The Bodyguard

Chapter 7

TORI

I woke up, finding myself in a bedroom that was not mine, unsure how I had gotten there. My head ached, and I was stopped when I tried to get up.

"Theo?" I questioned, not even realizing he had been in the room. Was I that oblivious?

"Take it easy, you hit your head. You shouldn't be moving around too much."

"What happened, and better yet, where am I?"

"Some men plotted to kidnap you. They were after you because of your father. I called Patterson, and he told me to bring you here."

"Where exactly is here?"

"You're in one of the White House bedrooms."

My eyes widened. "I'm sorry. Did you say I am in the White House? The place where the President lives in  Washington D.C.?"

Theo nodded. "Um, yeah. Your father wanted to speak to you, so he flew us out here."

"And because I was unconscious, you just thought I was going to be okay with this? Theo, I have a movie to film. I can't stay in D.C. because my father wants to talk to me. He has a phone and can use it."

"Would you have answered if he called you?" Theo asked.

"No."

"My point of bringing you here is for a good reason then. Patterson only wants to talk about this situation. I'm sure it won't take long."          

I frowned. "What are you like, best friends with my father or something? You realize he abandoned me as a baby, right?"

"I know all about it. Patterson told me before he assigned me to protect you. I also know about his whole life. His wife and his kids."

"Wait, I knew he had a wife, but he has kids? More kids aside from me?" I asked, on the verge of tears.

Theo nodded. "Yeah, I thought you knew that. I thought everyone knew. I'm sorry, Tori. If I'd known-"

I cut Theo off. "Save it. You told me, and that is better than him telling me. I guess my father didn't have the guts to do so. Where is he?"

"Patterson is in the Oval Office."

"Great," I said, standing up from the bed. I felt a little light-headed but ignored it.

"Tori, you shouldn't-"

"What? I shouldn't get up and move around? Tough. I want this conversation over with. If you're concerned about me, then follow me. I don't know where I'm going anyway." 

Exiting the bedroom, I saw a large hallway with many doors. I knew the Oval Office couldn't be down here, so where was it? This place was huge, like a maze, and it looked easy to get lost in.

"Why don't you follow me? It's this way," Theo said.

I sighed, wanting to do this alone, but I knew I'd be in this place for hours if I did. Hours that I did not want to be here and hours that could be used for filming my new movie. I followed Theo and tried to keep up with his pace. He was tall and walked a little faster than me.

"Why am I here?" I blurted out as soon as I stepped into the Oval Office. It was just like I pictured. It all resembled what you saw on the TV.

Patterson stood and looked like he was coming over to hug me, but I backed up. "You're here because you were almost abducted. Tori, you were drugged with chloroform, and I wanted you to be safe."

I scoffed. "How am I safe if I'm with you? They're only after me because of you and your policies they disagree with. Are they after your other kids and wife, or is it just me? I'm the secret that got out, so I should be the only one in danger, right?" I watched my father's eyes travel to Theo and then back to me. "Yes, he told me, and I had every right to know. I can't believe you!"