by Aceves, Gigi
I swallow twice, steeling my resolve. “Yes.”
Nodding he puts his hand over his mouth to talk on his mic that’s hidden under the sleeve of his suit jacket. “Damien, get in the car, ‘Wildflower’ is moving. Everyone take your positions.”
I roll my eyes after Luke says my codename. I don’t even know why I was assigned that name. Wildflower? Really? Luke moves, and I walk behind him willing my heart to stop thudding like a jackhammer. I need to do this . . . I need to do this . . . yes, I do! As soon as Brody opens the door, I climb in and pull it shut.
I take in a few deep breaths, blowing them out as slowly as I can as my shield talks over his mic.
“She’s in. We’re ready to roll.”
It’s now or never. . . .
“I can’t do this anymore, Damien.”
“Sophia . . .” he sternly warns me.
“No,” I softly answer. “I need you to know how I feel. For once in my life, I want to say what I want to say . . . what I need to say. I don’t know when it happened, but it happened, anyway. I can’t control who my heart calls too.” I exhale to help relieve the trembling in my voice.
“I already explained to you the reason why, Sophia. Why are you making it so difficult?”
“Difficult? You’re right about that one. It wasn’t always easy to love you . . . but I still do. The brush offs are the most painful . . . the silence is like darts that always seem to land right where it hurts . . . the denial of what you feel is the worst. I’m done hoping, and that’s okay. Before I go though, I just want to tell you . . . I love you . . . will love you until there’s nothing left to feel.”
He turns to face me, but his eyes are covered, like always, with his annoying Oakley’s. Why even bother looking at him. . . . so I don’t. I look out the window instead.
“I’m here to do a job . . . an important one. Don’t complicate things, Sophia. Don’t.” His voice still resonates in my ears, his words are full of heat aimed straight to my waiting defenseless heart.
He leaves and walks directly toward Brody who’s standing directly in front of me. Once again, I’m enclosed in the safest car on Earth, but why doesn’t my heart ever feel safe in it?
Memories are mostly supposed to bring a smile to someone’s face. They bring sadness or resignation to mine, instead. I’m sitting on the steps that lead to the Rose Garden enjoying my final night in D.C. To most, the Rose Garden is synonymous to my dad’s press conferences with dignitaries, but to me, this is where I sit and think about life; and that’s exactly what I’m doing right now. The different hues of roses signifies, the different stages of my life while living in this place. Tears escape my eyes; tears I’ve been trying to control, but sometimes the pain grips too tightly and they fall unknowingly.
“Sophia, are you ready to head inside?”
His voice is my undoing . . . or the undoing of my tears and the devastation of my heart. They fall without permission, without any sense of self preservation. Why is it I always . . . always can’t get what I want—what I need? Why is it that whoever I need doesn’t need me, or worse doesn’t want me.
“Is there anything you want me to get for you?”
I shake my head in response. I don’t trust my voice not to squeak like a needy person. But, like always, he makes sure I’m fine without touching me. A piece of me dies every time he does that. Ever since that confession, he was moved back to my father’s detail. Hence, him standing beside the steps outside of the Oval Office.
I hear the door leading to the Oval Office open, my shoulders tense waiting on the most powerful man in the world to tell me what I need to do. But. . . .
“Is everything okay here, Damien?”
I wait for a few seconds to hear a response, but silence greets me once again which causes more tears to fall. How can I feel so protected and yet so alone.
“Yes, Mr. President,” he answers respectfully. His voice solid as always.
I don’t know who inhaled deeply. I’m guessing my dad did, because the man that holds my heart is forever in control of his emotions.
“For one second, I don’t want you to do your job. Talk to her . . . get.it.done,” my father instructs, and of course, he’ll follow. . . . he always follows orders—except mine.
Goodbyes—I hate them.
Because he always gives them to me.
DAMIEN
SIX MONTHS PRIOR
“Good morning, Mr. President,” I say with a nod.
“Can you walk with me, Damien?”
As we walk along the corridor of the residence to the elevator leading to the west wing, my mind is going a mile a minute thinking of what the President wants to tell me. Have I failed him? Have I missed something while we were at Camp David this past weekend? My musing stops once we hop in the elevator.
“Dad! Wait up. I need to ask you something,” Sophia, the President’s daughter shouts causing my erratic heart to pound even more mercilessly.
I hold the elevator door for her, not wanting it to hit her soft white skin. Only because it’s part of our job to keep our charge safe.
“Yes, princess. What do you have in mind?”
“Remember my interview a couple of months back on FoxNews with Hannity? I promised to visit Walter Reed Hospital, so before I get criticized, I want to do it now. My schedule is open tomorrow. What do you think?”
