Behind Closed doors

Chapter 13

Later that night, Lauren found herself at her apartment, lounging on the couch with her best friend Tina. The two were enjoying a well-deserved break, each with a cold beer in hand. The TV played reruns of their favorite sitcom in the background, the laugh track providing comforting white noise.

Tina glanced at Lauren, curiosity in her eyes. "So, who was that mysterious woman calling you last time we were at the bar?" she asked, her eyebrow arched playfully.

Lauren took a swig of her beer, trying to play it cool. "Just... a work thing," she said nonchalantly.

Tina's eyes narrowed. "A work thing, huh?" she said, her voice dripping with skepticism. "You know you can't just throw that out there and expect me to let it go, right?"

Lauren rolled her eyes. "You're like a dog with a bone," she said, laughing.

"And you're hiding something juicy," Tina countered, setting her beer down on the coffee table with a clink. She leaned in, her eyes scanning Lauren's neck. "Are those...?"

Lauren's hand shot up to cover her neck, her face turning a deeper shade of red. She coughed, trying to cover her embarrassment. "It's nothing," she said, her voice strained. "Just an allergic reaction or something."

Tina's eyes narrowed further, and she leaned in closer. "That's not an allergic reaction, Lauren," she said, her voice laced with amusement. "It looks suspiciously like the marks a lover would leave."

Panic flared in Lauren's chest. She couldn't let Tina know about her relationship with the President. It was too risky, too dangerous. "Tina, please," she begged, her eyes pleading. "It's... complicated."

But Tina was already piecing it together. Her eyes widened in realization, and she leaned back with a gasp. "Oh my God," she whispered. "She's married, isn't she?"

Lauren coughed on her beer, spluttering as Tina's words hit too close to home. She quickly set the bottle down, wiping her mouth and avoiding Tina's gaze.

"Hm. Yes... there's more," Lauren admitted, her voice quiet.

Tina laughed, thinking it was all a joke. "What, like she's the president or something? Some super important person?"

Lauren stayed silent, her lips pressed into a thin line. Tina's laughter trailed off, her smile slowly fading as she studied Lauren's expression. Then, realization dawned on her, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Oh. My. God," Tina whispered, leaning back on the couch in shock. "Lauren... she's the President? Are you serious?"

Lauren nodded slowly, her face filled with a mixture of guilt and anxiety. She felt a weight lift off her chest but was terrified of how her friend might react.

Tina blinked a few times, processing the bombshell. "Wait, wait, wait," she said, putting her hand up as if to stop time for a moment. "You're telling me you've been secretly screwing the President of the United States? As in, Kamala Harris—the actual President?"

Lauren's eyes dropped to the floor, and she nodded again, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. Tina stared at her, her mouth still open in disbelief, then shook her head as if trying to clear her confusion. "Lauren, you're Kamala Harris's bodyguard, right? I mean HOT like how's the sex and isn't that... like, a huge conflict of interest?" Her tone shifted from shock to concern. "I mean, this isn't some casual fling—this is serious. She's married, and you could lose your job. Have you thought about what could happen if this got out?"

Lauren ran a hand through her hair, frustrated but trying to remain calm. "I know, Tina. Trust me, I've thought about it. But it's complicated. It's not like I can just walk away... or that I even want to."