because the President Quit the race today...

Chapter 2

Jade West woke up later than usual, the soft light of the morning filtering through the curtains of the East Wing. She stretched, feeling the familiar weight of responsibilities awaiting her, but for a moment, she allowed herself to linger in bed, savoring the quiet. Eventually, she rose and made her way to the dining room, where her family was already gathered.

Her identical sixteen-year-old twins, Hazel and Ivy, were seated at the breakfast table, engaged in a spirited conversation. Hazel had her dark hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, while Ivy's hair cascaded freely over her shoulders. Despite their identical looks, their personalities were distinct, with Hazel being more reserved and introspective, and Ivy lively and outspoken.

"Good morning, girls," Jade greeted them with a warm smile as she entered the room.

"Morning, Mom!" they chimed in unison, their voices a harmonious blend.

Jade then turned to her husband, Beck Oliver, and gave him a peck on the cheek. He looked up from his newspaper and smiled at her. Beck was her best friend and partner, though their marriage had evolved into something more akin to a deep friendship over the years. Jade reached out to lovingly hold their four-year-old son, Luke, who was busy making a mess with his cereal.

"Hey there, little man," she cooed, lifting him into her arms and doting on him. Luke was the product of a last-ditch effort to revitalize a marriage that had become more platonic than romantic. She cherished every moment with him, knowing he would be her last child.

As Jade sat down, she reflected on the state of her marriage. Beck was a good man, honest and kind, but their relationship had shifted. They loved each other deeply, but intimacy was no longer a part of their lives. Jade was the first openly queer President of the United States, a fact that was easier to ignore publicly because she was married with children. Yet, both she and Beck knew the truth. Beck had accepted this new dynamic, and Jade knew he deserved to find someone who could love him in every way.

Beck poured her a cup of coffee and glanced at her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "How's the situation in Yerba?" he asked, breaking the familial chatter.

Jade took a sip of her coffee, her mind shifting to the political turmoil in Yerba. "We're watching it closely," she replied. "As long as the new leader doesn't make the situation worse, we should be able to manage it. It's a delicate balance."

Hazel, always the thinker, looked up from her plate. "Wouldn't it be better to liberate the people now that the country is off balance?"

Jade smiled at her daughter, impressed by her insight. Hazel had a keen mind, and Jade often wondered if she might follow in her footsteps one day. "Patience is key, Hazel," she said, giving her a wink. "Sometimes, the right moment is as important as the right action."

Beck, ever the supportive partner, nodded in agreement. "Your mom's right. It's a complicated situation."

Jade reached over and squeezed Beck's hand, a silent acknowledgment of their shared understanding. They had agreed to stay together until the end of her presidency—at least this term—but Jade was debating whether to run for re-election. Beck had mentioned he might have found someone he could love, and she wanted him to be happy. Yet, the public eye complicated everything.

After breakfast, as the twins headed off to school and Luke was whisked away by his nanny, Jade and Beck lingered in the kitchen. "You know, Jade," Beck began cautiously, "if you decide not to run again, it might give us both a chance to start fresh."

Jade looked at him, appreciating his honesty. "I know, Beck. And I want you to have that chance. But there's a lot to consider. The country needs stability, and... well, it's not easy to just step away."

Beck nodded, understanding the weight of her decision. "Whatever you decide, I'll support you. But I don't want to start something with someone else until things are clear between us. It wouldn't be fair to anyone."

Jade sighed, feeling the enormity of her responsibilities pressing down on her. "Thank you, Beck. I appreciate your patience. We'll figure this out."

He smiled, and for a moment, the complexities of their lives seemed to fade, replaced by the simple bond of two people who cared deeply for each other. "I think you better get to work. I have a meeting with my Chief of staff this afternoon… and Andre is coming to visit."

"Ssweet," Jade said with a smile. "Bring him to the Oval for a quick chat if you can."

"Of course." He said and kissed the top of her head as he headed out of the dining room.

Jade West sat in the Oval Office, her eyes glued to the satellite TV broadcasting the funeral of David Vega, the infamous dictator of Yerba. The room was dimly lit, the somber atmosphere accentuated by the muted sounds of the televised service. Jade's heart skipped a beat as she caught her first glimpse of the new Chancellor of Yerba—Victoria Vega.

Tori walked with grace behind her father's coffin, her face a mask of stoic composure. Jade couldn't help but admire her old friend's beauty, unchanged by the years. She had always thought Tori had movie-star good looks, and seeing her now, those feelings of admiration and love resurfaced with a pang of longing and nostalgia.

As Tori sat in front of her father's coffin, a stone-faced sentinel amidst the mourners, Jade was struck by her aura of strength. The camera panned to a man who entered the church, approached the coffin, and spat on the body of the deceased dictator. The man was quickly tackled to the ground by guards, but Tori didn't flinch. Her expression remained impassive, a testament to her resolve.

Jade leaned forward, her breath catching in her throat. "Please be on our side," she mumbled to herself, her thoughts a mix of hope and fear. Yerba could become a completely different country under Tori's rule. Either she was not as tender-hearted as Jade remembered and would become worse than David Vega, or, hopefully, she would be the one to liberate Yerba.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," Jade called, her voice steady despite her swirling emotions.

