It has been three days since Rachel calls Derek, he hasn't picked up or called her back.
She was hoping he could change her mind, help her decide, and maybe, she could burst out her deepest secret that she is hiding from Derek.
Yet, on these three faithful day, all Rachel could do was watching Derek giving speeches, debating and putting on tired smile to the television. No phone calls, no message, as if Rachel have been totally outcast from Derek's life.
Two more months is all it takes to seal his fate. However, Rachel's tummy could not wait that long, she needs to have the abortion done within six weeks time. That if, she is determined to have it done.
She wasn't ready to give up her life just yet, she wasn't ready to childproof her house, she wasn't ready to even tell Brandon that he is going to be a grandpa, because that's where she is going to reveal her affair with Derek when asked who fathered the baby.
She knew this is going to be a huge decision, thus, the lesser anybody know, the better for her to decide for herself. Rachel doesn't have a heart made of cold steel, she couldn't bear the thought of killing her own flesh, yet the struggle has sentenced her to emotional torture.
'I will be heading to the White House to meet Derek Hoffer.' Brandon told Rachel as he sliced the medium well Wagyu steak.
'Sorry, what?' A dazed Rachel suddenly felt alarmed when she heard his name.
'You look a little off the weather, sweetheart? Sure you're alright?' Brandon asked with concerned, the sauce he dipped on his meat will be dripping dry soon.
'I'm just a little tired. By the way, did you just mention that you will be meeting Derek?' Rachel asked out of curiosity, although its not a matter to be jealous about, but how is it that her father is able to secure a meeting with her boyfriend? He hasn't call her at all. It inevitably brought her head to run wild again. She is extremely sensitive at this period. All the negative thoughts has been juggling within her since she witness how Derek puts his career above everything, or even everyone.
'Tomorrow at nine. Would you welcome your old man to visit your apartment? I remember you told me about the renovations going on.'
Rachel sidetrack her view to avoid any contact with Brandon just yet. Her mind immediately took a quick scan about her house, will she left any evidence of her pregnancy, or even Derek's presence in her house?
'Honestly, are you keeping something from me, Rachel?' Brandon notched his head sideways and grin suspiciously at his daughter.
Flustered by the unending interrogation, Rachel muttered, 'about what, exactly?' She chuckled nervously.
'That you are living with your boyfriend? You've never mentioned anything about boyfriend stuff at all.'
'I'm not living with anybody at all, I can assure you that.' Rachel swallowed a lump of saliva and force a convincing smile at her father. She took a sip of her hot camomile to pacify her anxiety.
Brandon haven't got a chance to play a role of a mother for Rachel since his wife died. He very much regret how things turn out when Rachel learned about his extramarital affair.
'Speaking of which, Rachel, there is something I'ld love to ask you.' Brandon puts his cutlery down, clasp his fingers together.
'About what, dad?' When a person have too many secret to hide, it is normal for them to feel suspicious of every question directing at them. Just like now, Rachel is getting wary of what Brandon is going to say next.
'You have to understand that it isn't easy for me to tell you.' He paused, studying Rachel's expression before he continue. 'I think it's about time that I bring my relationship with Lucy up another level.'
'You mean...?'
'Yes. Before I proposed to her, I would very much love to get your blessing. You matters very much to me, sweetheart.' He taps her hand.
Rachel felt composed at this moment. Some thoughts bubbled in her mind. A few days ago, she read an article concerning extramarital affair. Usually, the marriage between adulterous affair never last long, some of them divorce eventually. Brandon and aunt Lucy must be truly in love with each other, they went through the storm and now, they are looking at sunshine. There is no way she would stop her father from marrying the person he love.
'Of course, you will have my blessing, that goes without saying, dad.' She clasp his hand affirmatively. Brandon loosen up when he receives a sincere consent from his only family. A wide smile stretch out from his lips.
âââ
Brandon never visited Rachel's house that evening, he was too excited, jubilant would be more appropriate to describe his emotion. He went back to the hotel to give Lucy a call.
Whereas, today, Rachel decides to visit the White House with Brandon. She needs to see him, out of missing him, out of anger and out of emotional bafflement she is feeling almost everyday since her pregnancy. She can't hold this secret for long.
