A terrible actor

A terrible actor
"We are here. Aren't you going to call him?"

Archie asked as they parked at the entrance of the hotel Bruce was in.

"Yeah." Michelle took out her phone and dialed her father's number.

\[Hey, Dad, I am with Archie outside. Should we get in or?\] She asked softly while Archie sank in his chair with his ears open to her phone call.

\[Yes, but we have eaten dinner already. I just need a strong drink.\] Michelle chuckled and hung up.

"You heard from the old rookie. Let's go inside." She smiled at Archibald.

"Sweet."

He got out and went around to open the passenger door so she could come out.

The two of them harmoniously walked inside the hotel, to the restaurant inside where Michelle's father and brother, Jacob, were probably seated.

"I don't see anyone here."

Archie turned to Michelle with a serious smirk.

"They are right there. They are seated at the corner table. See there."

A man waved his hand happily at them, and they went to him.

"Good evening, father and your brother."

Michelle's father pulled her into a hug while Archie stood aside to watch and admire the father and daughter bond.

"Aren't you going to introduce us, sister? Ohh Lord, you are still little as I have remembered." Her brother joked while glancing at Archibald.

Of course, Michelle's family knew all the Fosters since they were a socialite family, the biggest business moguls in their industry.

"I apologize."

She smiled at Archie and stood beside him.

"This is my fiancé, Archibald Foster. Archie, this is my father, Bruce Preston, and right here is my handsome brother, Jacob Preston. I call him Jab sometimes."

She said vibrantly.

Archie stepped forward to greet the two men, who greeted him back.

Bruce's cold attitude towards him was hard not to miss, but he shrugged off the thought of being despised as they all sat down for drinks.

"You know, son, my daughter had promised to meet with me long ago, but I have been waiting for so long for something that couldn't happen without me coming down here to Los Angeles."

Bruce said seriously as he sipped his whisky.

Archie looked at Michelle gently and turned to Bruce.

"I get your frustrations, Mr. Preston, but we have always wanted to dine with your family at large, except me and your daughter were too preoccupied with our jobs."

Bruce gave a slight nod to Archibald.

"Yeah, remember I told you about the Yardley gig I've bagged?"

Michelle chimed in.

"I know about that, doll. However, I think you two should start planning your wedding. Nobody that gets engaged for this long actually gets to marry." Bruce added with his firm voice.

"I promise we will get to that."

Archie's jaw tightened, and he gulped down his drink in one go.

"Okay, but you guys must not feel pressured because of me. So, child..."

Bruce glanced at his child, whose expression lightened at his gaze.

"Yes, Dad."

Michelle replied softly.

"Casey told me of a disgrace you have done. Why didn't you share with us that you were with Liam Foster before you could go to his brother? And I think she also mentioned you have upset Liam, hence he retaliated by dragging me and your sister into their media.

You are lucky this Foster lad is standing by you." Bruce said with a cold voice.

Archie pushed a drink towards Michelle when she choked on her saliva.

As for Jacob, he watched with amusement from his seat. Archie caught his expression but chose to ignore it.

Michelle blinked repeatedly, suddenly feeling heat on her neck, settling on her cheeks.

"I can assure you, Mr. Preston, that I have had a deep discussion with my brother, and he promised not to do that again. What happened between the two of them does not include me in any way, and I still apologize for Liam's sake."

Archie said politely, but Bruce frowned at his words.

"You have spoken with him, but the news is still standing. I have become a joke in the media. Even my daughter, Casey, has been shamed enough. My question is, why didn't Liam drag Michelle since the problem is between them?" Bruce spoke his thoughts, seriousness growing on his face.

"I am sorry, Michelle, but I have to say, tell your father the reason behind this."

Archie said, but Michelle shook her head, gesturing for him to keep quiet.

Instead of listening to her, Archie glanced at her father.

"The reason behind my brother's way of retaliating is because his wife, Roselyn, is currently at the hospital due to the stress caused by Dan... your nephew. It seems like he is the mastermind of getting people upset. Being a bad influence on your daughter, who is very innocent in all of this."

Archie explained without blinking.

Michelle glanced at him gratefully, a breath she didn't realize she was holding finally escaping her lips.

Bruce's expression grew solemn as he studied Archie's expression, darting his eyes to his daughter beside the man.

"Casey might have mentioned that, father."

Jacob said nonchalantly, with his arms crossed.

'Drop this already.'

Michelle cussed from within, only forcing a smile when she met her father's disappointed eyes.

"You two should know that Dan and I have fallen out. He is the journalist behind the gossip blog."

Michelle reported and watched her father frown in displeasure.

"I am sorry, this is too much for me. Mr. Foster, I am pleased to know you, but let us do other things tomorrow after my business meeting."

Archibald respectfully stood up to shake Bruce's hand before he could go to his suite.

"I am sorry, Father."

Michelle whispered.

"You are a lucky child."

Bruce said to his daughter and slightly bowed his head as he walked away.

Now only three people were left at the table.

Michelle cleared her throat to shift the awkward atmosphere. Archie and Bruce had sat in silence.

"So, brother, how long are you guys staying in London?" Michelle's tone softened.

Bruce's lips curled into a visible smirk as he sank deeper in his chair.

"A week or two will be enough to finish the business that have brought us here. What, are you worried to be under surveillance when we are in this town?"

Jacob raised his eyebrows, causing his sister to shift uncomfortably.

"Stop being wary of everything, Jacob, and relax. It was just a simple question."

Michelle snapped at her brother.

"Sorry to interrupt you both, but I wanted to ask Jacob if he is working alongside Mr. Preston or maybe you chose independence?"

Archie took advantage of the loophole to start a conversation with the mysterious man across from him.

"I need some air."

Michelle whispered to Archie and went off without looking back at the two men.

"Archibald Foster, it is a pleasure to meet you, but I have to say, you are a terrible actor."Jacob leaned back casually.

"I'm not quite sure I know what you mean... Mr. Preston."

Archie narrowed his eyes at him.

"A man in your caliber can't be that forgiving, but continue the act, my friend."

Their eyes met.