chapter 18

The hours had ticked by with agonizing slowness, each one stretching out like an eternity as Phoebe waited for Archie's return. Her mind was a maelstrom of emotions, her thoughts swirling in a maddening dance that refused to let her rest. 

As the clock struck 11 pm, the door finally swung open, and Archie trudged in, his face a map of exhaustion. The shadows under his eyes seemed to deepen as he walked past Phoebe, his gaze fixed on some point beyond her.

"Archie," she called out softly, her voice barely above a whisper, but he didn't respond. 

His footsteps dragged on, heavy with fatigue, as he made his way towards the stairs. Phoebe's heart skipped a beat as she sprang to her feet, her legs carrying her to his side in a swift, desperate bid to intercept him.

"Why–" she began, her words dying on her lips as he pushed her aside with a gentle yet firm touch. She stumbled backward, her palms grazing the sofa's cushioned surface as she fell. 

A soft "ouch!" escaped her lips, her eyes flashing with a mix of pain and hurt.

"Stay away from me, woman." He warned, his voice a low, husky whisper that sent shivers down her spine. He exhaled deeply, the sound like a deflating balloon, before taking his next step.

Phoebe's hands grasped the sofa's arm, her fingers digging deep into the leather as she hauled herself back to her feet. She ran to Archie's front once more, her eyes locking onto his like a lifeline.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"With you or me?" He sneered.

"With everyone," Phoebe replied simply, her voice soft and gentle. "You've changed since you met Rosie at the funeral."

"Tell me what's wrong," she coaxed, her voice low and persuasive. 

He sighed, his chest heaving with the effort, and gazed into her eyes. "If I tell you what's wrong, is there anything you can do about it?"

Phoebe's eyes fluttered, her mind racing for a response. She blinked twice, her lips parting as she struggled to find the right words. "Do you have a solution to it?"

"Don't disturb me. Just leave me alone." He pleaded, his voice weak and strained. He turned away, his footsteps slow and labored as he ascended the stairs. Phoebe watched him go, her eyes dense with worry and concern.

As she stood there, lost in thought, the door shut behind Archie, and her feet seemed to move of their own accord, carrying her upstairs. She burst into the room, expecting the door to be locked, but it swung open easily. 

Archie had already entered the bathroom, leaving his phone on the bedside cabinet. A message popped up on the screen, and her curiosity got the better of her. She picked up the phone, her eyes scanning the message. 

"Who's this?" She mumbled, her voice barely audible. As she clicked on the message, her eyes widened in shock.

"Rosie?!" She exclaimed, her voice rising in surprise.

She quickly covered her mouth with her left hand, her heart pounding in her chest. Her right hand still clutched the phone, and she hesitated for a moment before opening the message.

Her eyes scanned the message, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't be late tomorrow," the words seemed to leap off the screen, sending a jolt through her entire being. 

Her heart skipped a beat as a thousand questions swirled in her mind. "Are Archie and Rosie seeing each other in secret?" The thought sent a wave of worry crashing over her.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head in denial. "That's not possible. He can't... he won't…"

The doubts lingered, refusing to be silenced. "No!" She exclaimed, her voice rising in anguish.

Her feet seemed to move of their own accord, carrying her towards the bathroom with a sense of purpose and rage. But before she could burst in, Archie rushed out, his face etched with concern. 

"What's wrong?" He asked, his voice laced with panic.

Phoebe's eyes flashed with accusation as she turned the phone screen towards him. "What's going on between you and Rosie?" She demanded, her voice firm.

His expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he paced closer to her. "What are you doing with my phone?" He asked, his tone sharp with irritation. 

Phoebe's laughter was a soft, mocking snicker. "What am I doing with your phone?" She repeated, her voice dripping with incredulity. "You dare ask such a question after I catch you cheating on me?"

"I didn't cheat on you." Archie defended, his voice rising in protest. But Phoebe's mind was already made up. 

"Oh, I see," she said, her smile a thin, bitter line. "You're not cheating on me, but you're meeting with her tomorrow, right? You're seeing your ex in secret!"

Archie's face darkened, his jaw clenched in frustration. "We're meeting for business purposes and nothing else." He explained, his voice tight with control. 

Phoebe's gaze never wavered as she slightly shook her head. "Okay, fine. I accept... but I refuse to believe you unless you let us meet her together. We'll visit her together."

Archie's objection was swift. "That's not possible. This is a business meeting, not a hangout."

Phoebe's brow broadened with intrigue.  "Why?" 

"Because it's between me and her. No third party is allowed." He declared, his tone firm and resolute.

Phoebe's laughter was a mocking, incredulous sound. She clapped her hands, the gesture dripping with sarcasm. "Business? A business with your ex, and no third party is allowed?"

Her eyes sparkled with suspicion. "If I may ask, what business are you doing with your ex, Archie?"

Archie's response was curt. "It's just a business."

Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Archie, do you betray me after everything I've done for you?"

"I am not betraying you," he clarified, his tone firm. "This isn't betrayal."

Phoebe's gaze never wavered. "Then, what's it? What's this call? What are you doing now?" She interrogated, her voice rising in intensity.

His expression turned serious. "I'm settling a serious case, and you should step aside from it." He disclosed, his voice laced with a sense of finality.

Phoebe's eyes widened in surprise. "A serious case with your ex, and I don't know about it?" She gazed deeply into his eyes, searching for answers. "Do you still love her after everything she's done to you?" She asked, her voice soft and probing.

His eyes darted away, unable to meet her gaze. He couldn't respond, the silence between them thick with unspoken emotions.

Phoebe's words were a gentle reminder. "Archie, she hurt you. She broke your heart. She–"

Archie cut her off, his voice rising in a sudden burst of emotion. "She broke it, but were you able to mend it?" He locked eyes with her, the intensity between them palpable. He quickly realized his mistake and lowered his gaze, his voice dropping to a whisper. "This is my business with her. Don't get involved…."

"Never again lay your hand on my phone."

Her smile was a challenge. "What will you do if I do?"

His gaze snapped up, his eyes flashing with warning. "Then, I'll make you regret it."