"I'm sorry you had to see that," Archer said in a low tone as they walked out of the house, still holding hands with Tangie. He felt sorry that their first day together was full of so many events.He could not even bear to glance at her for fear of seeing her disappointment.Instead, his mind swirled with thoughts of where he could take her to. He had promised to spend the month before their wedding together, but it seemed like all his efforts were fruitless."It's fine..." Tangie replied softly, "but it feels like your ex still loves you." Archer paused in his tracks instantly and pivoted towards her, "don't believe anything you saw today. Don't believe anything you heard either." He said seriously."I didn't hear anything, I just got the message from her body language when I introduced myself as your fiancée."Archer furrowed his eyebrows, glaring at her like she was touching a sensitive part of him."I'm sorry," she apologized, sensing that he did not want her to continue talking
Gunshot.Then another gunshot.Two men fell to the ground, their faces were unfamiliar, but they had their hands pointing in one direction.Archer turned in that direction and noticed men in black, charging toward the fallen men. He shifted backward and took a stance of defense. The incoming men had one thing in common, they all had a strange tattoo on the dorsal part of their wrist.He glanced at the men on the ground and observed they had the same tattoo.Theirs was clearer. It was a tattoo of a descending eagle. His phone blared to life, raging loudly.Archer shot his eyes open, he looked around his surroundings and realized it was just a dream. A dream that felt so real.He glanced at his wrist as if to be certain that the tattoo didn't appear on his wrist overnight.One thing however was alarming. That tattoo felt weirdly familiar.He grabbed his phone from the lampstand next to him and switched off the blaring alarm.He searched the internet for answers, “What company uses the
The dimly lit area of Archer’s executive suite in the boardroom added to the authority that he had on the meeting. From where he was seated the long mahogany table sprawled into the distance presenting fifteen stakeholders on each side of the table, each person straining to get a full glimpse of the new President.Archer’s presence at the head on the table was imposing, his steely gaze traveled around the room landing from face to face asserting his dominance over each person.The scent of expensive colognes mingled with the stifling air of uncertainty.Archer had questions, the Stakeholders had questions. It was obvious in the way they mumbled to each other.Archer’s main concern was the man with the tattoo.He glared at him at the other end of the table. As if he was aware that Archer knew something other people didn't, he squirmed in his seat, avoiding his intimidating gaze.The dream he had this morning flashed through his memory leaving him wondering what side the tattooed man
Pacing around the patio, Tangie’s eyes fleeted repeatedly across her phone’s screen. She was waiting for him, waiting because he had told her to. It was almost midnight and Archer was yet to be back from work, ignoring her calls, stirring a gnawing worry in her.She slumped on the lawn couch fighting off the sense of devastation and panic that had enveloped her.She had meticulously prepared dinner. She had prepared lunch too thinking he’d be back then.Unexpectedly, her phone shattered the gloomy mood with a soft ring, she jumped, startled by the unexpected noise.Glancing at her phone, she realized it was her father.She wondered what could be so urgent that couldn’t wait till morning. Without hesitation, she answered the call.“Tangie, dear. Can I speak to Archer? I need to ask him something.”“What is it, dad? Is it about work?” Tangie asked, curiosity dripping in her tone.“Yes, it's about Sterling Group…”Before Tangie could mention Archer’s absence, she was stopped by the sou
Tangie’s heart raced as she met his cold glare. "I am so sorry..." she quivered, her voice barely audible. I just thought I could do something nice..." She explained, shrinking in size as she did so."All you have to do is stay in your room and avoid me as much as you can."We are to be married in a month. Let's at least have a meal together.""Well, food is not my problem. I can't find the time to eat with you.""Am I asking for too much? You brought me here, what was your plan? I made mine clear to you. I want to know the man I am marrying and you agreed.""We haven't sat together for five minutes in forty-eight hours. I don't even know your middle name, you're so mysterious that I find myself looking around to be sure I'm not being watched."Archer’s stern voice softened, replaced with curiosity, his eyes narrowing at once,"Do you feel like you've been followed recently? Did you go anywhere?""I… I stopped by the office for some documents, then to get groceries, to the car wash.”
