Scandal | Jack Schlossberg

Chapter 3

Authors Note: sorry for it being a smaller chapter, but i hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! i've actually been enjoying writing this for you guys more than I thought i would. the fall semester will be starting soon and i'll be going into my junior year of college AHHH im so exicted :')

We decided to keep the scandal of the affair private between the four of us, the stress of the situation taking a toll on our emotions. All we wanted was to ensure Jack's win as President, thus we took the accusation seriously.

Jack had asked me to look into her background, hoping to find anything that could discredit her claims. Thus, I had stayed up quite late the last two nights at the office surrounded by piles of documents, my laptop, and old watered down coffee cups. I missed my home so incredibly much, but I was willing to risk anything for our goals. I believed in this, and I believed in him.

My thoughts were consumed with the task of figuring out Elizabeth's true motive. And pushing away my growing feelings for Jack.

I was pathetic. He was attractive, of course... I had always noticed that. That's impossible to ignore. But every word he said, I drank it like water in the desert, thirsty to know him to the bone marrow. His likes and dislikes, his pet peeves, some of his fears, all the little things.

However, the foremost priority for me is sharing our policy goals with America and securing Jack's victory in the election.

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Later that afternoon, I found myself sitting on the couch in my office, watching a Netflix documentary to give myself a break from the madness.

A knock on my door pulled me from the TV. It was Jack, looking as exhausted as I felt. He stepped in and closed the door behind him.

"Oh sorry, I didn't realize you were taking a break." He said, his voice low.

I paused the TV, sitting up on the couch. "Oh you're okay. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be taking a break right now. I was just tired of-" Jack cut me off, coming towards the couch to sit next to me.

"You don't have to be sorry at all seriously. I've seen you putting in late nights for this, and you should know I recognize all you do for me.. I mean- well, for everyone," He smiled sheepishly, rubbing his palms on his leg. I could've sworn he sounded nervous. "Anyway, how's it going?"

I sighed, thinking about the shit progress I've made. "Slowly. There's not much on her that stands out. She's been with us for a while, but nothing suggests she would do something like this."

Jack leaned against the couch, closing his eyes. His presence is so comforting yet distracting. His frame was so tall and lean, I needed to look away before he noticed my stare. "I understand. I don't want to push you but.. we have to find something. You and I both know the accusation is false. I just don't want this to derail everything we've all worked for. Everyone has put so much into this and I don't want to let anyone down. I've been working with Liv to prepare a statement to control the situation in case it gets out of our hands."

His determination was infectious, but there was something more in his eyes—a vulnerability that I hadn't seen before. The room seemed to shrink as I focused on his words. He was so compassionate about the team, and so committed to win.

I thought for a moment, searching for the right words. I began cautiously, "From what I gathered, her motive doesn't seem to add up. Kids, a husband, an entire life worth throwing away? I think we need to consider why she's doing this."

He nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. "I know. That's what worries me the most." He paused for a moment before getting up. He paced around the room, his arms crossed and his teeth biting his lips.

Oh my god, I'm gonna go insane.

"I usually wouldn't do this, but fuck it, I'm going to play dirty. I can access her work email and forward it to you. As her employer, well, I have every right to access her emails if I have a reasonable right to."

I huffed in shock, this side of him unknown to me. This situation brought out versions of him I hadn't seen before. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't sexy.

"Wow, I feel like I've never seen this side of you. I like it." I replied, with a hint of flirtation in my tone, making him laugh. His laugh was like a blanket straight out of the laundry, comforting and warm. "Her email might expose more of her than I've been able to dig up."

"I'll get right on that then." He headed towards the door, stopping in front of it before turning around to look at me, "By the way, I'm thinking of going out to dinner tonight, maybe the Tango Room. Would you like to come?"

Shit. Okay, I cannot overthink this. He definitely wouldn't ask me out on a date so nonchalant like this. Or maybe he's really nervous and just trying to act cool and suave about it. Again, I'm just a really close associate of his, it's insanity to think he feels the same way.

It seemed as if he could read my mind and sensed that I was overthinking his dinner invitation. He cleared his throat and added, "I was going to invite others from the team, but- it can be us two if you want. Sorry, I should've said that."

My prolonged pause made me feel so stupid. Of course he meant a team dinner. I laughed awkwardly before replying, "Oh yeah of course- duh! I know you weren't asking me on a date or anything, that would be crazy. Yeah sure, I'd love to come."

Could I be anymore fucking awkward?

Sometimes I was so confident, flirting so unconsciously like I was a natural. Then I manage to embarrass myself and ruin it.

He reached for the door handle, "Great, I'll send you the details. Oh and forward her email. Good luck."

"Good luck." I spoke out loud to myself as he closed the door behind him.

I suppose going out tonight wouldn't be such a bad idea. I considered the team I worked with like real friends. We all had a collective future we worked for harmoniously, sacrificing personal time for success.

I walked towards my desk, logging back into my computer. A picture of me and my closest childhood friends staring back at me. I definitely had to see them soon, I missed them so much.

This wouldn't be the first time I saw Jack outside of the office, but everything was so different now. For me at least. I hoped that maybe, in some way, he felt the same.