Divided (The United Trilogy Book 2) (8 page)

Chapter Six

This last week has flown by so fast that I was not prepared for the onslaught of emotions that I never imagined to have. Last night, I read and sang to Grace for the last time. I stroked her hair and told her how much I am going to miss her and that she has to make me proud by continuing to eat and sleep well for Dex. Once she fell asleep, Dex holds me while I sob. I must have cried for an hour but he only keeps on holding me and telling me that everything will be fine. I wish I could believe that. Zara told me that she'll be gone when I wake up that morning, because she isn’t very good with good-byes, so she is going to work early, but that she was so happy to have gotten to know me. We both hugged and cried, and I told her that I will see her again. I am leaving all of the clothes I have with me in hope that she can get some use from them. 

Masters showed up just before breakfast. I scan him in and we eat with everyone before we leave. While all this is happening, Grace has a death grip on me. She has hardly eaten today and so I place her on my lap, whispering words of comfort I don’t really believe. Everyone comes to me and says their good-byes and how much they will miss me. Malik hasn’t said much, and only gives me a tight embrace and promises that he will do everything in his power to help me. I thank him and then I run into Dex’s arms. He whispers words of comfort and declarations of love to me, and all I can do is cry and shake my head.

Masters clears his throat and shoots Dex a look. Dex nods and whispers to me again, “Come now, Princess. You need to be my fierce warrior, okay? Dry those beautiful eyes and give me a smile. Can you do that?”

I shake my head no, but I do my best to pull myself together. I don’t want Masters to see me this way. I take a few deep breaths and look up into deep brown eyes. I nod once and bring my hand to his face. I trace his scar and then bring his face down so that I can kiss him soundly before turning and heading towards the gate. Masters stands there, looking from Dex to me, completely shocked.

This time, Dex clears his throat. “You are going to go with her, right?”  He asks. I look back at Masters. This question seems to bring him out of his daze. He nods and starts to walk after me. Dex puts his hand on Masters’ arm. “Look after her, Masters, and promise me that you will not let anything happen to her.”

Masters is looking at him as if he is an old friend now. “I promise, Dex. I’ll keep her safe.” Dex slaps him on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

“Get to it then. This girl’s got a country to run.” He tosses me a wink and then goes to pick up Grace. I smile and wave to everyone and head to the scooter that is waiting for me.

Before I can hop on, Masters turns to me and places both hands on my shoulders, looking deep into my eyes. “Are you alright, Roz?” I don’t want to lie to him but I feel as though my heart is actually breaking. I don’t want to leave this place or these people behind. I close my eyes for a moment then just look up at him without answering. He understands even if I don’t speak.

“Okay then. Let’s get you to the train and you can fill me in on our way.”

Once we reach the train and settled, I try to think of how much I can tell Masters. I have decided to find out how much he knows first.

“So you knew about Malik and Dex?” I ask even though I know that as head of defense, he must have. Masters confirms it by nodding.

“Yes, I’ve known them both for a while, which is why I knew you would be safe there and find some answers. But it looks like you found more than I was expecting, eh?”  He is obviously talking about my relationship with Dex but I don’t want to go into it right now.

“How’s Natasha doing? Have you given her a ring yet?” Masters only laughs.

“It’s none of my business. Point taken.” He says. I smile at him. As closed off as Masters tries to be, we have come to pretty good understanding and friendship.

“I’ve missed you, ya big brute.” I said with a smile.

He smiles down at me in return.  “I’ve missed you too, little one. Now, enough with the sentimental crap; we need to get on the same page before we hit the Ministry.”

He is right. As much as I want to curl up into a ball and sleep my worries away, I cannot. The minute we hit the Ministry, the Council will have Annabelle waiting for me.

“You are right. I’m going to leave some details out and there’s a few things I can’t say, but I’m pretty sure you already have an idea about what’s going on.” He nods his head.

“No matter what your views are Masters I don’t care, I’m going to fight for what I think is best for this Country and I need to know you will back me up, no matter what.”

“No matter what.” He replies with conviction. I know I can count on him.

I fill him in on whatever I can tell him. I spoke to him about replacing Holder with Green and he has surprisingly agreed. I also told him that there is someone I am looking for and that the only way to find him is to look for him myself. I haven’t given him Ed’s name but I have informed him that starting next week, we are going to tour the home for the dying and the convalescing. He has agreed with everything I tell him and I am able to at least breathe easy, knowing that Masters is by my side.

“One last thing, Masters; I’m sorry to put you in this position and I’m not sure where things stand with you and Tash right now, but you can’t tell her any of this. It’s an order Kevin, anything I tell you about Ministry business is in the vault. Understand?”

He studies me for a moment; he looks like he wants to argue, but all he does in the end is just nod. “Natasha understands that secrecy is a part of the job, as it is with hers as well.”

Good, for a minute I imagine him saying that he can’t do it. I know Natasha is on my side, but she also backs the Ministry and what they do. If she knows that I am trying to find a way to change that, she can easily become a very big problem.

Once Masters is fully on board with my plan, I am finally able to sit back and relax for a bit.

“So you are really going to do it, take on the Council?” he inquires with a look of awe in his eyes.

“I’m going to try.”

“You will be the first, Roz. Not one previous President has tried to fight the Council, not one.” This can’t be true, can it? As in, never? How can they just accept at face value everything they are told? Nonetheless, looking back at the only two presidents I’ve met, I can understand why: they are both powerful men with high intelligence and strong values in particular areas, but they are older and don't have as much fight in them. Choosing me, the younger one, was a good move on their part, but it also means I have more fight in me. I have more conviction and I refuse to sit back and be anyone’s puppet.

