Mr. President

Chapter 11

My free time goes by way too fast. I spent some time with Penny, and got out to see the city. Being from Connecticut, DC is a big change for me. The city is beautiful but I'm beginning to miss home.

As soon as I take a bath and get ready for the day, John calls. I was wondering what was taking him so long. The details of the trip need to be confirmed.

"We'll pick you up at your apartment in an hour. Pack a bag for three days. We'll be staying in the Carlyle Hotel. I'm of course getting the Presidential suite, I can pay for a separate suite for you but there's plenty of room for you in mine."

Once I have the details, I hurry to pack a bag. I decide on a black business dress for the first day, a midnight blue dress for the second day, and a white dress for the last day. I find matching shoes and pack makeup and the perfume John got me. I nearly forget to pack something to sleep in. I try to find the most modest of the night gowns, and pack a robe to wear over them in case he were to see me. All of it is silk.

The first meeting is supposed to be at 7pm tonight but we're leaving at 11 am to fly to New York. The flight should only take an hour or so. I assume John will want to get settled in and prepare. The meeting is a business dinner with a man discussing Cuban politics.

Before I know it, his limo is out front to take us to the airport. I walk down, trying to act casual, I don't want anyone here to know the President is picking me up.

When I get outside, three men in suits get out of the limo and one of them opens it and motions me in, while another one takes my bag for me.

"You look lovely today, Scarlett." John says as I slide into the seat. He looks really good today, too. Although I'd never tell him that. He's wearing a dark grey suit with a red tie.

"Thank you." I smile.

The ride to the airport is short but sweet. As much as I hate to admit it, I love being close to him.

We check in and security says around us at all times. It's kind of odd to be surrounded by people protecting you but necessary.

We board the plane and it's just the two of us in first class, while security stays in the back of the plane. We basically have the whole plane to ourselves. Every now and then someone checks to see if we need any food or drinks.

John orders two glasses of champagne and we sit across from each other near the windows. The city is so beautiful from up here.

"Don't think I've forgotten that we're getting to know each other on this trip." He says and looks at me with soft eyes.

"I don't have much to tell you." I admit. My life has always been pretty dull, up until moving to D.C.

"Oh, I'm sure that's a lie." He takes a drink of his champagne.

I remember that I have one and I take a small sip.

"What do you want to know?" I ask him.

"Hmm...I want to know everything. You can take your time. Tell me whatever you want."

I try to think but there really isn't much to me.

"I grew up in Connecticut, I worked for a company right out of High School..." John cuts me off as I'm speaking.

"I already know that stuff." He says with a grin. "Tell me something I can't see from looking at your file."

So he knows my background. I try to think of other things. "I love cats. I always took care of strays and kittens back home." He doesn't say anything, he just watches me. I continue talking. "I saw Breakfast at Tiffany's at the drive-in and I think it may be my favorite movie." He keeps watching me. "I love to read, especially poetry and classics. Steinbeck is my favorite American author." I say and he looks fascinated. "I love all music, mostly jazz but also a lot of what's popular now."

I stop to think of more things. He watches me, but finally speaks up. "Steinbeck is great. I love his books."

I nod. I'm not sure if I should keep spouting off facts about my self or not.

"Well I'm sure you're dying to know something about me that no one knows." He smirks at me.

"Go on." I say, waiting for his fact.

"I've always preferred blondes."

I let out a laugh. He smiles at my laughing and begins to laugh.

"That's true. But it's not what I was going to say. I'm really afraid. My life is passing me by and politics drain the life out of you. Being King is harder than you think. I wouldn't trade it for anything, I just wish I could have a break sometimes." He looks sad as he says this, and I feel bad for him. I mentally laugh at the fact that he referred to himself as King, and not President. I'm sure this life would get tiring.

"It's my duty, though. I plan to do everything in my power to help this country and my people."

I'm not sure what to say, so I nod at him. He's still looking melancholy.

He finishes his drink. "We're probably 20 minutes away from the New York now. Keep your eyes out, it's really pretty to fly over."

I peep out the window and see the outskirts of the city.

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