The door opened to reveal Beck and Andre. Jade's face lit up with a genuine smile as she stood to greet them. "Andre, Beck, it's good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Jade," Andre replied, his tone warm. They had long since buried the hatchet that had come between them during their high school years. Andre had been there for Tori when she disappeared from Jade's life, caught up in something he didn't fully understand.

They moved to the couches, sitting together as the service continued on the screen. The three of them watched in silence as the man who had spat on David Vega's body was dragged out of the church. They were looking for any sign from Tori, any reaction that might indicate where her true loyalties lay. But Tori's face remained a perfect mask, revealing nothing.

"She's still a very good actress," Jade murmured, her eyes never leaving the screen.

As the service drew to a close and Tori followed her father's casket out of the church, Andre finally broke the silence. "Jade, I need your help. It's about protection for Sirrah."

Jade turned to him, confusion etched on her face. "Who's Sirrah?"

Andre took a deep breath, glancing at Beck before answering. "Sirrah is Tori's daughter. Our daughter. She got pregnant in high school, and Sirrah was the reason David Vega pulled Tori out of Hollywood Arts and brought her back to Yerba."

Jade's eyes widened in surprise. "I knew Tori had been pregnant, but I didn't know anything else. Andre, why didn't you tell me?"

Andre's expression softened. "It was complicated, Jade. Tori wanted to protect Sirrah, to keep her safe from the chaos in Yerba. But now, with Tori in power, Sirrah's safety is even more of a concern. I'm asking you, as a friend and as the President, to help ensure Sirrah's protection."

Jade nodded, her resolve hardening. "Of course, Andre. I'll do everything I can to protect her. We'll keep her identity and location confidential and assign a security detail to ensure her safety."

"Thank you, Jade," Andre said, relief evident in his voice. Beck nodded in agreement, his support unwavering.

They sat together, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Jade's mind was racing, not only with the political implications of Tori's rise to power but also with the personal stakes now revealed. She had loved Tori once, and now she was determined to help her, and Sirrah, in any way she could.

As the screen continued to show the solemn procession in Yerba, Jade's thoughts turned back to the woman now leading the small mineral-rich land, and the Falling out they'd had.

Jade West had always been full of dreams—dreams of a future where she and Tori Vega would conquer the world together, side by side. They had shared a secret relationship throughout high school, a bond forged in whispered conversations and stolen moments. Jade had envisioned a future where they would attend an Ivy League school together, eventually making history with Tori by her side as the first gay president of the United States. Those dreams seemed so close, so within reach.

One afternoon, Jade's heart raced with excitement. She had decided that today was the day she would confess her deepest feelings to Tori. She had it all planned out—she would tell Tori how much she loved her and wanted to be with her forever. Trina, Tori's politically active sister, had let Jade in and mentioned that Tori was up in her room. Jade bounded up the stairs, her thoughts full of hope.

But as Jade approached Tori's room, she heard strange creaks and tiny moans emanating from within. The door was slightly ajar, and without thinking, Jade peered inside. Her heart sank as she saw Tori and Andre together, their bodies tangled in an intensely intimate way. The world seemed to spin around her as she stumbled back from the door, her mind reeling.

Jade's breath came in short, sharp gasps as she retreated down the stairs. She didn't even realize she had said anything, but the next moment, she found herself face-to-face with Tori, who was sitting at the top of the stairs, her eyes pleading.

"Jade, wait…" Tori said softly, her voice trembling.

Jade's eyes filled with tears, her voice a harsh whisper. "How could you do this to me?"

Tori's face was pale, her own eyes reflecting a deep sadness. "Jade, I—I can't be gay…"

The words hit Jade like a physical blow. Her dreams of a shared future crumbled in an instant. She could barely process Tori's response, her heart breaking into pieces. "I don't understand…" Jade murmured, her voice cracking. "I thought we were going to be together. I thought we had a future."

Tori reached out, but Jade stepped back, her emotions overwhelming her. "Jade, please…" Tori tried to explain, but Jade was already turning away.

Jade didn't wait to hear anymore. She fled from the house, her heart shattered. For the next two weeks, she stayed away from school, isolating herself in a haze of hurt and confusion. By the time she returned, Tori had disappeared, leaving the country without a word.

The pain didn't just fade; it lingered, leaving a rift between Jade and Andre. Their friendship had been strained ever since, with Jade unable to face the betrayal of both Andre and Tori. It wasn't until years later, when Andre reached out to Jade, that she began to understand the full story.

"I know it's been a long time," Andre said one evening, as they sat together in a quiet café. "But I need you to know why I stopped talking to Tori too."

Jade looked at him, her eyes tired but curious. "Why?"

"Because Tori was scared," Andre explained. "In Yerba, being gay is kind of illegal. She was terrified of what it would mean for her and for us if her father found out. She told me she loved you, Jade, and that she slept with me because she was scared. It was a way for her to try to fit in, to hide her true self."

Jade's eyes widened in shock. "She told you she loved me?"

Andre nodded, his expression somber. "Yes. But I didn't know how to handle it either. It hurt me too, and I didn't know what to do."

The revelation was both a balm and a new wound for Jade. She felt a deep sadness but also a new understanding. The betrayal she had felt was still there, but now she saw it in a different light. It was a mix of fear and confusion, something she could empathize with, even if it didn't erase the hurt.

Jade and Andre's conversation that day allowed them to start mending their fractured relationship. The past was still painful, but understanding Tori's fears helped Jade find a way to forgive both her and Andre.

But he never said anything about a baby.