“Oh, yeah, wow. I totally forgot.”
When we arrived back at the White House, we were instantly greeted differently than we had earlier in the day. Although we were always treated very kindly and without any sort of hassle; this time we were ushered in with a new level of respect.
When Matthew pulled the SUV up the gate, it was clear that everything in his life was about to change.
“Oh, yes, Mr. Storm. I’ve got a detail here for you. One second,” the main security guard said.
He quickly radioed someone and within a minute, there was a black car in front of us.
“Follow him in. He’s assigned to you for the day. After the announcement you can discuss continued security needs.”
“Thank you,” Matthew said sternly and then followed the black car.
“Oh, my God. Matthew you are going to have a secret service detail. Oh, I wonder what your code name will be? This is so exciting.”
Matthew just drove with a straight face and didn’t respond at all. We pulled into the spot that was designated for us and Matthew said with a continued straight face.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“Yes, just letting the moment sink in.”
“Congratulations Matthew. If I forget to tell you later, this is one of the most exciting moments of my life and it’s not even my moment.”
Matthew turned and held my hands as he looked me directly in the eyes.
“Stand on the stage with me,” he said with a sense of urgency.
“What? No. It’s not appropriate. It’s your moment. Enjoy it. Do you know what you’re going to say? Did you grab those notes I left on your desk?”
“Kayla, listen to me. I need you up there. None of this would have been possible without your help over the last few years. Just stand up there in the background. I just need to know you’re up there with me.”
I contemplated what he was asking and then decided it wasn’t the right time to try and be shy. Matthew had the biggest moment of his life coming up and whether I wanted to or not, I needed to support him. Both as his Chief of Staff and as his friend; he was asking me to be there for him.
“Yes, I’ll be there. But I look horrible. I’m just in my same old work clothes. I’m going to stand behind everyone.”
“Whatever you’d like,” Matthew said as he leaned in and kissed me quickly before we made our way into the press conference.
Matthew’s new secret service agent introduced himself as Clint Bomber. He was young, but not too young. Probably about his mid 30’s. Matthew and he looked similar in build and the guy seemed extremely professional.
We all stopped for a moment before entering the building and Clint discussed some of the things he needed Matthew to do. Then a White House staffer came and grabbed Matthew and brought him one direction while a different one brought me the opposite direction.
I ended up in a room where I found the First Lady with some attendants doing her hair and makeup.
“Hi, Michaela,” she said without turning to look at me. “Do you want your hair and makeup freshened up?”
I hesitated for a moment as I looked around at the half a dozen people who were quickly primping and prodding whiling also getting clothing ready and accessories.
“Oh, I don’t need anything. I’m going to stand in the back.”
“Nonsense, freshen her up please, Raphael.”
It really didn’t matter at all what I had to say as Raphael motioned for two of his team members to attack me. They started aggressively curling my hair and applying makeup. It was like a scene out of a movie as they made me quickly into a brilliant well put together woman.
When they were finished, I looked in the mirror and was utterly amazed. I certainly still looked like myself; just much more fabulous.
“Wow, can you ladies move in with me,” I muttered as I looked at myself.
“Time to go,” someone with a headset said as they opened the door.
The First Lady walked quickly behind the headset guy and I ran to catch up with them. I could hear the buzz of the crowd outside the press room and felt myself get a little dizzy at the excitement of the moment.
I did feel much better about being on the stage after having my hair and makeup done for me. It was like a dream team had overhauled me in less than 15 minutes.
We met up with Matthew and a few other important White House staff members as we all waited behind the curtain. The President was going to be announced first and he would come in the door off to the side of the room. Then after he finished his introduction, we would all be brought out onto the stage behind him for the second half of the press conference.
“Please welcome, the President of the United States of America,” his press secretary said after giving a brief introduction to the press.
The room roared with applause as the President made his way up to the podium.
“As I’m sure you are all aware, we have endured a great loss both as a country and to our close-knit White House family. Richard Howard was not just my Vice President, he was my friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all those that will miss him.”
The President continued on for about ten minutes but didn’t take any questions from the press just yet. Instead, he discussed the importance of the constitution and the right he had to appoint a Vice President that he felt fit the needs of the country. He discussed stability and honesty as well.
“Can I have everyone onto the stage, please?” He said as he transitioned into the second portion of the press conference.
We were quickly moved from the back of the curtain onto the stage. Matthew was on the far right and the First Lady right next to him. The Chief of Staff to the President was there as well as the Defense Secretary and a few others.
I tried to keep myself as much out of view as possible but as people shifted around the stage, I was moved over closer and closer to the First Lady. By the time I reached her, she moved me over so I was standing next to Matthew.
There was no fighting it. We were up on stage with hundreds of cameras clicking their pictures and videotaping us; I had to just stay put and try not to look totally lame on the stage.
“Today I am happy to announce an addition to the White House family. We are so pleased to have Matthew Storm and his fiancé Michaela Wilson as part of this family and look forward to Vice President Storm’s assistance in running the great country. Please take a bow you two,” the President said.
My knees were weak as I tried not to pass out. Matthew grabbed my left hand and raised it up in the air as everyone clicked pictures and clapped. It was then that I realized I had forgotten to take the ring off after Matthew had given it to me earlier that morning.
There it was, shining in the air for everyone to snap a photo of while Matthew held it up high and beamed with pride. I wanted to yank my hand back down and run off the stage.
I did not say yes!
My brain swarmed with what was happening. I didn’t say yes to his proposal. We had agreed on three months. What the hell was going on?
Click here to read how the story continues!
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Sarah J. Brooks, Billionaire Romance: The Storm BREAKS LOOSE: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire President Book 12)
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