First Lady

It had been a week since the President entered the White House and the Congress as well as the Senate expected his plan of change. The plan that he’d promise to execute during his campaigning. Richard had been working sleeplessly with the Chief of Staff to appoint the right people in the right positions and back Senators in their election. The Cabinet had already formed. The Vice President, Erik Collins, would arrive today to go through the plan and offer his opinion and counseling on it. Richard and Erik were good friends, aware of each other’s relationship of dependency.

“We need to do something big. Something innovative that will show the world why they voted for you, Mr. President.” Veronica Lee, the Chief of Staff, said noting down.

“Yes. The worlds needs peace. Education and immigration are good side pieces but not what’s going to make it on the front page.” Erik agreed. Richard sat across from him in the couch, looking deep in thought. With conflict in Ukraine and the tensions of the globe rising appeasement was not enough.

Alyssa stepped into the room quietly. Taking her place in the back of the room. Richard turned his head at the feel of her presence. “Energy is a major issue.” The counselor to the President added.

Alyssa observed cautiously. She had ideas but wasn’t her place to express them. She’d learn to stay in her lane unless asked. “With the Covid Pandemic the need for a stronger national

Health system surged. The nation needs to throw money on its people. Peace can only be achieved through education, health and equality. We target the youth and minorities. Those strikes harder by the harsh reality of the present.” Richard spoke. Alyssa faintly smiled hiding her face by looking down.

“And that’s how you’ll have every parent, activist and young person’s vote on your side.” Veronica assured with eyes filled with admiration.

“I like it. It’s catchy.” Erik chuckled. “Mr. President is experiencing his honey moon face in the Oval room.” All laughed and Erik pat his shoulder before exiting with the rest of them.

Alyssa cleared her throat. They hadn’t been alone in one week. She’d want to keep it that way if it wasn’t for the President’s safety. He stood up and walked to his desk leaning with his back against whilst sizing her up with his electric gaze. She felt her core burning. She brushed the thoughts away.

“Mr. President, the UN conference on the Relief of the Tension between Cyprus and Greece in New York has established some new guidelines of protection.” She pulled the paperwork from under he shoulder and walked to pass it to him. “Homeland security has seen for the escort of other world leaders. However, yours is most important. Your agents will double to 40 one you’re there. Five of them, as usual, will be with you in the car, conference venue and outside your hotel room. The rest of them will venture around the perimeter.”

“Will you be there?” He interrupted her. Alyssa pinned him with her glare. Her eyes begged him to remain appropriate.

“Yes.” She replied and he let out a breath. Her eyes shifted back to the documents in his hands and she pointed out some concluding points.

After about 15 minutes of offering more details and bearing with his invasive looks that made her body light up on fire, she was about to return to her office.

“Aly…” He closed the distance between them, forcing them to proximity. His hand rose to caress her cheek and she leaned instinctively to it. Suddenly, the door opened and she jolted away from him putting enough space between them.

Katherine entered the room.

“Hey honey! Hey Alyssa!” She beamed at them. “I just wanted to inform you that we’re having dinner tonight with the US Supreme Court Justice, Elijah Grant. He wanted to thank you for his appointment.”

“Mr. Grant?” The enquiry slipped out of my mouth. She didn’t expect him to select him. He was a Republican but had a long history in politics and the press and people loved him. “A most wonderful choice.” She reassured to hide the hint of surprise in my voice.

“It’s okay Alyssa. Between us we can be true. We all very much preferred Ms Hosseini but the role of the President is to represent the people and the people have chosen.” Katherine kindly said and she admired her. She was an amazing First Lady already and this was just the start. She could see how Richard could have been head over heels for her. And how she looked at him, with an old love. They were partners. They were a team.

“Thank you Katherine. Will see you later. I’m afraid Ms Pope is not done here and we have to get back to work.” Richard was colder than her, shutting her down. He did not have that political air about like she did. She knew how to smile, move, talk and breathe in sink.

“Ok then. I shall leave you. Good bye Alyssa!” She waved and exited the room. Alyssa offered her a smile. She tried to be as genuine as she could. She looked her in the eyes while she undressed for her husband. Hypocritical. She was playing a role. She didn’t know where reality started and where the theatre ended.

“I don’t have anything else to say to you, Mr. President. Now if you will excuse me.” She turned to leave but he grabbed her wrist stopping her in her tracks. She exhaled sharply. “We talked about this Richard.”

“No Aly. You did.” He spat and she snapped at him, her eyes widened. She yanked her hand off his grip and threw the file on his desk. Then she turned on her heels and looked him dead in the eye.

“You do not get to pull that drama with me. I have a career of my own in the White House and I will not be thought of as the woman who screwed her way to the top. So you better start behaving, Mr. President, or I will walk out of the White House right into the open doors of the CIA where the Director is retiring.” He didn’t speak. He raised his glare and sighed.

She exited the office through the official exit and not the internal door. The two guards outside the door nodded at her presence. “If the President asks for me tell him I will be back in two hours.” They nodded again and she stalked towards the parking. Her phone rang. She picked it up and pulled it to her ear.

“Alyssa.” Melissa Jeffords spoke her name. Melissa Jeffords was a close associate of Alyssa and also a U.S. Attorney. She has taken up the most serious criminal cases. “I need your help.

“I’ll be there.”

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“There is suspicion that a certain group of Navy Officials is involved in the injection of heroin and opium to SEAL groups to advance their performance, especially with the operations in Syria and Iran.” Melissa told her and her heart was racing. She had experienced the Navy first hand and their special operations. God knows what advancement in their performance would mean. “The investigation has been deadlocked by the General. He dismissed the allegations as conspiracy theories. But we have…”

“A soldier.” Alyssa interrupted her and she nodded. “A soldier whose brain is in pieces from the use of the drugs and his confession will not stand in any court. Melissa, you need transactions, apt evidence, their dealer. The Army has the monopoly of violence in a democratic regime. You cannot go against the second most powerful institution without evidence.”

“I know that. That’s why I asked your help. You’re in the White House. Can you not feed the suspicions to the President? The General of the Armies will be shaken up by a meeting with the leader of the State. If the President implies that he is aware, the General will be more intimidated.” Melissa was right. But her and Richard were not in favor-asking terms. And further on Erik, Katherine, Lionel and every member of his counseling team would condemn with every political right the abuse of the leader of the Army.

“I will see what I can do, Jeffords. If I don’t respond in 24 hours, drop the case for your sake and your family’s. The General is not a man to mess with.” She stood up and patted down her grey suit. With her bag in hand, she took out the pack of cigarettes and a lighter. “Good bye.”