Billy Chambers hated attending events in D.C. It annoyed him to no end. But tonight, he had reason to be excited.
He had always done the right things in life. Gotten good grades, attended all the right schools, and dated the right women. But right now, he was slowly slipping away from the Boy Scout persona he had spent years cultivating. But then again, working for the Grant Administration would do that to a person. The debauchery was beginning to rub off on his Christian soul.
To say he hated working for Grant was an understatement. He loathed every minute of it. The lack of focus on conservative issues, constantly appeasing the so-called "middle of the country" and Grant's overblow ego was too much to bear. He was an Ivory Tower pretty boy who had never had to struggle for anything in his life. It was almost as if he had stumbled into the presidency itself by sheer luck. As oppose to Vice-President Langston, who's many years of experience in public life made her more equip for the job. She was an honest woman of core American convictions.
The only reason he had this stupid job was because Grant did not trust him. After all, he suspected Billy of leaking rumors to the press about the late Mellie Grant's alleged affair with an old college boyfriend during the election. And while this was true, there was no reason for the man to hold him hostage, but instead of working for Langston as her Chief of Staff, his political hero (only second to Ronald Reagan, of course) Grant had insisted he worked under the very bitchy and temperamental Cyrus Beene as a deputy. Great, as if his life could not get any worse. He knew why Grant had done it….to make his life miserable. And so he could keep an eye on Billy.
So three hellish years later, here he was, driving to a cocktail party with his, well, he would not call her his girlfriend exactly. More like a sex buddy.
Amanda Tanner was a pretty woman in her late twenties that he had met a few weeks ago at a Republican Fundraiser in Georgetown. She had what could only be described as a handsome face, with a strong jaw, high cheekbones, and pretty tan skin that always looked flushed. But she made up for in an average face was in killer body. She worked as a production assistant for a Sunday politico chat show, something that had come in handy with the recent developments at the White House.
"But I don't understand." Amanda said softly, looking at Billy. Billy glanced at her briefly as they pulled into the expansive driveway of Congressmen Thump. "The story is leaked, Pope can't even leave her apartment to buy cat food without being chased down, and don't you think we've done enough?"
Billy snorted as he parked the car and pulled out the keys. "It's not about making their lives uncomfortable. It's about teaching Grant a lesson. The American people elected him to be a leader. To stand up for conservative principles, good honest people who wanted to see the President reign in eight years of liberal corrupt excess. And what does he do? He turns around and start's fucking some liberal activist."
He was upset just thinking about it. But Amanda placed a loving arm on his shoulder. "I understand that, but Pope is a Republican-"
Billy rolled his eyes, got out of the car and slammed the door. The cold, fall air whipped around, chilling his face on impact. He stalked up the driveway.
He was sick and tired of hearing that! Amanda had said it a million times. So what? Fucking Theodore Roosevelt was a Republican and he formed the Progressive party! Big whoop!
"Hey!" Amanda yelled, getting out the car and following him as fast as she could in her high heels.
Billy turned around before he could reach the walk way. She looked so pathetic, worrying about him, trying to console him. Maybe it was a bad idea to even get involved with this girl. Maybe he should have just had her leak the stuff and be on her merry little way. If he wanted a nag, he would carry his mother everywhere.
"Hey! Billy, what's your problem?" She said, finally catching up to him and searching his face with her almond color eyes.
"Look, you keep missing the point! Turn this into the scandal, I know it will be, do you know what that could do for us? This loser could step down, Langston could be President! Do you know what this could me for my career? Maybe even yours?" He asked excitedly. But Amanda looked confused.
"But Billy, even if you wanted all that, what does Thump have to do with anything?" Billy had the oddest urge to hit something. How stupid could this girl be?
"Thump is an ally. He's a full blooded conservative who wants to be in the White House. Rumor has it that he's running for a conservative challenge to Grant. And if we can get a brokered convention, it could be a Langston/Thump ticket." Billy said slowly, as if talking to a child.
Amanda shook her head, but she still looked worried. "Unseating an incumbent is not easy. 63%-"
"63% love him know. But he wants the administration to stay quiet on the Pope front, he has two teenagers without a mother and he's dating a woman a decade younger than him. Not to mention, she's a lobbyist working for a firm that is trying to get a bill passed. One that the President is strongly considering, this is corrupt, a conflict of interest and could potentially be a sexual exchange for political favors. Trust me, his approval ratings won't stay that high for long. Now, let's go inside. I'm pretty sure the congressmen is expecting our company."
"Our dad will be here in a minute, he's just talking to his dentist." Karen Grant said brightly. Olivia laughed.
"He's talking to his dentist?" She inquired humored. But Jerry Grant shook his head smiling.
