Chapter 8

The Architect met with a woman who called herself The Oracle in a park. It was sunny day and not a cloud was in the sky. He walked over to her not saying a word, after a few moments, she looked and acknowledged his presence. Not far off was an Asian man wearing traditional Chinese garb and dark sunglasses.

"We have to talk." The Architect said.

"About?" The Oracle responded.

" There was an attack on my grandson last night at the concert hall."

"Is he alright?" She looked surprised.

"He's fine. Thank God." He said

The Oracle let out a sigh of relief.

"For many years I have raised him as my own son, it broke my heart to lose his father and I'll be damned if I am going to lose him too." The Architect told her.

"You can't deny what Connor really is."

There was a short pause.

"Maybe not, but you have no idea what I went through after my son died that night. What that poor child went through actually seeing his father die at the hands of the One. You weren't there to comfort him when he had nightmares. It was hell. And now all we want to do is just live in peace like everyone else. Is that too much to ask?"

"Unfortunately there are those that still want the war to go on."

"But why? I held up my end of the bargain. You would think that the humans would stay true to their word."

"Most of them have, but over time there have been some small groups that have caused trouble and will stop at nothing until Connor is deleted. They will do this in the name of Neo."

"He's been dead for a very long time. I don't see why they can't let this go."

"Old habits just seem to die hard." The Oracle told him.

"Well I wish that would just die period."

"I know. How is he doing?" She asked.

"He's doing well, his paintings are going on display at Mero's gallery in the next few days." The Architect said proudly.

"That's wonderful."

"He's also met someone. He's been doing art sessions with her and he seems to enjoy her company."

The Oracle raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I've always known him to be quite shy."

"Well he has admitted that he does like her."

The Oracle smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that."

The Architect looked at his watch and realized it was getting late.

"I have to go. Connor is probably wondering where I am. I was good seeing you again."

"Likewise." The Oracle said.

The old man excused himself and walked away. As he was walking away, The Oracle thought back to when they were sworn enemies. They were now allies. After Smith died and after The Architect took Connor in, she had seen a side of The Architect that was kind and loving and she could not help but possibly harbor feelings for him even though she didn't want to admit it. She had given up on love a long time ago. After all she was The Oracle and he was The Architect so she kept her feelings to herself all those years.

"When are you going to admit your true feelings for him?" It was Seraph.

The Oracle looked at him with a puzzled look on her face.

"Whatever do you mean?"

Seraph rolled his eyes behind his dark shades.

"You know damned well what I'm talking about, every time you're around him your heart rate goes up, your temp elevates and you get a silly grin on your face."

"Don't be silly, I'm an old lady. Old ladies don't get crushes."

Seraph gave her a knowing grin because he knew her better than anyone.

"Yeah right." He answered with a chesire cat grin.

Meanwhile, Lexi was at her computer listening to Enigma and checking her e-mail, an instant message from Connor popped up.

"Hello Miss Morgan." It said.

"Hello." She typed back.

"I hope that you weren't too shaken up over the other night."

"Oh that. No I'm okay."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"What are you doing right now?"

"Just checking my e-mail."

"Oh. I'm sorry if I disturbed you then."

"No worries. I was actually kind of bored before you IMed me. I was actually listening to some Enigma."

"Really? I like Enigma especially Sadness 1& 2." He typed.

"Wow! I never thought of you as an Enigma type of person since you play classical piano."

"I have eclectic tastes. Not just classical. I also listen to Miles Davis on occasion." He answered.

"You learn something new every day." Lexi said out loud to herself.

"So I was wondering, would like to come to Mero's gallery for my showing on Friday?" He asked.

"I would love to." She answered.

"Good. I will see you then Miss Morgan."

"One thing though."

"Yes?"

"We have been working together for awhile and I really feel there isn't a need for the formalities. From now on just call me Lexi."

Connor was on the other end looking at her words on the screen, he sat there for what seemed like an eternity and then he typed back his response.

"Alright Lexi. And you can address me as Connor."

"Good, it will see you Friday." She said.

And then they both signed off.

A few moments later Lexi went to her bedroom and opened what looked like a diary. It belonged to her mother. She read the entry that her mother had written all those many years ago.

July 26th, 1997

I found out that I'm pregnant. I'm scared and I don't know what the hell to do. I tried talking to Tommy but he never returns my phone calls.

And then she turned the pages and kept reading.

August 5th, 1997

I left to confront him at his work but when I got there, he was being hauled away by three men in dark suits, wearing earpieces and dark shades. He was in cuffs. Not too far away I saw a woman on a motorcycle, she didn't look too happy as they were taking him away. I noticed that every time I went to see him she was not too far away. What is her deal?

And then she turned to the entry which actually told her the truth that her mother had been hiding from her all this time.

August 16th, 1997

I finally saw him face to face and I wanted answers. What I saw made my stomach turn. He was kissing her the way he used to kiss me. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest as I saw him and her together. He turned and saw me as I ran away. I could hear him running after me and then he caught up to me. I remember screaming at him and it was then he told me it was over between us. I decided right then not to tell him about the baby, he doesn't deserve to know. I hope that Thomas A. Anderson burns in hell! All that matters now is me and my baby. He may be the father but he is now a sperm donor and nothing more. He is now dead to me.

Lexi closed the book a took a deep breath. All she could wonder was is why did her mother hide this from her all these years.