The Fall Of House Farouk

Chapter 9 : A New Day

Dawn broke, the morning sun waking me up with its warm glow. Bruce was still asleep, his arms wrapped around me as he did. The bedroom seemed warmer and cosy, due to the fire in the fireplace and the comfy bed. Soon, Bruce himself woke up, we shared eye contact. "Morning." he whispered, gently kissing me on my forehead. 

"Morning." I returned the greeting. "Thank you, for yesterday." 

"It's nothing, happy to know you liked it." he smiled. "You should get ready for the day." 

"I know." I say. 

Breakfast at Blenheim can sometimes be silent, should we not speak much. Bruce and I sat opposite one another, eating silently, minus the sounds of cutlery clinking and gentle sips of tea or coffee. With my birthday celebration coming to an end I would have to return to my work as the President of the United States, the main reason that I am here in the UK. The war between Russia and the Baltic states has ground into an attritional warfare. Poland has reclaimed Kaliningrad from the Russians, with mass casualties which the Russians are more than happy to cover up. As Poland is a member of NATO they have access to our nation's fighter jet and predator drones, which aids them greatly in the fight against the Russians. The door to the dining hall was opened and Alfred entered the room, while Arthur was nowhere to be seen. "Morning Master Bruce, and to you Miss Isabella." he greeted. 

"Morning Alfred." I say. "What brings you here?" 

"Sir, Master Grayson called. He's on his way here." Alfred said. "He was hoping to drop by for a brief stay with Miss Gordon." I didn't know what to say, just as Jun and Baek entered the dining hall as well. Jun and Baek had informed grandaunt Helen a month prior to their arrival in the UK and she had rooms prepared for them. Brits often frown upon a last-minute house call, so I was unsure how would auntie react to this. Hearing this, Bruce placed down his cutlery and motioned Alfred outside for a private conversation. "Right away sir." 

"What was that?" Jun asked me. 

"It's Bruce's adopted son, he's coming for an impromptu visit."

"Oh." Baek remarked, his voice cold. They have long known about the closeness of Bruce's three adopted sons with Selina, hence the strained relationship I have faced with all three of them, which I concealed with a cordial approach. 

"I'm not sure they have known about the times you nearly died at her hands." Jun said. "My father was angry, but he couldn't do anything." 

"What about grandfather?" Baek asked. "Did auntie know that he's arriving?"

"He's her big brother." Jun said. "I'm sure she is more than happy to have him than... well... we already discussed just now." 

"Yes, I know." I say. "But just keep the strained relationship a secret between us. 

"Wait, did he know?"

"If you're referring to Bruce, then it's a yes." I reply. "He had known about it long ago because he had observed on how we interact." 

"Just need to keep it private, I understand." Baek nodded. 

The presidential limousine, known as The Beast in the media circle, is parked outside and at the end of the staircase, fully fueled and ready to go. Bruce and I descended the stairs together, and he decided to see me off because we wouldn't be meeting each other until dinner. The Secret Service agents in charge of our security walked side by side and behind us as we approached the vehicle. "Be safe." he said. 

"I know." I say. "Be safe." we shared a kiss, just as another car came in past the gates of Blenheim. With one last clasping of our hands, I climbed into the limousine and an agent closed the door of the vehicle. All agents remained tense in their positions, watching with their guard high on detail as the black taxi stopped, and whoever was taking it, got out. A Secret Service agent approached, just as Richard was getting out. I seriously hoped that this wasn't Bruce's plan to let him know about the strained relationship, but his expression of surprise, convinced me a bit, that it wasn't the case. Our gazes met again and he was shaking his head, still denying that it was his plan. The driver had a hand against his earpiece, just as Bruce approached the vehicle. 

"It is your stepson ma'am." 

"I know Jared." I say. "I should go." I told Bruce.

"You should." Bruce said, his voice sounding concerned. "I'll handle this." 

Two motorcycles led the way as the motorcade took off, the vehicles moving in silence as they left the gates and entered the main road. The motorcade sounded its sirens and the vehicles all sped up as they made their way to the country estate of the prime minister, as Downing Street is still undergoing repairs due to the assassination attempt on the life of the British PM. I watched in silence as the motorcade passed by the City of London, the streets lined with people, holding signs of support or waving the Star Spangled Banner. However, I wasn't alone in the section of the car, as my chief of staff observed the surroundings from his seat in the vehicle. "It seems that you are quite popular here Madam President." he remarked. I say nothing and opened the window, showing a reply by waving back and showing my face as well. I flashed a smile, and the crowd returned their enthusiasm once again by waving back.