25
I wake up early the next morning and look up to find Tobias smiling down at me. He bends down and kisses me softly before slipping his tongue into my mouth. I let him explore it when he suddenly sucks lightly on my own tongue. I pull back and look at him with a smirk on my face.
"Is that a gun or are you happy to see me?" I ask and he laughs.
"I'm always happy to see you, love."
"I guess we continue our late night activities this morning as well" I say and he nods his head before kissing me passionately.
The ringing of my phone makes us break apart and Tobias groans, cursing loudly. I smile at him and then turn around to grab my phone. I look at it and see what the disturbance is all about. I put the phone back on the night stand and turn back to my now annoyed boyfriend.
"Who was it?" he asks gruffly.
"No one" I say and he raises an eyebrow. "It was a reminder. I set the alarm to remind me to go to the hospital for my shot" I explain.
"Already?" he asks. "Weren't you there just recently?"
"Three weeks ago. I have an appointment on Friday with Addison" I tell him and start playing with his curls.
"Addison?"
"Yeah, Dr. Addison Montgomery. We are getting along so well that we decided to call each other on a first name basis. She's awesome. I feel so safe and just well with her. Even though she's a complete stranger, well not so much anymore, she is so easy to talk to. I'm really glad she's my OBG."
"OBG?"
"It's short for obstetrician and gynecologist" I explain further. He only nods.
"Do you want me to come with you?" he asks.
"No, it's alright. I promised Shauna I would take her. She was so impressed by what I told her about my doctor that she wants to meet her and maybe become a patient there as well."
"Alright. Take the car" he says.
"No. We'll take the train. I love jumping on and off the train."
"Alright. But if you change your mind you know where the keys are" he says and kisses my nose.
"Yeah, my sweet teddy bear" I say and he laughs whole-heartily.
"So, you up for round four?" he asks with a wide grin.
"Ready?" I ask.
"Set" he replies.
"Go" we say at the same time.
It's almost eight a.m. when we finally get out of bed and take a quick shower, no shenanigans mind you, and go downstairs to the cafeteria to eat there. We sit down at our regular table where Uriah and Marlene currently make out.
"Eww, gross" I say and they both look up.
"Hey" Uriah protests. "I never complain when you guys make out."
"I would like you to try" Tobias says in a very serious Four voice.
"Good morning Tris, Four" Marlene says.
"Morning, Mar" I say.
"Morning" comes from Tobias who is currently engaged in a stare contest with Uriah.
"Uriah, would you please quit it" Marlene says exasperatedly. It's not the first time Uriah tries to stare Tobias down. It's all fun, but Uriah always ends up on the losing side. However, he never gives up trying.
"Please, woman, let me be a man" Uriah says.
"Please, like you are a man" Zeke comments when he sits down.
"Shut up" Uriah growls at his brother.
"Would you cut the crap, kiddo. You will never stare Four down. He's Four for crying out loud" Shauna says.
"Stop messing with my mojo" Uriah scolds them.
"What mojo?" Lynn asks mockingly.
"Stare contest again?" Christina asks while sitting down next to me, Will right next to her.
"Yeah."
"For conversation sake, who's winning?" Will asks.
"Four" everyone except Uriah and Tobias say.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence" Uriah shouts at us.
"Honey, what would you like to eat?" I ask Tobias.
"Some scrambled eggs and bacon" he answers never once looking away from Uriah. "Could you pour me some coffee too?" he asks.
"Of course. How about some orange juice. It's fresh."
"Sure. Thank you, love" he says.
"You're welcome."
I set a plate full of food in front of Tobias along with a cup of coffee and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. I decide to have the same and wait for Tobias to quit this stupid game.
"Honey, could you stop now. It's not funny anymore. We all know Uriah could never beat you" I say and Uriah quickly jumps to defend himself, unfortunately for him he looks my way when he does it.
"Hey? What do you mean I couldn't beat him?" Uriah shouts.
"It means you can't beat Four" Zeke explains it to him like to a child and the rest of us start laughing.
"What's so funny?" Uriah asks all offended.
"You couldn't beat Four even if we would blindfold him" Lynn says.
"And why is that?" Uriah glares at her.
"Weren't you currently staring Four down?" Shauna asks and Uriah finally understands.
"Ugh, you guys suck" he scoffs. We all laugh even harder at his outburst.
We all eat our breakfast chatting with each other about the upcoming Halloween party. Tobias never got to tell me about it yesterday but promised he would take some time today. We finish up eating and each one of us go to work. I let Tobias lead me into his office where we sit down and he tells me everything about Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and a few Dauntless-only holidays. I take notes and decide to go to the library in the city to check out some books on all these holidays to be more informed. When I think I have learned everything I could from him I get up when his phone rings. He answers it and from what he's saying I understand he is talking to Jack. They seem to come to an understanding and Tobias hangs up.
