The President
2218 Words
United States of Harthom, White House, Oval Office.
Thomas Harrier who was enjoying his coffee was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was his political advisor, Illustrious whose hands are full of files.
She placed it on his desk with no expression reflecting on her face. Thomas was a little bit irritated by this ever since he was in office.
To him, all of the works are just coming out of nowhere. Even if he finished it within time, another work would come up.
It was endless. Thomas who was expecting an easy second life was met with a constitutional role.
Thomas let out a deep sigh, rested the coffee on his delicate table, and curbed his body.
“I want to rest…”
“No can do, Mr. President. You have a full schedule this day. Tomorrow, an envoy of Sovereignty will arrive here at 1200 HRS.”
“Ahh, a country full of magical people am I right?”
“Yes, you will address the issue of their attack to a civilian fleet last two weeks ago.”
“Ah, it’s kind of sketchy, but I will look forward to meeting them soon.”
Six hours later…
Thomas Harrier just finished the mountain of paper curbing out his body on the table, clearly exhausted. It was his everyday punishment without break.
To him, it feels like he memorized every inch of the Oval Office.
“Good work, Mr. President!”
Illustrious gave him a warm smile that made Thomas at ease. However, his expression reflected a hint of irritation. When Illustrious took the role of being the political advisor. All she gives to him is work after work after work while Alice on another hand gave him a good back massage after work.
Thinking back, Alice and Thomas' relationship was precarious when Thomas turned her feelings down. But a sense of guilt is killing him. She works every day just to satisfy him and alleviate his workload.
Thinking that Thomas's eyes lit shine like a kid.
“Illustrious!”
“...Yes.”
Illustrious stood straight, startled at the sudden call.
“Where is Alice? My Vice-president?”
Illustrious, then grabbed her tablet that was resting idly on the table and searched the schedule of his Vice president.
“She’s at the Capitol, Mr. President,” Illustrious said, looking to the tablet to confirm. “Yes, she’s in the Capitol, according to her schedule, there is a debate happening in the Capitol on how we will take action if the Regirenth finds out about the cover-up. But, I assure you, Mr. President, we will not take a huge hit on this matter.”
Illustrious reported, but Thomas has a different expression on his face. It seems that it was not the answer he was hoping for.
He sighed deeply again.
“I just want to see her, that’s all.”
“Do you want me to set up an appointment? May I know what’s the occasion so that I can arrange it properly?”
Illustrious is misunderstanding something here. Thomas sighed again.
“Look, Illustrious. The reason I want to see her is that I haven’t seen her for two weeks. I want us to speak some things you know?”
“A casual meetup then?”
Thomas nodded at affirmation.
“Then, let me call her secretary to know if she has a schedule later? Where do you want to set this appointment?”
Illustrious looked at him, urging for an answer while her hand is ready to type every word that will come out of his mouth.
“White House, Dining hall 1900 HRS.”
“Understood.”
Then, Illustrious began to set up an appointment, picked her phone from her purse, and contacted the chief of staff of the vice president.
While Illustrious was talking to Alice’s chief of staff. Thomas rummaged through his drawer as if he was looking for something.
“I got it.”
He said, raising the object up in the air. Illustrious who was on the phone glanced at it. Her face reflects a distaste of seeing his president being pumped up just because of Rubik's cube.
“You know, I was having a hard time solving this but when Alice came in our dinner back then. I completely forgot about the existence of this cube in my drawer.”
“Mr. President, you mind speaking quietly? I’m on the phone remember?”
Illustrious just scolded him for being too noisy. But his voice is at the minimum range. It feels like she has the same feelings as him. Being irritated with each other.
“So she’s free at seven o’clock?.. Good...I am going to ask him.”
Then looked at the president who was playing his Rubik's cube. Covering the phone so that her voice won’t pick up.
“Mr. President, she was asking if you’re going to pick the vice president?”
Thomas nodded, affirming her.
Illustrious returned to her phone and told the VP’s chief of staff that the president will pick her up.
“Okay, thank you…”
Illustrious hung up the phone and turned once more to Thomas. She saw that the Rubik's cube was being solved. She cheered him up internally. It would appear childish if she were to say “You got it!”.
And then he solved it. With a satisfied look on his face and raising the cube up in the air.
“Mr. President, I informed your head of security about your new schedule. He will arrive in approximately five minutes.”
“Good, I have a favor to ask him. Thank you for being a temporary chief of staff since Aaron is busy making countermeasures to cover up the mess of the Sovereignty.”
Illustrious lowered her head after hearing the word “Sovereignty” it appears that she is troubled because Thomas noticed it.
“Spill it out.”
He noticed it perfectly.
“Uhm...Mr. President. This action of Sovereignty is the result of their hatred towards humans. I believe that there will be tension tomorrow and according to our witches. They have this superiority complex towards humans. So, I wanted to ask you about what you would do if the Sovereignty is deemed hostile towards us? Will you fight them?”
