THE CLAN
Mrs Scott climbed down the stairs, her two daughters trailing behind her.
''Come on mother,'' Bracia begged with a pout and Mrs Scott rolled her eyes
''Please, Mom.'' Bianca also begged with pleading eyes.
''You guys are wasting your time. Your brother has already given a strict order that you are not stepping a foot out today, and you two are following that order.'' She and sat on their comfortable couch.
Mr SCOTT, who was sitting on the same couch, watched his daughters with a chuckle escaping him.
'' Where do you want to go girls?'' he asked.
'' Shopping dad.'' they lied
'' You can go. I will cover your lazy butt,'' he said. The two girls began to jump and squeal happily.
'' I swear, I won't interfere when Finley returns.'' Mrs Scott said sternly.
'' I will.'' Mr Scott said.
''Thank you, Dad. I love you so much.'' Bracia hugged him before running upstairs to dress up while Bianca kissed his cheek
'' You are the best dad,'' she said to him with a big grin.
ORLEANNA'S SCHOOL
Orleanna stood beside her car in front of her school's gate. She swallowed a hard lump as she looked at her watch.
It was closing time and she was waiting for Finley.
Finley's car came into view, but she wasn't aware of him being the one approaching. Finally, the car stopped in front of her, and its side window came down. He gave her a toothy grin. His guards stopped at a distance, monitoring their boss's every move.
'' Hey cutie. How are you doing?' There was a charming smile on his face that made her blush.
'' I'm fine and you?'' she asked shyly
''Never been better.'' he had a grin on his face. He looked around.
''Are you waiting for someone or we can go?'' he asks
'' Yes. We can go.'' Orleanna said with an affirmative nod. Finley alighted from his car and walked to the other end, he plopped open the passenger door and motioned for her. "After you." She went in with a smile.
Orleanna fiddled with her fingers nervously looking at him. She had never had a boyfriend in her life. So she didn't know how these things worked. She wasn't even sure if she should call him her boyfriend.
She was the richest girl who came to school with different expensive cars on a daily No guy wanted to ask her out even though she was the prettiest girl in school.
And the only guy who dared to ask her out on a date changed his mind the next day. She was so embarrassed and heartbroken, that she decided to stay on her own.
She thought that maybe it was because she used expensive things. So every guy thought that she was some spoiled brat. And who would ask a girl whose wristwatch could feed his entire family for years out?
Even her so-called siblings didn't speak to her in school. They behaved like total strangers to her.
And she couldn't blame them since she knew that her grandmother, Mrs.. Harris favored and cherished her more than them.
Maybe they were jealous of her. She would just have to lie as she pleased since no one cared about her, except for her grandmother, Ashlyn, and Bracia, because even her parents didn't care.
'' Shall we,'' Finley asked, jolting her out of her thoughts. She flinched a bit.
'' What are you thinking about?'' he asked when he noticed that she was tensed. She didn't reply. He gave her a reassuring smile.
''I'm not kidnapping you. We are just going to have lunch.''
'' Ermm... actually...I... I...'' she stutters
She didn't know what to say. She could leave the car here and come back for it later, or she could just tell Finley that the expensive car belonged to her and watch him run from her too.
Gosh! She didn't know what to say. But weirdly, she felt like she could trust him.
'' You can tell me anything Anna,'' he said, while moving close to her.
'' Actually, I came with my car.,'' she answered, and Finley looked around like he didn't notice the expensive pink sports car parked in front of him.
He just didn't want to believe that the expensive sports car belonged to the 18-year-old girl.
'' Where is it?'' he asked, looking around again and Orleanna smiled nervously
'' There...'' she pointed at the car and Finley's eyes widened
'' You bring this to college?'' He asked a bit shocked
How can a girl of her age bring this car to school?
'' Grandmother gave it to me on my birthday.'' she forces a smile and lied
The truth was that Mrs Harris just kept buying expensive things for her. Whenever she tried to reject it, Mrs Harris would always say that she was doing it for her own good so she could live like a princess.
''She must be damn rich,'' he commented.
'' But you could come to school on a bike or bicycle. I mean, it's fun, and it won't make you this tense.''