"That was Jack" he says and I nod. "He called us to tell us that we are needed at the Hub at two p.m. today. Do you have any appointments then?"
"I have to check. If I have I will reschedule them all for another day. The matter we need to discuss is more important and urgent right now."
"I agree. Let's get some work done before lunch" he suggests. I kiss him on the lips and go to my office.
I check my calendar and see that I had an appointment scheduled with Walsh at three p.m. and another appointment with Ms. Aubrey at four p.m. I call them both and ask them if they could make it sometime before lunch or if they prefer another day. Mr. Walsh agrees to come and see me at ten a.m., but Ms. Aubrey tells me she's expecting a major delivery from Amity. We reschedule our meeting and decide that Thursday after lunch is good for both of us.
I get started on some paper work and completely forget the time when I hear a knock on my door. I tell the person on the other side to enter and see Mr. Walsh entering my office.
"Mr. Walsh, thank you for coming" I say and offer him a seat in front of my desk. He sits down and places a thick folder on the desk.
"I have here the balance you asked and also a schooling program for potential new accountants" he says handing me two thick files.
"Thank you. Let's go over the balance and let me look over the program later" I say.
"Of course."
For the next two hours Walsh explains every entry and every exit of this year, telling me about irregularities during spring time and early summer. He said he discovered that some employees got more points than others even though they had same or lower paying jobs than their coworkers. I ask him to investigate the matter further and report back to me as soon as he finds something. He agrees and before I know it someone knocks at my door.
"Come in" I say. Tobias pokes his head inside and I signal him to enter my office. He sits down on the couch and lets me finish. "Thank you, Mr. Walsh. Please, contact me when you have some news. And I think it's needless to say that this needs to stay between these four walls" I say and he nods in understanding. We shake hands and he turns around and is a little startled to see Tobias.
"Four, I'm sorry, I haven't seen you" he apologizes.
"It's alright, Mr. Walsh. Have a nice day" Tobias says, practically kicking Walsh out with his statement.
"Good bye" Walsh says, before closing the door behind him.
"That wasn't very nice" I say walking over to where he is sitting. He offers me his hand and I take it. He pulls me down on his lap and kisses me the moment I'm close enough. When we pull apart he rests his forehead against mine and looks deep into my eyes.
"Have I told you that I love you today?" he asks smiling.
"No."
"I love you."
"I love you too." We kiss again softly, making sure to not ignite a fire that we both know can't be put down other than with hot office sex and we so don't have the time for that. "I need to tell you something" I say and he furrows his eyebrows.
"Work?"
"Yeah." I get up and grab the file Walsh left for me to study further. "This is the balance I asked for. Walsh explained in detail every entry and exit and told me about some irregularities. Apparently, some employees got more points than necessary. I asked him to investigate further. We need a list of all the people who got more points than the job offered and find out why. Any ideas?"
"No. Did it happen all year long?"
"It's hard to say. Walsh only brought me a preliminary and very general balance. We need to investigate further. I think it's best if we involve all the major branches to check for these kind of irregularities. Maybe it's just a system failure. But if not than this means that someone committed fraud. Question is who?"
"You are right. We need to get to the bottom of this. Please keep me posted on the development" he says serious.
"Of course. I will. I will talk to the rest of the staff to do a preliminary financial check of their respective branch."
"That's a good idea. I'll help you call them."
We both start calling everyone on our staff informing them what we need from them. We do not tell them however of the irregularities, this is something that still needs investigating and it's too delicate to talk about it on the phone. It doesn't take us long and we manage to talk to each one of them. By the time we're done it's 12:45 p.m. We decide to go to lunch. Tobias takes my hand and leads me out. I lock the door behind us and we go to the cafeteria. The cafeteria staff outdid themselves again. In front of us sits a delicious looking tray with roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy and for dessert, how else, a huge Dauntless cake. We both fill our plates and dig in. I don't know if I'm hungry or the smell of the food is just too delicious but I practically lick my plate clean. I'm so full I swear I can't take another bite. Tobias takes a slice of Dauntless cake and offers me a spoonful, but I decline it. I'm sure if I would take another bite I will explode. I look at my watch and read 1:27 p.m. I show it to Tobias and we both excuse ourselves. We hurry to the garage and get into the SUV.
Fortunately we arrive at the Hub ten minutes before two p.m. It's a good thing to have a car. If we would have taken the train we would have been late for sure. Tobias parks the car and we both get out at the same time. He walks around the car and grabs my hand. We walk inside and head toward the conference room. To my surprise we aren't the last ones to arrive. I can't see Johanna or anyone else from Amity. And Jack isn't here either. We walk up to my dad and greet him.
