Behind Closed doors

Chapter 7

Lauren put on a serious face and escorted Kamala to the car, her posture rigid and professional. She moved swiftly, ensuring Kamala and her assistant Sam were safely settled inside before the doors clicked shut. Kamala's staff climbed into another vehicle, leaving only the three of them alone in the backseat—Kamala, Lauren, and Sam.

As the car pulled away, the steady hum of the engine filled the silence. Sam, seated in front of Kamala, wasted no time diving into the details of the day's event. "So, we're scheduled to meet with the local business owners first," Sam began, her voice efficient and businesslike as she scrolled through her tablet. "They'll want to discuss some of the recent policy changes and how it's affecting their bottom line. I've highlighted a few key points to focus on—ways we can frame the administration's support for small businesses."

Kamala nodded, glancing over her notes with the same measured focus she always carried. "Good. I want to emphasize sustainability and local growth. We need to show that we're listening to their concerns, but also that we're pushing for long-term solutions."

Her voice was steady, commanding, but there was a flicker of something underneath—a tension she was trying to mask. Kamala's eyes occasionally darted to the side, in Lauren's direction, though she quickly pulled them back to the documents in her lap. She spoke with her usual poise, but there was an undercurrent of distraction, like she was trying to force herself to stay focus in the moment.

Sam, eager to be helpful, chimed in with suggestions. "We should probably also touch on the impact of the new tariffs. A few of the vendors might bring it up, and we should be ready to address any concerns they have about price increases."

Kamala nodded again, her brow furrowing slightly as she scanned through her notes. "Yes, you're right. Make sure the team has the latest numbers on that. We need to be prepared."

As Sam continued to run through the agenda, her voice energetic and thorough, Lauren sat quietly by the window, her attention miles away from the conversation. The world outside blurred as the car moved through the streets of Washington D.C., but Lauren's mind was lost in thoughts of Kamala—thoughts she couldn't afford to entertain.

Her hands rested tensely in her lap, her fingers occasionally tightening into fists before she forced them to relax again. The faint scent of Kamala's perfume still clung to the air, a reminder of how close they had been. And now, after seeing her in her husband's arm, she should stop thinking about her, Lauren had to pretend the kiss they shared, Knowing how she taste didn't meant anything.

Kamala glanced over at Lauren again, just for a second, as if waiting for her to contribute to the conversation, but Lauren kept her eyes fixed on the window. She could feel Kamala's gaze flicker over to her now and then, but she refused to meet it. She couldn't afford to. She wasn't going to be Kamala's mistress. That much she had decided. But making that decision didn't make it any easier.

The conversation shifted, and soon they were discussing more casual topics, wrapping up the details of the farmers' market duties. Kamala's attention eventually drifted back to her documents, leaving Sam free to turn her focus elsewhere. Sam scooted closer to Lauren, her voice taking on a softer, more flirtatious tone.

"Hey," Sam started, her lips curving into a smile. "Why are so quiet ?"

"I'm not, i'm just focus, you know always being on guard"

Sam's smile deepened as she leaned in a little closer, her voice still playful. "Oh yes, madam the bodyguard," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Do you train a lot? Because you do have some muscles." She chuckled lightly, her gaze dipping ever so briefly to Lauren's arms before meeting her eyes again.