Captured by Desire

𝕱𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖊𝖓

Jealou$ly by The Neighbourhood

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As I stepped through the grand entrance of the White House, the weight of the place always struck me, no matter how many times I'd been there. Today, I chose a dress—something simple but elegant. I wasn't entirely sure what Kamala had planned for me, but I figured dressing up might make things smoother, just in case.

I couldn't help but feel a little guilty about my routine. I'd visit Kamala, and then, almost like clockwork, I'd find myself with Ruby afterward. It was like I needed both. Kamala was my high, the rush that kept me going, while Ruby was my antidote, the comfort I sought once the adrenaline wore off. Kamala was my addiction, and Ruby, my cure.

I walked through the familiar corridors of the West Wing, the quiet hum of activity surrounding me as I approached her office. Following my usual routine, I pressed my ear gently against the door, listening for any sounds from within. Then, with three rhythmic knocks, I announced my arrival. I stood there for a moment, waiting, until I heard her familiar voice call out, welcoming me inside.

I pushed open the door, my eyes instinctively scanning the room as they always did. But this time, they settled on something I never could have anticipated. It caught me off guard, sending a jolt of surprise through me, a sight that completely shattered my expectations.

"What are you all doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with confusion as I slowly pulled the door shut behind me. My hand lingered on the knob for a moment, as if grounding myself from the surprise. I scanned their faces, still trying to process the unexpected scene before me, my mind racing to catch up with the situation.

"Hey, hon!" my dad called out, getting to his feet from one of the couches in the center of the room. His familiar grin was warm, but the whole scene felt surreal. My mom sat beside him, not standing just yet, but giving me a soft smile. Across from them, Kamala remained seated on the opposite couch, her hands resting gracefully in her lap, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she watched the moment unfold.

"I'm sorry, but what's going on?" I asked quietly, my voice barely above a whisper as my gaze shifted to Kamala. My eyes searched hers for some kind of explanation, trying to make sense of the gathering in front of me.

"I noticed them outside the White House earlier, so I thought I'd be nice and offer them an exclusive tour of the inside," Kamala said with a nod, her tone light and casual, as if this unexpected meeting was the most natural thing in the world.

"It was really nice of her, actually," my mom chimed in, drawing my attention to her. I blinked, trying to process what I just heard. Did my mom just say it was nice of Kamala to invite them in?

I paused for a moment, letting the situation sink in. My parents—casually sitting in the Oval Office, as if it were no big deal. The realization hit me. The soft, rhythmic sound of a pen tapping that I'd heard earlier suddenly made sense. Kamala had been planning this all along, orchestrating this little gathering, likely with the intention of swaying their opinions. This wasn't just a casual visit—it was a strategic move, and now, my parents were in the middle of it.

"I—" I faltered, momentarily frozen as I scrambled to find the right words. "I actually need to be somewhere right now. It was really nice seeing you guys, but I've got to go." My explanation came out in a rush, and before any of them could protest or try to convince me to stay, I reached for the white door and swiftly slipped out of the room. My heart raced as I made my exit, shutting the door behind me before they had a chance to pull me back in.

Thank God I remembered where Ruby's office was. My feet moved quickly, almost on autopilot, as I sped through the West Wing and made a beeline for the East Wing. Each step felt faster than the last, the overwhelming need to escape propelling me forward. I had no idea if she'd even be there or if she was busy with someone else, but I didn't care—I had to take my chances. I needed an out, somewhere familiar, somewhere safe. Right now, that place was Ruby's office, and nothing was going to stop me from getting there.