, "Have a seat, and get yourself together." he patted her arm as she nodded.He pushed the bottle of water her way and nodded when she uncapped it and took a large swig."Feel better?""Lots," Lola smiled.Hailey watched the gesture with a heavy heart filled with jealousy. In her deluded mind, she thought that could be her.That was her till she ruined it. She remembered when Archer would dote on her like that because he didn't like it when she was upset.Hailey didn't want to watch
Archer had dreamed of becoming a father a father for a long time. He knew the feeling of growing up with no one to call a family and he wanted to rectify it by having his own.A dream that Hailey knew very well. He thought she was manipulating him.Archer's mind raced with disbelief as his laughter, cold and calculated, pierced the air. The sound slithered from his lips and wrapped around him like a vice, shattering his thoughts. He gently pried Hailey's hands from his, his eyes narrowing in suspicion."You think you can just waltz in here with news of pregnancy and trap me?" Archer's voice was sharp and accusing. His gaze hardened as he took a step back, creating distance between them.Hailey's eyes pleaded with him, desperation etched on her face, a look that Archer was not sure Hailey could have. "Archer, please, I'm not lying. Look at the DNA results." She pointed at the document in his hands, urging him to take another look at it.Archer scoffed another bitter sound that left
Hailey stopped sobbing and regarded Madison with a cool look. They both stared at each other.Madison was studying Hailey to figure out what her motive it while Hailey was filled with jealousy at the casual way Madison entered the office."Is it your turn to see Archer? Seeing as you and that office girl are taking turns."Madison raised a brow as if she was asking a question. "You know I would be jealous if I was sharing my man with another woman. I saw the poor thing crying in Archer's arm when I walked in." Hailey said."Stop it," Madison cautioned.She was trying to bait Madison, Hailey looked closely and watched Madison for any sign but she found none.All she saw was a woman looking at her with annoyance. She waited for Madison to say something but she didn't."So, do you know the other girl Archer is dating? Must be hard for you since you can't be public with your relationship." Hailey continued. Madison chuckled, "I don't see how this answers my question. Are you trying to a
Archer watched his phone ring several times but he didn't make any attempt to pick it up.He saw Madison's name on the screen, but he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. He knew she was worried seeing as he acted unnaturally towards her.He had seen the confusion in her eyes when he pulled away from her. Archer looked worn out as he sat in front of his grandfather's grave.A month ago, he had asked Gabriel to show him where his grandfather was buried. Gabriel brought him here and Archer felt like crying.Today, he returned with fresh flowers. From the information he got, the old man loved white lilies, and that's what Archer placed on his grave.Tears rolled from his cheeks as he sobbed like a baby. He gripped his chest as he spoke,"Why didn't you look for me longer? You left me to suffer alone while you enjoyed all of this. You helped everyone but your blood,""I starved and cried for days for someone to come save me. I went from foster home to foster in search of love."Archer gu
Archer twisted his lips in annoyance as the woman looked at him from head to toe.He had arrived here and asked for Madison's name but the hostess halted him and regarded him like a criminal."What did you say you are looking for, sir?" she asked with disdain dripping all over her voice."I have a reservation under Hales," he said.He met her gaze on, daring her to challenge him."Hales as in Madison Hales?" she asked, she looked at Archer again with that condescending smirk.Probably asking herself how he was able to do such."And who are you to have such a reservation?" she asked.Her body language inched for a fight. "You are not in a position to ask me such meaningless questions. Now, I will assume the name is written there. Can I go?" he barked at her.She jumped like she wasn't expecting it, she frowned and pointed to the far corner of the dimly lit room."There is your table, enjoy." she drawled, "Or not," she whispered under her breath. Archer heard her but he chose not to
He raked a hand through his tousled hair, letting out a heavy sigh. Madison placed her hand under her chin and observed him closely."So?""I don't know. I can't seem to figure out what's going on."Madison frowned, concern evident in her eyes."Do you believe her? Maybe there's a reason behind her behavior."Archer scoffed, a bitter edge to his tone."Believe her? Hell, no. Hell would freeze over before I believe anything that comes out of her mouth.""Archer, come on. You've been together for a while. There has to be some trust. Do you think she is telling the truth, even a little?"Archer shook his head. "Madison, you don't understand. One side of me wants to believe her. The way she was acting in my office, it's not normal. But the other part of me, the skeptical part, thinks this might just be another one of her manipulative games."Madison bit her lip, trying to make sense of the situation. "Why would she manipulate you? What would she gain from it?"Archer stopped eating and
The next day at work, Archer called for an emergency meeting with the team leaders.Eric, Lola, and Charles sat in the conference room waiting for him as usual. Eric was red-faced as he chewed on his fingernails.Lola sat stiffly beside him and refused to acknowledge his existence and Charles, the most level-headed colleague he had ever met,He had his disgust for Eric so vivid on his face like a painting. Eric sighed, he should have known they would be mad at him for admitting the things he did yesterday.But still, he didn't expect it to hurt this much. Eric knew he wasn't close to them, but he prided himself on being one of the best here and being alienated didn't look too good for him.Archer entered the office and Eric felt his scowl deepen. Of all the people to be worried about, Archer was the catalyst.After everything went down, he didn't see Archer for the rest of the day. He had been expecting to be fired for what he did."Archer," Eric started to say."Sit down," Archer no
Archer felt a lot of things from the news but shock was not one of them. He waited, maybe it was a late reaction to hearing it from the smugest person.But still, he felt nothing. Archer was expecting a more imploding bad need but this caught him by surprise.He glanced at Ferguson who was still staring at him with a scowl on his face, Archer cocked his head to the side to meet his gaze.They locked eyes for some time till realization dawned on Archer, this time he couldn't resist the scowl on his face."You think I gave it to him?" he all but yelled.Ferguson shrugged, "I didn't say a word.""But you implied it, didn't you?" Archer asked, he looked around the room and the other man looked bored.Madison looked like she would rather be anywhere but here."I cannot believe this. When I brought in millions of money, you were the happiest person in the room. But now you are accusing me without pointing fingers because I saved this company.""What exactly did you save this company from? Y