Chapter 208: Oval Office

Chapter 208: Oval Office

“The President will see you now, Mr. Vand.”

John Vand nodded to the woman ready to escort him to the President of the United States office. He stood and followed her to the oval office entrance where she stopped and motioned for him to enter.

“Thank you, madam.” John smiled at her as he entered.

“Mr. John Vand! You bastard. What took you so long to come say hi after my winning the election?”

John smiled, “Hammond. Or rather, President Hammond now is it?”

The two men sat across from one another in comfortable navy-blue chairs with a coffee table between the two.

“Congratulations on your election. I suppose you and Vice President Arthur Davis are some kind of war heroes around here now, yes?”

Hammond smiled and nodded as he took out a tray of cigars, “Shall we celebrate?”

John smirked back at him as he pulled out a flat storage container from his suit jacket pocket. He popped it open revealing two of the world’s finest Cuban cigars, “If we are to celebrate, let’s use these.”

Hammond nodded his head with a big smile as he put his tray down and picked up one of John’s Cuban cigars instead, “I should’ve expected as much from the richest man in the world. Cheers.”

The two men lit up their cigars and began to puff on them. John leaned back in his chair, “I’m not the richest man in the world anymore. I hardly have a dollar to my name these days. What I do have is power and knowledge.”

Hammond puffed on his cigar and blew a perfect smoke ring, “And why do I suspect that is what you are here to discuss? You’ve made a deal with a devil, and you need my help unwinding it. Is that it?”

“I’ve made a deal with a devil, yes. A dead one. But I’m not here to unwind it. I’m here to offer you advice as I know something the rest of the world does not. Not yet.” John then blew an equally impressive smoke ring.This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.

Hammond grunted, “I see you have perfected the art of cigars as have I. Tell me. Tell me what you know.”

John took a deep breath in, “What I have to say won’t be welcomed. So I’ll just say it.” He paused before continuing, “Xenia BloodStar is alive, and the war is not over.”

Hammond laughed and chuckled as he choked on his cigar, “John! Don’t joke with me like that while I smoke. My lungs can’t take it.”

Hammond eyed John noting his serious demeanor, “Surely you can’t be serious.”

Hammond chuckled, “Nonsense. Such nonsense, John.”

John stood from his chair, “If you do hear about the death of St. Michael in the next 12-24 hours, please consider turning Air Force One around and flying back to the states. Do not go to that wedding. I came to tell you all of this as a friend.”

Hammond stood and nodded to John, “We are still friends, John. Always will be. If your macabre predictions come true, I will reconsider my position.”

“And what position is that?”

“That you are a bloody lunatic. Ha!” Hammond pat John on the back as they walked towards the door to the oval office.

John stood in the doorway and turned to Hammond, “I’ve done and said all I can do. The rest is up to you Mr. President. Good luck.”

Hammond ignored his comment, “Will I be seeing you at the wedding, John?”

John smiled, “I’m afraid not. I’ll have to settle for the live broadcast within my mansion safely located in the Holy Light Empire.”

“Damn shame. You’d leave me with all those bloodsuckers save for Vice President Davis.”

John shot Hammond a serious look at the mention of Davis, “Distance yourself from him now. I mean it. Xenia will come for him. He betrayed her more than anyone. If you can, offer him up in a trade. Have him arrested and detained to appease Xenia.”

Hammond shook his head and took a deep sigh, “I value our friendship, John. But I think it’s time you go.”

John took a step towards Hammond; however, several CIA agents including Master Chief Washington stepped in to escort John off the White House campus.

Hammond returned to his desk and picked up the phone, “Yes, I apologize for the early phone call; however, I need to speak to St. Michael.”

“He is currently in a meeting with Mr. Eric Vand. They are touring the vault. Should I interrupt their meeting for you Mr. President?”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary. Just have him call me once he’s finished. I have some unusual news I would like to discuss with him.”

“Very well, Mr. President. I shall have him call you at once after his meeting.”

“Thank you. And should he be too busy today, tell him I will see him at the wedding tomorrow.” Hammond hung up the phone and sat back in his chair with his hand up to his chin in thought.

“A man who never lies. A man who is never wrong tells me an impossible truth. Who and what to believe... will depend on how things unfold over the next 24-48 hours.”