From Heartache to Heir

Chapter 4

Archer was frozen.

He couldn't believe this was real. He stared at his phone screen again but the figures were still there.

They stared back as they mocked him. He willed them to move, to prove him wrong but they stayed still.

"What the hell?" he mumbled to himself.

Archer was floored, he had been rendered speechless. He blinked and opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Do you believe me now, sir?" Gabriel asked.

"No," Archer shook his head, "This can't be real."

Gabriel chuckled, "Then use it and buy something. A new house, a new car. Whatever you want. It's your money."

"My money?" Archer asked.

Gabriel nodded firmly.1

The doubts in Archer's mind were erased in an instant. He stared at Gabriel's serious face and lowered his head to keep himself together.

Archer's eyes welled up with tears, he grabbed his phone and checked the message. He checked his balance again.

The figures still weren't moving, they were still the same as they were a minute ago.

They mocked him by staying real and still.

"I...I don't know what to say," Archer mumbled.

"You don't have to say anything. Like I said, it is your money. You are the heir to a fortune and it's time you enjoy yourself." Gabriel patted his back.

Archer nodded, he was still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions coursing through him.

He couldn't believe his life went to hell just to come back to life the same day. His throat tightened from the intense emotions he was feeling.

This was all too much for him.

Archer instinctively turned back to look at the hotel. To think all this happened because he was humiliated and beaten.

He moved and a groan slipped past his lips when his ribs protested. They were still sore from the beating.

Gabriel cut him a worried glance.

"What happened back there? Do we need to check your body for bruises?" Gabriel asked.

Archer felt his mood shift as he remembered the betrayal, "Don't worry about it, I am fine. Just a little spat."

He heard Gabriel chuckle but Archer didn't look at him.

Archer wouldn't be surprised that Gabriel knew what transpired between Hailey and him.

He wondered if Hailey would pay him any attention now that he was rich. After all, she betrayed him because he couldn't take care of her.

He scoffed.

It was pathetic but she made her choice when she chose that rich asshole over him. He has never hated anyone in his life than Jake Callaghan.

He drifted off only waking up when he felt someone tapping him.

"Yeah?" Archer asked sleepily.

Archer met Gabriel's gaze but the latter was smiling.

"We are here,"

"Huh?"

Archer looked out the window and saw himself staring at the biggest mansion he had seen.

Both reality and television.

The gates opened and they drove inside, Archer's lips were still open in awe as he was transfixed by the mansion.

"Woah!" the words left his lips as Gabriel chuckled.

"What is this place?" Archer wondered out loud.

"This was your grandfather's estate which of course now belongs to you."

"This is big,"

"Yeah, your grandfather loved this place. He built it so he would have his family around him to keep him company." Gabriel explained.

Archer nodded.

They walked up the stairs and into the house. Archer couldn't believe his eyes, the inside was much more beautiful than the outside.

"Someone can get lost in this house."

"I did the very first time I was employed." Gabriel chuckled.

Archer laughed.

Gabriel gestured towards the living room, "Come in, we have a lot to talk about." he said.

Archer obliged and made himself comfortable on one of the chairs. Gabriel sat down too.

"I am sure you now believe that I have no reason to deceive you."

Archer nodded.

"Good, your grandfather's fortune is safe and would be passed along to you in the right process including his companies and subsidiaries."

"Where is he? I would love to meet him." Archer asked.

Gabriel's face fell.

"Your grandfather passed away. One of his dying wishes was for me to find you."

"Oh," Archer mumbled.

"I know it's not what you expected."

Archer shook his head, "I expected to know more about my family. Somehow, I ended up alone again."

Gabriel smiled sadly, "I know, it's unfair but it gets better."

Archer tried to smile back but he failed.

"Do you know anything about my parents?"

"Yes, your grandfather found out what happened to them when he was trying to find you."

"What happened to them?"

"They had an accident on their way to a family vacation, you were in the backseat. They carted you to an orphanage home as soon as you recovered in the hospital."

Archer felt tears gather in his eyes, he doesn't remember the accident but he still felt sad.

"Thank you for telling me," he told Gabriel.

Gabriel nodded, "It's time for me to tell you about your grandfather and your role in this."

Archer nodded.

"Your grandfather is a very wealthy man. He owned half of the city because most of the companies and the subsidiaries were his. Now yours."

"Okay?"

"Name it, investments in various industries in the world, real estate, and technology. Your grandfather majored in these major things."

"What?" Archer was struggling to comprehend the sheer scale of his newfound wealth.

"Any questions?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes, do I know any of the companies?"

Gabriel nodded, "Of course you do, Sky corporation is one of them."

Archer's eyes widened at the name. Sky Corporation was one of the largest controlling companies in the world.

He suddenly had a head rush, it felt like way too much power. He has heard of the name, it made people quiver from his much power the company wielded on its own.

"Archer,"

He looked up at Gabriel and winced when he found the man looking at him curiously.

Archer had so many questions he wanted to ask. He didn't understand anything.

He felt like the main character in a Cinderella movie. He had transformed into a prince in broad daylight.

"If you have any concerns, now would be the time to voice them." Gabriel encouraged.

"Well, if you noticed I don't know how to run a company. I don't think I can handle such responsibility."

Gabriel shook his head, "You will. It is your birthright."

"I don't know what I am doing," Archer said lowly.

"Yes, I know. I am here to help. But you would be learning the ropes little by little till you can run the company."

"Really?"

Gabriel nodded, "yes, we have to make sure you undergo the proper training. The last thing any of us want is to let the empire be run into the ground."

Archer nodded.

"So what do I do?" he asked.

He would do anything as long as he remains here. Archer didn't know if it was a dream or not but he wasn't willing to wake up.

He would do anything asked of him with no complaints.

"First thing tomorrow morning, you are to report Sky Corporation as an employee," Gabriel announced.