Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
Performing several stretches on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial I breathed in a lungful of fresh air as the city begins to stir. I don't usually do my workouts on broad daylight but when Victoria came to the world, I have to adapt to the new changes. I started from a small run and broke into a full jog while my Secret Service agent, Timothy Brock, helped to keep an eye on me. The weather today is forgiving despite the clouds. Jun-myeon and Baek-hyun have started their training when I was pregnant with Victoria. I've heard that they're doing well in their training which is good, considering that our grandfather wants us to be the best as we can. Grandmother decided to stay and help me raise Victoria as I acknowledge that she has more experience in being a mother compared to mine which is zero.
After a month of the postpartum confinement, I have regained a portion of my strength. The Capitol Building was in view due to the location of the memorial. I slowed down, allowing Timothy to catch up. He was one of the few Secret Service agents, including my father's agent, Andrew Barrowman, aware of my pregnancy and the subsequent birth of Victoria. I don't feel that it's ready for me to show Victoria to the world. "Heard that the Russian opposition leader was found poisoned in his home." he said.
"Anderson Cooper reported the story, major headline remember?"
"And still no word about your baby."
"I never told the press."
"You didn't?"
"Do I have to?" I asked. He stop asking questions after that and we ran for three more laps and stopped. "I value privacy for my daughter. Vicky deserves her privacy."
"Roger that Major." he replied.
Number One Observatory Circle (Hours later)
After returning from my morning jog grandmother handed baby Vicky over to me as the baby is hungry when I came home. Bruce had already gotten up and is now dressing up when I came into our bedroom while carrying baby Vicky in my arms. "Off to work?" I asked as he buttoned his sleeve cuffs.
"More of a meeting." he said, a hint of smile. "I won't be long."
"Tell that to Vicky." I replied, kissing him on the cheek. "She missed you sometimes." He then held her in his arms and she smiled at him.
"If only my parents lived to see this." he said.
"I know." I whispered, taking baby Vicky from him.
"I heard that the summit for an economic group is going to take place soon."
"That is true." I said. "It's going to be held here in America, normally President Reagan is the one to attend this meeting but I have a feeling that he would delegate the job to me, again."
"I still have one hour before the meeting starts." he said. I said nothing and proceeded to breastfeed Vicky.
"I heard news that you have adopted some children during your career."
"I was planning to tell you Isa, but I'm not confident about it." he said.
"Something tells me that I'll meet them in the future."
"The boys are unique in their own way." he said. "But they don't know you yet, and Vicky."
"You kept Richard and Damian from me as well." I retorted. "But fair enough."
"I have to go." he said. My phone rang after Bruce left for his meeting at Wayne Enterprises, the caller's ID showing the name of my chief of staff.
"Good morning Madam Vice President." my chief of staff Oliver Evans, greeted. "I hope that you're feeling well."
"I'll live Oliver." I said with a laugh. "What is it?"
"President Reagan needs you at the White House right now." he replied.
"Okay, I'll be there." I say.
The White House
After leaving Vicky to grandmother I departed for the White House. Preparations are underway for the upcoming G7 summit as I entered the building. I hurried to the Oval Office in the West Wing which President Reagan is waiting. Jack greeted me at the door and granted me entry. "You're here Madam Vice President." the man himself greeted me. "Please, have a sit." I sat down on the couch as he continues his writings on the paper on his desk. "How is your daughter doing? Is she well?"
"Vicky is fine Mr. President." I said. "I don't think that this is the reason you called me here."
"Of course it's not." he said, not even looking up. "I'm positive that you have heard of the poisoning of Sergei Volodin?"
"I have sir." I replied. "I have also heard that the FBI is on the case."
"The G7 summit is coming soon." he said.
"I am aware Mr. President." I said.
"I would like you to chair on two events : The Volodin poisoning and the G7 summit."
"Mr. President," I begun.
"Problems have arisen in the Middle East Region." he said. "I will have to meet with the leaders of the countries. We still have two wars in the said region."
"Sir, the fighting's still going on. With the Taliban still on the loose..."
"Which is still a problem." he said. "Changes in leadership, boundaries switching back and forth."
"Not to mention the Taliban striking down our military boys."
"We already have Sayyid Bin Masir. It might not be enough to stop the organization."
"The Taliban wants us out of the picture. You know that, I know that."
"And I am not going to entertain them." he said, standing up from the Resolute Desk. "But before you go Madam Vice President, I need you to come with me to the Pentagon."
"As you wish sir." I replied.
The Pentagon
President Reagan stood in a room now filled with journalists, invited from every major media company, domestic and international alike. The only ones standing behind him in the room, both left and right, is me, the Vice President of the United States, and Dominic Hayes, the Secretary of Defense. Dom is also one of the few friends to visit after I gave birth to Vicky while Olivia is very fond of Vicky when she first visited the baby. Most of my elder cousins have already married and have their own children, with me as the latest to do the same thing. A reporter from CBS News raised her hand and he allowed her to ask. "Mr. President," she begun. "Can we have any details regarding the condition of Sayyid Bin Masir after he was caught by the JTTF?"
"Sayyid Bin Masir is currently being held in an undisclosed location Adeline. He is currently under questioning and he will face trial once the interrogation is done."
"Sir! Mr. President!" another reporter, this time from ABC News. "With the capture of Sayyid Bin Masir, can we make sure that American soldiers are safe from now?"
"That would be a question for Secretary Heyes." he replied.
"Mr. President." a reporter from the New York Times called. "Can you comment on the current situation on the frontline situation in both Afghanistan and Syria?"
"That question will be answered, when I attend the summit that will be held in The Hague next week."
"What about the G7 summit sir?"
"The vice president will take over the responsibility, as well as heading the task force investigating the poisoning of the leader of the Russian opposition."
"One last question sir, can we believe that the Russians are behind this poisoning?"
"I'm afraid I cannot provide the answers yet as the cause of the poisoning is still under investigation, rest assured that the truth will be out." President Reagan then stepped back from the podium and thanked the reporters before heading out of the room. Secretary Hayes stayed behind to answer the reporters' questions regarding the recent capture of Sayyid Bin Masir. I followed the President when he made his exit.
YOU ARE READING
Russian Roulette
Mystery / Thriller"This is a crossroad Isabella." he said. "There will be no return if you were captured." "Can I even turn back?" I asked.
