December 2017
The usual Christmas Celebration slash Derek's birthday would be celebrated in the White House.
This year, Derek decides to break the traditional. He was inspired by Rachel, due to her commitment with helping the homeless, Derek decides, they will be having Christmas lunch outside the White House.
Rachel helped with the arrangement and Adeline was commanded to be asssiting in D.C. Well, at least, their non-profit organization has gain national recognition. The news has been publishing regarding the alternative way of celebrating the season of Joy.
Grace shows up, and they were probably immune to Rachel's presense. They didn't talk much, except posing together for a photo session. Ever since the last meeting with Grace, Rachel realized there were nothing much they can talk about. To be chatting with the wife about their current stage would be so weird, they knows it themselves and decide to keep things the way it is.
The event ended successfully, Rachel and Adeline was proud of their achievements. Derek did invite for Adeline to have lunch in the White House but she decides to head back to Seattle to spend it with her family.
'I told you my drawer is exploding with your socks,' Derek took her to his room and proved to her that he wasn't lying when his housekeeper told him that he needed a new compartment for it. Before that, they were engaging in a messy frenzy of kiss since the moment they closes the door until they reaches his sofa and decides to indulge in each other's lips.
'Which socks have you not worn before?' Rachel question as she admires all the socks she bought, and of course the most precious of all was the one with Superman's design.
'This pile.' Derek uses both his hand to sort out which socks is still brand new.
'Why? You work everyday? Isn't it enough to wear a new pair for the last five months?'
'Yes, but I'm not in the habit of tossing a newly worn socks for another new one.' He chuckles, standing behind Rachel, placing both his hand on the edges of the drawer, Rachel is completely ambushed by him.
'So, I really bought too much.' She smiled to herself, the pressure between both of them began to disperse since he won the re-election, like a stone have been lifted from their chest. She closes the drawer, turn around and lean her back against the wooden surface. Derek towers over her, his forehead joining each other's and observing her features.
'In a few more weeks, I will announce my separation.'
'What?' Rachel stumbled. Her eyes widen as she seek more details from Derek. She felt her muscle stiffen, her stomach curled up and any energy that is left on her body is charging towards Derek.
'I think it's about time.' His eyes never left hers. He needed to see her reaction. 'I promise you, when the time is right, you will have all of me, and right now, this is the moment.'
Rachel became speechless, she stood there searching for Derek's eyes as well, hoping whatever he told her wasn't just an illusion.
'Say something, please?' Derek requested carefully, not sure what is running in her mind.
'What about your-, I mean, it's not gonna be easy right?'
'It won't be,' Derek shook his head, 'they will dig out all the rumors, true or false, that's always bound to happen.'
'All the rumors? So that means, it would be wise of we stay out of the spotlight for a while.'
'That could work.' Derek agreed with her. 'I've spoken with Grace last night.' Derek mentions.
A flash of dismay rushes through her upon hearing Grace's name. 'What did she say?'
'She has been waiting for me to ask her that question.' Derek sounds positive about it.
Rachel notched her brow. It felt twisted, from the way Grace phrase her answer. 'It sounds more like a wedding proposal than a request for divorce.'
She hopped onto his body, straddle on his waist, he grab her tight. 'Derek, is this for real?' She couldn't hide her feelings, it has taken years for this to finally happen.
He chuckles. 'Come here.' Derek place her down to the floor and drag her to sit with him on the sofa.
'You said you doesn't want a relationship with me. But now it's different, when I gain my single-hood back, what are we after that?'
'Definitely, I have no intention of being the First Lady, so, is there a term called First Girlfriend?'
'I could create that for you.' He smiles.
Rachel nodded with satisfaction, her heart is bursting with all sorts of fruity flavors. She looks around Derek's room, having some imagination that she would be spending part of her life here without being discreet anymore.
â*â*â
March 2018
'Breaking news! The President is getting divorce with the First Lady!' Adeline read out loud from her phone.
Rachel knew it would happened exactly three months ago, yet she had to pretend that she was shocked as well. 'Why?' She asked, rising from her swivel chair over to where Adeline was.
'It was an amicable break up though. "We have tried our best, but it was inevitable that we have come to this stage." That's what it writes.'
Rachel rubs her chin, pretending she was in serious thoughts. 'I thought they look fine, I mean they don't look like a couple who is going through some sort of hard time.' She shrugged. The next thing she felt was the buzzing from her phone, all her other friends were sharing the news in WhatsApp.
'My mom always tells me not to judge the cover, seems true.' Adeline discusses casually.
Yup, never judge the cover. Rachel thought to herself, who would ever guess that she is the President's mistress. But in the coming months, there would be a lot of lies and questions awaiting Rachel about how she met Derek Hoffer and how did their relationship started.
Back to the White House, there's only one word to describe the situation: Chaos.
The press secretary, Jimmy Laurence has been standing at the podium, answering questions directed at him. When he got back to his office, two bottles of Evian has been brutally gulped down by him. That was a nightmare. A White House divorce is rare and none of his predecessors have experience at all in dealing with this.