"He's not really talking to his dentist. He just wants us to tell you that." Olivia nodded as the two teenagers exchanged smiles.
Of course. The President was trying to seem…normal. But that ship had sailed. She was sitting in Yellow Oval room with his two kids, waiting to go downstairs and entertain the Prime Minister of England and his wife. Hardly the typical second date kind of stuff.
"If he's not talking to the dentist, than whom is he talking to?" Olivia asked. She studied them carefully. Karen was definitely the more outgoing of the two. She spoke a little louder than most, was talkative and sarcastic. She was also very pretty, with creamy skin, long dark red hair and her father's intense eyes. Her brother had a much more reserved air to him, but he was still friendly nonetheless.
It was also evident that they had a great relationship because they had a habit, like now, of communicating with looks. Almost telepathically in that way siblings normally did.
"Secretary of State Locke." Karen blurted out. Her younger brother's blue eyes expanded with horror. Obviously she was not supposed to have shared that.
All Olivia could do was smile. There was something about Karen that reminded her of the President.
"Karen, its fine. No need to share anymore." Olivia said smiling. Jerry smiled.
"You look really pretty Olivia." Jerry said, motioning toward her one shoulder, white silk gown. Olivia smiled back. He was such a little charmer.
"Why thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." She said. He looked like his father in miniature.
He blushed deeply, something that caused his sister to roll her eyes. "No need to flatter him, Olivia, skinny jeans and a Sex Pistol's tee shirt are hardly the equivalent to this season's Elie Saab." Karen said sarcastically. Jerry rolled his eyes but Olivia was impressed.
"How did you know-"
"I've had my eye on it for prom, but I guess I'll have to look elsewhere now." Karen said brightly. Olivia nodded. Wow, she wish she had been that knowledgeable about fashion at that age.
"How old are you again?" Olivia asked grinning. But before Karen could answer, Fitz walked through the elevator door, looking dashing in a black tuxedo. Olivia felt hot. Her skin was on fire. He looked so good, but she would wait until they were in the elevator to tell him that. She did not want to be inappropriate around the kids.
"She's 17 going on 25. You look stunning." He said as he placed a kiss on Olivia's forehead. Olivia blushed, biting her lip.
"Thank you. The kids have been delightful, speaking of which, how was your umm…t the talk with the dentist?" Olivia inquired, standing up. Karen and Jerry began giggling at their father's look of confusion.
"The den- Oh! The dentist! It was-" but the charade was ruined when Karen and Jerry began laughing hysterically. The look of sudden realization had dawned on Fitz's face. Olivia smiled and shook her head, gently patting Fitz's cheek. He rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge nose."
"I'm guessing the told you." He said, cocking an eyebrow. Olivia nodded shrugging.
"Dad…don't worry, we didn't reveal any state secrets or anything." Jerry said, choking through his laughter.
"Don't you guys have you know, studying to do? It's a week night and I'm pretty sure that Calculus test is coming up in three days, right, Miss Big Mouth?" Fitz said jokingly, but Karen held her arms out incredulous.
"Hey! What's the accusations?" She laughed. But Jerry shook his head, standing up and pulling his sisters arm.
"Because you always talk too much. Come on, let's go so Dad and Olivia can make-out." Jerry said.
Olivia and Fitz laughed as they left the room. Olivia could have sworn she heard Karen mutter, "I have an A in that class anyway."
They stood there, smiling at one another for a few moments. She loved how handsome he looked. Her stomach was aflutter.
"So, gorgeous. Do you think you survived?" Fitz said, rubbing her bare arm gently. She smiled.
"Your kids are sweet. But I can see where they get their charm from." Olivia said, tracing his label with her index finger.
"Oh, you give me too much credit. I'm pretty sure they like you." He said placing his arms around Olivia's waist and bringing her close.
She loved being secured in his arms. Her hand traveled from his lapel her fingers tracing his lips and finally his smooth cheek.
"I hope so. But the dentist, Mr. President?" she smirked at him. He looked embarrassed.
"I was trying to make this night less intimidating that it had to be."
"Well, so far you are doing a pretty good job. I mean, compared to all the other Presidents and Prime Minister's I've dated, you are doing one heck of a job. But I must say, that night at the Kremlin tops them all." She said sarcastically as Fitz took her hand and led her to the elevator. He laughed.
"So I take it you've been on a lot of First dates recently." He joked back as the elevator dinged opened, revealing two burly security guards ready to escort them downstairs.
"Oh, yeah, but you are doing a fabulous job. At least for now." She smiled at him. He winked as they stepped into the elevator. They exchanged smiles with one another. It was hard to be romantic with two security guards breathing down your neck. But what the hell, that was life. They might as well deal with the hand dealt to them.