SECRET SERVICE

Chapter Two

Gwendolyn's eyes fluttered as the cold visaline solution sunk in, wiping away any signs of the tears she had just been crying. Of course, with everything she has endured over the past four days, at the very least she deserved these tears.

At least that is something her mother would say in attempts to console her. But her mother wasn't here, having passed away so long ago that she now only existed in memories.

She sniffled one last time before powdering her nose. Her driver, Jean Baptiste — always preferring Jean, was patient and courteous enough to avert his eyes as she went through her process of concealing her true emotions.

Jean had a kind face with Sahara colored skin. His kindness showed in his age as he had smile lines that would be actuated whenever he made any expression on his face.

He had been her driver since before her father's presidency, acting as one of the many nannies she grew up with.

Giving him a thankful smile, Gwendolyn nodded, letting him know she was ready. Without a second though, Jean exited the driver's seat and made his way over to her side, opening her door and preparing her umbrella for the rain.

It had rained every day since, as though the angels knew what harm the world could have when they were missing an angel on Earth.

Rain was something Gwen was used to, having spent two years of her studies in London, where she hardly saw the sun even once.

She still wore a pair of nude six-inch stilettos, matching perfectly with the beige a-line dress she had chosen to see her father in. Jean held the umbrella the entire way to the door before Gwendolyn was handed off to one of her father's men, awaiting her arrival.

"I thought you were going to sit in the car forever," Michael said cooly as he shut the doors firmly behind Gwendolyn, following behind her as she made her way expertly through the house.

The White House.

Something she could have only imagined as a child. Then growing up, she thought she would only ever see it in movies. Now, for the past seven years, it had been one of her homes.

Though, she had moved out as soon as she got the chance. Leaving the country, even.

"A lady can't have a moment to compose herself, Mr. Charles?" Gwendolyn asked playfully, though her smile didn't grow as broad as it normally may have.

Michael chuckled, now walking beside her. The halls were filled with people, many dressed in equally stuffy clothing. While this was supposed to be a house, it certainly wasn't a home.

Interns bumped into each other, holding coffees and papers. Senators murmured to themselves, often not many were there at once. There were assistants, secretaries, private servants, and secret agents everywhere.

Gwendolyn was sure that they all had something equally important going on, but she couldn't help the thought to feel pity for them all.

Michael finally stopped shocking Gwen into a stall, "He's in the Oval?" Gwen asked with a raised brow.

Contrary to popular belief, the president hardly used the Oval Office as an actual office, her father preferred the more reserved less... historic option.

Michael shrugged before knocking on the door. Her father's muffled voice could be heard from behind the doors.

"Come in." He said.

Gwendolyn opened the doors, eager to put on her best show of being the perfectly fine daughter, but her vigor was dulled by the figure sitting on the beige sofa in the room across from her father.

"It's fine Gwenie, I wanted you to hear about this." Her father waived her in. In his hand was a glass of amber liquid that the man across from him shared.

"Gwen, this is Alaric O'Sullivan." Her father said the words as if they had explained everything.

She was a fool for thinking her father would maybe ask her how she was doing... or even maybe have given her a shoulder to cry on. This was... work.

Alaric stood and offered Gwendolyn his hand, she hesitantly shook it before taking her seat next to her father.

"I know that the recent loss of Derek may have been hard on you, as he was your guard since you were a teen."

He'd even followed her to London to be her guard, but he was much more to her than that. He was the shoulder she could cry on when her father was too busy.

His death symbolized a lot more for Gwendolyn than she wanted to admit. The death of her ability to be herself. It had died with Owen on her doorstep, and the killer was still out there.

"Alaric is one of my most trust associates from when I was Judge Cavanaugh and not President Cavanaugh." Her father continued to explain.

Oh, how she wished she could tell him she didn't give a damn who Alaric was.

"And for the next few weeks or for however long it is needed, you will be in his care." Her father finished.

Gwendolyn gave another look over towards Alaric. He sat with his back relaxed against the couch. One arm was extended and the other rest on his lap holding the glass.

He had tan skin and hard hair, and if Gwendolyn were being honest with herself, she would call him attractive.

