Chapter 314: Before Meeting the POTUS
Chapter 314: Before Meeting the POTUS
October 9th, 2028: Arrival at Washington D.C. Airport
Michael Reyes looked out the window of his Boeing 747 Dreamliner as it descended towards Washington D.C. The cityscape came into view, especially the Washington Monument standing tall against the horizon.
The Dreamliner touched down smoothly on the runway, and Michael felt tense as this is not a leisure trip, this is something serious. The invitation from the White House had been unexpected but timely, given the escalating geopolitical tensions.
As the plane taxied to a private terminal, Michael took a deep breath and turned to Bridget, who was seated next to him.
"We're here," he said softly.
"I still don't know why we are here in D.C. Why are you keeping it a secret from me?" Bridget asked.
"Because the President asked me to keep it confidential for now," Michael replied, his tone firm but gentle. "But I promise, you'll understand soon."
Bridget looked at him for a brief moment, as if contemplating. Seconds later, she nodded in understanding. "Alright, Michael. I trust you."
The Dreamliner came to a stop, and the cabin crew began preparations for disembarkation. Michael stood up, straightening his suit jacket, and walked toward the exit. The door opened, and a set of stairs was brought to the aircraft. Michael descended the steps, followed by Bridget and a small team of advisors.
At the bottom of the stairs, a welcoming committee awaited them. Among the officials was a tall man in a sharp suit who stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Mr. Reyes, welcome to Washington D.C. I'm James Carrington, Senior Advisor to the President. It's an honor to have you here."
Michael shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. Carrington. It's an honor to be here."
"Please, call me James," the advisor said with a smile. "We have a motorcade ready to take you to your accommodations. The President is looking forward to your meeting tomorrow."
Michael nodded, and they moved towards the black SUVs waiting nearby. The motorcade set off, weaving through the busy streets of Washington D.C. Michael watched the city go by, taking in the iconic landmarks—the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, and finally, the White House, where the most powerful man in the world awaited their conversation.
The SUVs pulled up to a luxury hotel just a few blocks from the White House. Michael and his team were swiftly escorted inside, where the concierge greeted them with the utmost courtesy.
"Mr. Reyes, we have your suite ready. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask," the concierge said.
"Thank you," Michael replied, accepting the room key. He and Bridget, along with their advisors, headed to their rooms to freshen up and prepare for the evening.
Inside their suite, Michael stood by the window, gazing out at the city. The enormity of the situation weighed on him. He was about to discuss technologies that could change the course of global politics and potentially prevent—or escalate—conflict. Bridget joined him at the window, slipping her hand into his.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.
Michael nodded. "Yeah, just thinking about the impact of what we're doing here. It's a lot to take in."
"So what you are about to discuss with the president is something serious."
"You can say that," Michael confirmed.
Bridget squeezed his hand, offering silent support. "Whatever it is, I know you'll handle it well. Just remember, you're not alone in this."
Michael smiled at her, grateful for her unwavering faith in him. "Thank you, Bridget. That means a lot."
Without another word, he leaned in and kissed her passionately, pouring all his emotions into the kiss. Bridget responded with equal fervor, their connection electric.
After a moment, Michael lifted Bridget into his arms and carried her over to the bed.
Bridget's hands trailed up his back, and she murmured against his lips, "Michael, we need to stop."
He paused, breathing heavily, his eyes searching hers for a moment of clarity.
"You have a big day later," she continued softly, caressing his cheek. "You need to prepare for your meeting with the President."
"But it's still in the evening," Michael replied, his hands exploring the curves of her body as he kissed her neck.
Bridget tried to resist, but his touch and kisses made her resolve weaken. "Michael, we really should..."
Her words trailed off as she felt herself giving in to the moment. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. "Okay, just this once," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Michael smiled against her skin, understanding the unspoken consent. He continued to kiss her, their connection deepening as they let go of the tension and stress of the day. They moved together, lost in the intimacy of the moment, finding comfort and strength in each other's embrace.
***
Later in the evening, Michael stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie. The anticipation of the upcoming meeting weighed heavily on his shoulders, but the earlier moment with Bridget had given him a sense of calm and focus. He glanced at Bridget, who was seated on the edge of the bed, watching him with a supportive smile.
"You look perfect," she said, standing up and walking over to him. "Are you ready for this?"
Michael took a deep breath, nodding. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Bridget reached up and smoothed a small wrinkle on his jacket. "Remember, just be yourself. You're here because they need your expertise and insight."
He kissed her forehead. "Thank you for being here with me. It means a lot."
"Always," she replied, squeezing his hand one last time before he turned to leave.
Michael exited the suite, joining his team in the hallway. They made their way to the lobby, where James Carrington was waiting for them.
"Ready, Mr. Reyes?" James asked, his tone professional yet friendly.
"Yes, let's go," Michael replied, his voice steady.
The motorcade was already waiting outside, and they swiftly made their way through the city streets to the White House.
Upon arrival, he were greeted by a team of Secret Service agents who escorted him through the security protocols. Michael's mind raced with thoughts of the discussion ahead, but he kept his composure, focusing on the task at hand.
He was led into a grand conference room, where high-ranking officials were already seated, waiting for his arrival. Michael recognized a few faces from his search on Google, but there was one face that stood out among the rest—President Thomas Greene.