214 Most idle

The call ended and Valarie stared ahead in confusion. Her mind was blank and she looked dazed. Ryder and Preston watched her staring at them, but her concentration was somewhere else and she was in deep thought. 

"Val, what's the matter?" Ryder asked. He and Preston had been observing her since the time she had picked up the call and had heard her speak politely on the phone. They did not know who she was speaking to. But it was clear from her tone that he was a very important person.

"Who was that on the phone?" Preston asked next when she did not answer Ryder's question.

"It was the President." She answered this time rendering the two men speechless.

"What did he want? Is it something serious? Why did he call you?" Ryder started firing his questions without any break.

Valarie blinked twice, thrice seeing him panic. Why was he getting agitated? Everything was alright, right?