Chapter 26 --- Holiday

Chapter 26

Holiday

Chapter Theme Song: Bad Boy by Tungeevag, Raaban

[Iris’s POV]

We all stopped eating and looked at President Gray with dumbfounded expressions. How could he be so calm about everything? People were throwing his name around like a sack of potatoes, and there he sat drinking his juice like he was on vacation. Breaking the silence, Mrs. Gray cleared her throat while looking pointedly at her son.

“Can’t you do something, Xavier? Carter is becoming more and more problematic as the election approaches.”

He set down his glass and with a sinister smile, he replied, “Heh, he’s just about finished.”

I looked at him, stunned as I pieced everything together and I heard Mrs. Gray’s voice shake as she asked what I had been already thinking.

“Do you mean to say… you did that? You and your people handed over that information to the media?”

Not answering her question, he just smirked as he signaled me that it was time to leave.

“Don’t worry so much, mother. He is just an old bastard that only knows how to flex his status. The news was enough to bring him down a peg and to cause doubt amongst the voters. I was going to just let him off, but he kept annoying me with smearing my name. No one is going to get in my way of achieving my goal.”

We headed outside, leaving his mother staring after us in disbelief. I was surprised to see the extra security as we stepped outside and walked towards the car. I figured it was for the reporters that were surely lined outside of the entrance. However, as we got in the car, the driver tipped his hat towards us and grinned widely as he started the car.

“Everyone is talking about Mr. Cullen, sir. Your plan was a complete success. As he is the focal point of interest, the news stations are too wrapped up in his family’s scandal to even think about you.”

Glancing in the rearview, I couldn’t help but admire his cunningness. His rival fell into the trap without a hitch. He glanced at me and gave me that sly smile that always made my heart skip. I snapped my eyes back to the front window and buckled my seat belt as we pulled out of the drive way.

“He was the one seeking attention. I was just granting his wish. Anyway, Parker, head to Eden International Limited, I still have some hunting to do.”

An hour later, we arrived at Eden. Slipping the seat belt off, I opened the door and got out of the car. As Parker was holding the president’s door open, I couldn’t help but look up and admire Eden’s large logo on the front of the building. As we walked to the elevators, a few employees wished the president a good morning. I rolled my eyes as I watched him respond with only a curt nod.

We reached the 20th floor and went into the conference room. I almost stopped mid stride as I noticed how everyone in the room sported a dragon logo on their suits. We weren’t meeting with just business men, but people who belonged to a political faction. They all smiled at us as we took our seats. I felt someone staring at me and I looked around until my eyes caught sight of an elderly man who looked to be around fifty. His age didn’t seem to affect his eyesight though because the bastard was scanning me from head to toe with a smug smile playing on his lips. I broke off my gaze as I turn to watch the president stand at the head of the table. The room fell silent.

“Thank you everyone for coming. The meeting will start in a few moments.”

Looking over at me, he gestured to the chair beside of him. “Have a seat, Miss Young. You need to be present as well.”

There was a collective gasp as I took my position beside the president. I hazard a glance at the people around the table and most of them had an awestruck expression. However, the older man sauntered over and sat next to me. He continued to eye me like a piece of coveted meat and I tried my best to ignore him. Shifting in my chair, I turned to give my full attention to the president. After rifling through some papers, he held up his hand to commence the meeting.

“I would first like to open the meeting by saying how grateful I am to all of those involved with handling the Carter Cullen situation. I attend to fully compensate you for your efforts.”

All of them broke into a satisfied smile and a young minister excitedly asked, “What is the reward this time, Mr. President?”

With the faintest smile, he answered, “Two days paid vacation at the Greenland Hotel. All expenses and escorts paid for, of course.”

They all clapped loudly and the room buzzed with excitement. I was taken aback by this generous offer. The Greenland Hotel was the most lavish and expensive hotel in the area. The middle class couldn’t even dream about having lunch there! It was probably going to set him back more than a few thousand dollars to pay for all of these people.

“It must be nice to have that much money to burn at will,” I thought grimily.

The young minister was basically bouncing up and down in his chair with happiness. “Wow! This is why we all love you, Mr. President! So, when are we leaving?”

Making eye contact with everyone in the room, his smiled widened as he announced, “Tonight! I will be accompanying you as well.” He paused and looked down at me. “My secretary will also be joining us.”

Wait, what now? Maybe I heard wrong. Looking up, I saw that he was actually serious. I swallowed hard as he flashed me a bright smile. Why was he dragging me into all of this? Isn’t this just supposed to be for the political party? He settled back down into his chair and I had to stop myself from asking him to rescind his invitation. Smiling awkwardly back at him, I tried to hide my annoyance. Why was he so hell bent on giving me a hard time?