1 Chapter 1

In a cold, metal room, three men are gathered around a bed that you would see in a hospital. To the side of one of the men, sits a metal surgeon cart.

One man has a small, sharp knife in his hand, while another, holds what seems to be a hot poker with a letter on the end of it.

If you were too look closer, you would see that there is a figure that is lying prone, on the bed. The focus of the three men, is on this figure.

Suddenly, something moves in the shadows of the room. "Come on, son. Why don't you just tell them the truth?" A figure growls from the shadows, as the prone figure whimpers.

"Come on." The voice coaxes in an ironically gentle way, much more welcoming than the previous growling. "If you tell them, this can be over. Alright, son?"

"I. Am. NOT. Your. SON!!" The figure growls at the shadows, from the bed.

This answer draws a scoff from the shadow, as well as one last chilling message; "You had your chance... son. Men. Finish off the rat."

Screams of pain, mixed with choking sobs, drown out the heavy foot steps, that are leaving the room.

*Two months earlier*

"President Helwind! Mr. President! Over here!"

A crowd of reporters, who had gathered at the Rose Garden, was demanding that President Helwind answer their questions. Some reporters were gathering so close to the stage, that the president's secret service agents had to push them back, as the president climbed onto the podium.

Once in front of the microphone, the president took his time, smiling, waving, and blowing kisses to the crowd, as his guards took their positions.

Next, he began his famous welcome speech... "Well, well. Would you look at the crowd, today?" No one looked, but Helwind continued anyway. "Yes, we have a big, big, very big crowd, and probably millions more are watching from home!"

The confused reporters nervously glanced around. It was not exactly true about the "big crowd." In fact, no big crowds had been able to gather, since the COVID-19 pandemic that had ravaged the world last year.

Moving away from the crowd talk, President Helwind found it more agreeable, to mention his gratitude that he felt for the people who got him elected. This topic, however, seemed to be a controversial one, which in turn, caused the reporters to erupt.

One of the President's service agents politely cleared his throat, signaling that President Helwind should move away from his current topic. Thankfully, the president got the hint, and started to scan the crowd for a reporter.

"You." The crowd of revelrous reporters silenced, as President Helwind finally pointed into the crowd, acknowledging an elderly reporter.

   "Mr. President," the gentleman began, "are you familiar with the name "Marley Jason?"

   The president's face scrunched up, as if he was trying to remember the name. "I'm sorry. Who?"

   "Marley Jason, sir." The reporter repeated.

The president seemed to think about the reporter's question again, seemingly searching for a face in his memory, to match the name. "Sorry, that is not a familiar name. I only remember the really great people. I don't know anything about that person. I don't know... I suppose that that person wasn't so great, you know?

Some people chuckled at the president's light-hearted comment, but the answer that he gave, was not satisfying to the reporter who had asked the question.

"Mr. Helwind." The reporter kept his voice low and even, "Marley Jason recently accused you of sleeping with her. Surely you must remember her?"

    The president glared at the reporter. His previous happy-go-Lucky demeanor, suddenly changed.

   "So you're saying that you believe that?" President Helwind asked.

Though the reporter's bravery stood firm on the outside, he felt himself crumbling internally. However, he dared to press the issue. "I'm not saying that I believe it, sir... I want to know if you believe it."

At this point, the other reporters were holding their breath. So were the service agents.

Helwind answered "well, if you want to believe that fake news, I don't care if you do. But let me just say, that if I recall that woman, she was incredibly unimpressive! I don't think I would have been able to remember her if I wanted to."

"So... you admit that you do know Marley Jason, Mr. President?"

Before the president could answer, a young man stepped between him and the microphone. After sharing some inaudible words with Helwind, the president left the stand without another word, leaving a boisterous crowd of unsatisfied reporters.

The young man turned to the crowd, with a calm look on his face. "I'm sorry." He began, "the President will not be taking anymore questions for today. Thank you"

The young man turned and walked off of the stage, and headed towards the back of the podium, ushering his superior along with him. They were both followed by "boos!" And protesting yells of "the president didn't even answer one of our questions!" One or two reporters even had the nerve to use some nasty expletives.

The young man seemed to not care about the derogatory comments and protests that he knew were aimed in part, at himself.

After he and Helwind were off of the podium, the young man nodded towards some of the President's men, indicating that it was time to go. The burly guards were quick to obey.

++++++++++++++++++

"I should thank you, Michael." Helwind said to the young man who was guiding him along the back of the podium. The angry reporters could still be heard in the background. "Those reporters were starting to get on my nerves."

"Oh. There's really no need to thank me, sir. It's all in a day's work for me." Michael said with a chuckle.

"Don't be foolish, son. I owe you one. How about dinner at my house!?"

"Thank you, sir. But..."

"No need to thank me, son! Hope you like pot roast! Mrs. Helwind makes the best one around! I expect to see you there at eight o'clock sharp!"

Michael sighed. It wasn't that he didn't like his boss, but the man could sure be persuasive and demanding at times. This was one of those times. When this happened, Michael knew that he would have to attend the dinner, or risk Helwind throwing one of his tantrums.

"Of course, Mr. Helwind," Michael said. "I would be honored to attend dinner with you and your wife." No, there was no point in arguing.

Helwind laughed joyously. "Of course you would be honored, son! After all, you're going to be dining with me!"

"Yes sir."

Suddenly, the president stopped laughing. His face turned serious, as he looked Michael squarely in the eyes. "By the way."

Michael smiled nervously. "Sir?" He asked, growing concerned. What was he in trouble for, this time?

"You took care of the whole M.J. fiasco... right?" Helwind asked.

Hearing these words. Michael relaxed. "Of course, Mr. Helwind. In fact, Tomas and I are going over to her place to give her the money, tonight."

"That's what I like to hear!" Helwind exclaimed, as he gripped Michael's shoulder. "All mistakes are solved and erased, when you have money like me!"

Michael smiled darkly. "And that's the part that I envy you for, Helwind." He said.

"Well. I expect you to pay her the full compensation tonight, and then I'll see you at eight." Helwind said with a wink. "I just can"t believe that that reporter seemed to know something about M.J."

Michael pattered Helwind's shoulder. "Don't worry, sir. By the end of tonight, the world will have forgotten all about the affair with Marley Jason."

Helwind smiled at Michael. "Michael," he began, "that's why you are like the perfect son that I never had. See you at eight."

Michael nodded. "Yes sir. I'll be there."

With that, the two men parted ways. One was headed home to his wife, while the other was on a mission to save the president's reputation... again.