Deep in my thoughts, I wanted to go back to what had happened last night and use my vibrator, but my phone pulled me out of my dream. I noticed my best friend, Cristin, had texted that she was at my door. Cristin was still in the business and worked with Penelope as an escort. We’d met in college. She’d studied political science, and I was a psychology major. People told me all the time how easy it was to talk to me and confess their deepest secrets.
Cristin: I know you're in there.
Me: I’m getting out of the tub now.
I stepped out of the tub and drained the water, brushed my teeth, rinsed out. I walked out of the bathroom and picked up my robe, then strolled to the front door of my house. I stepped aside as Cristin carried in a bag of food and coffee.
“Vanilla-almond extra-hot latte,” Cristin said and passed the coffee over.
I took a sip and closed the door. “Thank you.” Cristin plopped down on the couch and pulled the boxes out. I smelled my favorite: a strawberry waffle, and a scrambler. “You got my favorite.”
“I did, since that’s what you mostly eat—breakfast!” Cristin called out.
“I eat more than breakfast.”
“I know, but if it were up to you, we would have breakfast for lunch and dinner every day,” Cristin commented.
I rolled my eyes and grabbed the waffles and fork out of her hand.
“So?” Cristin looked toward me.
“What?”
“How was last night?” Cristin asked.
“It was fine.”
“Just fine? I don’t buy that, Laila,” Cristin stated, cutting into her omelet.
I grinned at her tone since she never brought up her dating habits. Cristin Lee was 31—a year younger than me—and worked as the Special Assistant to Congressman Turner Johns in the House. If he only knew who she was outside of the office, it would be a scandal all over the world.
Penelope is very discreet and keeps her team safe, so the real world won’t find out. The dates were all set up in advance. The only way anyone could have known about us was if the men gave themselves up, but most of them were in the public eye because they were celebrities, politicians, and professional high-profile businessmen.
“He asked me to be his girlfriend,” I explained.
“As in being a couple?” Cristin questioned, stretching her right arm across the back of the couch.
“Something like that.”
“How are you feeling about that?” Cristin took a sip of her coffee.
I shrugged, not ready for the onslaught of emotions that would come with being the girlfriend of the president, and the public finding out about my past. Sebastian not only wore his heart on his sleeve, but he also put his family and friends above his own happiness. I could admit that my feelings had grown over time; sometimes, I sat up and waited for his late-night calls, or for when Tony would drop off gifts for me from Sebastian. It just made our situation difficult because it wasn’t the typical boy-meets-girl type of thing.
“I need to get dressed,” I said.
“Do you have a client today?” Cristin asked.
“No, I'm mostly doing paperwork in my office today.” I stood, taking my coffee with me as Cristin strolled behind, talking about her latest dating issues. I pushed the door open and walked to my closet to pick out some comfortable business attire for the day.
“What does Carlton think about you moving on?” Cristin asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.
“I stopped talking to Carlton a year ago.”
“You know, he still thinks he owns you,” Cristin replied, grabbing the remote off the night table and turning the TV on.
I listened as the news was giving a special report on the president and his cabinet meeting. “Today, we have President Hunter, meeting with Congressman Stewart,” the anchorman said.
“There’s your boyfriend,” Cristin said and pointed at the TV.
I peered over my shoulder and saw Sebastian in his blue suit, shaking hands with Carlton.
“We have breaking news, ladies and gentlemen,” the anchorman continued. “It seems President Hunter’s press secretary has made an announcement.”
“Hello, everyone,” the press secretary stated. “The president wanted to make a statement before it gets blown up in the media.”
“What do you think this is about?” Cristin waved at the TV.
I shrugged; I never kept up with the happenings of Sebastian’s world.
“The president brought up a bill to Congress—a policy that everyone was onboard with—until Congressman Stewart decided to reject it,” the press secretary said.
I already knew something was off about this situation. Carlton was an egomaniac, and if he couldn’t have his way about things, then he’d bring everyone down with him.
“That means my phone will be ringing in five minutes,” Cristin said, and, like clockwork, it started ringing. She picked it up and answered.
I jumped up and went to toss my empty cup in the kitchen trash can.
“Yes, I’ll be right there,” Cristin replied, ended the call, and stood with her plate of food, then headed to the kitchen.
“Work calls?” I yelled out.
She pushed her leftovers toward me, and I waved her off. “We should do dinner and dancing sometime.” Cristin leaned against the door, while I finished cleaning the kitchen.
“Didn’t we just do a movie and shopping a month ago?”
“That was a month ago. Please, bestie?” she pouted.
I laughed at her little tantrum. “Fine. I’ll check my schedule and get back to you.” I opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.
Cristin reached out for a hug, and I stuck my tongue out at her. She returned the gesture, and I followed her toward the door to let her out. I finished cleaning my apartment and changed to leave for work.
