LINKAGE (boyxboy)

CHAPTER 60: MOMENTARY GUARDIANS

Fear consumed his brain during the trip to the State Union. The pleasing and joyful day suddenly turned into a mess created by his anxiety and uncertainty. Besides wanting to tell the driver to go back to the house, Gavin remained quiet and thoughtful, with sweaty fingers and gestures that denounced his electrifying nervousness. He was not afraid of Kyedoth hurting him physically, but yes apprehensive about the things he will say to get into his mind. Gavin was a 22 year old boy against a 3.000 year old man. Only one of them had constant doubts and insecurities about the situation they were facing in the country, and it was not Kyedoth. The dirty and mischievous older man knew how to hurt people, physically and verbally - and that was the thing Gavin was scared of. Words have an undeniable effect on vulnerable people.

Somehow, the information about the meeting leaked to the press, and when Gavin's car was parked in front of the entrance of the State Union, hundreds of photographers stood there with their prepared cameras. Voices were loud, mess was huge - much like the scenario that took place inside Gavin's mind. It was amazing how he had several groups of security watching out for him and still he felt insecure. He felt safe under the company of specific people like Isaac, Lola and Angelina, but Kyedoth's conditions were clear: he had to get there alone. The car stopped and the driver spoke. "We are here, Mr. Malone."

"Thank you, Izsla." He looked out the window, seeing the photographers gathered already taking pictures of the car stopped in place. His security team were waiting for him to leave the vehicle, staying next to it. There were five people to escort Gavin to Kyedoth's office, and other ten people secured the perimeter from long distances through their own vision and through remote flying machines eyes. The followers of Kyedoth could act insane out of anger, and the chief of Gavin's security team feared for surprise attacks like that, so it was all being prevented.

The boy was wearing a formal shirt toned in the presidential color, matching with his dark tight pants and black shoes. He also wore those metallic adornments in his face, but the items chosen for the occasion were much simpler than the ones he wore the other day. These were bright white little adornments shaped in comma form, place on his cheek and jaw. He had a black coat on his arm in case it gets too cold later in the end of the afternoon. Probably, when his talk with his uncle is over, it will be night time already.

Gavin breathed out deeply and opened the door, having a man to hold it while he was getting up. Instantly, the sounds and the strong visuals of the countless and severe flashes dominated his figure. Gavin kept his posture straight and serious, giving weak smiles to the cameras but nothing exaggerated. All the exposure felt weird to him. Maybe he would never get used to the fame status, being known by everyone, having pictures of his face splattered everywhere, but it was interesting that he enjoyed it a little bit. Somehow these people wanted to see him and know about him just because he is his father's son. While climbing the stairs to the entrance, Gavin felt powerful, like his existence was emanating an influential and dominant aura, like he was in full control of his image and how people saw him.

His security team was behind him all the time, and at the end of the staircase, a woman waited for him. Her name was Petra, one of the assistants of the President. She had a rectangular PAD in hands and a gentle smile on face. Her brown skin and bright teeth shined in the afternoon's lightning. "Hello, Mr. Malone." She offered him her thumb and her index finger. Gavin didn't recognize this greeting, so to don't look disrespectful, he offered the same fingers to her, and the woman touched her index finger and thumb with his, proceeding to grab his hand. The act didn't last more than seconds, like a handshake. "I am Petra, Mr. President's personal assistant. Shall we go to the Dome Office? He is waiting for you." This sounded a lot like a threat in Gavin's mind, but he kept the character, smiled and nodded to the woman.

"Please, lead the way."

Their steps were in normal pace, and looks from everyone went to Gavin. The halls seemed endless, but had their unique glossy beauty. The people in the hallways seemed countless, and none of them dared to speak to Gavin. Were they afraid, or they were being respectful? They didn't care or they simply didn't have a reason to talk to him? Thousands of questions passed through his mind during his walk to the Dome Office. Petra tried to bring a gentle small talk but Gavin didn't pay much attention to it, replying it politely with short answers.