It is said that when facing adversaries, it is better to attack than to be defensive. Archer had no intention to be any of that. He wasn’t going to attack or defend. He was simply going to be the CEO of Sterling Group. Confidently striding through the entrance of the large building, his aura commanded attention as he made his way into the building. As he walked past his employees, he couldn’t help but notice their scrutinizing look on him. In fact, the air was unfurling with a subtle tension that he hadn’t noticed before.Archer gave a half-smile as if to say he acknowledged their piercing gazes. He continued into the elevator, ignoring the people who were struck by his assertive dominance. The elevator beeped open, and the metal doors screeched apart, revealing Celestine in the hallway, waiting with a stack of papers in hand.“Good morning, Mr President,” he said.“Call me Archer, please” Archer replied.“I couldn’t even if I wanted to…” Celestine interjected, presenting him with
Being a Dullvan wasn’t as rosy as it seemed, and nobody knew that except the Sullivans themselves. Their family was not one guided by love or emotions. They were simply bound by duty. The duty of upholding the family name and whatever decision was made was for the greater good of the family, just like her engagement to Archer Williams. She raised her head from the table and the room felt claustrophobic.Tangie sprang to her feet and headed for the door.Holding the doorknob replayed the fragments of their embarrassing tea incident and she cringed. “What was I thinking going to pull a door with full hands.”She pulled the door open and came to face with Luke, the kind man who helped her this morning.Tangie stopped as he got closer.“Miss Sullivan, ma’am” Luke greeted, Tangie shot him a soft smile and averted her gaze. “Am I shy or embarrassed?” She wondered. Glancing at him, she noticed the tray in his hand.“What do you have there?” She asked.“Coconut water…” Luke replied, “It’s
In the dimly lit study where Tangie and Archer stood breaths away from each other. Tangie’s gaze flickered to Archer and caught a flare of jealousy etched into his brooding face.Her pulse quickened, and a rush of excitement stirred a thrilling flutter within her, but she quickly dismissed such thoughts."Don't be ridiculous, Tangie" she chided herself softly, attempting to abate her fluttery. "You seem upset, do you want to talk about it?" her voice soft and gentle, echoed like a soothing melody in the dark."I'm not upset," Archer replied tersely."But you left abruptly…”"I lost my appetite" he interjected, trying hard to conceal the turmoil of emotions brewing within him.Tangie stepped backward, and a feeling of disappointment crept over her."I will leave now..." She grumbled, "You can go back to work. I’m sorry I disturbed"Before she could walk away, Archer closed the gap between them, grabbing her arm.Startled by his unexpected action, she tripped and stumbled into his arms
Despite the turbulent three months that drove Archer to the brink of insanity, he was grateful for the life he had. A new life where he wasn't looked down on. His wife believed in him and loved him for him, not the money or the status.He had someone he could call a friend, a best friend, and he could take care of the people his Master left behind. At thirty two, he was the City's most wealthy CEO, and he was still as humble as ever.His asthma cure was a hit in the medical industry, recognized world wide, but the billions of dollars he made from the sales was not compared to the relief that his wife was no longer an asthma patient. She was in fact, just a healthy eight weeks pregnant woman."I'm going to be a father soon," was Archer's new mantra. For every decision he made, he considered his new status- Father.Every morning he woke up, he kissed Tangie on the forehead and then progressed to the stomach and spoke to his baby until Mariah announced breakfast was ready.This morni
The ride back home was quiet, unsettlingly quiet for Celestine. Archer had not said a single word since they left the court. He simply clutched on the document and kept his face turned to the window.Every passing moment had him wondering what was going through his mind. Did he feel sorry for Master Woods? Was it guilt?Celestine shook his head, snapping off the thought quickly. Master Woods had what was coming, he was only lucky to have faked his entire existence and go unnoticed for ten years.The car rounded into the large mansion, the sun had began to dip in the horizon, casting a golden afterglow on the contours amd corners of the house.Tangie hurried out of the house at the sound of the car zooming into the compound. She had been eagerly awaiting his arrival, desperate to wrap her arms around him and reassure him that his new family would always be with him.But she instantly went blank as Archer approached her. He looked so devastated that she couldn't bring herself to say any
"The President of Sterling Groups," the court officer announced immediately Archer stepped in.Celestine cast a disapproving glance at the announcer as they settled into their seat.Master Woods was guided onto the dock in hand cuffs. He couldn't save himself from the Supreme Federal Court.While bribing the authorities of the city, he had forgotten about the higher authority- The authority of the federal."He looks worse than the last time we saw him," Celestine whispered, almost excitedly. Archer remained quiet, unmoving in fact. Despite the nice and relieving feeling that a criminal and terrorist of both him and the city had finally been caught, Archer couldn't deny the fact that the man in questiom was his father, at least to an extent.Even as he confessed to his crimes, Archer wished it were not true. He silently wished everything could go back to how it was, before it all went bad.However, it was impossible. He was now awaiting the Jury's verdict and Archer was certain, it wou
