Page 12 of The Debt

Chapter 8

The breakfast conversation revolved around family where Mira learned that both Archer’s parents were deceased, his father passing two years ago while his mother died eight years earlier. There were two aunts, twins, living in Europe and a cousin in Canada. As an only child he was sheltered. However, his father taught him to respect others and to be humble.

As he spoke about his family and the values taught to him by his parents, Mira was nostalgic. She missed her father. Although they were poor, her father imparted similar values to her as well. He taught her to respect others and the value of hard work. When she met Vasco she was waitress in a night club saving up to finish college.

Desperate to save her father’s life she took Vasco’s offer, thinking that she’d attend a few parties as he’d suggested. She believed that she would still be able to work and would eventually return to college. How naïve she was. But she wasn’t completely immature not to know that she would probably have had to sleep with the man at some point. The truth was that she was prepared to even do that to save the one parent she ever knew. She had no one else but her father. Now she didn’t know where he was or what had become of him. Her eyes stung as she listened to Archer talk about the passing of his father and how devastating a blow it was.

“I’m making you sad, I see,” he observed, as they finished their meal and relaxed on the sofa. “I presume from your countenance that you’ve experienced something similar?”

“My mom, she died when I was born,” Mira told him.

“I’m sorry to hear that, must been difficult growing up without her.”

“It was, but my dad made sure I was okay.”

“Where is he now?”

Mira swallowed hard. What should she say to Archer? How could she answer his question without giving away that Vasco was holding her father hostage so he could keep her trapped in their contract?

“Can we not talk about this, please?” she asked, her voice now hoarse as she tried to keep from tearing up.

Archer, the gentleman he was, did not press the subject. Instead, he stood and reached for her hand, pulling her gently to her feet. Mira allowed him to take her into his arms and hold her close.

“You don’t have to talk about anything that brings you discomfort,” he whispered against her hair. “Just know that I will never judge you and will be a shoulder you can lean on.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, reaching up and kissing his cheek.

“Now, I’m taking you to see a movie.”

Mira laughed. “At this hour?”

“That’s right, I have a full day of activities planned for us.”

He wasn’t joking when he said he had a full day planned. Not only did Archer take her to see a movie as he promised, the theatre was reserved for just the two of them. Mira was blown away when they walked inside and there was no one else there. In addition to reserving the place for themselves, she was given a list of movies to choose from. It was like being taken to dinner and given a menu.

When the first movie ended, Archer told her to choose another. Snacks were provided, but he warned her not to overindulge on the snacks because he’d also arranged for lunch. Like a princess, Mira was whisked away to Castle Island where they took lunch, and went for a leisurely stroll afterward.

Having never been to this place, it was well worth the trip for her, not only for pleasure, but it was a history lesson. Built in the 19th century, Castle Island was also the home of Fort Independence, although the first fort was actually built in 1634 and named the Castle. The fort has been rebuilt several times and also renamed. With 22 acres for recreational activities there was hardly a dull moment passed between them that Mira didn’t want to leave.

It was the most beautiful day she had ever spent with anyone except for her father, and by far the most romantic date she’d ever had. While on their after lunch stroll, Archer took her hand. She savored the warmth and electrical flow created between them. They would stop and admire some historic marking or monuments and he would tell her all about it.

He was not only the best date, he was a brilliant mind that stimulated not only her heart, but her mind as well. In one day she learned more from Archer than she did from Vasco. What Vasco had to teach her was how to deceive in order to gain. Those were lessons she had no desire to learn, yet she’d had to learn them in order to survive.

Today felt like freedom to Mira and she dreaded returning to her life of bondage. She also knew she would likely never be allowed to see Archer again, especially since she had no inclination to retrieve information from him. For Vasco, this would be a failure on her part and would warrant punishment equivalent to being grounded. She wouldn’t be allowed to leave the house unless to accompany him to parties where he’d watch her every move.

He would also take her toys, which was limited to her cell phone and tablet. The idiot didn’t even realize that he was actually doing her a favor by keeping her inside where she could read all she wanted. Taking her books would have been a greater punishment indeed, but since Vasco hated books, he did not realize the joy of reading.

The day passed rather quickly and before she knew what was happening, it was time to leave Castle Island and return to the hotel. Archer had to leave the following day as he had rescheduled his business appointments in order to spend the day with her. As they headed back, she knew she needed to do something to show her gratitude. She was unable to cook for him, something she would have loved to do. Instead she arranged dinner in her room.

They had reached back at the hotel and were walking through the lobby when she took his hand, much like the way he’d taken hers as they walked the castle grounds earlier. He stopped and smiled down at her, his eyes smoldering as they connected with hers. This look she’d come to appreciate throughout the day.

“Will you have dinner with me tonight?” she asked. “I’ve arranged dinner in my room.”

“Great minds think alike,” he replied with a chuckle. “I too have arranged dinner in my suite.”

“Join me at seven,” she replied. “You’ve treated me all day. It’s my turn to treat you.”

He raised her hand and kissed the back of it. “I wouldn’t dream of missing dinner in your room.”

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