"Hi dad" I say.
"Hello sweetheart" he says and hugs me.
"Hello Andrew" Tobias says behind me.
"Hello son" my dad says and lets go of me to hug Tobias.
"I see we are not the last ones to arrive" I say.
"No. Johanna and Jack are still missing. But they should be here any minutes" dad says.
"You have any news on Marcus?" I ask.
"No. He's still in a coma, but according to his doctor he is slowly recovering."
"Alright" I say.
"Did you visit him?" my dad asks Tobias.
"Only on Monday. I feel bad for him. I don't wish him to die, but I can't go back and pretend that everything is alright" Tobias says in a low voice so that no one can hear us.
"I understand. I asked the doctor to call me if something happens."
"Thank you, Andrew. I really appreciate your help in all this" Tobias says smiling.
"Don't mention it, son. You are part of the family now and even though you and your father don't have a good relationship right now he is still your father and I'm glad that you care enough for him to ask if he's doing well" my dad says patting his shoulder.
"I really appreciate all you do for me. The fact alone that you allow me to be with Tris is more than I could've ever asked for. But you treat me so much better than just Tris's boyfriend. You treat me like a son and to be honest if it wouldn't have been for you I would have never known what a father looks like. So thank you very much for accepting me into your family" Tobias says emotion thick in his voice.
"That was so sweet, honey" I say and kiss his cheek.
"Listen to me and listen carefully" my dad says looking serious right now. "I don't treat you the way I do because of Beatrice. I could see from the first moment that you love my daughter and I know she's safe and protected with you. But I really care for you. The reason why I call you son is because I consider you like my own."
"Eww, dad, gross. He isn't my brother" I say and make a disgusted face. Both dad and Tobias laugh.
"I didn't mean it like that. But as Tobias already said it he will marry you one day and I will be honored to give my daughter to such a fine young man like he is." I look at Tobias and he has tears in his eyes. I turn my gaze toward my dad and he is teary as well.
"That's so sweet. The two most important men in my life love each other. But for the record he" I say pointing toward my dad "has nothing to say when it comes to me dating or not. And you" I turn to look at my dad "can love Four as a son as much as you want, but I'm a person not an object. Just because he said he would ask for my hand doesn't mean you can give me away. That's my decision and mine alone."
"You don't want to get married?" both dad and Tobias ask.
"Maybe. I'll have to think about it" I say and walk away to talk to Daniel who waved me over. I imagine my guys are looking stunned after me. Of course, I want to get married and obviously I want to marry Tobias. But there's no reason for them to decide my life. God, what has a girl to do around here to be taken seriously?
"Hello Tris" Daniel says.
"Hello Daniel. How are you today?" I ask politely.
"I'm fine. Thank you. Jack called us yesterday about the council leadership problem. I guess you know about it too" he says and I nod. "I checked the law on this matter and found something interesting."
"What?"
"We have the opportunity to kick Marcus out for good" he says. Since Tobias's interrogation at least my dad and the three other Abnegation members present started hating Marcus for what he did and all the lies he told people over the years. For a while I thought I was the only one who disliked Marcus, but for the past two months I've learned that he stepped on more toes around here than necessary. He's always acting like he knows everything and rarely listens to other people's problems or suggestions. Not very selfless of him.
"Really? How?"
"For the past twenty years we never elected anyone else to be head of the City Council neither was he re-elected, he just continued his leadership like nothing."
"I know" I say and Daniel looks at me startled.
"You did? How?"
"I don't want to encourage this but walking rule book" I say pointing toward myself and using Jack's stupid nickname for me. Daniel chuckles.
"Yeah, I almost forgot about that" he says. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"
"Really? Like I don't have enough problems with Marcus as it is" I say and Daniel nods in understanding.
"We'll see what we can do. Look, the last people missing just arrived" he says and I see a group of Amity and Candor walk in. I walk back to my dad and Tobias and sit down. When everyone calms down Daniel speaks up so that everyone can hear him.
"As you all know our Council leader Marcus Eaton was attacked on Monday morning and is currently in critical condition in the hospital. It was brought to the council's attention that given the situation a change in leadership is required. I've studied the law on this matter and I have a few things to say to you. According to the General Rule Book of the City Council a leader is elected once every four years. He needs to be Abnegation member and have the city's best interest at heart regardless of his Abnegation background. It is the council's right to keep one leader in place for several years without official elections, however an election is necessary by the active council members. As far as I can tell, and I have been on this council just as long as Marcus, there was never a re-election or any kind of vote other than the first one almost twenty years ago. It is our right, even without the current circumstances, to seek new leadership if the council sees it fit. Usually, every active member, meaning all of you who are part of the permanent council and attend every or most meetings, are asked first and your testimony has more to say than those of your fellow leaders. But in this case it's unnecessary to voice an opinion on Marcus Eaton's performance as City Council Leader, since he is incapacitated right now and can't perform his legal obligations toward the city and its inhabitants. I therefore move forward and ask if there is anyone among you who wishes to become our next leader." Daniel remains silent for a while looking toward the Abnegation in the room waiting for someone to stand up. No one does. "I understand. I nominate Mr. Andrew Prior to become our new City Council Leader" he says and I look toward my father. He looks shocked and speechless.
