Unshackled

Undefeated (Epilogue)

"Do you solemnly swear to fulfill your duties and obligation, in your full capacity with integrity, honesty, sincerity, humility and commitment as Mayor of the great City of Los Santos?"

"I solemnly swear it."

"Do you also swear to follow the constitution and by-laws and abide by the rules and regulations of the office of this city, bearing true faith and allegiance to the same?"

"I solemnly swear it."

"Then it is my duty under law to announce that Ray Mond has been sworn in to office as Mayor of Los Santos, having been elected to the position through fair and democratic practice. May the Lord watch over you as you guide Los Santos into the future."

The small gathered crowd erupted into applause. Flashes went off as photographers took pictures of the judge shaking the new mayor's hand. The new madam mayor looked chic in a dark red suit and black heels, her long black hair pulled over one shoulder. As she made her way to the waiting podium to deliver her inauguration speech, a glint of a gold chain was visible behind her white blouse, gold that matched her garnet earrings and several bracelets on her wrists. In contrast, the large diamond on her ring finger shone white, surrounded by a smooth platinum band. Every once in a while she would fidget with it, spinning it around on her finger, betraying her nerves at public speaking. It was something the media had noticed as soon as she became a popular candidate for office, and commented on often in criticism of her. 

Ray tended to shrug at that particular criticism. If that was the worst thing they could say about her, she must be doing pretty well all in all. She stood tall at the podium, looking at the teleprompter where the beginning of her speech was displayed. Once she began speaking, the words would start to scroll. Once she started speaking... everything would begin...

She looked from the teleprompter out into the crowd briefly, seeking the friendly faces of her loved ones to give her courage. April was front and center, as usual, a huge white smile on her face. It had taken a lot of convincing for Ray to make sure she wouldn't show up with a a "Vote for Ray" foam finger that she had adopted as her favorite piece of election paraphernalia. Ray remembered her driving down the streets of Little Seoul on her pink lawnmower, foam finger on one hand and a loudspeaker in the other, steering with her knees as she yelled at people to vote for Ray. Best part of the campaign, hands down. Ray grinned at her friend at the memory. 

She hadn't, however, been able to convince her not to bring her new Persian kitten with her. The fluffy cloud-like feline, dubbed Lord Nimbus by Yuno and adopted by all, was a constant at April's side right now. She had a leash and harness for him and everything. 

The love affair with Zolo had been brief, as all rebounds should be, and April found herself happily single for maybe the first time in her life. She still happily accepted all offerings from her sugar daddies, but wasn't looking for more. Instead, she was seriously focused on her music career, and had brought her knowledge and fame into the business side of Wu-Chang, making it one of the most famous music production companies in the country, if not the world. The pep was back in her music, and had become wildly popular, blowing her previous hits out of the water in the charts.

Despite her determination not to look for more... a certain man named Saint had been coming around more and more often lately, distracting her, flustering her, and making her rethink her own "focus season". He stood beside her now, every now and then reaching over and petting Lord Nimbus, and making April blush as they made eye contact. 

Ray smiled, knowing in her heart that April would be fine. She was April Fooze, after all.

Her eyes drifted across the crowd to Ramee and Carmella. Over the last months, they'd continued to work at their relationship in therapy, and Carmella had finally allowed Ramee to move back into their Vinewood mansion. She hoped they were happy, especially now, since Carmella was expecting. Her round stomach was moon-like, and like Rhianna, Carmella was determined to not let pregnancy prevent her from slaying in fashion, instead coming out with her own line of maternity wear, blending comfort and haute couture.