The President's divorce is technically a private matters, it doesn't affect globally, plus, this is his second term, he doesn't have to worry so much about his upcoming election again, all his focus were channeled on running this country.
'Everyone is talking about you.' Gavinski told Derek, who was getting ready on receiving the Prime Minister of Singapore to the White House.
'I'll be surprised if they don't.' Derek replied casually.
'Are you sure Grace's presence is not needed?' Gavinski asked, 'because I'm not comfortable here acting like your wife.'
Derek sniggers. Grace has actually left even before the news is made. She has moved back to her parent's. 'Nope, she has bid her goodbyes and is looking for a new campaign manager already.' Derek raises his head as he saw the arrival of the black limo. 'Prepares to receive our guest like a true lady of the house, Thomas.' Derek teases, while everyone in the White House is dealing with the public about his marriage, he was actually delighted that he put off a heavy weight off his chest, he fulfilled his promise to Rachel.
â*â*â
July 2018
'Which part of your body is still lacking of my attention?' Derek kisses her neck, tickling wherever she felt ticklish.
Rachel shriek as Derek found her weak spot, the skin at the side of her stomach. 'Stop it,' she can't contain her laugh as she tried to escape from him.
'There's nowhere you can run.' He captured her and toss her back to their bed.
Their bed.
The bedroom in the White House has became theirs.
Her visit to D.C has become more frequent since Derek has officially sign the divorce papers. What's there not to when she can access the house without discretion and underground pathway.
'I don't wanna run anywhere, Derek.' She lifted her hand to cup his face, the oceanic color of his eyes were reflected on her molten chocolate gaze.
'From now on, just stay beside me.' His voice was warm, husky yet. A soft hints of promises were attached along the words he said.
As time passes by, Rachel felt her love towards him has gone beyond that. Maybe Derek has proven to her, and through all these time, she learn that love isn't just the sex in between, nor the seeking for each other's companion. She wanted to include him for her future, for him to be his family. Yet, when the thought of marriage lingers in her mind, she shunned away, knowing that they are still too early for that. Maybe for her, marriage is just a certificate, a paper, a superficial binding for a relationship.
â*â*â
'Albert is having the renovation done, so at the mean time, I'm crashing at your place the last minute.' Sarah sat down at Rachel's sofa. There is so much unexplainable joyful aura within her that Rachel is observing.
'Renovation? Didn't you have it just half a year ago?' Rachel passes a cup of coffee to her.
She took the cup, watching the content of the glass and pursed her lips.
'Don't worry, it hasn't expired, if you think it has.' Rachel assures her.
'No.' She throws a hand at her. 'It's just, I can't really drink caffeine stuff at the moment.' She shrugged, notching her brows like there is something she is hiding from Rachel.
'Why? You are afraid of- wait,' Rachel paused, female instincts were never wrong, it took her one second to find the words, 'wait, are you?'
'Yes!' Sarah squealed, like she won a million dollar from the lottery.
'And thus, the renovation?'
'Yup. He wants to take charges in everything.' Sarah announced it dreamily.
'That's nice.' Rachel smiled contentedly. 'You are going to be a mom, Sarah.' She mentioned it cheerfully.
'Yeah.' A wash of guilts painted over Sarah's face, she remembers of Rachel's miscarriage. She doesn't want to rub salt over her wounds. 'You know, somehow, I felt sorry, well, I mean, you lost yours...' It took Sarah courage to raise that words out of her lips.
'I still miss him or her, but you don't have to feel guilty, I'm really happy for you.' Rachel wasn't trying to hide any feelings, she doesn't need to when she is with Sarah.
'What about him? The married guy? Are you still with him?' Sarah narrowed her eyes, she is dying to know but she restrained herself.
'Yes.' Rachel gave a serious thought if she wants to reveal the man. 'We broke up once, and we eventually got back together again, and he divorced with his wife.' Rachel nodded carefully.
'Divorced? Legally? So, he is single now?'
'Not so single, he's with me now.' Rachel gave a mischievous smile.
'So, can I meet him someday?'
'Well, we are not ready to be seen in public yet, so...'
'Why? Is he so popular that you gotta avoid everyone?' Sarah shrugged like it's unreasonable.
Rachel paused for a brief moment. Her heart is hammering, sending her into dilemma if she should be frank with Sarah.
'You do know him...' there's no turning back, once the word is out, Sarah will never give up on getting to the bottom of it.
'Go on, I'm pregnant, I cannot control my hormone and I am really dying to know, Rachel Woods.' Sarah uses her pregnancy to threatens her best friend.
'Hoffer.' She simply said a one word answer.
'Excuse me?' Sarah raises herself from the sofa. 'Which Hoffer?' She repeats her words slowly and cautiously.
Rachel guess she knows the answer, but Sarah is still in the middle of pondering if it was that Hoffer.
'Don't make me say it again.' Rachel gritted her teeth.
For five second, Sarah couldn't close her mouth. 'You were fucking with the President!' She gasped and closed her mouth by slamming her hand against it.
