WMMAP - [S1] Shelter You - (愛)してる

Chapter 28: Trepidation

There should be an emergency going on if Roger Alpheus was summoned to the President's office early in the morning. Simply just an hour past midnight. Walking with haste, he entered the room with a respectful nod before saying his mannerly greeting.

"In what urgency does my presence is needed at such time, Your Excellency?"

The brilliant crystal eyes stone dangerously bright despite his eyelids being only semi-opened. "Was I interrupting your sleep, Roger?" Claude questioned coldly, using his fist to support his jaw. 

"I do not have time for such leisure," replied Roger, looking down at his feet.

"But you do have time to answer my questions."

"I will do my best."

"Tell me why my daughter was left unattended."

"Only one of them is not on the mission—"

"Then tell me why you sent one of my daughter's bodyguards away when you have all the human resources I possess without informing me."

"I believe those men should be here to offer you protection. As for the missions I have sent the boy to, I solely wish to have him excreted the menaces before it disseminates its way to Lady's Athanasia."

"Who gave you the authority to commence the operation? Did I?"

"No, Your Excellency. Thus, you permitted me to motorize them."

"You like to abuse your power huh, Roger?" Claude smirked mockingly at the man who wouldn't dare meet his eyes. He sighed and waved his hand. "Enough. You can go back now."

"Your Excellency, I deeply apologize if my actions lead to misinterpretation, but please grant me permission to clarify my doubt."

"Ask."

"Was Robane the one who informed you regarding such a matter?"

"I heard directly from my daughter. Now that you reminded me, set up reinforcement for him. He must return to her at once. It seems my daughter needs him to do more errands for her. The other boy too. Make sure both of them do their jobs well."

"Your Excellency, Please allow me to voice my concern, and with respect, it is quite late for the reinforcement to arrive if you are to send them at dawn. We do not have enough men to attend to the mission as they are currently occupied with much more important duties."

"Are you implying that there is something more important than guarding my daughter?"

"No, Your Excellency. I was implying the issue where we need to offer assistance to the boy. We do not have such a team available for him. The only resource we have right now is your elites."

With a short pause, Claude came to the consent of his decision. "You are right." He said. And that put a smile on Roger's face right away only to have it shattered the moment the President turned to his bodyguard who was standing right next to him the whole time. "Felix, lead the operation. Take my private jet and my men." He got off his chair and walked to the door with Felix following behind closely. "Roger, make sure the cars are ready for them by the time the plane landed." He added when he walked past the Vice President.

Quick on his feet, Roger stepped in front of Claude, hand blocking the entrance of the door. It was an amusing sight for the President to see his strategist panic like this. So he stopped on his track, curious of the event that ought to occur.

 Claude said nothing and only shifted his eyebrow slightly, and that was Roger's cue to start. "Your Excellency, please reconsider! I believe a ra— a bodyguard of that level does not need such a level of treatment from you. He is nothing but a boy who lacks aptitude compared to your men."