Mr. President’s

Chapter 20

Mercedes got to the airport clothed with worry since she couldn’t hear from Griffin. It wasn’t long before she spotted Angela. Her brown straight hair lay calmly on her back. She wore skinny jeans with a tank top and a coat over it. Her hazel eyes sparkled when she caught sight of Mercedes from the distance and not caring about the other travellers at the arrival lounge, she yelled, “Mercedes Winters my superstar,” a smile blooming on her face.

Mercedes was taken aback. It’s been years since she was addressed by that title. Back in college, she attended an audition for a romance movie. Her outstanding performance earned her the appraisal of a superstar from one of the judges but Griffin didn’t allow her to attend any of the rehearsals. He claimed too many guys will be hitting on her and he won’t be there to protect her. Such a lame excuse but it made Mercedes think he didn’t want any man around her because he loved her and obeyed him. Right now, Angie has just resurrected sad memories because Mercedes would have been a star, if not for Griffin.

“You are just as crazy as hell. I’m the personal assistant to a handsome devil and not a superstar,” she pouted, hugging Angie and running her fingers through her hair.

“Hey, don’t mess up my hair. I try to keep it straight,” Angie pulled away and said, earning heartfelt laughter from Mercedes. It’s been two years since they last saw each other and Angie hadn’t changed one bit.

“Whatever, how was your trip?” Mercedes rolled Angie’s luggage and asked while headed for the car.

“Nothing special. I was just eager to meet you again. Actually, I wanted to surprise you,” she sat in the passenger seat and said while Mercedes hurled her luggage into the trunk.

“I guess you are the reason why he is unreachable,” Mercedes teased.

“That might be true but call me when we get there. I’m so tired,” she yawned. Mercedes chuckled and kept driving, allowing her to nap.

When she got home, nervousness clung to her as she made her way to Griffin’s room with Angie tailing behind her. She only woke up when they got to the car park.

Mercedes felt her heart heavy when she saw the state of Griffin’s room. Everything was scattered and Griffin was sniffing in the closet. She has never seen him this way and besides, where was Penelope. Wasn’t she supposed to be there for him?

“Griff, what’s the problem?” Mercedes frowned and asked while trying to get over the state of his room. She hated messy environments. Griff opened his mouth but didn’t speak when Angie run to him, sitting beside him in the closet. “Griff, what happened to you,” she asked him.

Griff was a little embarrassed to be seen by Angie in his state so he forced a smile and stepped out of the closet, holding up his hand to lift Angie as well. He hadn’t eaten the whole day and felt slightly weak.

Mercedes felt guilty. She was late and hadn’t checked on him after their argument last night. “What are you doing here, Angie?” His voice sounded husky and weak from crying.

“I’m here to stay with both of you for a while or aren’t I welcome? My company transferred me here,” she said.

“Angie had been calling and so was I. What happened to your phone?” Mercedes asked after regaining herself. Griffin’s state has got her thinking.

“I just wanted to be alone,” Griffin said, leading them out of his room. His hair was dishevelled and he looked unkempt. Mercedes detected that he hadn’t gotten over their discussion

“Was it because of what happened last night?” Mercedes asked with a solemn expression.

Irritation suddenly massaged Griffin as he yelled, “Yes. I can’t allow you to do it.”

“Stop wasting your time worrying because he already bought us a penthouse, and he already paid the bills too. Oliver is undergoing transplant as we speak. It is just unfortunate that I can’t be there for him. Mercedes was adamant, not getting upset with Griffin’s behaviour. She was old enough to make her own decisions and face the consequences. She knew he was doing it because he cared but it wasn’t brotherly care she wanted from him. Still, Griffin couldn’t accept her decision. It made him feel less of a man. “So you slept with him again?” His expression was unreadable. Angie had listened for a while and got interested in Griffin’s question. “What’s going on? Who slept with who? I’m lost?”

