Page 13 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny
ELEVEN
Archer
The sun had started to set across the Atlanta skyline as Archer’s black Charger turned off the main road.
His tires crunched over an immaculate gravel driveway that wound toward a sprawling estate.
Destiny stared out the window; her copper coils were wild, brushing her cheeks.
Her eyes went wide as the mansion came into view.
She eyed the stone fountains with carved lions spitting water into pools of water.
Everything about it screamed money and power, the kind that had its own weight in the air.
Her parents were very wealthy as well, but they were also humble.
They didn’t have a big mansion, they lived comfortably in a four bedroom flat since it was only the three of them.
“Damn, your dad’s house is beautiful.” She marveled at the outside of what looked like a three story mansion.
Archer’s jaw flexed as he cut the engine. His pale blue eyes were fixed on the front doors.
“Yeah, beautiful.” He said, with coldness beneath his tone.
Destiny didn’t miss how his mood shifted drastically.
She turned to him and studied the side of his face.
His jaw was clenched, and his hand gripped the steering wheel, even after his car had shut off.
Her chest tightened for him, the silent storm that he was battling internally was now loud and obvious. She wanted to be there for him.
“Baby? You want me to get out with you?” She asked gently.
Archer finally turned to her, his eyes softening for a moment as they met hers.
“Nah baby, I won’t be long. Just some family shit that I have to handle.
He needs to tell me where I can find my real mom.
I deserve to know that. He stole time away from me that’ll I’ll never get back…
I’m hopeful, though. Hopeful enough to find her and get her side of the story.
I’ll even forgive…” His words cracked as he swallowed down the painful lump that crawled up his throat.
Deep down inside, Archer felt like his real mom was robbed of being able to raise him.
There was no secret about how racist his father was against black people.
To his family and friends, his father was all about showcasing pure love for his people only.
That was another reason why Archer didn’t want to expose Destiny to his father as well as Karen.
To him, Destiny didn’t deserve to be treated fucked up because of the color of her skin.
Destiny’s perfectly arched brows furrowed slightly.
“Archer…”
“It’s nothing you need to be part of.” He added, cutting her off.
He leaned over to brush a soft kiss to her lips.
“I promise, I’ll be fine.”
She hesitated but nodded, but before he could pull away, she gripped his hand.
“You sure?” She asked.
“I’m sure.” He said, but inside, he was anything but sure.
Archer exhaled the breath he was holding.
He could already picture what was going on inside of his father’s house.
The Atlanta mayor was probably sitting in his father’s study, sipping whiskey and talking political donations.
Archer wasn’t there for pleasantries or fake ass smiles.
He was there for answers. He was ready to tear everything down inside of that house to get it, even if that included important business relationships.
He already quit college, he was done trying to please Sr. He already had a bright future and didn’t need the rest of any trust fund to survive.
His father had lied to him all his life.
Pretending the woman who raised him was his mother while hiding the truth of the black woman whose blood actually ran through his veins.
He didn’t even know his biological mother’s real name. Archer was done letting it slide, done letting lies shape his life. This evening, with the mayor in the room to witness it if needed, Archer planned to force the truth out of Sr.’s mouth.
He didn’t give a fuck how ugly it got. He looked over at Destiny and felt like she was his destiny.
It was meant for him to meet her, he already knew weeks ago that he had fallen in love with her.
She was his motivation to go through with his plan tonight.
After this, his father would probably disown him.
He was always scared of having nobody in his corner.
He already took on the black sheep role, and Archer was okay with his siblings hating him because of Karen and his skin complexion.
He was okay with not receiving love from them as well. He used to take the micro-agressions and disdain from them just to have family to call his own. Now, in this moment, he no longer gave a fuck.
Archer took a deep breath and let go of Destiny’s hand. He stepped out of the car, the warm Georgia air hitting him as he shut the door. He left his keys inside and told Destiny to call him if she wanted him to cut on the air in case it got too hot.
Destiny called for Archer, and he turned to look at her. Her big brown eyes were full of worry.
“Be careful, Archer. I know that’s your family…
just don’t let them convince you any longer that you aren’t a good person.
You’re smart, successful, and young. Everything you have right now, is because of you…
not them. I want to go in so bad to give them all a piece of my mind because they don’t fucking deserve you. ” She frowned.
Archer stood still, his chest warmed as his heart rate picked up.
He wanted to laugh at Destiny cursing and talking that way.
She was always sweet, soft, and reserved.
It made him feel extra good that his girl was sitting in his car, ready to go to war behind him.
It also touched his heart that she saw him for what he was.
“Promise me you’ll walk out if it gets too ugly. I told you that I will help you find your mom. You don’t need them.” She added.
He walked back to the car and leaned down close to her.
“I promise. When I’m done here, I’m taking you to my place. It’s two hours away, but I want you to see it. Whenever you have breaks from school, I want you to come up there with me. I love you, Destiny.” He pecked her lips and eased away from the car.