The President's Wife - Kathy Myme Page 0,18

sir.” Mr Andrews cuts in. He turns to me, shaking his head. “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s cranky after a night of drinking ten cups of coffee and getting no rest.”

“I’m nice,” the President replies. “Seventy percent of the American public think I’m ‘nice’. That’s why they voted me in.”

“They voted you in because they believe in you to run the country, sir.”

“Which I’m trying to do.” The President rolls his eyes. “Trying and having a hard time of it. It would be a lot easier if the press didn’t seem to know my every move.”

“Maybe if you learned to delegate and let other people run things, you’d have more time-”

“Maybe if we explained to Miss Waters why she’s here, we could all get some sleep at some point today.”

I watch them continue to argue, feeling shell-shocked. Two of the most powerful men in the country - maybe even the world - are in front of me, sleep-deprived and bickering. And I’m at the root of the problem.

“Are you going to fire me?” I ask bluntly. I almost wince at the straight-forwardness of my words, but it’s the question that’s been burning at the back of my mind.

To my surprise, Mr Andrews laughs hollowly. “Oh, sweetie. If only it were that easy.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“There’s no way firing you would solve this problem, darling. Although obviously you won’t be able to work as an intern in my department anymore. Not after this.” He shoots me a look filled with pity. “I don’t think you know what you’re in for.”

I blink. I blame it on the horrifying hour we’re awake at and the fact I haven’t had my morning coffee, but I have no idea what he’s talking about. Fired… but not fired?

“What Andrews means is that simply getting rid of the woman I’m meant to be having a scandalous affair with… well, that wouldn’t look good.” The President shrugs. “If we don’t acknowledge this situation, we only fan the flames.”

I suppose he’s right. I can see the headlines now: ‘White House Intern FIRED By Staff In Cover-Up’.

“Then why am I here?” I ask, looking from Mr Andrews to the President. The waiting isn’t making me feel any less anxious. “Tell me, please.”

Mr Andrews pats the chair next to him. “Come here, sweetie. Take a seat.”

Feeling entirely awkward, I obey and sink into the offered desk chair. It puts me eye-level with the President of the United States of America.

I know you’re supposed to get star-struck when seeing famous people, but is it really normal to this extent? I can’t even look at him without feeling like every inch of me is on fire. It’s physically painful, to the point that every glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye makes my chest tighten.

Instead, I try to focus on Mr Andrews. But all the while I’m acutely aware of the President’s presence not far away from me.

“Go on,” the President says. He shoots me an amused look that gives me goosebumps. “Believe it or not, Andrews hasn’t told me his grand plan yet either. I’m praying it’s a good one.”

“I’ve only had a night to work on this, so all I’m asking is that you’re both receptive.” Mr Andrews warns. “Miss Waters, as I’m sure you’re aware, if people really believe that the President has been secretly fraternizing with a woman… well, there are still plenty of people that would kick up a fuss that the two of you aren’t in a serious relationship. Or even married.”

I nod impatiently. The problem is fairly obvious.

“We might have won by a landslide last year, but there are still a lot of people loyal to the original two parties,” he continues. “The Republicans and Democrats would both love to see our American Alliance party ripped to shreds.”

Both of the older two parties are still reeling from their loss. Nobody expected the Alliance to come out of nowhere and win the heart of the American people. But then nobody expected a man like President Shepard.

“We have to act fast.” Mr Andrews stands up, drumming his fingers on the desk. “For the sake of everything we’ve built here, we cannot let rumor spread unchecked. That’s why…” He pauses. “That’s why I think the two of you should get engaged.”

Silence.

And then…

“You’re hilarious,” President Shepard says, but he doesn’t sound amused. “Can we hear your real plan now?”

“Sir, this is a crisis. Your reputation is on the line.” Mr Andrews points to me