EVERGLOW | Freddie Mercury (Vol 2) | Freddie Mercury Fanfiction

29. Unfinished Business

bang bang bang

"Kane!" 

He unlocked the door and slid it open at the sound of her voice. "Lucy! You're here."

She shoved him and stepped out to face him. "Did you do all this?! Did you have me kidnapped?" She shoved him again, her fury bombarding his utter confusion.

A dumbfounded Kane turned to Sakura for further explanation. "I told you to ask Lucy to come to me. Not this... what did you do?!"

"She would not have come had we just asked her." Sakura rolled her eyes, scowling when Kane put his arm around Lucy's shoulders.

"I'm so sorry for their harsh treatment. They directly disobeyed my orders." He glared at Sakura with absolute daggers. "This was not how I imagined seeing you again after all these years. I need your help. We need someone with your security clearance to get to the president."

-:¦:--:¦:--:¦:--:¦:--:¦:--:¦:-

"Captain Clemonte," the Secretary of Defense greeted her upon request and shook her hand. "We haven't seen you since your induction. What brings you here?"

"I'd like to request a meeting with the president regarding ongoing foreign relations in Korea."

Taken aback by such a direct request, the Secretary of Defense buttoned his jacket, maintaining formality. "He is unavailable at this t—"

The President entered The Situation Room and took his seat at the head of the round table and folded his hands. "I'm available for Captain Clemonte."

"Mr. President," Lucy bowed, still dressed in her gown. "I knew your father well. It's good to finally meet you."

"I'm different from my father. He drove a Lamborghini. I drive an M600. We are very different men. Don't compare me to him."

She raised her eyebrow. "I wasn't... sir?" How strange to call him sir, given the immaturity of his comment.

Lucy chose not to sit. "I want to talk about foreign relations in Korea. Many people are hurting. It is very expensive for America to maintain troops there. And it is very hurtful to the people of Korea. Would you please consider withdrawing the troops?"

"Captain.... The troops have been stationed there for years. This is just the way that things are. America is built strong like a v8 engine. We are the muscle of the world."

"With all due respect sir, I'm talking about people's lives. I'm not sure what cars have to do with this..."

She couldn't decide if she was more irritated by him comparing such an important issue to something as trivial as a car... or the fact that America, a current world power, was being run by a man who's top priority seemed to be... a car.

"Cars are complex. But simple with the right approach. Just like foreign relations. Politics need not be overly complicated, Captain."

"Well..." Lucy sighed. "With that being said...How about you race me?"

The President raised his eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Race me, Mr. President. If you could win a presidential race.. can't you win this one?"

"Captain Clemonte," the Secretary of Defense tried to interject but the President had already gladly accepted the challenge.

"Now this is interesting. Name your terms, Captain."

"If I win, the bill goes back to the top of the calendar for a vote and Kane gets to present his case before the entire legislation to pull American troops out of Korea."

"Lucy—what in the world?!" Kane protested. "Are you even taking this seriously?"

She pulled him to the side and whispered in his ear. "The only language this dude understands is Boy's Club. And if there's anything America likes... is good old fashioned sport."

-:¦:--:¦:--:¦:--:¦:--:¦:--:¦:-

"See we told you she'd be fine, just look." Roger pointed to John's television screen. Freddie squinted, following the line of his finger while Veronica courteously refilled his wine.

"We're gathered here outside of the White House to watch the first charity race for Korea in which The President of The United States will be participating in himself. Captain Lucy Clemonte of the Special Forces Agency with her partner, Kane Wua will race together against The President. All funds raised will be donated to Korean relief." 

The camera panned to Lucy sitting inside a red sports car donated by NGMA still dressed in her ballroom gown. She winked at the camera and waved, and Freddie watched Kane, a man he did not know place his hand on her thigh all too comfortably while he fumed. He threw the entire glass of wine back and stood to get a closer look as the reporter interviewed Lucy, his nails digging into the arm of the chair as his incessant worries became pure fucking rage, unhinged...

"Captain Clemonte, a word to the public before the race begins?"

She leaned into the reporter's microphone. "If you're team Lucy, please consider making donations to Korean relief and the families of troops who have served. Donation booths are available both at the start and finish line." Lucy tapped the gas with her red heel and revved the engine, exciting the cheering onlookers of all nationalities who waved flags united in the name of sport.

The course had been decided: first one to cross The First Infantry Division Monument.

The President gave a striking smile to his worthy opponent beside him before revving the muscle of his engine in his Camaro.

The countdown spurred them on, erupting the crowd with roaring cheers when they took off onto the first straightaway.

Much to the president's surprise as they approached the first turn, Lucy shifted gears and allowed her car to drift without losing a single shred of speed, pulling her into the lead on the next straightaway.

Mouth agape and cursing at the back of her car, he floored the gas, using the power and speed of his V8 engine to pull himself back even with her. He rolled down his window. "How did you do that?!?"

"Eyes on the road Mr. President!" Lucy shifted gears again and whipped the steering wheel, creating the perfect drift with maximum speed for the next turns.

Before he could collect himself and distinguish up from down... All the president saw was the back of her car crossing the designated finish line.

He stepped out of his car, greeted by the secret service agents, and faced Lucy, who reclined on the hood of her own car, ankles crossed, waiting for him next to Kane. "You guys have unfinished business to attend to so... I'm going to hitch a ride home on Air Force One."

The president opened his mouth to protest for his private jet but she didn't let him get it out. "Don't worry. I'll send it back in one piece."

But Kane grabbed Lucy's arm with no intention of letting her slip through his fingers. "We have unfinished business."