pte

m, so I was surprised by his presence. He is so intimidating. Eve

ticeable, clearly well taken care of. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, th

couldn't s

ldn't. He was cooking, so I didn't k

re and watch som

cooking pork steak. There were lights beside us, and I could clear

I focused on the show instea

ing, Navid

yself to respect him. I felt that way

President Emerson's kitchen. I still couldn't believe I was here, in his pe

't be able to resist searching for the President's name again. So many questions ran through my mind-how does he manag

deliberately making noise to announce his presence. I immediately stood up to hel

ed things up? It's late, and my mom might be

at back down, eyeing the food he had prepared. I

a shiver down my spine. Why did his words sound so normal yet

e was going to serve himself, but he placed the food on my plate instead. It touched me i

said, taking a bite of the

re if you finish that, Navida," he glanced at me. "Stop ca

ally and cont

sity. "Where's your family?" I glanced at hi

to me," he said, turning to me, making me f

s what he wanted, why should I arg

I staying until tomorrow?" I asked, t

ffering you five months until the end of

m sorry if I offend you, but I don't really know much about elections. I'm more concerned about working than debating who to vote for. Nothing

ht, but we know someone will always ruin it and not be satisfied. I want to live peacefull

me here? You have plenty of guards," I said,

both get some rest. I have a lot of papers to f

e eating

hy I felt this way. He's the President; he doe

aid, almos

xhaustion despite his workload. I always thought a Presiden

n my right cheek. I swallowed hard when his

over the past few weeks. I didn't even ask why he didn't push me awa

..." he s

d with what had happened, thinking t

d and followe

e if he had lain beside me last night or if he was in another room.

e mad for him? He needs me, but for what when he has so many others on his level?

his room was-twice the size of our house. The furniture and d

according to media reports, but I know not everything they say is true. Comparing myself t

e were no signs that he had slept beside me. I pulled back

Is this right?" I whispered just

kindly open the

r was leaving it open. I hurried to avoid inconveniencing hi

lly, "Good morning, Emerson!" I had so many questions, b

g an eyebrow. I didn't know why

need to discuss our a

couldn't tell if he was happy or sad, annoyed or indifferent toward me. If he was just

airs, I found breakfast already prepared, and he raised

ke up early to do this even though I know you're b

rned on a cassette player. The music lighte

urned to his seat, sitting across from me

ouldn't have played it if I didn't like it," I

teasing him or not. I shrugged. I di

pear when he noticed his

y put food on his plate. I thought he had noticed

is. I appreciate it," h

ll real. I knew he was genuine when he first saw the

easily

y sound coming from the cassette player

e beat me to it, so I just

staring at me, and I didn't realize he had

idn't want this to b

? Don't tell me I have to pretend in fron

rs for our arrangement. This is a simple f

t mindlessly ag

at? Wha

nship to be public

nt? The arrangement where he would help me, but aft

to me specificall

ant

Contin