35. Delilah
Chapter thirty-five
Delilah
A s I walked my mom to her car, she kept a permanent smile on her face. I gave her a look. “Why are you so happy about this?” I asked her, and she laughed.
“I like to relive a few of my moments through you. Your father and I had our share of dates... he almost forced me to marry him each time. Looking back on it now, I acted as if it annoyed me, but I knew that was his way of telling me he wanted to be with me.”
“Gosh, this was our first date, and Archer already mentioned proposing.”
She shook her head. “Once you let him say it once, it’s all downhill from there,” she muttered.
My phone buzzed. I looked down at it, and my eyebrows furrowed.
“Who is it?” Mom asked, and I tilted my head.
“It’s... Archer,” I muttered and picked up the phone. “Archer?” I said, and I didn’t hear anything for a moment. However, I did hear heavy breathing and something breaking in the background.
I looked at my mother and whispered, “I think something’s wrong.” Returning to the phone, I spoke again. “Archer? What’s wrong?”
He was silent for a moment.
“Delilah.. . I think I’m going to break my hand,” he said with a disturbing calmness, and my heart sank as his tone was unsettling.
“Why would you do that?!” I asked him, panic rising in my voice, and he sighed.
“Remember when I told you Stephan and I don’t get along anymore? Unfortunately, he proved it even more tonight.”
“I don’t understand... What’s going on—”
He cut me off and spoke again with a slight tremble in his voice. “No more questions. I just... need you here with me, Princess. Please.”
“O-okay, I’ll be right there,” I replied.
He told me he was at his penthouse before the call ended, and I looked over to my mother, who was listening in. She seemed as speechless as I was.
“Something’s wrong. I... I don’t understand,” I whispered, and she nodded towards my car in the driveway.
“Go. He clearly needs you. I’ll tell Kimi. Keep me posted as much as you can.”
I gave her a quick hug and ran to grab my keys and phone before hopping into my car to leave.
I eventually reached his building and went to the elevator, my palms sweaty. Reaching his floor, I entered his penthouse, which was only slightly trashed, but I could see many things had been broken or damaged beyond repair.
I looked around for him, and my heart clenched as he sat on the kitchen floor with tears in his eyes.
“Archer,” I whispered.
He did his best to keep a straight face as he ran his hands through his hair. “All I’ve ever wanted was for him to view me as his brother—someone he could love, someone he could confide in. I know I’m stubborn, but was it really that much of a burden for him to love me?” he said as his voice croaked from his emotions.
I shook my head as I sat in front of him. “Archer. I don’t want you to hurt yourself. You’re not a burden. If he doesn’t see what any reasonable person does, then he can go to hell,” I said angrily. He looked up at me as I continued, “You are better than he will ever be, and just because he can’t see that does not mean I don’t. You shouldn’t be hurting because he’s angry at himself and decided to take his bitterness out on you,” I finished, and before he could say anything, I wrapped my arms around his neck, causing him to fully break down in my arms as he wrapped his own around my body and pulled me closer to him. I shushed him softly as I tried to keep myself from crying as well.
“I’ll be here for you. You don’t need him. He doesn’t deserve you,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice from cracking.
He didn’t say anything else as I ran my fingers through his hair soothingly.
I opened my eyes slowly as I looked around the room. Recalling the events of last night, I remembered Archer and me sitting on the kitchen floor. Somehow, we ended up cuddling in his bed, but he wasn’t in the room anymore.
I sat up slowly and walked into his bathroom to freshen up quickly. I looked into the mirror and tilted my head, realizing I had also changed into one of his button-down shirts.
Taking my hair out of its ponytail, I ran my fingers through it as I walked into the hall.
I heard the subtle sound of a violin playing, and I smiled softly as I entered the living room. After a few more notes, I heard him sigh, and he relaxed as I watched his shirtless back.
“...I hate the violin,” he muttered, and I grinned as I walked over and wrapped my arms around him from behind.
“Interestingly enough, I remember you liked it precisely because Kimiko did, and you got to see me at your practice.”
“It was the only reason I kept up with the lessons. Couldn’t let Kimiko enter the next level... then I’d never get to see you.”
“And now you know almost as much as she does—”
“I know more,” he cut me off, and I rolled my eyes.
“Let her hear that, and she’ll kill you.”
He shrugged as he grabbed my hand and walked me to the kitchen, where he had already set out breakfast for us.
“It’s not cold, if that’s what you were wondering,” he muttered, and I giggled at his nervousness as we both took a seat at the kitchen island and ate together in semi-comfortable silence. Taking a bite of my French toast, I watched him, unnoticed, as I thought to myself.
I knew a lot about Archer, and I could tell he was actively trying to avoid discussing what happened last night. He made minimal eye contact with me despite my staring, and eventually, once we were finished, he grabbed our plates and walked to the sink.
“Archer… we should talk,” I began.
He continued washing the dishes. “About what?” he asked, and I sighed as he tried to play dumb.
“About last night.”
He dried his hands as he looked back over to me. “I had a moment of weakness... I thought it over this morning, and it shouldn’t happen again.”
I bit my lip at his cold response. “Archer, you and I both know that isn’t any way to talk. You know I won’t be taking that answer from you.”
