First Lady's Visit

First Lady's Visit
JARED
I could only stand in awe and disbelief as the news reporter gave news about my win at the election polls. I didn't even put my name there, at least not anymore.
Ever since the scandal, I'd taken my mind off the election, accepting my fate.
"How did this happen, uncle?" I turned to my uncle who was equally shocked as I was.
He shook his head. His attention was now on the TV, rather than Hailey.
"Hi everyone."
My head whipped to the sound of the voice — the President's wife. What was she doing here? How did she even know here?
Looking immaculately put together as she always was, she stepped further into the room, her eyes on me. "Congratulations, Jared. You've earned it."
The twinkle in her eyes was telling me a lot more than I ever thought to know.
My brows furrowed.
"Did you do this?" Uncle Pete beat me to it.
Her smile was answer enough. "You deserve that position, Jared. I never forget to repay kindness."
"But...how?" Uncle Pete asked, his tone showing but surprise and curiosity.
"I'm the First Lady, remember?" She quirked a brow in a way that literally said — nothing was impossible for her to achieve.
"Does your husband approve of this?" Uncle Pete pressed further.
"He's part of the reason I did it." She explained. "Won't you offer me a seat?" She turned to pay Hailey a brief look, before letting her eyes roam the room, waiting and expecting.
"Have a seat." I finally said.
I noticed she looked back at Hailey, her brows furrowing. "What happened to you? I heard you were in trouble."
"Heard from who?" Hailey's voice was a bit croaky.
"My... husband." I heard the hesitation in her voice as she took the seat I'd offered her.
Something was going on, judging from her tone, I could guess it wasn't something good...or maybe it was just my thought and I was getting ahead of myself.
"You said he's the reason you helped my nephew, can you clarify that please?" Uncle Pete asked.
I moved closer to Hailey, pushing her wheelchair so she was close to me by the sofa I made myself comfortable on.
She slithered her fingers through the spaces between mine, I clasped and squeezed affectionately, giving her a small, reassuring smile. I would not think of her situation right now, I'd only feel very bad.
A maid walked past, I called her attention and ordered her to brings drinks for everyone, including the First Lady.
"First off, I want to say that I have no hand in my husband's illegal business." The First Lady began, her expression revealing nothing.
She just sat there, exuding confidence and elegance. The woman was beautiful, no doubt and her aura was powerful and quite formidable, but I could also see the humility and kindness alongside.
"Illegal business?" Uncle Pete asked.
None of us — well, except for my uncle's fiancee who let out a small, quiet gasp — were surprised at that information.
She let out a laugh. "Don't play ignorant, Pete. You're my husband's closest friend, and you're a smart man. I know you know...or strongly suspect his involvement in illegal business."
Uncle Pete let out a sigh, and quit the ignorant game. "What now? I believe Vaughn is a good man who just found himself on the wrong path."
"No." She shook her perfectly styled hair, the curls bounced a little. "I used to think that too. Yes, he's a good husband and father but he's a terrible person and hypocritical leader. What kind of man denies his own child simply because the woman who conceived and birthed that child doesn't suit his taste? Would you do that, Pete? Ignore your own flesh and blood?"
Uncle Pete merely stared at her, saying nothing. He knew she was making a point but his expression told him he didn't want to betray a friend.
"He has no intention of helping Cecilia, his child. The same way he had no intention of helping Hailey." She met uncle Pete's attentive gaze. "I was there when you called him though he wasn't aware. I eavesdropped and also heard him trying to find out who was behind Hailey's dilemma and pay them to end her life."
"What?!" Hailey and me chorused in shock. "But why would the President do that?" I questioned, watching, from the corner of my eye, as my uncle's expression tightened in controlled anger and disbelief.
"Yes." She affirmed with a firm nod. "That was when I decided to do something about it. He listens to me so I talked...more like yelled at him. We had some altercation. He left the house angrily which is fine by me."
The room was doused in silence and as the silence stretched, it got louder.
"So you think he'll let this go? What if he tries to, you know, spoil Jared's chances of ascending the Senate seat? I mean, he's still President and still commands respect." Uncle Pete's serious tone finally broke through the silence.
"I'm aware he'll try to do that but I'll make sure he won't. After all, for a man who has skeletons in his cupboard, he shouldn't be a hypocrite and point fingers." Her tone was conclusive as though that was that about the matter.
But I had one question. "Why?"
"I just told you the why." She responded.
The maid cut off my next question with her presence and the tray she was bringing in with her. I waited for her to finish serving drinks and leave.
I accepted the glass of whiskey and took a sip. "No, I meant why would you risk your reputation? You do know if word gets out, you'll be ruined as well. I mean, tampering with election votes is illegal."
She swallowed her Chardonnay before answering. "I know but it is not as bad as being tagged an accomplice to a drug and ammunition peddler for an enemy state."
"An enemy state?" I quirked a brow.
"Technically it's a country. But yes, and it's Russia. I don't need to go into details but you guys already know the non-existent relationship between US and them, what do you think will happen once the public finds out their President has been peddling drugs and ammunition to them?" Her eyes observed my face as though she was expecting a response from me.
Only I had none. I was surprised. How could the President do something as reckless as this?
"Why would the President do that to his own people? It's more like selling the country out." Hailey put in.
"Long story but look up his past, you'll know. I won't rat him out to the public, I'll let karma do that. Anyways, I'm here for Celine." She finally focused her gaze on Celine who had been quiet all this while with Miss Nancy.
They had gone to take my son upstairs.
"W-why?" Celine's tone was a bit apprehensive. "I haven't done anything wrong."
The First Lady smiled. "I promised you, didn't I? I'm here to fulfill that promise because your biological father had no plan to do that."
"Oh." Relief spread her features.
"What did you study?" The First Lady asked.
"Business Management." Celine who seemed more positive now responded.
"You haven't been working since the scandal, I presume?"
"Yes." My secretary nodded. "But Miss Hailey have been really nice to me. She pays me weekly even though I do next to nothing for her."
"That's beautiful." She passed a pleasant smile to Hailey who returned it with a small acknowledging one of hers. She returned to her gaze to Celine. "I had a loving, doting father growing up so I can not relate to whatever terrible experience you might have gone through in the past but I know what the absence of a parent or a struggling home can do to an individual so I want to help you as promised, if you'll let me."
"Oh." Celine's smile was brighter now. "I'd really like that."
The First Lady nodded and said to the entire room. "I'll be divorcing the President..." Then to uncle Pete, she went on. "Find you a better friend, Pete. Before your association with him kills your reputation and integrity in the society, kill the friendship first."
My phone rang just then. Seeing the caller ID, I walked a bit far away from everyone and picked.
"I'm at the gate."