Page 10 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

Archer had to grow up watching his sister and brother get all the love that he wanted. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he let his so-called parents believe that he was just a fuck up. He embraced the black sheep role and played it well. At a young age, Archer owned more businesses than an average forty-year-old. He studied real estate, something that his father wasn’t aware of and used all the money from his trust fund to invest in properties like two apartment complexes. Later, he took the extra money he made from that and invested into other things.

He owned a cigar lounge that he took pride in and used it as his getaway spot. Archer also had a couple of nice properties in different states that didn’t cost him much to buy out. He had a lot more going on, far more than what people assumed. The only reason why he followed along with the entire college situation was because that was part of the stipulation in the second trust fund that was coming to him once he turned twenty-five.

Archer’s father split his trust fund into three parts. He got his first big lump sum when he hit eighteen, his second one was due when he turned twenty-five, which is why his father forced him into college. The third one would come when he hit thirty. His father wanted him happily married with at least one kid on the way to continue the legacy.

“You want to know why I allowed you to roll with me?” Archer looked over at Destiny. He noticed that she was shutting down, and he wanted to keep her vocal. He enjoyed her speaking her mind, it felt real, and it was something that he started to enjoy.

“You didn’t call out for help when you hit the floor.”

She blinked her eyes, then swallowed down. Embarrassment rose inside of her as she replayed the way that she fell and how she felt all eyes on her when she did fall.

“It was also the way you looked afterward when you thought you were shielding yourself away from everyone. You lookedlike it embarrassed you, but it didn’t break you. You didn’t wait for sympathy…you just existed and sat there getting yourself together.” Archer smirked then placed his eyes on the road.

Destiny was stunned from his observation. She never wanted a soul to feel sorry for her, that in itself irked her. Even with her parents trying to cater to her every need. It made her feel useless; she even redirected her thinking when she caught herself wishing that someone was at her apartment with her to help her. That was only because she got used to having her parents do everything. She wanted to push herself until she didn’t need anyone to do anything for her.

The way her parents treated her, she tried to excuse because she knew it was just because they loved her. It also fueled her ambition to be out in the world on her own.

If Destiny thrived off of sympathy, she would not be able to feel the lower half of her body. That was something doctors were sure of when she got shot. They told her that she would never be able to stand nor walk and she proved them wrong. Destiny believed in speaking positive manifestations into her life. She believed that God was going to see her through it all, it just took time and patience.

“You’re kind of deep for a guy who cursed out a half-naked girl in the parking lot. I don’t like when men call women bitches, by the way.” She said.

Destiny took the top of her ponytail out. There was no point in the top still being confined when most of her curls had fallen out when she fell earlier. Archer took his eyes off the road and got lost in her beauty for a couple of seconds before responding.

“She earned that, you didn’t. I’ll work on calling women bitches in front of you, though.” He uttered.

They both went quiet again, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The air in the car was thick with something warm, something that they both couldn’t quite define. Archer couldn’t stop glancingover at her. He took in every movement that came from Destiny, down to the way her arm rested on the door. She absentmindedly tapped her fingers to the beat. Her round face was calm but guarded. He didn’t know her at all, but liked how she felt around him.

FIVE

Destiny

Destiny watched the trees blur past her window. Her body still buzzed from the way Archer had lifted her earlier. He carried her like she wasn’t an inconvenience, but something he wanted to do. That alone had her thoughts in disarray. What really unnerved her was how quiet he stayed as they drove. It was as if he didn’t need to fill in the silence to own a room.

Archer also didn’t act like an asshole when she did decide to converse with him. She could tell that there were so many layers to him. Hurt radiated off of him and was concealed by his nonchalant persona, as well as his bluntness.

He pulled into a gated lot that had smooth looking black pavement. Beautiful palm trees stood tall next to the valet that awaited them in a tailored black vest. She looked up at the sign and it read“Archer’s Delight”.

He owns this place…She smiled at the nice sleek building. Archer didn’t announce it, nor did he brag on the way there. He parked in the front and cut his engine then walked around to help her out of the car like it was nothing. Once she was situated in her chair, Archer walked next to her with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Two massive men stood at the entrance like statues. They stepped to the side when they caught eyes with Archer. He gave them a nod and let Destiny roll in first. Destiny’s chair glided smoothly over the polished floors as they entered. Her mouth fell slightly open at the view. The inside looked like something straight out of a billionaire’s private collection.

Dark wood walls soaked in the smooth amber lighting. Floor-to-ceiling wine racks lined the back, while Mahogany cabinets filled with cigars were built in on either side. Tables were covered with thick velvet cloth. There were leather armchairs and crystal skull ashtrays, and Jazz played low through invisible speakers.

The scent inside was intoxicating, it smelled like cedarwood, smoke, bourbon, leather, and spice.

“Wow, this is yours?” She finally managed to ask.

Her eyes darted between the bar lined with vintage seats and the low booths that were lit by gold pendant lights.

“Yeah.” Archer smiled with pride as he took in his own masterpiece.

Archer’s Delightwas his pride and joy. It took him a year to create the blueprint for it. Whenever he felt overwhelmed or needed an escape, he’d come here and unwind by himself. Today was the first day he ever brought somebody here with him. Something inside of him told him that Destiny would appreciate a place like this.

Somewhere to escape the campus to feel welcomed and relaxed.

“I feel underdressed.” She laughed breathlessly.

Archer glanced at her, then back to the path ahead of them.

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