Chapter Twenty-Three: He's Not Santa Claus.

The blinding lights of the camera hit him straight on, after he was done helping the less privileged at the community center.

The hail and cheers of the people made his heart swell in pride, that finally his hard work was paying off, not that he enjoyed what he was doing anyway.

But that was nothing but a scope to achieve what he wanted, the cheers took on another form when he turned to face the people, sending his regards and greetings to them.

Certainly, there's no doubt that he wasn't going to win this year's election. The people loved him for his generous affection towards the less privileged, unlike his fellow contestants that were going through devious means, to attain the position as the president of Country A.

Lately, he had gone deep into reaching the poorest, and underdeveloped area in the country, that needed the intervention of the government.

He had built schools, hospitals and connected electricity to different parts of the town, just to make the inhabitants happy enough.

Whereas, he was tagged 'The people's choice'.

"Mr. Singh, how exactly does it feel like, knowing that you are the people's choice for this year's election?"

A nosy reporter had to spoil his facade by asking him questions, which wasn't necessarily demanded by him.

He didn't want to give the wrong impression, that he was doing all these just so he could get something in return.

He didn't want the minds of the people to be infested, with the same ideology about what politicians were all about, he set out to make a difference, so he would do anything possible to keep aside the real him, and put on his mask while tolerating everyone.

He tried to act as if he was not bothered about the reporter's question, and his strategist noticed his uneasiness and decided to speak up.

"I'm sorry, but Mr.Singh isn't up to taking interviews yet, please if you will excuse us.''George politely declined the interview, and with the movement of his eyes, the guards paved a way amongst the crowd for him to leave.

The uproar about seeing Alex Singh, the potential candidate that was likely to win this year's election, made the town a popular one, and had to be in the eyes of the media houses recently.

Alex kept up with the pretentious smile, and was almost halfway out of the gathering, towards where his car was stationed out.

Until the mistake of an elderly man, who was lucky enough to grab his arm, his guard's were not in cue to notice what was happening.

The old man had already dragged him to meet his eyes, while his other hand carried the formidable, ugly looking poison called food, that he had made for the man.

"What the.." Cain, his head of security tried to sever the connection between the two. He tried to get rid of the old man's hand, but unfortunately the reporter's had swooped in, with their camera to record the cute moment.

"Forgive me sir, I just wanted..to show my appreciation for helping my sick daughter since after the establishment of the hospital in town, it's all thanks to you." The man smiled, holding up the home cooked meal toward Axel." Please, accept it."

"That's nice of you, but i don't think that's necessary," Alex Singh smiled shyly, trying hard not to snap at the man, for thinking so lowly of him to do what he was asking of him.

"Please sir, it's nothing much. My wife prepares this home cooked meal, and sells it in the market." The old man insisted.

"Wow, that's so nice of him."

"Maybe i should have brought something too, Mr. Singh is so generous."

"He's so lucky to be talking to such a prominent man, he's such a blessing to this town. I hope he wins the election."

The comments from all round the atmosphere made Alex less angry, he took his attention away from the old fool, who wasn't willing to back down.

"What's he waiting for? David's wife fried rice is the best in town"

This last statement had him frowning slightly, but it was gone before anyone could notice it. Whereas, this left him with no other option than to give in their demands.

"I think that's…"George tried talking him out of it, the young man knew his client so well, and wasn't in the mood to tackle his complaining ass afterwards.

But as usual, the ever so Mr. Goody two shoes sent him a gaze, that said that it was all right before he leaned forward, and took a bite from the food.

The cameras and screams going off this time around was worth it, as Alex forced himself to swallow the food, not that it tasted bad though.

He smiled towards the camera, said some few words about how loving the old man was, before he went for his car.

~~~

The car door was closed aggressively, and a paper bag was handed over to him as he forced himself to vomit what he just ate.

"Fuck!" He bashed his hand on his seat angrily, when his attempt to get that one silly bit of food out of his system, didn't prove futile.

"I tried to warn you against doing that sir,"George spoke up, sitting beside him in the car.

"Shut up!" Alex yelled at him, taking the can of water from him and washed his hands out of the window. He hated the touch of the peasants, their touch sickened him out.

Had it not been for what he stood to gain from what he was doing, he would be so angry that he just tasted some shit in the name of food.

What if it was poisoned?

"Get me out of here,"He ordered Cain, who complied immediately while he losed his tie, frustratingly to get some air into his system.

"Luckily, you are getting much more popular and loved by the people everyday, sir. So that's worth it." Christopher said, showing him the news headlines about him, and somehow he felt better after watching it.

But that didn't change the fact that he was tired of acting like he's a good person, because that's not what he is.

He's not fucking Santa Claus!