She toss and turn on her bed last night. Her heaviness in the chest has left her feeling awake, it was until way past midnight before she is able to doze off. That was when she arrive at the conclusion to let Derek know the truth. She needs to be honest with him, at least he won't hate her like he did with Grace. She has to hear what Derek says, and she has to see what Derek's reaction would be.
Visiting the White House this time is so much different. The other time were meant for indecent activities. Right now, she dress herself more formal than she usually would. A Chanel cream tweet jacket matched with a white high waist pants, Louboutin Heels and Gucci shoulder bag. She looks more like she is going to a fashion show than to meet her lover.
Entering the White House office as the donor of the President doesn't allow them to escape the security procedure, they proceed without much restrain. And when they are finally cleared, they were ushered to the Oval office.
Rachel make sure she remembers every details inside the monument, for she might not have any excuse to visit the next time round. It was somehow similar than those portrayed in the movies.
'The President will be here shortly.' The chief secretary to Derek Hoffer welcome them through the double door. A gloating feeling were beaming inside Rachel's heart.
'So, this is where he work everyday.' Rachel thought to herself. She glances up and down, left and right, everywhere.
'Impressive, isn't it?' Brandon told Rachel as he sat down at the sofa, overlooking the huge grandfather clock that ticks 9.00 a.m.
Brandon was never late to his meetings, even after all this years of fame and wealth, he keep his words.
'Hmmm...' Rachel simply answered. She refused to sit just yet, she wants to explore the office, since she knew that no penalty will be sentenced to her due to her affair with Derek.
A clicking sound made from the door at the other side of the room, usually the President came in from his resident through that door.
'Brandon! Morning.' Derek's voice spreads, he tries to be as energetic as possible, even with the fact that he had only three hours of sleep. Derek haven't discovered the hidden gem inside the office yet.
Rachel turned around, her heart skipped many beats whenever Derek appears. She would never get tired of watching his charming demeanor that would spread warm tingly feelings all over her body.
'Mr. President.' With a slight naughty vibrant tone, she calls him.
Derek heard the chirpy voice that is all too familiar and sweet to recognize without even looking at the person. He can't help but leave a deep grin even with his exhausted face. He misses her so bad that right now, he is thinking of taking Rachel to his room so they can have a little bonding time.
Rachel knew she would be a distraction, and she shouldn't torture him anymore. 'Look, I'm afraid I might look like a fool in this conversation you are going to have, may I have the permission to tour around the White House?' Rachel throw the question at Derek.
'Joe, would you please escort miss Woods.' Derek agrees with her, their thoughts are mutual.
Before Rachel left the room, she looks at Derek with an expression that give a hint. She needs to talk to him. Seems like Derek captured her message, he notched up an eyebrow as a signal that her message has been received.
âââ
Two hours it has been and there is no news from Derek. She has attended the tour of the White House like other visitors have. Food deprived, her hunger has notched up another level where she is seeing double vision, being desperate, she leave no hesitation about asking Joe for help.
Right now, she is having a plate of baked rosemary chicken from the courtesy of White House kitchen, and with Joe's authority, she was allowed to have her meal served at the residential floor.
As she heard footsteps coming in to the dining area, Rachel waited for Derek to show up in front of her, so they could have their very own unification after days of yearning and craving for each other's physical needs.
However...
However, her heart sank for a while when the person who appears wasn't the man she love, but her father.
'I haven't been here before.' Brandon look around the room, awe by every intricate details of this house.
'What are you doing here, I mean, has the meeting with the President ends?' She wipe her mouth, eager to hear where the hell Derek is.
'He has another meeting with the press secretary, left in a hurry though.' Brandon replied, still observing the pictures on the table, never realized that his daughter was battling with agonizing disappointment about the man he met earlier.
Rachel puts her cutlery down, no matter how delicious or tempting the chicken is, it looks like a plate of stale meat now. They were so near and yet so far, a mere distant of two floors, yet to get a glance of her boyfriend was harder than searching for meteor.
He was her meteor, a precious object that she chase after, yet, what she doesn't know was, the sparkling trails of light was just debris left by the star. All that glitters is not gold.
Notes: 'All that glitters is not gold' is a well known phrase by William Shakespeare.
Rachel still haven't make any decision, or maybe, she doesn't have the courage to go for abortion. Stay tuned for my next chapter.
FYI, this book has a few more chapters to go, so, take your time to read it.
Love y'all,
Anna