"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