As always I stay stoic, unmoving behind them. Listening, but not wanting to hear anything at all. I’m not part of her detail, so that nightmare is out of my hands.
“Did you swing this idea by your mom? She can go with you.”
“Alright, then it’s done. I’ll have her set the time and the logistics.” She smiles up to her dad who smiles at her lovingly.
The only time I see the President let his guard down is whenever Sophia shows affection. He forgets about everything else. His focus is entirely hers and hers alone. Based on the gleam in her eyes, this is something she treasures beyond words.
I can’t wait to exit the elevator, so I don’t have to be in close proximity of the girl that just drives me insane. . . . and not in a good way.
“I’ll see you tonight, Dad! Have a fun day at work!” She giddily says as she walks toward the desk of Vivian, her dad’s personal aide.
Before going into the Oval Office, Daniel Andrews, turns and says, “Please, Sophia, be nice to your agents today. Act your age, will ya?”
She rolls her eyes. “I always act my age, Dad. It’s the people who have sticks up their asses who can’t handle a little bit of fun. You need to talk them. I’m only twenty three, Dad. I don’t want to act like a bulldog who’s upset all the time even at a ripe age of thirty.”
That’s a dig, and my hands itch to wring her neck this time. Forget about spanking, that shit is never going to work.
“Damien, please come with me. I need to talk to you about something.”
As we both walk into the Oval Office, my mind quickly leaves the brat currently sitting on Vivian’s desk and centers on what the most powerful man on Earth needs to talk to me about. He sits on the sofa in front of his desk and signals for me to take a seat across from him.
“Damien, I’ve seen your dedication and discipline while on my detail. I’ve already talked to Bill and suggested that you be switched to my daughter’s detail. I know she’ll listen to you, or let me re-phrase that. . . . you’re the only one I think who can make her listen. Not that she doesn’t know how, but she always seems to pull a fast one on Luke. Plus. . . .” He stops and laughs while shaking his head. “I don’t want Luke to die of a heart attack at such a young age.” Stopping again to think, appearing somber. “Are you up for the challenge?”
I sit up straight as I twine my fingers together. “The challenge isn’t the problem, Mr. President. I don’t think Sophia and I can share the same air space.”
“You have carte blanche on my daughter’s safety, Damien. You come with great recommendations, not only from your peers, but your superiors. I can sleep well
at night knowing my daughter is in good hands.”
“Carte blanche? Are you sure, Mr. President? I’ll follow protocols, but what I won’t change is the manner in which I execute them. I’m used to people following my orders, and if they’re not followed, consequences are given, strictly and without mercy.”
He cocks his head to the side as he eyes me. “Strictly, without mercy. I like that. Just remember, she’s my princess.”
He stands to shake my hand, and I take it, doing what I do best, I accept the challenge.
“I’ll remember, Sir; she’s your princess, but while she’s my charge . . . I’ll make her my queen. I’m her shield until you tell me to stand down.”
As I walk out of the Oval Office straight to the office of the Director of the Secret Service, I ponder what I’ve gotten myself into. I’ve officially died and gone straight to the pits of hell.
Decisions—I love making them.
But, not this one . . . I hope my heart stands still. I can’t afford it to beat for anyone, least of all her.
OF COURSE, LIKE ALWAYS I thank Him who has blessed and surrounded me with the right people to help guide me in this endeavor. This has been an unforgettable journey for this crazy lady.
Unexpected—the level of commitment my betas have given me. I am most thankful to every single one of you ladies.
Never—will I forget every single one who has helped me in this journey
Family—my hubs and my girls have been understanding and patient in sharing me with this thing I always put my hands on—my computer.
Overwhelmed—by the readers who have supported me since publishing my first book.
Roller—coaster, I hate riding them but in this journey, they’re unavoidable. So, be prepared to hear me scream. . . . maybe lose it from time to time.
Gandalf—my own personal wizard. Heather McNeal thank you for being my beta and my awesome cover designer. Thanks for being truthful and saying everything in love. I truly appreciate it.
Editor—my angel, Angie. Thank you so much for always being there, for giving your time unselfishly, not for your own benefit but mine. I’ll be forever grateful and indebted to your kindness. Our friendship is one of the most unforgettable forks I’ve travelled in my life.
Teresa (TK)—another beta who has been with me since the beginning. Thank you for your input and your encouragement.
Terri—what can I say, other than thank you for doing this for me. I appreciate you immensely. I love how your brain works. Thanks for challenging me.
Anna—thanks for allowing this crazy lady to call you and rattle on and on about things. Hopefully, we can meet in the near future! Promise, I don’t bite.
