From Heartache to Heir

Chapter 5

Archer embraced the hum of his scooter's engine as he maneuvered through the bustling city streets.

The wind tousled his hair, and he felt free for a moment.

He had chosen his scooter instead of the cars at his disposal.

He didn't want to attract attention to himself especially if he was going to be working as a lowly employee.

Arriving at the company's headquarters, he parked his modest scooter amidst the row of imposing vehicles.

Archer smiled as he gathered his courage and headed towards the entrance. Gabriel had already informed the receptionist that he was coming.

He increased his step and added a spring to it. He was excited for today.

His smile wiped off his face when he saw the man confidently standing at the entrance.

A snarl escaped him, he thought he wouldn't ever have to see their treacherous faces again.

He was wrong.

Archer tried to look away but every step closer to the entrance only made him glare at the man.

The beatings he took kept coming back to him. He clenched his fist and tries to calm himself.

He stopped in his tracks and gently rubbed his temple.

Jack Callaghan stood there looking intimidating and imposing. He had that air of arrogance around him and it seemed to piss Archer off the more.

"Don't let him get to you." Archer gave himself a pep talk.

He looked up and to his surprise, Jack was already staring at him.

He waited for Archer to walk up to him.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in." Jack taunted him.

"Hello," Archer said politely.

His insufferable smirk haunted Archer but he decided it won't affect him today. He would calmly dismiss Jack so he wouldn't have a bad day.

"Here to make deliveries?" Jack asked as he snickered. "Because that's the only thing you are good at."

"No, I am not here to make deliveries," Archer replied calmly.

Jack chuckled, "I thought you would have given up on life after our ordeal the last time. It's good that you are still pushing through your sad life."

Archer smiled politely but he didn't say anything.

Jack appeared deep in thought, "Don't tell me you are here to beg for a job. Who would hire a lowly graduate like you?"

"Beats me," Archer shrugged.

"Go home, this place isn't meant for people like you."

"Yet, here you stand." Archer mocked back.

Jack gritted his teeth. He wasn't getting the reaction he wanted and that made him very angry.

"Give up now. No one here would accept you. You are nothing."

"So you keep saying," Archer said.

Archer's jaw tightened as he glimpsed the document in Jack's hands, but he opted to suppress his rising anger.

For a moment, he chose silence, studying the man's smug expression with a cool detachment.

"Why are you here?" Archer finally inquired, a hint of irritation seeping into his tone. Jack, confident and almost arrogant, smirked in response.

"I'm here to seal the deal with the CEO of Sky Corporation," he boasted, waving the document flamboyantly. "I'll be raking in more money than you can imagine. This contract will make me richer than I could ever dream in my entire lifetime."

Archer raised an eyebrow, suppressing a scoff. "Sky Corporation, you say? Interesting."

"I don't expect you to know anything about them. They are way above your level." Jack sneered.

Archer ignored his jab.

"What do you need them for? Don't you run your company?" a mockery smile appeared on Archer's lips.

Jack looked down and his face brightened, "Oh, that is none of your business but since you asked."

He showed Archer the document again but briefly, " Well, Archer, Sky Corporation was on the verge of signing with another company. But guess what? They found a better deal, a more lucrative offer. Yours truly here," he pointed to himself with exaggerated pride, "managed to swing them my way."

"I see, you have no issues swindling your way through a deal?" Archer was outraged.

Jack shrugged.

"I would earn ten times the amount I am earning now. Not that I expect you to understand since you have been swimming in poverty. That kind of money is something you would never touch in your miserable life but don't worry, I intend to take good care of Hailey." Jack sneered.

Archer scoffed, he clenched his fists feeling nothing but anger running through his blood. He couldn't stand this man.

Jack's eyes widened, "Don't let me stop you from your errands. That's the only way you could be able to come close to this building."

Archer burst into laughter much to Jack's chagrin.

"What's funny?" Jack took a menacing step towards Archer who didn't even flinch.

"I find it funny you have to mock me to make yourself feel better. It's adorable really. But let me tell you, that's not happening. Sky Corporation will not be signing that." Archer pointed at the document.

Jack's face changed immediately, he advanced on Archer.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Who are you to tell me that?" Jack snarled.

Archer's eyes flashed with annoyance at being challenged by Jack but he reined in his temper.

It wouldn't look good on his part if he gets in trouble on his first day but this man was pushing his buttons.

Archer shrugged, "Take it how you see fit but your deal just hit a roadblock." he shot the words at Jack before leaving him there.

Jack stared in disbelief as Archer walked up to the receptionist. He watched as the receptionist smiled and directed Archer to the elevator.

Archer walked with his head held high and waited for the elevator to close. He met Jack's gaze again and this time, he smiled at Jack.

Jack stumbled back.

His nervous heart couldn't handle it, he felt control slipping from his grasp.

Who the hell was Archer?

Jack shook his head, Archer was a nobody beneath him.

So why is it that his words rattled Jack so much?