Extremely attractive, but she still wasn't pleased with the news.

"Why him in particular?" Gwendolyn asked.

Her father cleared his throat, obviously not used to Gwendolyn protesting his words often, "When I approached Alaric he gave me some ideas as to who your... stalker might be."

Gwendolyn's blood ran cold, "Who?"

"We don't know that much yet, your father misspoke," Alaric spoke. His voice had been deeper than Gwen could have anticipated.

"Generally people obsessed enough to kill only have a few motivations. Lust, envy, or obsession. We are led to believe that..."

"You don't need to get into the specifics." Her father cut Alaric off from speaking any further.

"Pardon my intrusion, but don't you think she should be aware of what to look for?" Alaric asked.

Gwendolyn could see that his patience was thinning, not only had he been questioned once, but he was questioned twice.

"Matters like that don't concern my daughter, it is my responsibility." He said, and Alaric finally reading the room, didn't push further.

"Based on a few assumptions we have on the killer, we believe we can pursue him by drawing him out."

"What he is saying is that for the time being, he will be introduced to the public as a romantic interest. It is the quickest way to resolve this so we all can focus on our lives again."

So you can, Gwendolyn thought.

"I am supposed to pretend he is my boyfriend?"

"Romantic interest." Her father quickly corrected, "It will only be temporary if I have the utmost trust that Alaric can remain professional during all of this."

Gwendolyn wanted to take her father's word for it, and she did but the prospect of putting someone else in danger... as bait, didn't sit well with her.

All the power in the world and this was the best idea that her father had come up with. She gave Alaric yet another once over.

She had never dated publicly, never dated at all actually. She had preferred a better solution, one that required less work on her behalf.

"I wish we had a better option but we are pressed for time." Her father said as though he were reading her mind.

When he had called for her she had foolishly expected empathy or emotional concern. But her father was more comfortable making her yet again someone else responsibility.

"It is important to make this believable, so your father wants me to come with you to the memorial this evening," Alaric explained.

"Tonight? No, not tonight. I have to speak at the ceremony and this is..."

"Non-negotiable." Her father finished for her.

Just like a child, Gwendolyn pouted. There wasn't much else that she could do besides just that.

She wanted to ask a million more questions, but the knock at the door signified that the conversation was soon ending.

It was further confirmed by the person that entered the room, her father's assistant. Gwendolyn stood and like clockwork, once their murmured conversation was finished her father turned.

"I do apologize, but something has come up." He said. "Alaric, can you walk Gwendolyn out? I will call to speak with you later on this evening after the ceremony."

"You aren't coming?" Gwen asked, foolishly.

"No, you remember I have a senate meeting."

Gwendolyn only shrugged as she exited, feeling the looming presence of Alaric following her. She only had two hours to make it home to get dressed to meet Derek's wife at their home as she promised.

As they turned down a more deserted hallway, Alaric stopped Gwendolyn by grabbing her arm.

"Do not touch me," Gwendolyn growled out.

He held his hands up in a defensive position, "I didn't mean anything by it." Alaric said, "I just wanted to let you know that if you're uncomfortable about tonight, we can reschedule. I saw the look of horror on your face back there.

He had an attractive smile, Gwendolyn thought, no matter how much pity was behind it. She instantly felt bad for snapping at him so quickly.

"My father said you had to, isn't this what you are paid to do?"

"I am paid to protect you, not hover while you grieve," Alaric said and his words instantly softened Gwendolyn.

He wasn't the person to take her anger out on, and he wasn't as awful as she hoped he'd be. She was used to meeting many different men in her life and almost all of them had attempted to control her.

Gwendolyn let out a sigh, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me," Alaric said.

Gwendolyn continued to walk, making her way through the labyrinth of hallways that would lead to the private exit where her ride and Michael were sure to be waiting.

Behind her, she could still hear the now familiar steps of Alaric following her. She stopped and turned to him, "Why are you still following me?" She questioned.

"I said we wouldn't debut tonight, I still do have to protect you," Alaric said.

And oddly enough, she already found his presence comforting.