Best Pimper—thanks Jamie B. for always thinking of me. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. . . . you are a blessing to me! That’s all.
Lesli—what can I say woman, other than your encouragements mean the world to me. Your timing is impeccable when I need redirection. It’s like God has you on speed dial to tell you ‘take the whip out, crazy lady needs correction.’ Okay, God and whip can’t be in the same sentence! Thank you for going all Fifty Shades on me, Leslie!
Endless—my appreciation to every single one of you is without measure. Everyone who has been a part of this journey has my undying gratitude. To the readers who took the chance and continue to, THANK YOU. The sleepless nights, non-stop worrying, nail biting, hair pulling (my hubs won’t pull my hair . . . what a shame), ice cream eating marathon, and other things my crazy brain screams for my body to do is all worth it in the end. As long as the message I want to impart is understood, the comic relief I wish to convey has brought laughter, tears of joy/sadness I manage to make your eyes expel have been achieved, then I guess my job is done. I’ll stop when it’s done.
Jason Mraz ~ The Woman I Love
P!nk & Nate Reuss ~ Just Give Me A Reason
Francesca Battistelli ~ Angel By Your Side
Death Cab for Cutie ~ I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Hunter Hayes ~ Still Fallin’
Dan + Shay ~ Show You Off
Griffin House ~ Go Through It
Bruno Mars ~ Marry You
Passenger ~ The One You Love
Passenger ~ I See Love
Coldplay ~ The Scientist
Eric Hutchinson ~ Breakdown More
Jason Marz ~ Love Someone
5 Seconds of Summer ~ Amnesia
Bo Bice ~ Nothing Without You
Chicago ~ You’re The Inspiration
Smokie ~ Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Journey ~ When You Love A Woman
Journey ~ Faithfully
Daniel Powter ~ What I Meant To Say
Ariana Grande ~ My Everything
David Gruetta ~ Without You
Nat King Cole ~ Unforgettable
Christina Perri/Ed Sheeran ~ Be My Forever
Passenger ~ Heart’s On Fire
The Swon Brothers ~ Pray For You
Rascal Flatts ~ My Wish
Cindi Lauper ~ Time After Time
Mumford & Sons ~ Reminder
Mumford & Sons ~ I Will Wait
The Lonely Hearts ~ Here Comes The Sun
Imagine Dragons ~ Demons
Imagine Dragons ~ On Top Of The World
Edwin McCain ~ Walk With Me
Lifehouse ~ You and Me
Creed ~ With Arms Wide Open
Owl City ~ You’re Not Alone
Dixie Chicks ~ Not Ready To Make Nice
Kip Moore ~ Faith When I Fall
Savage Garden ~ I Knew I Loved You
Avril Lavigne ~ Slipped Away
Tim McGraw ~ Don’t Take The Girl
Ben Rector ~ When A Heart Breaks
Ben Rector ~ White Dress
R.E.M. ~ Everybody Hurts
Lion King Soundtrack ~ Hakuna Matata
Pentatonix ~ Say Something
Pentatonix ~ I Need Your Love
Jeremy Camp ~ You Never Let Go
Blue Confession ~ Best Day Yet
Matthew West ~ Strong Enough
Glen Hansard ~ Song of Good Hope
Carrie Underwood ~ See You Again
Rod Steward ~ Father & Son
AFTER GROWING UP IN THE Philippines, I now live in California with my husband and two girls. My husband survived two bouts of cancer, AML Leukemia and Mucoid Carcinoma; hence, the inspiration for Unbreakable. I thank the good Lord for healing my husband, twice. It can't get any better than that.
Our oldest, Andrea is a junior in APU. When she looks at my computer, the first thing out of her mouth is “Mom! What are you looking at? Dad!” Our youngest, Allysa is a freshman in high school. The few times she passed by me and looked over my shoulder when I was writing, her reaction was, “Mom! I'm telling dad!” There you have it; I have two double agents in my house. What happened to loyalty?
If my husband is the ying to my yang, Andrea is the Marlin to my Dory while Allysa is the Buzz Lightyear to my Woody. I love the beach, but I hate the sand; I love to travel, but I hate to fly; I love to eat but, I hate gaining weight (all women can relate to this); and so goes my little quirks in life.
Am I crazy? Well, the jury is still out on that one; however, I'd like to think if I can make one person smile with my craziness, it's all worth it.
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ABLE SERIES
UNBREAKABLE (Able Series Book 1)
Purchase from Amazon
UNMISTAKABLE (Able Series Book 2)
Purchase from Amazon
UNFORGETTABLE (Able Series Book 3)
Thank you for reading Unforgettable.
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