Chapter 40- Title: No Future
Chapter Theme Song: Rude Boy by Rihanna
[Xavier’s POV]
I went over the details of the development project in my head as I made my way downstairs to the meeting with Mr. Jordan Brooke, the current ambassador for Eastel Coala province. Even though I knew Daniel was already there to make sure our presentation went smoothly, I wanted to be ready to answer any and all questions for our potential investor. However, I couldn’t seem to focus on anything except for the vision of Iris sleeping in my bed.
“Damn it,” I mumbled while raking a hand through my hair.
This was absolutely absurd. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Hell, I didn’t want to stop thinking about her. Stopping just outside of the conference room, I fixed my sleeves and forced thoughts of Iris away. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my tie and pushed the door open.
The ambassador rose from his chair as I entered the room. “Mr. President,” he greeted.
I nodded and then signaled to the others who had gathered to sit. As I walked over to Daniel, I couldn’t help but notice the goofy smile on his face.
“What is wrong with you?” I thought as I flopped down into my chair.
I didn’t have long to wait to find out the reason for his stupid look because the instant I sat down he leaned over and whispered, “Well, that didn’t take long.”
I glared at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
He chuckled and then quietly said, “I saw you walking quite quickly to the pharmacy earlier. You could have just asked me, Xavier. I brought a variety pack especially for this trip.”
Stunned, I just stared at him for a few seconds. Then, shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I muttered, “She was sick, Daniel. So fuck off and get your head out of gutter.”
He patted his chest while giving me a feigned hurt expression. “Ouch. I’m wounded, Xavier.”
Ignoring him completely, I cleared my throat and directed my attention back to the room.
“Mr. Brooke, as my associates explained our plans to you in detail, what is your opinion? Do you think it will work?”
I knew Mr. Brooke to be a brilliant businessman who had been involved with politics for many years. Twenty years, if my information was correct. I knew he would see the sense in my proposal. I watched as he picked up the file that Daniel had given him before I had arrived and, after glancing through the plans one more time, he looked at me and smiled.
“I believe it will, Mr. President. There are many people in that area who are in dire need of proper housing. If you can give them that, then the votes are yours.”
I hummed in assent. With my fingers drumming nervously on my thighs, I asked, “Are there any signs of an uprising from the organization in Eastel Coala?”
Mr. Brook furrowed his eyebrows in concentration and slowly replied, “No… no, I don’t think so. I haven’t heard anything about them.”
I nodded. “Hopefully, it stays that way. I will arrange for my people to come and begin phase one of the project within the week. The actual construction should be able to start before the election. However, make sure no one knows that I am behind this. If my opponent hears of this he will definitely try to do something before we can even break ground.”
“I completely agree with you, Mr. President. I will keep it secret until the project is complete,” said Mr. Brooke.
I smiled at the old man. He was really proving to be a good ally. “I know you will.”
We shook hands and the meeting was over. It had gone rather well, actually. No one knew when or even if Mr. Brooke and I had met today. Feeling satisfied, I hauled myself up from the chair and started towards the door. I wanted to hurry back to my room to check on Iris. But just before I could leave the room, Daniel grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop.
“Oh, no you don’t! You’re not going anywhere until you tell me, Xavier. How far did you two go? Did you guys just kiss or… perhaps you finally got lucky?” he said with amusement and a bit of excitement dancing in his eyes.
I whirled around and grabbed his hand with such force that he winced. Retracting my arm from his grasp, I gritted my teeth and said, “Daniel, that’s enough. There is nothing going on like that between us. First off, she is my secretary and therefore not someone to be considered as a potential First Lady. Secondly, I am not the least bit interested in getting married and, last but not least, she isn’t even a USK State citizen!”
Daniel shook his head while letting out an exasperated breath and stepped back.
I continued, “She is an immigrant so the court will never approve her to be the First Lady. So, please keep your damned thoughts on the subject to yourself.”
I spun around and left with him looking at me as if I had lost my mind. Even though some things had changed in our relationship, I knew the truth. Iris and I had absolutely no future. There was never going to be a way for us to be together as long as I continued to be the president.
Rolling these thought over and over again in my head, I walked purposefully back to my room. Turning the knob, I quietly stepped into the room. Iris was still sleeping, but she was snoring and it was quite loud. I had to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh. That was unexpected. Iris always looked so prim and proper that I had never even considered the possibility of her snoring like this! I walked over and looked down at her. Even with her making sounds like a freight train, she was still so adorable. Her face looked relaxed and calm as she slept.
I chuckled softly as I noticed that she was almost hanging off the side of the bed. She was in the middle of it when I left just awhile ago. With a deep sigh, I moved down next to her and shifted her position. I didn’t want her falling off the bed and hurting herself. As I lifted her, she mumbled something in her sleep. Smiling, I set her back down in the middle of the bed and adjusted the covers over her. She started mumbling again and I looked at her face. Her lips were so perfect. My heart flipped in my chest as I remembered how they felt. They were so soft and warm that I wanted to… Damn it!
The desire to kiss her washed over me with such intensity that I couldn’t help myself. I lowered my head and gently brushed my lips against hers. Every muscle in my body had to work hard to not give in and deepen the kiss. After a few moments of concentration, I regained control. I looked down at her one more time then lifted myself off the bed. She snuggled down further under the covers and muttered, “Mhmmm...Tomato... No kissing.”