He didn’t pay me any mind as he walked to the living room. I hopped off the chair and grabbed his hand, causing him to stop.
“Please… don’t ignore me. I-I know you probably don’t want to talk about him anymore, and I know I’m most likely the last person who you’d actually talk to about this, but I want to help you, I want to be there for you.”
His eyes continued to linger on me, and I was slowly starting to feel like he wouldn’t change his mind. However, that thought was gone as soon as it came as the look in his eyes grew more sincere.
“...There is no one I would share my feelings or emotions with other than you, Princess. I don’t want you to run away when you finally figure out how messed up I am, and I don’t want to scare you off again. I want you to be there for me, and I want to be there for you,” he said softly.
I whispered, “Let me be there for you…”
He sighed after a moment, and I listened as he spoke, his voice cracking slightly.
“Stephan is speculating again. He took his anger and frustration out on me, and I guess last night was simply my breaking point. He’s angry and resentful of me even though I’ve only wanted to grow closer to him. But… I guess that’s wishful thinking these days…” he muttered.
I didn’t press further as I didn’t want him to feel pressured to feel overwhelmed.
“He made me question what I felt for you, made me question him… myself, and I just lost control.”
Archer grabbed my hand, which was still holding his wrist, and placed it over his chest after a moment. I held back a few tears as his heartbeat started to go faster, and my hand lingered.
“I never want to doubt what we have, Princess.”
“Archer,” I whispered, and he shook his head.
“No matter what anyone has to say about us being together, no matter what happens… the bottom line is that you own me, Delilah. The second you break my heart—” he started.
“I won’t. I promise,” I whispered.
He shook his head as he wiped away my shed tear. “ If you break my heart, I won’t be the same. You are my everything.”
I wiped my eyes, and as if a switch went off, I yelped as he picked me up quickly and wrapped my legs around his torso and my arms around his neck. A small blush rose to my cheeks as he placed his hands on my thighs to hold me. I let out a soft laugh as he placed a kiss on my neck.
“Don’t cry, Princess.”
I nodded as his kisses slowly became more sensual. He made his way to my lips, and I kissed him back as he walked us over to the sofa. I giggled as he threw me down softly, and he leaned over me, his eyes narrowing as he gazed down at me playfully.
This was the Archer I was used to seeing: the one that was always up for a challenge. The playful but possessive guy who wanted a reaction out of me. Today, after seeing his pain and his hurting, I wanted this kind of reaction from him.
He ran his hands up and down my waist as I looked up at him, and I moaned softly as he pulled me closer to him. Biting my lip softly, I did my best to ignore the butterflies swarming up a storm in my stomach as I clenched my thighs close around his waist out of reflex. Just that little gesture, however, made his eyes darken slightly as he continued caressing me.
Unfortunately, the sound of the elevator opening caused me to sober up from my soon-to-be drunken state of need and lust, and Archer pulled away as he sighed once we heard a few voices.
“Don’t touch me!”
“Tiger, all I asked for was a hug. You wound me.”
Suddenly, I heard Kimiko gasp as she stopped walking. “Were you guys about to have sex!!” she screamed, and I sighed as Archer got off of me, and I gave her a look.
“That was the plan,” Archer replied to her, and I slapped his arm.
“No, Kimi. That definitely was not the plan. Hello, Sterling,” I said, and he chuckled.
“I see you both have had an exciting morning,” he remarked, and I tilted my head.
“The same goes for both of you—” I started.
Kimiko said, “This morning has been anything but exciting! It’s been annoying and abnormal and—and... UGH! I hate him. I cannot stand him! First, he holds the door open for me downstairs, and then he rides the elevator with me!”
I gave her a look, and Sterling bit his lip. “I’m just visiting my best friend. I think it’s a coincidence that we ran into each other, actually.”
She glared at him and turned back to him as she walked into the bathroom a few feet away. “Don’t let him fool you! He knows what he’s doing!” she yelled.
Once she was out of the room, Sterling chuckled. “I definitely know exactly what I’m doing.”
Archer rolled his eyes as he stood up, and I sighed.
“Don’t be creepy, Sterling. Stalking her isn’t going to make her like you,” Archer muttered, and Sterling shrugged.
“But it’s not going to make her not like me, is it?” he asked, and I made a face.
“If anything, she’ll hate you,” I said.
He thought about it for a moment and sighed as he rubbed his temples.
“This strategy is starting to seem a bit unsuccessful... Maybe I should’ve met her when I was a literal child and gone after her then. Ugh, if I’m following you, Archer, it will take me years to get her to notice me.”
“Watch it, Reynolds,” Archer warned, and I giggled as Sterling pouted.
“Don’t act as if it isn’t the truth. Besides, I don’t want to follow in your footsteps. Unlike you, my patience runs a bit thin. Not that you have much patience for other things.”
Archer crossed his arms as he nodded to the elevator. “Well I don’t have much patience for you now. Just letting you know that I never invited you and the door is welcoming you to leave.”
Sterling smiled as he sat beside me. “Thank you for the reminder.”
“Okay, enough chitchat. Give me my best friend,” Kimi ordered, storming into the living room.
