Cadence makes a mad dash back to the president's building, thankfully not getting us pulled over in the process. I keep my head low as we exit her vehicle, my sunglasses and mask on with my hood covering my head. Much to my pleasure, there are no flashing lights or cameras around, but I remain incognito just in case. The only sound coming from us as we make our way into the building are the wheels on both my suitcases and the clacking of Cadence's heels. For someone in heels, she picks up speed.

We walk through the halls with a purpose, wanting to get me out of sight and settled in sooner rather than later. Cadence politely greets any and all passerbys but remains glued to my side with one of my suitcases trailing behind her. I don't know which part of the building we're in at this point, as we've been speed walking for what feels like ten minutes before we finally get to the door that leads to the residential side. I sigh in relief, feeling a little bit of my stress melt away with the security that this side in particular will give me.

Cadence walks me to a guest room so that I'm able to drop off my things until Taehyung is out of emergency planning. I don't hesitate in face planting into the bed and releasing a scream once I hear her closing the door. It feels good to let that out, but it still doesn't calm my heart that's been beating like crazy all day.

"I don't blame you." Cadence chuckles. I feel the bed dip beside me and I roll over the opposite way to face her. "We're gonna get you through this, Pri."

"What the hell is going on?" I huff. I feel like I keep asking that question, but I'm still in shock. "How does this even happen?"

"It happens more often than you think. It's just that it happened to you & Taehyung this time." She sighs. "I'm so sorry, Pri. This is the last thing that any of us wanted for the both of you. But it isn't all bad."

"But right now it is."

Cadence positions herself and is now laying on her side; like we used to do growing up. She grabs my free hand, interlocking her fingers with mine and I smile very softly.

"Okay, let's unpack." She begins. "You're dating the president, and now the world is aware of it. You can do one of, I don't know, 3 things."

"Which are?"

"Embrace it and just kind of ignore paps when you're out, or accept it but hide out most of the time."

There's a bit of a pause and I furrow my brows. "And the third?"

"Scrap the third idea. Don't worry about it."

"The third would be to leave Taehyung, wouldn't it." I say as a statement. Cadence sighs and that gives me my answer. "I'm not doing that."

"And that's why it's a scraped idea. I know how much you really care for him." She smiles. "I know you'll make the best decision for yourself."

I nod, giving her hand a squeeze. "Thank you."

"No problem."

There's knocking on the door that makes us both jump a bit, and we sit up as the door opens. Someone peaks their head in, frowning a bit and saying, "I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"

"No." Cadence stands, beginning to walk toward the mystery woman at the door. "Just getting her settled a bit. Ready for me?"

"Yes." The woman opens the door more so that she is fully visible. She looks me up and down before giving her attention back to my best friend. "Mr. President's mind has been... Elsewhere. He's been wanting to hear that you made it back to the building."

"This guy." Cadence smirks. She turns to me with the same look. "That man really likes you."

I feel my face heat up and my stomach forming knots, all the while, I try holding in my smile. "Ya think so?"

"I know so." Her smirk softens into a smile. "But anyway. This is Bridgette, Taehyung's publicist. Bridgette, Priya."

I make my way toward the two women, nodding toward his publicist as I extend my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." There's something about the way she smiles at me that kind of throws me off. It's coming off as forced, but I shake it away and conclude that it's just me being overwhelmed by the situation. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but you've got a big issue at hand."

"Trust me, I know."

"Oh trust me, you really don't know."

My eyebrows knitted, I narrow my eyes just slightly before speaking. "Excuse me?"

"We have a lot of cleaning to do, thanks to this situation you've put yourself and the president in."

I step more toward Cadence, taken aback at how this woman is speaking to me. Who the hell does she think she's talking to? Cadence takes a step forward, almost as if she's shielding me. "Not the time, Bridgette. Let's go get this meeting over with."

"I'm going." I blurt out, now feeling my body temperature rising.

"Oh really?" Bridgette says, in what sounds like a condescending tone. "I was told you would be at tomorrow's meeting."

I cross my arms over my chest, not going to let a woman I just met think she can speak to me whatever way. So now, I'm going to challenge her. "Well, I've changed my mind. Unless that's an issue."

"Not at all." She replies.

"Then, like Cadence said, let's get it over with."

With just a nod, the woman turns and leads us out of the room. I'm the last to leave the room, shutting the door behind me. I'm very bothered that this random stranger I've never met had the audacity to tell me I basically created this issue. Are these the kinds of people I'll have to deal with, just because I'm dating Taehyung? If that's the case, I may have some of reevaluating to do.

After leaving the residential side, we walk through the halls of the presidential side and arrive at just one of the many conference rooms. Bridgette enters and Taehyung looks at the now open door and the women walking in. He hasn't noticed me yet as he nods and greets Cadence.

"Welcome back. Thank you so much, Cadence."

"Thank you, and no problem." She nods back.

When Cadence steps to the side, I come into view. My boyfriend's eyes widen and he stands, a smile slowly coming onto his lips. I mimic his smile as I step toward him. He walks past Bridgette and I catch her rolling her eyes, even though it was very subtle. So now I have all the ammunition I need to piss this lady off. Bitch mode is now activated.

"Hey babe." Taehyung says as we reach each other, quickly pecking my lips twice. "What are you doing in here?"

"Getting this over with." I snicker.

"Oh?"

"I've caused enough issues 'with this situation I've put myself and you in.'" I shoot a quick glare over at his publicist, who is giving me the same look. "So let's figure it out on day one, so another meeting isn't needed."

"What?" Taehyung frowns after my statement. "You didn't put us in anything. How did you get that idea?"

"Ask your publicist." I reply.

Taehyung looks back over his shoulder and the woman straightens her posture. "I'll talk with you later."

"Yes sir." She replies and I send a fake smile her way.

"Let's begin the meeting, ladies." Taehyung directs and we all sit. "I'm very happy you're here, babe. I promise this isn't your fault. We will find out whose it is, though. Has there been any luck with that?"

Bridgette opens a notebook she has, flipping until she finds the page she needs. She clears her throat before speaking. "I looked into the time it was leaked, and it came from WCL. The poster is someone named Kyle James."

"How much has this news been spread?"

"Just about every news station is covering it right now. It's 'breaking news' apparently."

My stomach turns in knots as I listen. Taehyung is used to being in headlines. I'm not... I hate this feeling so much. I want to believe that everything is under control, but how can I when I can't even stay at my own home? What did I really sign up for when agreeing to be the president's girlfriend?

°

Hi my loves 💕 it's been way too long, but when adulting gets in the way, you gotta make time 😭 I hope this was a decent chapter! It's been sitting & collecting dust for a couple weeks because I was insecure 🫠

But! I love you all! I'm gonna try my hardest to find time to update! I still love writing & want to continue giving you my all with my craft. I'll be back soon with another update, wait for me! 🥰💕

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~S.xx