Chapter 2-1
243 Words
Chapter 2
“Thank you for taking the time to see me, Dr. Bradley.” President Langley was looking tired. Her term in office had been brutal, Emma knew, and it had taken its toll on the woman, turning her clear amber skin to a sallow yellow, scoring wrinkles around eyes that were now heavily shadowed, and bracketing her mouth with deep grooves, turning her formerly full lips into a thin, tight line.
“It’s my pleasure, Madame President.” Emma was sorrowed to see the woman looking like that. Jeanine Langley had been her lover, years earlier when Emma had been working toward her first doctorate and the future president had been her advisor.
If it had become known on campus, their love would have been frowned upon, not because they were two women, but because they were student and mentor. Perhaps knowing that made it all the sweeter. Emma would have continued their relationship after she’d been awarded her doctorate in political science, but Dr. Langley had ended it, knowing this was what Emma needed, although it took some time for Emma herself to accept that.
President Langley’s gaze roved over the men and women who gathered in the Oval Office, seeming to linger for a moment on Vice President Hayden. Her lips in an even thinner line, she nodded toward a door in the far wall.
“Come into my private study, Doctor. See to it we’re not interrupted, Mr. Charles.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Her chief of security pulled the door firmly shut, leaving them alone together.
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