"I second it" I hear Jonah say.
"Alright. Anyone else wants to nominate someone?" he asks and waits for someone to say something but again there's only silence.
"Alright. Mr. Andrew Prior was proposed to be our new Council Leader. All in favor please raise your hand" he says and I raise mine. I look around and almost the entire room raises their hands. "Good. Anyone against it?" I look around no one raises their hands. "Who's abstaining?" A few hands shot up. "Alright. Andrew, you have been proposed and chosen by this council to lead us. Will except this duty and honor?" Daniel asks. My dad stands up and bows his head toward Daniel.
"With respect, I accept" he says and I start applauding, followed closely by several other council members.
It takes a while before the people gathered here calm down. Daniel asks my dad to step into the center of the room and takes out a Bible and the City Council Rule Book. He holds the Rule book in his right hand and the Bible in his left. My father places his left hand on both books and takes his sacred oath to follow the rules of the council, to think of the city first, to protect and nurture all its inhabitants, to be fair and just, to listen to everyone's problems and find peaceful solutions, to work with each member of the council as if he or she would be part of his family to improve everyone's life in our city.
"I swear to that" my dad says finishing his vow.
We all applaud and when this small ceremony is over I rush in the middle of the room and hug my dad tightly. When I let go of him Tobias gives him a hug too, only for not as long as I did. After Tobias Jack shakes my dad's hand, followed by Johanna and Samantha, as well as Daniel, Jonah and Michael. One by one every person on the council congratulates my dad and wish him all the best, while offering him their support the same time.
"Please, everyone take a seat" my dad says and we all sit back down. "I want to thank you again for your trust and support and promise to do my very best as the new head of the council. I won't keep you here any longer since I know that all of you are tired and have many things to handle within your factions. I think it will be best to resume the council's activity next Monday. Everything that was on the agenda for our last meeting shall be resumed and discussed. We will meet here on Monday at nine a.m. Thank you and have a nice day" he says and dismisses the council.
After everyone except Daniel, Jonah, Michael, my dad, Tobias and me are left I approach my dad again and give him another hug.
"I'm so glad that you are the new leader" I say.
"Did you have anything to do with this?" my dad asks.
"No. I was just as surprised as you were when Daniel nominated you" I say.
"Are you sure? I know how much you dislike Marcus, not just because of Four" my dad says.
"What do you mean, Andrew?" Tobias asks in his Four voice. "Did he say something to you?" he asks looking at me.
"No, not really."
"You're lying" he says.
"What? No."
"Andrew?"
"He never was disrespectful, at least not in public" my dad says.
"How about in private?" Tobias inquires.
"Neither" I answer, but Tobias looks at my dad.
"He never said anything at least not while I was around. But he made sure to never listen to Beatrice's ideas and quickly dismiss them. I stayed out of it because she is my daughter and I didn't want anyone to think that I supported her ideas because of that. Also I promised her I would stay out of it, that I would let her fight her own battles" my dad explains.
"You should have seen her a few times yelling at Marcus" Jack says from the door and coming inside.
"You yelled at Marcus?" Tobias asks shocked.
"During a meeting" Daniel says with a chuckle.
"What did she call him?" Michael asks.
"A jack-ass" Jack answers.
"No. That's not accurate. She called him a closed-minded patriarch with the sensibility of a cement block" Jonah quotes me.
"She also said jack-ass, but not loud enough for the entire room to hear" Jack adds and they all laugh except dad, Tobias and me.
"What exactly happened. You don't usually lose your temper like this?" Tobias asks intrigued.
"I wanted to bring up a real problem and find some solutions, but Marcus being the dick he usually is didn't even let me finish my first phrase" I say and I hear my dad clear his throat. He doesn't like that I curse. "Sorry, dad."
"What problem?" Tobias asks.
"Faction before blood" I answer.
A/N: So what do you think of Andrew being the new head of the city council?
What is that Tris has against Faction before blood?
Stay tuned to find out more :)
Also, a small reminder. I update every other day, unless I experience technical problems or some other shit. But I try to bring every chapter to at least 3800 or 4000 words so that I make up for any kind of delay.
See you guys soon and review.
xoxo
Cloakseeker