“We will be there soon.” Masters breaks through my thoughts.

“If you want to be taken seriously, you are going to have to look the part. I brought a suit made for you; it’s in the bathroom compartment. Go change.” I smile at him and make my way back to the bathroom. That is thoughtful of him to think about something so minor, yet he is right. What was I thinking, going to meet with the ten most powerful people in the country in my jeans and dirty t-shirt?

I pull the suit out of the bag and I can’t help but laugh out loud at the sight of the bright red suite with a white lace blouse underneath. A matching red knee length pencil skirt accompanies the jacket. It will make me look powerful, sleek and refined. I put the ensemble on and the white pumps that I have found to go with them. Hanging on the hanger is the necklace from my mother. Master has obviously thought of everything. I pull my hair back into a twist and look into the mirror. All traces of that naive sixteen year old girl are now gone. In her place is a strong, powerful and confident woman.
This is going to work, there is no failing
, I encourage myself. I square my shoulders and approach Masters who lets out a long whistle.

“You know if this job falls through, you can have a killer career as a personal designer. I didn’t know you had it in you.” I tease him as Master gives me his signature glare.

“I asked Natasha for help to make you look more presentable. The red was her idea because she said that besides from being the national color, it instills confidence and brings men to their knees.” He grins slyly. Leave it to Natasha to come through for me even though I’ve kept her in the complete dark.

“Should I take a picture and send it to Dex for you?” Masters asks smugly. I shoot him a death glare and before I can blink, a flash goes off.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I state in shock. “You keep a camera on you?”

“You never know when you need to photograph evidence,” he answers with a grin. “I never would have imagined you two together, you know that? Total opposites in every way; it’s almost comical.”

“Well, I am glad I can give you a nice laugh,” I say with bitterness in my tone.

Masters’ face instantly softens. “Hey now, I am not making fun of you. I meant what I said. I wouldn’t have expected it but somehow it works. I haven’t seen him that happy in a long time, and he brings out a much needed vulnerability in you that I’m glad to have seen.” His words calm me. He thinks we are a good match, and I am so happy to hear that.

“You are going to break a lot of hearts though; everyone has their hearts set on you and Wes getting together.” He says with a sly grin.

I can’t stop the groan that comes out. “Seriously, when are people going to get it that you can be friends with someone of the opposite sex without being romantic. Poor Wes, everyone is going to think I jilted him.”

Masters is already bursting out with laughter by now.

“You know, Tash has been good for you too. You look much happier and I’m glad for that. You truly deserve to be happy.”

He puts his arm on my shoulder and I try to lighten the moment. “Just think of how cute and menacing your little babies are going to be.”

Upon hearing my comment, it's his turn to groan now.

The train comes to a stop and the lightness of the moment evaporates in an instant. My stomach dropped to the floor and for a moment, I think I am going to be sick. Masters is at my side immediately and has his arm around me for support. “Are you going to be alright, Roz? I can tell them that you are not feeling well and that you need a few days.” I am thankful that he is so considerate, but as much as I want to hide out, I need to get this over with.

“No, I’ll be okay. It’s time to put my game face on.”
And try not to crap my pants
, I add in my head silently. As much as I have everyone else believing that I can do this, I am not so sure. I really feel like at any moment I will get sick and ask the Council to find a replacement. I understand now why it was so easy for Malik and Dex to leave; that’s exactly what I want to do right now. But I will not give in to the weakness. I think of my parents, Wes and Molly and how much they believe in me. I can draw on their belief enough to get me through this meeting; I have to.

Just as we thought, standing in front of the Ministry building is Annabelle. She looks so much older and ten times more exhausted now than the last time I saw her. For a brief moment, I am able to put myself in her shoes and imagine how much stress and pressure she must be under. But I can’t let that sway me now. She made her choices just as I am making mine.

We walk up to her and stop. She nods at Masters who looks down at me to make sure that I am alright. I nod back and he turns to leave. I am all on my own now.

“Good morning Roz, I'm so glad you're back!"

"Annabelle.”

Is my only greeting, and she looks taken back by my coldness. I don’t think she was expecting a warm welcome, but clearly she isn’t prepared for my anger either.

“Listen, Roz—” I cut her off. I don’t want to hear anything she has to say. I have considered her a friend so her betrayal has cut deeper than the other members.

“Save it for the Council, Annabelle.”  She bows her head, looking defeated, and we make our way to the Council room. I feel no awe at the beauty around me anymore; I don’t feel the welcoming feeling of home as I had on my last trip. I can only feel the lies and half-truths swarming around me.

We pass Aspen’s desk and she looks up at us with hope in her eyes. She can tell from Annabelle’s posture and my coldness that it isn’t time to share pleasantries. She gives me a shy smile which I return. When we reach the Council room, Annabelle scans herself in and I follow behind her. As we approach the table, I can see her give a very brief shake of her head to Samuel. Interesting, so she was sent to butter me up, was she? From the look on Samuel’s face, I can tell it isn’t the response they are hoping for. Well, that’s just too bad.

Samuel starts the meeting as soon as I have taken my seat. “Good Morning, Roz. It’s nice to see you are back.”

“Is it? You must have missed having your puppet gone, no strings to pull and all that.”

“Now listen here, missy—” Peter begins but Samuel stops him.

“No, Peter, hear her out. She’s angry, and she has every right to be.”

“Angry? I get angry when Wes leaves the toilet seat up, or when I'm out of chocolate! I’m beyond angry!” I jump to my feet. “Tell me right now how I can go forward and believe anything that comes out of any of your mouths?”

I slowly work my way through the entire room, making eye contact with everyone. It is important that I connect with each of them on a personal level.