'' I have those too, but grandmother always said that it's safe if I came to college driving cars.''
'' So you have many cars,'' he asked, surprised and she shook her head negatively
'' Just five and this is the cheapest.''
'' Wow, girl... you can't go to college driving those. It's not advised.'' He said
Orleanna gulped nervously before looking at him in the face. Was he going to leave her because of this?
'' So... are we still going to eat...I mean... have lunch,'' she asked nervously
'' Of course.'' He said and chuckled, but then continued.
''We only have to decide in whose car we're going."
'' Yours. I will come back to pick mine.''
''Safety belt.'' he simply said and Orleanna nodded.
They drove to the restaurant while chatting. Finley wanted to know Orleanna better and Orleanna kept on answering every question.
'' So you have two sisters and one brother?''
'' Yes''
'' And you are the youngest?'' He asked and she nodded
'' That's why your grandmother keeps spoiling you with expensive things.'' he chuckled a bit.
'' Well, I have two annoying sisters and a brother too. I love them very much even if they keep troubling me.'' he couldn't help but laugh.
They arrived at the restaurant and he opened the door for her before they both walked into the restaurant.
He pulled out a chair for her and she slowly took her seat while staring at the empty restaurant. They were alone inside the restauranwjich was odd.
'' Looks like they don't have customers today.'' she looked over to Finely who glinted in his eyes. He just nodded to her words. What she didn't know was that he had booked the entire restaurant for both of them. But there was no need for her to know that.
MARYLAND HOSPITAL
Ashlyn walked out of a patient's ward. She had an exhausted look and her shoulders were slack. She walked through the hallway where doctors were heading from different angles.
She entered her office and swiftly locked the door. She shrieked, almost falling when she saw Archer seated on a chair inside her office without his guards.
'' Welcome future wife. Hope your day wasn't stressful,'' he said without looking at her
Ashlyn quickly went on one knee and bowed in fear.
'' Good day, Master.'' she greeted, her heart pounding hard against her chest.
'' Come on Ashlyn. You don't have to bow to your future husband. Now rise.'' he said coldly causing a tremor to run down her spine.
What did he mean by 'future husband? ' she thought inwardly. She stood up and moved close to him.
'' I didn't know you were here. If not, I would have attended to you, Master,'' she said with her head still bent.
'' I came here on my own. I'm not sick doctor Ashlyn. I just came to ask you out.'' he said calmly this time
'' Do you want to go on a date with me.'' he raised his head his eyes locked on the shocked and frightened Ashlyn. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She found it hard to speak. But it's not like she could say reject him.
'' Your wish is a command Master.'' she managed to say
He nodded and brought out his phone.
'' Let me ask Finley where the fuck he's having lunch.'' He said inwardly.
'' Don't tell me that you are already missing me, Archer?'' Finley chuckles over the phone
'' Keep dreaming.'' He replied with a scoff.
'' Where are you?'' he added
'' Having lunch with the love of my life. The reason for my heartbeat, the reason for my smiles, my blue eyes, baby, my love, m.....''
'' Stop deceiving the young lady. Anyway tell me where you are having lunch.'' he cut in.
'' Our favorite restaurant. And don't you dare come here? I don't want my babe to be scared.''
'' I'm already on my way.'' He hung up and looked back at Ashlyn
'' Let's go future Mrs Harris.''
''Harris?'' Ashlyn asked to be sure. There was a confused look on her face.
'' I'm Archer Harris, your future husband. Stop acting dumpy, and Let's go.'' he walked out, and Ashlyn followed him slowly, looking as confused as ever.
They head to his car and he gets in, waiting for the girl to follow suit. She does and the door slams shut.
Ashlyn's hands were shaking due to how scared she was. Archer stared at her. He couldn't help but roll his eyes in annoyance.
'' So tell me something about yourself, Ashlyn.'' Be Ashlyn flinched when she heard his voice.
'' I'm just Ashlyn, Master,'' she said almost in a whisper
'' I know you are Ashlyn. So tell me something I don't know.'' he looked her in the eyes and she quickly lowered her gaze
'' I'm an orphan. I grew up in an orphanage. And now I'm a doctor.'' she said
'' I know all that Ashlyn. Tell me something else.'' He said with a smirk.
