Behind Closed doors

Chapter 30

The dining room in the White House was elegantly set, the long mahogany table polished to a shine and adorned with flickering candles and an array of fine china. Kamala sat at the head of the table, a deliberate choice to maintain some sense of authority despite the very personal nature of the gathering. Lauren sat to her right, visibly composed but stealing nervous glances at the woman across from her—Maya. Meanwhile, Meena, ever the source of levity, had planted herself beside Lauren, a mischievous grin already tugging at her lips.

The atmosphere was comfortable, if a bit charged. Kamala cleared her throat as the first course was served, her gaze flicking between her family and Lauren. "Thank you all for joining tonight," she began, her tone formal but warm. "I wanted us to have this dinner because now that you know about... us"—she gestured between herself and Lauren—"I think it's time we stop hiding."

"About time," Meena quipped, stabbing her fork into her salad. She turned to Lauren with a wink. "You've been sneaking around for how long? And I mean, with what I saw and, uh, heard earlier you weren't really discreet, it's pretty clear Auntie Kam is living her best life."

Kamala's hand flew to her face, covering her eyes as she groaned. "Meena, please."

Lauren couldn't help but chuckle, though she tried to keep it subdued. "Meena, you really don't hold back, do you?"

"Never have, never will," Meena replied cheerfully. "But seriously, Lauren, welcome to the family. I'm rooting for you. And thanks for making sure Auntie Kam gets some action. She's been overdue."

Kamala choked on her water, coughing violently as Meena grinned. Maya passed her a napkin with a deadpan expression. "Really, Meena? Do you have any filter?"

"Nope," Meena said, popping a cherry tomato into her mouth.

Once Kamala recovered, she shot Meena a look before turning to Maya, who had been silently studying Lauren for most of the evening. "Maya, you've been awfully quiet. Care to join the conversation?"

Maya straightened in her seat, her gaze landing squarely on Lauren. "Fine. Let's talk." She set her utensils down deliberately, her expression firm but not unkind. "Lauren, how old are you?"

Kamala stiffened at the question, glancing at Lauren nervously. "Maya—"

"It's okay," Lauren interrupted, her tone calm as she met Maya's gaze. "I'm 25."

Maya raised an eyebrow, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Twenty-five. You're closer in age to my daughter and that would be 15 years older, than you are to my sister."

"Technically true," Meena interjected, leaning forward with a grin. "But hey, age is just a number, right? Love is love. And she's making sure to keep auntie youn-"

"Meena, enough," Kamala said sharply, though her cheeks were already flushed. She turned to Maya, her voice softer. "Maya, don't make this a bigger issue than it needs to be."

Maya ignored her sister, keeping her attention on Lauren. "And what exactly are your intentions with my sister?"

Lauren straightened in her chair, her confidence unwavering. "I love her," she said simply. "I didn't plan for this to happen, but it did. Kamala means everything to me, and I'd do anything to protect her—both as her bodyguard and as her partner."

Maya tilted her head slightly, as if trying to gauge Lauren's sincerity. "And you're okay with the scrutiny? The pressure? The fact that your relationship with her will be judged by everyone?"

Lauren nodded without hesitation. "I know what I signed up for. I'm not afraid of the judgment, and I'm not going anywhere."

Kamala smiled softly at Lauren, her hand reaching under the table to give Lauren's a reassuring squeeze. Maya caught the gesture and sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Well, you're certainly confident. I'll give you that."