The Presidents Secret

Fifteen

[I'm brewing up some drama ;) ]

"How do we get her to sign the damn divorce papers?" I asked Ashlee.

"Well, she has some conditions" She said.  Patrick played with a pen boredly at my desk.  I watched him for a second then turned back to Ashlee.

"What kind of conditions?"

"She wants money.  A lot of it.  And she wants to keep your vacation home for herself"

"How much money?" I asked.  She bit her lip.  "Ash how much money?"

"Three million dollars?" she asked awkwardly. 

"Three million dollars!?" I yelled.  They both jumped.  "Who the fuck do I look like Christian Grey!?"

"Pete" Patrick said sternly.  I shut my mouth "Calm the fuck down" I let out an annoyed sigh.

"Wow" Ashlee mumbled "He really has you by the balls doesn't he?"

"Out!" I yelled.

"Okay, calm down jesus christ"  She left with her hands up.  I rolled my eyes at her as she shut the door. 

"You need to calm down" He said.

"Patrick-"

"No.  Seriously you've been tense and annoyed since this morning.  Just calm down"

"You know what you leave too" I said angrily "I don't need to deal with your shit today"

"What'd I do!?" he yelled "Jesus christ" He got out of my chair and stormed passed me.  He slammed the door as hard as he could on his way out. 
-----
"Mr. President.  It's time for dinner" Ashlee said.

"Not hungry" I mumbled.

"So you're leaving Patrick alone?" she crossed her arms.

"Seems so" I looked through the stacks of paperwork on my desk.

"You're such a prick sometimes" she left closing the door. 

"Fuck you too" I mumbled.  I stood up fixing my tie and walked out of the oval.  Ashlee was talking to Patrick outside his room.  He shrugged.

"I'm not really hungry" he said.  She smiled at him.

"Okay dear.  I'll see you tomorrow"

"Night Ashlee" She walked away as Patrick went back into his room.  He closed the door as I made my way over.  I heard the TV from outside. 

"I can hear you" he said at the door. 

"Hear me what?  Breathing?"

"Shuffling" He opened it "What is it?" He stared at the ground. 

"Nothing.  I was just passing by" I said. 

"So you didn't wanna apologize?"

"For what?  You opening your mouth" He opened his mouth to speak then shut it again.

"Goodnight Mr. President" he said gently.  He shut the door.
-----
Around 12 I heard my bedroom door open.  Patrick stood in the doorway.

"What?" I snapped.

"I came to work this out.  Neither of us can sleep" He said.  He clicked the light on and sat on the bed.  He grabbed my cheeks in his hands.  I stared at him in shock.  "You were the douchebag.  Not me.  You.  So I expect and apology.  Because you screamed at me and at Ashlee.  Understand?" I stared at him and nodded slowly.  He took his hands away.  "Good" he said "I'm waiting"

"I'm sorry" I said. 

"For?"

"Acting like a spoiled bitch"

"Good" Damn, he really did have me by the balls.  "Listen, we will figure this out.  Okay?  I'll help you pat the three million if you want"

"No.  It's not that.  I can pat the three mill.  It's that after all she put me through why does she get money and the beach house?" I asked.  He shrugged.

"I don't know Pete.  But sometimes the world has funny ways of making things up to you" I looked up at him.  He was right.  He smiled a little.

"Let her keep those things because you're right"

"Huh?" he asked.

"The world gave me you.  That's better than any penny.  Or shitty vacation home" I smiled.  He hugged me tightly.  "So, I'll give her whatever she wants.  But I get you.  And that's what she can never have"

"I love you so fucking much" he said.

"I love you too"