She wasn't normal to me.
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Derek POV
'Thomas, have you got what-'
Gavinski cut my lines, 'more than just her number, Mr. President.' He had a folder on his hand labelled 'classified'.
'What do you mean?' I narrowed my eyes.
'I've done a background check on her, you shouldn't be surprise.' Gavinski titled his head, looking pleasantly proud of his accomplishment.
'I'm not, actually, I never knew it would be that fast, Thomas.' I put down my phone and sat down on the sofa. Somehow, I'm rather curious about Rachel's background as well.
'Of course, we need to know at least she has no connection with Kim or Putin.' Gavinski put on his dark frame spectacles from his breast pocket and sat down in front of me.
He handed me one of the files. 'What's the content of the other file you are holding?'
'Same, so I won't have to share a folder with you.'
'Oh, you got two files all about her? What is this, restaurant menu?'
'Isn't Rachel Woods a dessert to you?' His eyes peered up. 'Now, honestly, as eager as I am, I haven't read her profile yet, so, let's surprise ourselves with her story.'
Approximately ten pages of the papers inside the file were all about her. Is it fair to her that I prive into her privacy without her acknowledgement? A twinge of guilt hits me before I flip the page, but I did so anyway, if Gavinski is going to stop Rachel from meeting me, he will find ways to do so, and I should know exactly what he knows about her.
'Her biological parents died when she was two, and she was adopted by Regina and Brandon Woods.' Gavinski read from the file.
Beneath my heart, I sympathized her, all the more I shouldn't let Gavinski check on her. I remained silent.
'Regina Woods died when she is only 16 years old. Poor kid, everyone seems to be leaving her at some point of time.'
'You don't sound sorry at all, Thomas.' I reminded him, and again, silent falls between us.
I read the file briefly, catching all the important points, and the rest, I'll kept it and read when I seem fit. She didn't lie to me regarding her law major, and she drop after one year of college.
Harvard. She went into Harvard.
'Pretty smart girl, eh, Gavinski?' I speak without looking up at him.
'Hmm, yes, wonder what's the reason for her dropout. Look, she run away from her home when she was 16, isn't that the same year her foster mother died?'
We exchanged glances again, both pondered with curiosity this time. I continued reading the rest of her profile.
'My world! Derek, she is richer than any of us in this room. She has a four million dollar inheritance waiting for her!'
I rubbed my chin, refraining from giving Gavinski any thoughts I have in mind. Rachel Woods, she is full of mysterious.
'Why hasn't she collect her inheritance?' I asked, 'She could have collected them eight years ago, why didn't she?'
'Now you understand the reason why I did background check as soon as possible? We would have thought Rachel Woods is just a normal stewardess.'
She wasn't normal to me.
'The question is, Derek, do you or do you not want me to dig in further?' Gavinski looked at me. Faced with dilemma, I avoided his glare.
'I assume it's a yes, then, Mr. President.'
I still refused to look at him.
'We could have a world class secret agents covering in up what you did behind the curtains, but there's no certainty about loyalty. All it takes is one person to betray you. Derek, your re-election will come in a year's time, THIS year is extremely crucial. One mistake and the enemies gets the rest of the cake.'
Gavinski stood up, took one of the folder and leave the room. When he closes the door, I begin to breath again. Am I, Derek Hoffer, playing with fire? This isn't a lust. The betrayal and loneliness dawned upon by Grace, I was left with scars. Becoming a President has been more than just power, but, a strength to get me out of bed and live my life.
The moment I saw Rachel in the plane, I feel something unusually special in her. She gave me, a weltered flower another life potion.
I decided to give her a call despite Gavinski's countless warning. Flipping the file open, Gavinski's spy has include every possible number that I can contact her. I found her cell phone and punch the number into my phone's screen.
Her phone wasn't on, I was answered by the operator who asked me to leave a message.
I redial, hoping it was some mistake the telephone company made. Unfortunately, I was asked to leave a message again. Does she has a habit of switching of her phone every night?
I flip her file again, all the way until I see her relationship status.
She is single. I felt relieved, it was bold move of me to make a move on her before checking her relationship status. Who am I to say that I am a decent man, a married man is still a married no matter how bland his relationship were with his wife.