“Mercedes here sold her body for one week to take care of her brother.” Griffin didn’t hide the agitation cruising through him. He wanted to make Mercedes upset to make her give up on the plan but unfortunately, it didn’t work as he wanted.

“She’s my hero then,” Angie tapped gently on Mercedes‘ back and said.

“You?” Griffin was too shocked to continue.

“Come on Griff, what would you have her do? Is it the reason you’ve become a vegetable?” Angie lashed out. But Griffin was even more devastated

3:11 PM

by the two ladies who have been his best friend for years. He felt like he didn’t know them anymore, but even babies grow so how much more two adult women?

“You amaze me, Angie. Do you have a boyfriend?” He asked coyly with a heated gaze on her.

Angie was slightly uncomfortable and said, “No because the only guy I love is you. I hope you don’t have a girlfriend because I’m gonna kill her if you do.”

Mercedes knew she was joking but she couldn’t help blurting out, “sorry, he has a girlfriend so you have to find someone else.”

Angie feigned hurt. “Griff, you are such a heartless monster,” she said through gritted teeth.

“You can’t be serious Angie.” Griffin will never take her seriously. He only saw her as a sister.

“I am Griff, no wonder you haven’t called for a long while.” She sat on the sofa and folded her arms to her chest with visible anger.

Mercedes didn’t like the shenanigans going on and decided to create a distraction. “I think we should cook and eat together like we used to back in California. Besides, it’s not every day I get an early day off. Griff, wash up before you join us. Another thing, let me say it before I forget. I got four hours off and will be paying back tomorrow. Then, I’m going on a trip for one week, starting Sunday.”

“What?” Both Griffin and Angie exclaimed in unison.

She stared at Griffin with a neutral expression. “I see you like it when I stay home while you have all the fun with Penelope. It’s my turn to have fun.” Yes, the best way to get over the tension was to make it seem fun. It was going to be a trip of business mixed with pleasure. She would just enjoy it while it lasted and pretend that it didn’t happen afterwards, just like the first time.

“What are you talking about Merce?” Angie was lost.

“I’m going on a trip with my boss for one week and I’m also seeing him tomorrow to pick the keys to a brand new car and a three–bedroom penthouse,” she said slowly, each word sinking in but Griffin was so angry he was going to burst out.

Angie ignored Griffin’s contorted look and asked, “are you kidding? Why is he spending so much?”

“My body is going to suffer for one week. Have you thought about that?” Mercedes frowned and asked.

“But a house and car?” It didn’t make sense to Angie, how Nathan will spend so much for pleasure.

“And taking care of my parent and brother’s expenses,” Mercedes concluded, to get a fair judgment from Angie. She was amazed when Angie hugged her from behind,

“Damn, you hit a jackpot.”

“You should rather say her life is in jeopardy.” Griffin was tired of hearing the two go on and on about something so unpleasant. At that moment, he felt disgusted by both friends.

“I don’t think so. After one week, it’s over,” Mercedes spelt out. She was confident that after one week, everything will be back to normal but Griffin still felt that everything will go wrong.

“Don’t come crying when he breaks your heart,” he said solemnly. Since last night, he hasn’t warmed up to her.

“I don’t have a heart in the first place and he isn’t my type,” Mercedes tallied. She might tremble at Nathan’s touch and voice but she didn’t see herself dating or marrying someone like him. Besides, he doesn’t believe in love but she does. He doesn’t even want to get married but she wants marriage and lots of kids running around the house just as Griffin wanted.

“Hey, is he ugly?” Angie couldn’t help asking.

“He is very handsome but also the devil himself. In two days, he helped me to make over $80,000 from men trying to hit on me,” Mercedes relayed to Angie.

“God, I want your boss! Angie exclaimed wide–eyed.” Griffin was still upset and kept on a solemn and melancholic expression. Mercedes used to listen to him before but now, he doesn’t know what to think. Perhaps he was losing importance in her eyes.

The trio went to the kitchen, cooking and chatting about old times and it seemed just like it but not until somebody barged into the kitchen.