Illustrious asked him an innocuous question. Thomas gave her a serious look bothered by her question. Though this time, he was not irritated but concerned. What she’d just said can happen in the future and she is asking him what action he would take if that were to happen.
It looked like some sort of a test question.
“Well, if that were to happen. I will swear in my life that I will protect this country from any hostile threats. May it be witches, demons, other species, or all. With the power of humanity lay upon our hands. I will do whatever it takes. But, don’t get me wrong. I want to be as diplomatic as possible. Avoiding meaningless war again. We have a confirmed threat that the Demon Empire is the enemy of both humanity and witches. However, we can’t just trust Sovereignty easily. I don’t have a concrete answer yet but I will know their very nature tomorrow when I meet with them.”
Gerald said with a serious voice filled with unyielding patriotism in his created country. He means it from the bottom of his heart.
He tapped his chest and protruded it proudly. He doesn’t want the past to happen but if it comes again. He will take them head-on.
Illustrious smiled at his response. He is very serious.
“Mr.President, I was informed that you will be picking up the vice president at the Capitol? The convoy is ready to leave at 1830HRS.”
Mike suddenly entered the oval room, feeling this strong atmosphere of something.
Thomas looked at his watch and saw the time.
Ten minutes, he will be leaving this Oval Office to get her and after that. He’ll return to the White House.
“Illustrious, prepare our dinner table at the dining hall.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“Now let’s get going.”
Ten minutes later.
Thomas and his security detail walked through the grandiose hallway of the White House. Surrounded by his security details. They can’t help but attract the attention of the staffers working in the White House. All of them sighed in admiration seeing their president out of the Oval Office.
Most of his time is locked in the White House. So their reactions are understandable from Thomas's perspective.
Leaving at the north portico of the White House. The mighty beast waited for him escorted by four black SUV.
One of the security details opened the door for him and Thomas entered. They were five minutes too early but they’ll get there in time. The Capitol is just nine minutes away from the White House.
The question is where are they going to spend the others?
That’s a question for later.
Mike followed and entered the Beast. He’s the chief security of the president and must be with him at all times.
“Mike, tell the driver that we’re going to stroll around in the city, is that possible?”
“I’ll have to contact the DOT regarding that. And I’m sure it will take time considering that you’ve just created an appointment earlier.”
“Well, if it’s going to be a bother for them then forget it. I want to experience how my people work in the city just like I did in my previous world.”
They both chuckled lightly and at that moment, Thomas's phone vibrated. He picked the phone from his pocket and opened the notification. It was just a text from Aaron. His chief of staff.
[ Mr. President, the Regirenth Empire just bought the reason for the civilian fleets being attacked by sea monsters. However, since I told them that our navy was late in the rescue. They are requesting a ship that can protect their maritime zone. ]
Reading that, Thomas replied.
[ Perfect timing, I’m going to the Capitol to see Alice. I will talk to her regarding this. But I’ll bring it up when our date is over.]
Phone chimes
Phone vibrated.
[ Date? I see, I hope that you and the vice president get well along with each other. ]
Receiving that, he chuckled and put the phone in his pocket. The Beast is starting to move on their way to the Capitol.
Meanwhile in the Capitol.
Alice and her chief of staff are waiting for Thomas to arrive. But they’ll arrive in ten minutes. Her curiosity grows as to what happened to Thomas' mind. Why would he want to meet her so suddenly?
Ever since her feelings were turned down by Thomas. She experienced her world crumbling. It was the most painful rejection that she has. There will be no pain greater than it. Fortunately, Thomas apologized and she accepted it and after that there was nothing.
Alice was about to accept that her relationship with the president is no more than a colleague. The pain in her heart is still lingering. Her face is somewhat troubled by this sudden meeting. Just why would he do that?
What’s more surprising is the fact that Thomas will pick her up and return to the White House.
She can return to the White House by herself. Why would he do that?
This feeling of uncertainty is swirling inside of her. And her face began to turn red by just overthinking it.
“Moah… what just entered in his head?”
Alice beat that floor by tapping her feet, completely irritated as to what’s going on. She doesn’t want to overthink this. Maybe it’s just a new policy agenda or law or it could be anything!
“Ma’am, according to what was spoken between me and his political advisor. It turns out to be a dinner date at the White House.”
Her chief of staff standing idly behind her spoke suddenly startling her. Hearing that made her heart thump and her cheeks blushing.
“Da-da-date?”
Alice doesn’t want to believe it. After all, the first date she had with him was two days after this country's creation. After that, it’s all work.
“Congratulations, Ma’am vice president. I’ll cheer you up if something happens hehe.”
“Eh? What do you think will happen? We will just eat and that’s all.”
“Well, I don’t think the president is stupid by picking you up here personally. It must be a special occasion.”
“Moah, stop teasing me, I’m not good at this.”
- Writer
