She adverted her eyes and fumbled with her glasses in her hand. „…Anyways.„ „Good evening, Bess. I hope you don't mind a little company for tonight." Bess looked up and met his eyes. „No, it makes it much easier for me. Otherwise I have to have the same conversation twice." She shared a small smile.
„Please, take a seat." He gestured forward the third and last free chair at the table. „I have taken the liberty and already ordered some really good wine." He raised his glass and cheered to her. „Château Le Pin. And also the menu will be shortly out." The name said nothing to Bess but she gave a small smile, before she also raised her glass and they cheered to another. „So Bess, how are you?"
„Well, the peace deal is ready to be signed, the issue in Myanmar is likely clarified and…" Conrad interrupted her. „That is great, but I ask as a friend, not as your boss or the president." „Uhm, right." She shot a uncertain look at Russell, but continued anyways. „To be honest, it is little ruff." She turned to Conrad and said with her best humor. „I definitely need a little alcohol to explain."
His forehead creased, but he respected her need. „So what if we just have a nice evening." He gaze drifted to Russell, who was silent the whole time, and seemed to feel the need to explain himself. He turned back to her as he spoke. „So I brought Russell with me, because Blake suggested that you might want an other point of view on a thing." Bess slightly nodded. „Yeah, I might. But for that I also need a little more time. I'm not ready to talk."
„That is totally fine." Her look shifted to Russell as he spoke. „Ah, yes. Uhm, how is Lydia?" She questioned, despaired to change the topic. „You know, she is doing great…" It was quarter past twelve, when Elizabeth had gathered -or had drunken enough to have- the courage to address the reason why she had asked for a meeting. In the middle of a conversation between Conrad and Russell, she tossed it out. „Andrew and I are heading for a divorce."
„WHAT?" Both heads turned around and looked at her with widened eyes. „YOU'RE WHAT?" Russell choked on a potato. „We are heading for a divorce." She repeated herself softly. Tears threatening to gather in her eyes. In an instant Conrad was up and by her side. „Oh, Bess. I'm so sorry." He held her in his arms and refused to let her go, as her tears slid down her face. When she released herself from his embrace, she sniffled and wiped her own tears. Both mens were staring at her and seemed not to know what to do. A sad chuckle escaped her. „I'm sorry, I shouldn't…"
„Oh, it is alright. You don't have to apologize."
„I am so sorry for you, Bess. Really, I'm so sorry." She shot Russell a thankful smile. He was the last one she had expected to have pity on her. „May I ask why? So as your friend?" Conrad looked down on her. His gaze full of sympathy. Elizabeth wighted her head to the left and right and Conrad caught the hint. „I'm here for you. So whenever you are ready, feel free to reach out." He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, before he went to sit down again. After a few minutes of silence, Elizabeth had brought herself to look the other two on the opposite side of the table in the eyes and swallowed hard. „I…, I just wanted to tell you, so you can decide what to do. Daisy mentioned that this divorce will might be a political suicide. And if you ask me, I will have to say that she is probably right. I mean, reelection is right about the corner and Mike said…" This time it was Russell who interfered. „Bess. Please, slow down." He gazed shortly to Conrad, who shot his head. „Tonight, we don't have to -and won't- make a decision…" „As long as you are willing to do that job it is yours. I -we- won't fire you, because you have made a private decision. Sure, we will have to look at the consequences and the possible impact, but that -as Russell had already said- isn't tonight, either tomorrow, or any day soon, necessary."
Bess bit her lower lip in embarrassment. „Uhm, the appointment with the lawyer is probably tomorrow." Russell's brows shot up. „And when do you have planned to tell the press?" Now it was Bess who's brows shot up. „Not at all."
„Wait? You planned on not telling the press? May I ask how you have imagined in doing that? Bess, this is D.C. for the sake of god." „Russell is right, Bess. You won't be able to sweep it under the carpet and walk on." When Russell saw her face, he simply decided to change the theme. „Anyways, Bess. We are on your side. Whenever you want to talk… But we have warned you." He paused briefly in expectation of protest, but when she remained silent, he continued. „You both seemed happy with each other. Since when…?"
„Russell…" Conrad admonished, but Bess held up a hand. „It's okay." What should she tell them? ‚Mr. President, since the day you asked me to be your Secretary of State, my marriage has continued to crumble with each passing day. Before, I could never have imagined my life without him, and now…' „Since a few months -I think it was three months ago- we had reached a point where we had drifted apart." That was a lie. But she knew how to cover them. Unfortunately Conrad Dalton knew how covered lies looked, he was a agent as she was one. A raised brow let her know that he didn't buy it, but he also didn't asked.
„Uhm, that would include that interview… and a whole lot of trips…" „Yes." „You should have said something." „Russell, I spoke up. Not only once." „I'm sorry." Her patience shrank and she bit back. „You better be."
„Hey! Calm down, both of you." Conrads voice cut through. „Let it be. Please, don't ruin that nice evening."
After the slightly tense conversation with Russel, Bess had excused herself. Standing in the bathroom of the restaurant with her agents left and right outside the doors, she didn't feel as calm as she used to be. At unease she quickly looked up and down the cabin doors. All free. She was alone. Desperate she tried to regular her breathing and pressed a hand against her chest. In… one, two, three, out… one, two, three… In…
She didn't even know, why she had felt the sudden urge to left that table. Out… one, two, three… Maybe, it had been the question of when that had her so on edge. In… one, two, three… A simple question with much more weight to carry. Out… one, two, three… It had cut deep. The realization. In… Her hands felt away as she exhaled in frustration. That breath controlling thing had never worked for her. She turned on the faucet and ice cold water ran down her hands. She stared at the water how it ran down the drain.
It had been too long. Tomorrow she will be a divorced woman. She clenched her jaw. ‚Since when…?' the question repeated over and over in her head. ‚Since when…?' Too long. She splashed water on her face.
Stepping out of the bathroom and headed for the private room. „Ma'am?"
She turned her head. „Mmh." „Is everything all right?" She plastered a smile. „Everything is fine." She tried to reassure him. But she saw it in his eyes. Saw in his eyes, that he hadn't buy it. She couldn't blame him. Even herself she had not convinced of her smile. „Let me know if you need anything." She shot him a grateful smile and her eyes watered. Matt was so good to her. He knows her, protected her and would sacrifice his life for her. She reached a hand out and let it rest on his forearm. An firm thankful press and she was gone. Escaped in the private room, back to her dinner with the president and his assistant.
Determined she stood in the middle of the room, observed by the two men, and had a big smile on her face. „So, I will take a seat at the counter. Will you do the same and follow me?" The surprised faces caused her to giggle. „I, for my part, will be divorced midday tomorrow and I…" Russell cut her off. He turned his head to Conrad and spoke with a lot of amusement. „Do you now know why she is called ‚Nightmare' by DS?" Without turning his head, Conrad answered „Now, I do." The corners of his mouth tucked up. „But I like that idea." „Well, Security clearly doesn't."
„Ahh, come on, Russell. It will be fun." Bess said. Russell groaned desperate. „Well," he stood up, „then let's have some fun." Bess smirked confident of victory first to Conrad then to Russell.