Memories Forever

Chapter 11 - Archer Shenanigans

Martin had a standing reservation at the restaurant so they were ushered in and settled into their 12-seater table in no time.

Here at the Sunday lunch, there were no bosses or servants. All were equals as they chatted with one another and shared about their lives with laughter heard all across the table.

Archer was seated between Ben and Gretchen and got an earful from either side as they ate. He smiled at Karen seated across him from time to them as Felicia, seated next to her, gushed on about the church service and the experiences they had.

Emma discussed with Claire on the cook-out event holding in the house on Karen’s birthday then turned to Martin and filled him in on the plans.

‘She plans to do a series of events and wants your go-ahead on them so we can start plans’. Emma said in a low voice to Martin

Archer picked it up ‘Yea Uncle, I’ll be with them to ensure nothing untoward happens at the burger place or the movie hangout’, grinning at girls. Karen scoffed, knowing fully well that he was the one that needed to be restrained from untoward happenings

Martin smiled ‘That’s good Archer…a fine big brother you are turning out to be’

Karen rolled her eyes. Yeah brother not, she thought

Archer winked at her, hiding a smile. Felicia narrowed her eyes at that, telling herself she will find out what that was about

After a while, it was time to leave, they were stuffed and as with any Chinese food serving, they had lots packaged to take home with them. They couldn’t get enough of the prawn sauce and delicacies. Claire happily stacked the take-away bowls into the boot of the minibus and Ben drove his car occupants straight home.

Gerald took the girls and Archer to the park, meeting up with Gina and Phoenix there. The park was a stone throw from home so when they were done there they would walk back home.

Martin and Emma drove back home to take a nap before heading out to the Grahams’ place next door for fellowship meeting.

‘We will need to send out invitations by tonight to your friends, have you decided how many will go with you to the movies and how many will attend the house party?’ Archer asked Karen as they walked hand in hand strolling in the park

‘Mm just us gang for the orphanage visit..’ Karen motioned to Gretchen, Felicia, Gina, Phoenix and Archer as she spoke

‘With Ephraim..’ Gina added. Archer stiffened but didn’t say anything. Karen observed this and smiled to herself

‘Yes with Ephraim and the church team I guess’ Karen stated. They stopped walking and perched by the railings overlooking a pond

‘Okay so we will do orphanage in the morning say 8am?’ Archer started off with the plans

‘Yea, then drive through the gym at the community center for workout.’ Phoenix cut in wriggling his brow.

Karen laughed and swung round the railing giving him a light punch. ‘Gym? ….Nahh.. what do I need that for?’

‘Well okay drop me off there then coz I will want to go there with my friends. Now I’ve turned 16, got to build me some muscles and flat abs…for the ladies to drool over’ Phoenix smirked

‘Yukk, who would drool over you’ Gina laughed in reply

‘Tsk tsk …. you’re just jealous Gina.’ Phoenix said slinging his hands over her shoulder in mock wrestling

They all laughed and Archer continued ‘Okay so after orphanage will be burger place for breakfast by 10 am.. with the girls….and me?’ he asked

‘Yeah it’s in the same area as the gym so cool…’ Karen said

‘Good, okay so after that, we all file to the movies and meet up with your high school friends’ Archer continued

‘You will tell them to meet up with you at the cinema before noon so we don’t have to wait for anyone’ Felicia advised looking at Karen and Gina, the girls nodded in response

‘Yeah okay…movie, drinks and snacks. By 4pm we should be headed back home to get ready for the party’ Archer said

‘Yea not really a party. More like a house event with you all and you can invite Frank and any of those your buddies from your birthday’ Karen pointed to Phoenix as she finished talking

‘Okay’ Phoenix agreed, going to the side to take a call

‘Aww is there something going on there?’ Gretchen playfully asked Gina when she caught her eyes light up at the mention of Frank

‘Oh shut up’ Gina chided laughing

‘Yea…There should be more of you to feast on’ Gretchen teased Phoenix, who waived her off as he walked further away to concentrate on his phone call

‘Nope.. no one wants that. I’m enough feast‘ Archer replied tongue in cheek, earning himself some slaps on the head and shoulders by the girls

‘Stop it..’ Archer said laughing, trying to parry their slaps

They giggled and ran off to ride the swing. All except Karen, who stuck by Archer

‘You ladies are too old for that swing’ Archer called out after them.