Archer sighed as she practically dragged me off of the couch. “You get ten minutes.”
She rolled her eyes. “I will keep her for as long as I please,” she retorted.
I reluctantly followed her into the kitchen. She turned to look at me, and I noticed the look in her eyes changing.
“...What’s wrong, Kimi?” I asked, and she sighed.
“Is he okay?” she asked, concerned, and only then did I realize that my mother kept to her promise and informed her of why I left early.
“I don’t know, Kim. He’s doing a good job hiding what he’s feeling, but we just had a heart-to-heart conversation, and I’m going to give him time.”
She nodded with a sigh. “It’s a bit more challenging being mean to him when I know he’s going through something... Not that it’ll make me stop or anything.”
I slapped her shoulder and shook my head. “You two need to get along already. How would you feel if I was mean to Sterling all the time?”
“I wouldn’t care because Reynolds only lives to make my life a living hell, and I want nothing to do with him.”
I smiled at her as I felt arms wrap around my waist. I looked up at Archer as he came in.
“What are we discussing?” he asked, and Kimi rolled her eyes as I whispered loud enough so she could hear: “How long it will take for her and Sterling to get together... I’m giving it about five months.”
He shrugged. “I’ll give about six.”
Sterling chuckled as he gave Kimi a side hug and sighed. “I’d say that’s around the ballpark for you to come around to your senses… what do you say, tiger?” he asked happily, but his face soon changed as Kimi sent her elbow straight into his stomach, causing him to let go of her and let out a sound of pain.
“...Never. Touch. Me.” She spoke angrily, but I could see a small blush creeping up her neck. I giggled at their interaction, to which she sent me a glare forcing me to hide it as Archer pulled me in closer.
One Month Later
A month had passed, and I was finally used to things in Calvin’s office. It was a bit odd, though. It seemed as though everyone knew I shouldn’t be working here and how much trouble I could be in if my father found out, but no one said a word. It was a bit interesting, to say the least, but I thought nothing of it.
Most of my day was spent at the university, at my father’s office, or at Calvin’s. My schedule was becoming tighter and tighter, but I still managed.
Although Andrew was always lingering around, Luca was absent from both the academy and Calvin’s office. As was Stephan, but I knew the reason behind his leaving.
Kimiko is still trying to figure out her leadership as Sterling challenged it by being friends with the dean. Uncle Eugene has been extraordinarily distant, but his wife, Juliet, doesn’t speak on it much. Other than that... things have been as normal as they can be within our drama-filled lives.
As I entered Archer’s office, he looked up at me as he placed the file on his desk. I looked down at my iPad and said, “You have a meeting with Brisco Industries in fifteen minutes.”
“I thought it was in thirty minutes?” he asked, and I rolled my eyes.
“Yes. It was in thirty minutes when I came here fifteen minutes ago, and all you wanted to do was give me your ‘affection.’ Now let’s go,” I ordered, and he sighed as he stood up, and purposely ran his hand over my waist as he walked past me.
We entered the meeting room, and he pulled the door behind him closed. I placed my things down on the table and yelped as he pinned me against it.
“Archer. We have to set this room up, and you’re being childish.”
“Why can’t we play for a little, Princess…? It’s always about work when you come here.”
I turned towards him while still in his hold and crossed my arms. “You sound like a hormonal teenage boy, and I cannot condone this behavior when you have a meeting in literally ten minutes.”
“I think that’s more than enough time to do something I had in mind,” he said as he placed kisses on my neck.
I sighed. “You are insatiable. Do you know that?” I asked him, and he chuckled.
“Well, maybe if you didn’t look so gorgeous, I wouldn’t have a problem leaving you alone, would I?” he asked, and my eyes fluttered closed as I gave into the kiss that he now placed on my mouth. Trying to resist this guy was definitely one of my failures, but as my knees buckled as his hands traveled down my back, I’d have to argue that giving in to him was anything but disappointing.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, and as his hand caressed my thigh, I heard the door open. Pulling away from him quickly in fear, my jaw practically dropped as my fear very much turned into horror and panic.
“Oh my God...” the man whispered, and even Archer looked at a loss for words.
“Uncle Blaine—” I started, and he shook his head.
“...I’m not supposed to even be here. You’re DEFINITELY not supposed to be here!” he began, his chest rising and falling erratically.
I shook my head. “Uncle Blaine. No. Stop thinking, and let’s talk about this.”
“Delilah... I asked you about boyfriend... you told me no boyfriend. THIS,” he exclaimed, pointing at Archer, before continuing in incomplete sentences, “This is boyfriend!!”
Then, I noticed his face change as he took one step back and placed his hand on his phone.
I shook my head again as I took a careful step towards him.
“No. Uncle Blaine, stay. Don’t move.”
He stopped for a moment, but I couldn’t let out a sigh of relief as he made a run for the elevator, causing Archer and me to run after him in a heartbeat.
We grabbed him, and Archer covered his mouth as we dragged him back to the meeting room. We forced him onto the chair, and I locked the door as he crossed his arms.
“You need to explain what is happening to me right now... And for the record, I don’t appreciate being manhandled.”