Heartless People |Book 3|

Chapter 17

"I thought we were celebrating being richer and cleverer than everyone else!"

—Scott Lynch

LISA

Before the opera started I took my beautiful wife to listen to her symphony, simply titled A Symphony for Jennie. We sat alone in our private box, since the opera house had been closed off to everyone else. The piece started off strong, then it melted into a soft, almost broken tune, and returned with an even stronger closing...just like stages of our life together.

She'd said nothing throughout the piece, but she openly held my hand as we walked out into the gallery. There was to be a pre-opera celebration that was being held for everyone who had their opera tickets, and it soon seemed like it was a who's who of Washington's most powerful in attendance. The entire top level of the building was just one grand ballroom, and it seemed as though Jen and I were the main attraction.

Had I known this would be the case, I would've made sure that our entrance was inconspicuous. I didn't even truly want be here; I'd only wanted some alone time with her. Instead, we had to spend our time faking it all night for these people.

"Ms. Manoban, it's about time you made it to Washington," Senator Andrew Kelly, of Texas stated. He worked with big oil and some other shit he kept mouthing off about.

"I never knew I was wanted here."

"Ms. Manoban, we all know that if it weren't for your generous donations to President Myoi, he wouldn't be in the big office," Senator Jeffrey Boxer, of North Carolina, replied, and I fought the urge the roll my eyes.

"Generous donations? I have no idea what you mean. After all, isn't that the purpose of super PACs?" I winked, and they all laughed as they ate out of the palm of my hand even though I was feeding them shit.

"Well, you should know, if you ever need anything, we can work something out. We know your marijuana businesses are making significant progress, but there's still some red tape to cross to get your ventures off the ground," Senator Kelly stated as his fat chest puffed out.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm not sure if your constituents are in favor of my new business ventures."

Boxer snorted, as he rolled his eyes and looked around the grand ballroom. "You and I both know that the kingmakers are all here. We can pretend that democracy truly means what the people want it to, but it's about survival, about triumph. And no man embodies that as much as you do."

Politicians were a different breed of ruthless, a dirtier kind.

"You're quite correct, Senator, but before I sign my soul away, I should speak with my beautiful wife," I replied and they all laughed once more before turning to the women who were socializing with my wife.

It was petrifying how well she was able to fit in with the Stepford wives of these men; drinking champagne and probably talking about nothing more than how much of their husband's money they could spend.

"May I say, you have an impeccable wife, Ms. Manoban," Senator Kelly added, brownnosing like the scum he was.

No, you may not.

"I am truly lucky."

"The President is awarding you both with honors this Friday, isn't he?" Senator Boxer asked.

"Apparently getting arrested gets you a medal," I joked, and once again they all laughed. No wonder these people had big egos, they all laughed with each other no matter what was being said.

"Oh, do not be so humble, Ms. Manoban," a smooth and older voice spoke out, as the man I hated more than the devil himself stepped forward.

From his salt and pepper hair, to his wrinkled face and proud stance, all of which were wrapped up in a black and white designer suit...I hated everything about him.