They stuck out their tongue, shouting back ‘No we are not’ laughing and seating on the swing

‘Are too’ Archer replied laughing.

Their stuck out tongue was yet again the response

Archer laughing, turned to Karen whose hands he never released. ‘And you mi lady, kissing the back of her hand, will be with me the night long. Can’t wait to give you my special birthday gift’ he murmured, leaning down to kiss her on the lips quickly when no one was looking

Unknown to them, Felicia turned back at that moment while on the swing and when she saw what had exchanged between them, she froze on the spot, making Gretchen call out loudly to her to get off the swing. This startled them both and Karen caught Felicia's stare, making her look down at her hands thinking to herself …Oh no, did Fels just see me and Archer kiss? she mused

When Karen looked back up, she saw that Felicia had already turned back to Gretchen and she heaved a sigh of relief. She really must tell someone about what’s going on with Archer. But who can she tell?

After unwinding some more at the park, they all walked back home together. Gina and Phoenix coming with them

‘Parents have fellowship tonight so living room will be occupied at home. We will stay at yours until dinner time’ Gina said to Karen

‘Great, do come in’ Karen took them in to the den and they all prepared for an evening hangout there.

‘We’ll be right back,’ Karen said to the boys as she led Gina and the girls upstairs. Archer excused himself, motioning to Phoenix that he had to go shower and would join him in a bit

The girls camped in Karen’s room for over an hour, going through her closet and planning some more about her orphanage visit and birthday celebration

‘How about decorations at home and gifts for the orphanage visit…who is handling those?’ Felicia asked

‘Well that’s mum and Claire’s department’. Karen responded, making a mental note to ask Ben to help put together the items for the orphanage. They would need to get clothing, toys, toiletries, stationery and provisions for distribution to the kids.

‘Alright ladies…. I am beat…I’ll go freshen up and join you downstairs...’ Gretchen said yawning and getting up to go to her room

She passed by Archer’s room and heard loud sounds coming from there, making her halt in her tracks, wondering why there was such a racket going on there

She leaned in closer and swore she could hear moans. Moans? She was confused. She cracked the door open slowly and watched the scene before her in shock. There was Archer, having his way with one of the maids right there both naked on his bed, oblivious to the unlocked door and the loud grunts they were making

Archer’s shenanigans with the house staff was not a new thing; he would steal kisses here and there when he came round for visits and the females ogled him anyway so no one reported him to Martin

Gretchen stepped back, closed the door back with a bang and waited in the shadows. She heard scurrying of feet and some swearing as the door opened and the maid ran out of his room heading to the workers’ quarters at the back.

She shook her head and then walked to the doorway of his room, smirking at Archer, who was now clothed in only sweatpants. He was shocked to see her but relieved that it was just her that saw the spectacle and not someone else…not Karen, he grimaced. He looked in disdain at Gretchen, getting angry by the minute

‘Loverboy… I wonder what Karen would say to this?’ Gretchen taunted, eyeing him

In a flash, Archer stood in front of her and pulled her forcefully to him. She almost toppled over, landing on his chest scared as his grip tightened on her wrists. ‘You wouldn’t dare’ he sneered, livid with rage. ‘If you do, I’ll deny it and frame you so bad you will beg me to stop’ he threatened and pushed her away

As she turned to bolt out of the door, he chuckled darkly, smacked her backside and pushed her against the wall, leaning close to her ear. ‘You like what you saw don’t you? Wish it was you?’ He leaned forward, trapping her to the wall and kissed her neck. She shuddered and struggled to get out of his grasp but she was closed in tight

‘Shhh don’t struggle, I won’t bite baby..’ Archer teased in a husky voice. ‘..Just letting you know you can come by anytime and get some, if you want some’. He nibbled her ear, smirked and released her, turning away from the door, ‘Go now Gretch… before I finish what I started with that maid with you’ he mumbled, running his hands through his hair, angry at her interruption of his escapade