"A trip?" Celestine repeated, surprised that he was suggesting a trip in the heat of things. "Have you noticed the high demand we have? It is almost impossible to produce enough for one continent, save five continents and you're talking about a trip?"Archer exhaled softly, a slight frown crossed his face. "We've had a very rocky time, I thought we could all just take a nap somewhere in Vietnam or Thailand, anywhere but here...""We can't be anywhere else but here for now," Celestine scolded, "As your executive manager, I forbid it." As he spoke the last bid, a smile of pride etched on his features. "Are you that happy?" Archer asked, observing his wide smile."I'm beyond happy," Celestine replied quickly, "I'm going to work so hard, I didn't do anything to earn this position but now that I have, I must deserve it."As Archer gazed at him, a thought crossed his mind but he kept it to himself."Let's go home," he said. Celestine glanced at his wristwatch only to notice that it was
THREE WEEKS LATERFor the past three weeks, Master Woods of the Bennett Temple, foster father and mentor of Archer Williams was dragged to pieces on the internet. His double identity, his atrocities, the chaos he secretly instigated, and the people on his payroll. No one was safe. Archer made sure of it. The truth of the brutal murders of Mr. Mathew Sullivan had finally surfaced, and everyone who had once looked down on Archer was on their knees begging to be on his good side, but that was far from what Archer wanted. He wanted all of them to keep away from him. He only wanted to be with his family and friends. To be a good father to his child, a good friend to his friends, and a good mentor to the people who now looked up to him. For the first time, he craved a normal life, a life as normal as a regular man.However, that sort of life was almost impossible for him. He was, after all, the only son of his parents, and he knew his father’s belief in the supernatural was not just a me
Chapter 152Fred watched Mercy’s lips move without hearing the words come out.The unfolding revelation had him analyzing and examining his life. Just like Mr. Mathew, he had allowed Master Woods detect his life. He did everything Master Woods just to be accepted and be genuinely acknowledged, yet the harder he tried, the lesser the man thought of him.“Tangie is right,” he thought to himself, “Just being disqualified to be an Arhat is not enough after he had taken many innocent lives and buried their dreams, both the living and dead.”The whole room went silent, stopped by his soliloquy which he didn’t know had been said out loud. “What are you talking about you ingrate?!” Master Woods burst out, like someone who had had enough of the banter. “You bunch of ungrateful idiots, especially you, Archer, I picked you up from the gutter and brushed off your specks of dirt, but here you are trying to destroy what I have spent years building?”“No!” Archer objected, his voice risingwith an
Everyone's heart raced with anticipation and curiosity. Wide eyes followed him as he pranced around the room, about to say something he was less than confident about. He had seen it in a vision, more like a dream, but what if it was just his imagination? What if he was so desperate to find the connection between Mr Mathew and Master Woods that he began to imagine and invoke unbelievable thoughts?Then again, he believed in the supernatural, after all, his father was a curator of the supernatural. He was confident in the gifts that had unlocked within him, yet he found himself doubting the very essence of the dream he had."You were so confident about the Master's atrocities a minute ago, but now your tongue is tied and you can't prove it." Li sneered.Archer paused and turned to face him. "Li, what's the one thing that can keep our Master from becoming an Arhat?"Master Woods leaned forward, putting a hand on Li, "Don't answer that," he urged.Li turned to the Master with mischief
Chapter 150Archer's voice resounded with conviction and no empathy. Master Woods squinted his eyes, gazing at him pensively.The room held its breath, both Mercy and Celestine were speechless, unaware if Archer was speaking in truth or if this was his way of coercing the truth from Master Woods.Tangie rose from her seat, disturbed by the tension of the room and needing some comfort, she walked over to Mariah. "I don't feel too good about this," She whispered. "Me neither," Mariah responded, her gaze flickering from Master Woods to Archer."Could you excuse us?" Master Woods finally spoke, breaking the silence.Everyone turned, exchanging confused glances at each other. "Everyone leave!" He bellowed angrily."Everyone here is my family, Master, and they will stay. I don't think there's anything to hide." Archer interjected, his voice laced with vigor.Master Woods chuckled wryly, "Archer, son, you cannot be greater than your master." "Sir," Archer returned, "I do not aspire to be
Chapter 149As he grunted in pain, he struggled to keep himself composed. To fight his enemy with his head high, he needed to wipe his tears and stand strong. But how could he fight against the one person he had trusted? Despite the truth of his betrayal, his heart yearned for him to tell him that it was all a lie. Tired and weak, Archer strolled over to the study desk, longing for something to lay his weight on.It was barely midday, yet he could feel his body giving out. Maybe it was the lack of rest, maybe it was the heaviness in his heart, but just as he settled on that desk. He caught his eyes closing against his will, completely oblivious to the faint footfalls outside the door. Celestine had been pacing up and through the hallway, unable to go in or walk away. His heart raced with empathy, he wondered what he could do to help his friend, without any answers coming to mind. As he stood there, glancing at his wristwatch repeatedly, approaching footsteps echoed in the distance,