Independence

Archer's POV

"What is going on with my biometric lock, and why will it not open with my fingerprint? And where are you?" I asked Pablo questions the moment he answered his phone, and I wondered why he was not inside my penthouse at this time.

He is one of the trusted staff in our estate, and when I studied at Nagazville University, my beloved parents sent him to watch over me like I was still a kid; he monitored most of my activities. Still, most of the time, he ended up lying to my parents because I always charmed him around. If I were out late attending some party, he would tell them I was already sleeping on my bed.

Yeah, I am living my perfect life here in this city, and I am enjoying my time since my life in our estate is suffocating; my parents will always remind me on what should I do with my life, and as the eldest and only son, I needed to follow all the things they wanted me to do, and when I graduated from High School that was the happiest day of my life since I could feel my freedom, but when they announced Pablo would be coming with me, I got disappointed. Still, I learned to live my life dealing with him every day until he got tired of reporting to my parents since I would never listen to them.

I wanted to be a doctor or a pilot, and I know my friends would never believe me because, like

my mom and dad, they expected me to be a businessman and follow in my dad's footsteps. After all, it has been like that from generation to generation. My parents wanted me to take up International Business Degree Specialization since I am the next CEO of our company.

I love my parents since they support all my needs, but I want to have the freedom to choose what I want with my life. And since I am the only son and the eldest child, I don't have a choice but to take up the course they wanted for me, and my only consolation, I've got all the time to enjoy my college days, but once I graduate, I will be a prisoner of my dad's cell, his office.

And to show them my objection to what they wanted for me, I never come home ever since I left our mansion since I was a freshman. I am now in my third year, and I only meet my family during my birthdays since they will come here to Nagazville City to celebrate my special day. Last year my parents already warned me if I will not come home, they would do something that would leave me no choice but to return to our estate, but it never happened since I am still enjoying my liberty.

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, and my father sent a helicopter to fetch me, but I hid at my friend's place. I turned off my phone the entire twenty-fours, and now that I am back, I can no longer get inside my penthouse, and I felt a little nervous if what is going on right now is because of what I did yesterday.

"I regret to inform you, Archer, but I am already here in Minglapolis." He responded.

"What?" I asked, and I couldn't stop myself from raising my voice.

"What are you doing there, Pablo?" I asked, unable to believe my right hand fled and left me without telling me about it, and I got more frustrated.

"Son, your father asked me to return here in your home, and I have been trying to reach you for the last twenty-four hours, but your phone was off, and I was the one who faced your father's wrath. And I don't think I still have a job tomorrow." He said, and I could feel the sadness in his voice.

"What? They can't fire you, Pablo," I said.

"Why not, I don't even know where you are, and when they asked me where did you go, I couldn't tell them where you are exactly. And your parents were right; I have done nothing so far, Archer, but disappoint them." He answered, and I suddenly felt guilty.

"No, they can't do that to you, Pablo. It wasn't your fault. Don't worry; I will fix everything." I responded.

"But how, Archer? Your father only wanted you to attend his special day; you were always a no-show during holidays, Christmas, and summers. He only asked you for one day, and you couldn't give it to him." Pablo declared.

"They were all waiting for you, and they didn't start the party until eight o'clock in the evening since your mother was so positive you would get home. Your sister was disappointed with you, too." He said, and I released a heavy sigh.

"I am sorry, Pablo," I mumbled softly.

"No worries, Archer, I think I still can find a place where I could work; there are many estates around here in Minglapolis, so don't worry about me, and you should think about finding your place unless you will come home, your parents will give you access to your place, for now, you have nowhere to go, but you know that your father is one call away." He responded.

"All you have to do is go home here in your hacienda, and your dad will give you back all the privileges you enjoy at Nagazville." He added.

"Hold on, Pablo, what do you mean privileges?" I asked since I could feel something was off.

"You know what are your privileges, Archer? Do you want me to enumerate them for you?" He asked.

"Cut the chase, Pablo; tell me what is going on?" I begged him.

"Okay, you can't dine into any restaurant charge to your father's company, and no more free fuels since they will no longer acknowledge your signature. And if you want to use your car, you have to pay the fuel in cash, Archer, and if you need to buy signature clothes, you can no longer swipe your cards; they are all suspended, meaning all your cards are useless; as of this moment." He said, and I felt my entire body turn into a stone.

"Archer, are you still there?" Pablo asked when I fell silent, and I slowly got down, and I leaned my back on the outside wall of my place while sitting down on the marble floor. I couldn't believe this was all happening to me, and I felt glad I had withdrawn some amount enough to find a decent place before my parents had frozen my account.

"How about the maids?" I asked.

"I already pay them their salaries, and they left with me." He said.

"I couldn't believe they would do this to me, and this is too much, Pablo," I said.

"Archer, it is almost three years that you didn't come home, and I think your parents have all

the right to impose something like this because all they ask from you is your presence." He said.

"You know what they are doing with my life, and they are controlling me." I hissed.

"Thay are your parents, Archer; besides, Claudia is a beautiful woman, and men will be dying to have her, and she was your ex-girlfriend; all you have to do is rekindle the fire." He said, and I shook my head.

"I have nothing against Claudia, Pablo, but I know we will never work," I responded.

"You are only telling me that because you hated the fact that your father wanted you to marry her." He said.

"Believe me, Pablo, it is not about dad. I want to experience real love." I said, and he laughed.

"Ha, don't make me laugh, Archer; you love the attention you received from all those hot girls in Nagazville University." He replied.

"Yeah, I do, but none of them makes me feel what it likes to fall in love. I want to meet someone who will turn my world upside down because of love, Pablo." I responded.

"Archer, you worry about your current situation and worry about love later because I know it would be impossible you will find what you are looking for since girls are throwing themselves at you." He said, and I wanted to laugh, but I got so frustrated with my current situation that I couldn't afford even to laugh.

"I put your important belongings and your clothes at the stock room of the maintenance department of the building; all you have to do is call Larry. I needed to go now, Archer." He said, and he ended the call before I could even say another word. I stood up and walked towards the elevator, and I couldn't believe I had nowhere to go.

I called Kent and told him what had happened, and he helped me find a place where I could stay. He is my cousin, and he came from Minglapolis, and he is also a rich kid since her mom and my mother are twins.

"Are you sure you wanted a girl for a roommate? You can stay with me anytime, Archer, and you don't need to find a place where you could stay." He said.

"No, I need to show them I can stand on my own, Kent, and maybe this time I can figure out what I want with my life." I declared.

"Archer, stop doing that; you are an only son; Uncle Carlos only wants what is best for you." He responded, and I gave him a hard stare.

"Come on, let us see your new place." He pulled me with him as we followed the agent as she got inside the pad. It was a spacious room with two separate beds. I love the small kitchen with black granite countertops with white cabinets. I could see the dining area with a wooden table suitable for two, and the toilet and bath are fine with me even if it is too small since I've got an oversized bathroom at my penthouse and, of course, in my room at our mansion. And even if there is no bathtub, a shower will do, and for now, this is all I can afford with the money I have.

I paid one month advance and one month deposit. And my cousin offered me some money, but I declined since I took it as a challenge, and it was about time to make my parents realize I could stand on my own, and it is about time to bring my independence to the next level.