The hell Griffin, I’ve been calling like forever. If you were even going to die, you should have told me don’t you think?” Penelope snarled. She was so upset.

“At least you should acknowledge our presence, Angie wrapped her arms protectively around Griffin. At first sight, she hated Penelope’s attitude and intentionally wanted to taunt her.

3:11 PM J

Chapter 20

“Who is she?” Penelope’s expression was tainted with disgust as she asked Griffin.

“Our best friend. It used to be the three of us but she travelled a lot so I was always stuck with Mercedes,” Griffin gently explained.

“Oh, I see the bitch who stole my man. Nice to meet you bitch,” Angie snarled. Mercedes tried to stop her from spewing nonsense by pulling her away from Griffin. However, her grip only tightened around him.

“Who are you calling a bitch, you bitch,” Penelope barked.

“Enough both of you. Angie, I’m very disappointed in you,” Griffin curtly said but Angie was unfazed. She had succeeded in upsetting Penelope, which made her happy.

“That makes two of us. The only reason why I accepted the transfer was because I thought I was going to be with you and now?” She feigned disappointment as she spoke.

Penelope was uncomfortable with Angie’s presence and casually said, “Griffin, let’s go somewhere.”

Griffin frowned. He was broke and wasn’t comfortable asking Mercedes for money. He feared being the reason for her troubled ways. “I don’t have cash Penelope, let’s just stay. Hey, Angie is very nice and she’s just joking,” he tried to put things straight but Angie wasn’t going to make it easy since she didn’t like Penelope.

“No, I’m not,” she countered.

Griffin decided to ignore her. “Well, you already met Mercedes,” he said to Penelope but somehow, Mercedes was comfortable with Penelope around so she casually said,

“You know what Griff, take my card and take her out. I think you both need some privacy.”

Griffin was slightly embarrassed. He never told Penelope that Mercedes was the breadwinner. “No, I can’t do that.”

“But I’m begging you to do it,” Mercedes pleased. She wanted Penelope out at all cost but couldn’t say it. However, Penelope’s eyes had turned green with greed at the opportunity. “She’s giving us free money. Let’s go.” She yanked Griffin from the kitchen.

Reluctantly, Griffin freshened up and left with her.

“Where did he find such a girl?” Angie asked annoyed.

“That’s the question you should have asked him,” Mercedes, swallowed her bitterness and jealousy.

“My heart is broken.” Angie held her chest.

“Were you serious about what you said earlier?”

“Did it sound like I was joking? Anyway, that was before but I got over him with the distance. I even dated a nice guy for a couple of months.”

“What happened?” Mercedes curiosity was in full gear.

Angie had on a pained expression. “He was married and kept it secret. So we broke up when I found out.”

“I’m so sorr-” Mercedes phone beeped before she completed her sentence. She checked the caller ID and her heart thumped.

“Mr Legend, is there a problem?” She asked calmly after answering the phone.

“No. I didn’t ask what type of car you like,” Nathan asked casually.

“A Toyota, Nissan, anything cute,’ she retorted.

“I thought so.” He ended the call, disappointment lacing his voice.

“Wait, you’re asking for a Toyota or Nissan? You should go for Lexus, BMW, Mercedes like your name, SUV or even a Lambo or Pagani,” Angie chirped.

“Gosh, Angie, do you want to break his bank account?” Mercedes wasn’t tickled.

“Well, he’s gonna break your body for one week. I just thought you should make the best of it.” Angie said thoughtfully

“You think so?” Mercedes felt a shiver, as she tried to recall the first time.

“Look men like that usually have too much energy,” Angie explained. At least she had some experience.

Chapter 20

“Well, I couldn’t remember much about our first time,” Mercedes confessed to Angie’s surprise.

“There was a first time? Let me see his picture,” she insisted.

“I don’t have his picture but his name is Nathan Legend,” Mercedes disclosed, surprised to see a terrible expression I Angie’s

“Oh, girl you are in a deep shit!”