AN HOUR LATER, I WAS sitting in my office, going through files and catching up on work that I hadn’t handled in a while. My secretary, Joyce, was off today since I didn’t have any clients. Joyce was an older woman in her 60s, who was recommended by Penelope because she was looking for something to do, now that her kids were grown and had kids of their own. She was a widower and working at the office kept her busy.
I liked being in the office by myself. It was peaceful and gave me more time to really understand the workload with each person in my care. I returned a few emails and checked over my supply inventory to see what I needed Joyce to order for me when she came back to work.
My phone started ringing. I picked it off my desk and noticed Penelope’s name.
“I was waiting for you to call, and you never did, so I decided to call you,” Penelope said when I answered.
“Sorry, things are crazy on my end.”
“What’s going on with you?” Penelope said.
“Nothing.”
“That doesn’t sound like nothing.You and the president are doing more than what you usually do with clients.” Penelope asked.
I heard rustling on the other end. “We’re having fun.How did you?” I flipped through the list of potential clients that Joyce had left on my desk for me.
“Ray made me aware.I’ve told you many times not to fall in love with a client,” Penelope replied.
I sighed; glad she couldn’t see my pained expression. “I’m starting to regret it already.”
“Where are you now? We should meet for lunch,” Penelope said.
“Working at the office.” I typed in a password and opened my calendar to see what I had coming up.
“How is that going? I know you didn’t want any help with startup money,” Penelope said.
I made a note to call back one of my longtime clients who had been seeing me. “Things are great and busy as ever.”
“Well, that’s good. And Joyce is working out for you?” Penelope queried.
“She’s great.”
“You remind me of a younger version of myself, Laila. Don’t let the political world crush your spirit,” Penelope said.<
br />
I blew out a breath of frustration. “I’m glad you called, Penelope,” I said.
“Me, too. I’ll let you go. But don’t forget lunch soon.”
“Sounds good. Let me get through this stack of folders, and we’ll talk,” I said and ended the call. I glanced over to a new email that popped up and saw it was from one of my clients, Delilah. “Hi, Dr. Daniels, I wanted to see if you have an opening for a noon appointment,” I read out loud. Joyce usually responded to appointment requests, but since I was here, I’d schedule her for some time in the coming weeks. I finished wrapping up my work and decided to head to my parents’ house. I was starting to clean up for the day when someone tapped on the door, and I called for them to come inside.
“Dr. Daniels?” Delilah said.
“Hi, Delilah; you caught me at a bad time.”
“Sorry, I apologize. I really need to talk to you.”
“Um...”
“Please, I’ve been spinning things around in my head,” Delilah said.
I gestured for her to take a seat on the couch. “What’s going on?” I grabbed my notepad and pen and came around to the chair in front of the couch to take a seat.
“I’ve been thinking about my past, and the mistakes I’ve made with my relationships,” Delilah said, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
“What mistakes?”
“A guy who I thought loved me was only using me.”
I checked my watch to look at the time and sighed.
“Is there somewhere you have to be?” Delilah asked.
“Actually, yes, I’m sorry. A family emergency.”
“Oh.”
“Listen, make an appointment with my secretary, and we can talk about this more.”
“Okay,” Delilah said and stood to leave.
Chapter 4: Laila
I OPENED THE CAR DOOR of my Audi A4, connected my Bluetooth, and started the car as I reversed out of my parking space. I turned at the stop sign and pulled into traffic, listening to my favorite singer, Jill Scott, while thinking about Sebastian. I slowed at a red light, and my phone vibrated. I picked it up to see Cristin texting me.
Cristin:Club Lux?
Me: Shouldn’t you be saving the world?
Cristin: That’s your boyfriend's job.
Me: Not funny.
Cristin: We need a night out. Drinks, dancing, and good dick.
Me: LOL! I already have one out of three.
Cristin: Don’t rub it in.
I chuckled at her response and pulled up to my parents’ home. I stepped out of the car and headed to the front door. It opened without me knocking.
“Hey, baby.” Mom held her arms out.
I reached over and gave her a hug. “Hi, how are you feeling?” I asked.
“I’m feeling good. The cancer isn’t back, so don’t worry,” Mom told me.
I strolled inside and went to the kitchen, then grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. She knew I’d been worried that it could come back ever since she went into remission. It scared me the first time, and I was a lot younger, so now, after researching and educating myself, I wanted to make sure that if she needed the best of the best, then we’d get it for her.
“Do you have any aspirin? I have a terrible headache.”
“Have a seat. Let me check the cabinet in the bathroom,” Mom said, walking to the back of the house.
I stood in front of the counter with my eyes closed and head down. “I need to call Ray again,” I whispered to myself.
Mom came back in the kitchen and handed me two Advils, staring at me.
I downed them, chugging the water. “What?” I asked.
Mom continued to stare at me as she went to the stove and picked up her knife, then started cutting the tomatoes. “The president?” Mom said.
“Mom,” I groaned, tossing the empty water bottle in the trash can. I sat in a chair at the table.
“We always wanted you to aim high, but this is huge,” Mom joked.
