Political Affairs
Chapter 2
~David~
He woke the next morning having barely slept. He had ended his night the President as quickly as possible without being flat out rude to the man. As soon as he was gone, David went in search of Natalie. He had to check on her, he had to know she wasn't hurt. He searched, but when he couldn't find her he assumed she must have went home. As he got ready for the press conference, the seeds of doubt began to creep in again. He hadn't seen Natalie all morning. His tea was on his desk already when he entered his office. She was still working, but was clearly avoiding him. The demons in his mind whispered that she must be ashamed of her actions if she was avoiding him. Was she feeling guilty? The only reason she should feel guilty is if she felt she had been caught. Caught implied that she wanted he President's attentions. The idea made David cringe.
He was shaken from these dark thoughts by his secretary coming to collect him for the press conference. He tried to focus on the task at hand but as he stood at the podium, he saw her. Natalie, standing against the wall with the rest of his staff. She met his eye briefly before blushing and looking at the floor. He felt his heart melt at the sight of her. His sweet Natalie. She wasn't the woman his demons were making her out to be, she desired better. As he began to speak, she met his gaze again and this time she didn't turn away. He finally found his voice, and told the President and all of Britain exactly what he thought, never dropping her gaze. As he spoke, he saw her eyes start to brighten again, and he knew. He knew that tonight, he would tell everyone the truth.
~Natalie~
She had a good cry locked away in that empty room. She had heard David searching for her but she simply couldn't face him tonight. As soon as the coast was clear, she fled. She arrived to work early, having barely slept. The look of betrayal in his eye's haunted her dreams. He must have thought she welcomed the President's attentions when nothing could be further than the truth. She could not neglect her work, and made sure David had everything he needed ready for him on his desk, but her cowardliness wouldn't allow her to make an appearance. She scurried away from the offices before he had made it down the stairs, and made a point of staying out of sight for the rest of the morning.
There was no avoiding the press conference however. The housekeeper came to fetch her, insisting it was their duty as staff to attend and stand by the Prime Minister. So she reluctantly made her way into the crowded room. She had to admit to herself, despite all her fears, there was a part of her desperate to see him. She was his completely. When he walked in, their eyes briefly met before her courage failed her again and she directed her eyes to the details of the carpet, but when he began to speak, she suddenly found her courage again. She met his gaze and held it has he spoken from his heart. She had always known he would be an amazing Prime Minister, he was such an amazing man. Her heart swelled with love for him as his confidence grew. There was a resolve in his eye, he had decided on something. She could only pray it was something good.