NOTE: This is just a quick chapter I wanted to add before things start picking up. It's taken a little longer than expected to get to this point, but that's alright. I hope you keep reading! Let me know what you think!

Chapter 10: All's Well that End's Well

Shaundi entered The White House and walked toward the kitchen. She had her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the floor, aimlessly watching her feet with each step. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of Ethan and how close they'd come to finally cementing their relationship. The soft touch of his fingers still lingered on her lips and she brought her hand up to mimic his caress. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she walked, completely oblivious to the fact that she'd passed the kitchen.

*WHAM*

Papers flew into the air as Shaundi bumped into a scrawny young man with greasy black hair and pasty skin. He fell to the ground with a THUD.

"I'm so sorry," she said, taking his cold and clammy hand to help him up. "Are you alright?"

He nodded and immediately started picking up the loose papers. Shaundi knelt down to help him, stacking the papers in her hands. The young man glanced at her and quickly looked away before giving her a shy smile.

"I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, my mind is a bit preoccupied," she said, as they stood up. She gave him the papers and he avoided her eyes. "Are you sure you're alright?"

He nodded again and said with a harsh stutter, "I'm f-f-fine, M-Ms. Shaundi."

"What's your name? I don't think I've seen you around her before," she said, through curious eyes. "I should know everyone that works here."

"My name is P-P-Peter T-Townsend," he said, holding the papers to his chest. "I'm an assistant to one of P-P-P-Presidents ad-v-v-visors. I d-don't n-n-normally work at The White House."

"Hey, Shaundi," said The Boss, walking up behind her. Peter looked down at the floor and tucked a bit of his oily hair behind his ear. He quietly scurried away when Shaundi turned her attention to The Boss. "Who was that?" he asked, pointing to the direction Peter left.

"An assistant for one of your advisors," she replied.

"Creepy little guy, isn't he?" he asked, before shaking his head. "Anyway, where have you been? I've been looking for you all over."

"Why?"

"We need to talk about the gala next week."

"What about it?"

"You're going to be coordinating agents and I just want to make sure you keep them at bay while I work my magic on the room," he said, scrunching his brow. Shaundi wasn't even paying attention to him, having drifted off in thought. The Boss snapped his fingers to bring her back. "Hello, Earth to Shaundi."

"Yeah?"

"What the hell is wrong with you? You've been spacing out a lot lately. Like right now, I'm talking to you and you're not even paying attention," he said, clapping his hands. "Shaundi!"

"I'm sorry," she said, focusing her attention on him. "I've got a lot on my mind."

"This is about that guy isn't it? Jesus, what did he do to make you space out like this? Does he have a magic dick or something?"

"I wouldn't know," said Shaundi, crossing her arms.

"You mean, you still haven't fucked the guy yet? How many dates have you two been on?"

"Three."

"Three dates?" he asked in surprise. "That has to be a record for you. You must be going out of your mind, poor Buzz has his work cut out for him."

"Okay, I'm done with this conversation," she said, putting her hands up in protest.

"Are you sure the guy isn't gay?"

"I said, I'm done talking about it," she urged, before Kinzie brushed by her. She glanced at The Boss as she passed and gave him a small smile before walking into the kitchen. He followed her with his eyes until she disappeared from view. Shaundi pushed her hip to the side and smiled. "Now look who's spacing out."

"Hmm?" asked The Boss, turning to her.

"What is going with you two?"

"Nothing, we're just having a little fun," he told her, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Does Kinzie know that?"

"What do you mean?"

Shaundi took a deep breath and stepped closer to him, "Look, I know Kinzie has opened up a lot since she joined us, but there's still a lot more to her than she lets on. Whatever 'this' is, just watch yourself."

The Boss lifted his chin and tightened his jaw, "I know what I'm doing, Shaundi."

"Do you?" asked Shaundi, skeptical of his retort. He peered down his nose at her and let out a huff of air.

"Just keep your agents at bay during the gala," was all he said before turning to leave. He walked down the hallway toward the kitchen with his hands still in his pockets. He stopped for a brief second outside the kitchen but didn't go in. He turned and walked around a corner toward his office.

Shaundi watched him leave before seeing Kinzie slowly step into the hallway, staring in the direction The Boss had left. She nervously picked at her fingernails and let out a frustrated sigh until she noticed Shaundi looking at her. Kinzie dropped her hands to her side and quickly turned to walk back into the kitchen.

"This...isn't going to end well," Shaundi said to herself. "Boss, what the hell did you get yourself into?"