I rolled my eyes, nervously biting my nails. “Ma!”
“Calm down and tell me what’s going on,” she said, dropping the knife and turning toward me.
“I can’t say.”
“You can’t? Or you won’t say?” she questioned.
“It’s complicated. I wasn’t expecting this to happen.”
“Do you love him?”
I shook my head. “I care for him and have feelings, but I don’t think it’s turned into love,” I lied, not admitting that it was bordering on love, but I wanted to deny it for as long as possible.
“We should have him over for dinner,” Mom said, sitting across from me.
“He’s the president. I doubt he can just drop by for dinner with the family.”
She slapped the top of my hand. “Stop being sarcastic. Your father and I want you to be happy. We just didn’t expect it with him.”
“I didn’t, either.”
“Your life is going to be turned upside-down.”
“Why are you so calm about this?” I questioned, picking a cookie off the table and taking a bite.
“Because you deserve to be loved,” Mom remarked, rubbing my hand.
“I know this isn’t conventional, but I’ve never been in love.”
“You can have a love and a career, baby.”
“I know but seeing my friends and the crap they put up with just brings on a big headache.”
“I’m surprised it hasn’t gotten around in the media yet,” Mom stated, jumping up to turn the heat down under the boiling pot.
“It will.”
“Are you going to stay for dinner?” Mom asked.
“I have to talk with Sebastian first,” I said, taking into account that I might end up in jail later, after I confronted him.
“He’s cute,” Mom said.
“Where’s Dad?” I asked, changing the subject.
“At work. You know, he’s putting in overtime, as usual,” Mom fussed, folding her arms across her chest and facing me.
“He doesn’t have to do that anymore; I have plenty of money if you guys need anything.”
“Your father is a proud man. He’ll never slow down.” Mom smiled.
I jumped up, extending my arms for a hug.
“I already know your private life. Don't worry,” Mom said.
I kissed her cheek and released her. “Tell Dad I love him, and I’ll see you guys later,” I said, walked to the door, and opened it to reveal a crowd of photographers and flashing lights. I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, trying to compose myself.
“Laila Daniels! Ms. Daniels!” voices screamed from outside.
“My life is over,” I groaned.
“Go out the back, and I’ll distract them,” Mom suggested.
“No, I can’t leave you here by yourself.” I stuck my hand into my purse to dig my phone out and get Ray on the line.
“Who are you calling?” Mom asked, peeking through the window.
“Stay away from the window,” I said. I motioned for her to get back and sit down.
“More of them showed up.” Mom pointed out the window.
I closed the curtain, walked to my old room, and closed the door, calling Ray on the phone.
“He’s in a meeting, Laila,” Ray whispered.
I dropped onto the bed. “I don’t care if he’s negotiating with the leader of North Korea; you get him on the phone now,” I said through gritted teeth.
He sighed, and I heard whispering on the other end. “Give me a minute,” Ray responded.
I leaned back on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to massage my migraine away.
A few moments later, I heard a deep voice come onto the phone with an attitude. “What’s the problem, Laila?”
If I wasn’t secretly turned on just from his voice, then I’d curse him out for being so abrupt with me. “The problem, Sebastian, is that a group of photographers are stacked in front of my parents’ house,” I spat, sitting up and strolling to the window to
peek out.
“What do you mean?” he questioned.
“I mean you got your wish, Mr. President.”
He groaned and cursed at someone on the other end. “Listen, I’m sending Tony and Ray to get you,” Sebastian said.
“No, I want you to leave me alone. This has gone on long enough.”
“That’s not happening.”
“Sebastian.”
“Laila, I need to finish this meeting. I’ll meet you later tonight for dinner at the loft.”
“And if I don’t come?” I questioned.
“Then I’ll come to your parents’ house,” Sebastian said.
“You're crazy.”
“No, I’m a man who wants you, and you’ve made it clear that you want me, too,” Sebastian replied. He ended the call.
I dropped my phone on the bed and paced the bedroom floor for a little while. Then I grabbed my phone again and left my room to find my mom.
“What did he say?” she asked when I found her.
“He’s sending someone to pick me up.”
“Good. Your father is going to freak out once someone tells him,” Mom said.
“You and Dad should come stay with me for a few days until it dies down.”
She waved me off and went into the kitchen to finish cooking.
“I’m serious,” I urged.
“It won't be over in a few days, baby. You need to understand that you’re going down in the history books.”
I plopped down onto the chair, holding my head in my hands. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
A knock at the door caused me to jump up and curse them out for interrupting my life. I yanked the door open, and it was only Tony standing there. I leaned out the door and looked around. All the news vans were gone.
“What did you do?” I asked.
Tony motioned at the car, and the door opened. Seeing Ray step out meant that Sebastian wasn’t playing with me. “I gave them another story,” Ray said and stepped inside the house.
“Just like that?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest.
“Being a congressman has its perks. Are you okay?” Ray questioned, looking around the living room.
Mutual Agreement(A Presidential Romance) Page 4