'' You know everything, Master. There is nothing you don't know.''
Archer stared at her for some seconds before looking away. He didn't know if he could ask her who was the person who stopped his men from retrieving her and the mysterious girl.
'' So you live alone?'' she just nodded.
'' Verbal answer girl. I hate when people nod like lizards.''
'' I'm sorry Master. Yes, I live alone. I have an adopted family that I sometimes visit. But I live alone in a small house.'' she stated and Archer gave a small nod.
Ashlyn rolled her eyes inwardly. He just told her that he hated it when people nodded like lizards,and the next he ddid was nod. What a man!
'' You know me already...''
'' Who doesn't know you?'' she almost hissed but stopped herself
'' When I'm talking, you close your mouth and listen.'' he seethed
'' Yes Master.'' she rolled her eyes
'' So, as I was saying. You already know me. I'm Archer Harris, a man who does anything that pleases him. And you know what I do.'' He said with a devilish smirk.
She took in a deep breath before asking; "Harris?''
'' Do you have ear problems?'' he asked with a hard glare.
'' No….it's just that…..I know...a woman who bears the same name.'' she gulped hard
Archer looked at her surprised.
'' Really...'' he asked while looking her straight in the eyes
'' Yes, Master. An old woman.''
'' Oh... what's her full name,'' he asks curiously, and Ashlyn just bit her lips nervously.
HOPPER MANSION
Mrs Harris climbs down the stairs as her eyes dart from left to right. She looked inside the living room before walking into the kitchen.
'' Where is she?'' she asked a maid who just stared at her confused
'' Who are you talking about ma'am?''
'' Orleanna of course. She is closed and she is not at home. Where is she?''
'' I don't know ma'am. Maybe she is out with her friend.''
'' I think you should ask those ants that are always stalking her,'' Lariat said coming close to her
'' Oh yes...'' Mrs Harris said with a slightly pitched voice. She immediately fetched her phone from her purse.
'' Where are you.?"
'' We are near a restaurant ma'am.''
'' What is she doing there? She always comes home for lunch.''
'' She is here with Master ma'am.'' the guard answered and Mrs Harris's eyes widened with shock.
'' Which one of them?'' she asked hurriedly.
'' Master Finley. They have been here for twenty minutes now.''
''You guys are so useless! How can you let Orlea meet Finley?! What the fuck is the meaning of this?!'' she exclaimed loudly over the phone and immediately hung up. She dialed Orleanna's number but she didn't pick up. She tried a couple more times, but she got the same reply.
'' What's going on ma'am,'' Lariat asked worried
''Orleanna is having lunch with Finley Scott. That asshole mafia. He won't get his eyes off my granddaughter easily.'' she seethed.
''He is Archer's childhood friend. They are best friends and besides, they are in the same clan...''
'' I know all that Lariat, that's why I'm worried,'' she said with a hiss.
'' Finley won't get his eyes off her.''
''I hope he presents her to Archer. May God help them recognize her.'' Lariat muttered and Mrs Harris glared hard at her
''I heard you Lariat.'' Mrs Harris approached Lariat slowly, causing the woman to retreat in fear.
'' They can never recognize her because there are many ladies out there who have blue eyes and blonde hair. The only way they can recognize her is if they see the tattoo on her back, and that's impossible. Who the hell will dare tell her to remove her clothes?''
'' Finley is with her, ma'am, and anything can happen." This caused the old woman to burst into laughter.
'' Some nerves you have, Lariat. He doesn't know about the tattoo and he is never going to know about it as long as I am alive."
'' OWEN!!'' she yelled and the latter came running to her.
'' Yes grandma.'' she bowed sightly
'' Quit the pretense. Orleanna is not home and I'm not your grandmother.'' she rolled her eyes
'' Sorry ma'am.'' she bowed again
'' Wear something nice and go bring Orleanna home right now. I have been calling her since and she is not picking up. So go get her for me.'' she said
'' I don't know where she is ma'am.''
'' Get dressed and I will tell you. Now hurry up.,'' she said, and Owen immediately ran upstairs to go get changed.
TBC….