Rachel knew this is what's going to happen. She sat there, wondering if she should feel annoyed or embarrassed, either way, she needs to warn her about spilling the secret. 'So, if you would please keep this national secret, it would really be nice. And this isn't a request.' Rachel sets her tone straight, that she wasn't joking. 'We wanted to keep things as low profile as possible.'
'God! I mean, a married man is already crazy enough, but that's Derek Hoffer!'
'Accept it or not, but your friend is entangled with the President now, and he isn't married.' Rachel gestures a sign that its the end of the accusations or whatever Sarah deems it.
Sarah is screaming countless, repetitive "fuck" inside her mind. This is too much to digest for her brain and she is having recurring image of the past, how could she not know that Hoffer was Rachel's boyfriend. 'Look,' Sarah started, 'As long as he knew how lucky he was to have you, I'll just shut my eyes and mouth.'
'Thank you.' Rachel felt the stain of her embarrassment still lingers in her face, after all, it isn't a honorable act to confess to another that she is the other woman.
â*â*â
December 2018
'Seriously, how do I look?' Rachel asked Derek. Again. And again.
'Dear Miss Woods,' Derek held both her shoulders, squeeze it a little to loosen her up. 'You are gorgeous and all eyes will be on you.'
'Oh God, that's what I'm most afraid right now.' Rachel pace around in her pink Dior gown, fixing her hair into a double Gibson tuck, tasseled earrings matching the color of her gown shimmers with pink rhinestone complete her look today.
'Well, it's not too late to back away.'
Rachel search for his eyes, he wasn't kidding. 'You are not joking?'
'Look, I won't force you into anything you are uncomfortable about, because, well, once you're in, you're in. No, we are in.' His eyes was determined.
Rachel wrapped her arms around herself, her unconsciousness is trying to hide the battles she held inside.
'If you are ready, for us, I promised, you won't be alone, you will have me by your side, all the time.' He wanted to brush her cheeks very much, yet occasionally he would earn a smack on his arm from Rachel when he accidentally ruined her make up. So, rule number one, never touch a freshly arrayed lady. He focus his hand on her arms instead.
'Sir?' A White House staff walked up to them.
'Give us a moment, please, thank you.' Derek responded politely.
'Of course.' The staff back away and gave them privacy.
'Well?' Derek looks at her eyes, he wasn't rushing her or manipulating her into agreeing.
She sucks her lips, making a smack sound as she release them. 'Okay. I'm not going to let this dress go to waste, I mean this is Dior.' She shrugged. Derek sniggers at her superficiality.
'Come on.' Derek held his hand out for her and she grabs it.
Together, they marched towards the door as the host announce their arrival for Derek's birthday celebration and Christmas ball.
Her heart races like the speed of a sport car chasing against one another. She never felt this panic before, the eyes from the crowd only further exacerbate her adrenaline production. Knowing that Rachel is unfamiliar to this, he squeezed her hand to remind her that he will be there for her and with her.
They march further and mingles with the crowds. Rachel gave a taut smile whenever somebody gawks at her. Her neck is descending, the more she felt uneasy, the more she try to keep her face away from any human.
'Be confident, remember, you are being envied by the crowd.' Derek whispered to her ear.
Those words brought her pride swollen a little. She slowly lifted her chin, she might as well enjoy the night when she cannot run anywhere. Dance like nobody is looking- has become her motto tonight.
And though it feel like riding a deadly roller coaster, cascading like fifty meters from the sky, the ride ended with silent and calm relieved afterwards.
'So, there's no turning back, huh?' Rachel buttoned her pajamas, sliding into the thick duvet on their bed.
'This is only the beginning. There is yet any President who is divorce and brought a girlfriend into the flashlight. I might just broke the record.' Derek spread his hand wide, ready for Rachel to lay on his arms. Christmas night should be warm and cozy, just like now.
They watched the fire glistening mildly on the fireplace in front of them. Rachel thought, that it was a relieve when this bed was only christened by her and not Grace.
'Penny for a thought?'
She heard his voice and felt the vibration of the sound through his chest. 'What am I suppose to do with my work? Adeline is working hard and I think it's time to hire more staff to help her while I'm away?'
'Away?' Curiosity peaks, Derek lifted himself and towers over Rachel. 'What exactly does away mean?'
'Well, I'm thinking of moving back here.' She gave a cheeky grin. 'There's nothing more for me to hide right?'
'You can live here, on my expenses, and you've got a complimentary view at the most magnificent balcony in the whole of Washington.'
'Should I start my branch here as well?'
Even before he could make all the enormous offer to make her stay in Washington, Rachel's phone rang.
'Oh fuck.' She cursed.
'What?'
'It's my dad.'
They both look at each other, awkward smile flashes upon her lips. 'I really need to take this.'
There is more problematic cases Derek has encountered, he wasn't oppressed by Brandon's call. Agree or not, Derek has decided that Rachel is the only woman he wants to be with for the rest of his life.
Rachel lean against the window frame as she took the call, she took a glimpse at Derek before she face the window.
Derek continues with his iPad. He wasn't reading any undisclosed documents, instead, he allows himself to take five by watching YouTube videos and none that is connected with politics.
'How did it go?' Derek question her as she return.
'Well, he is coming to D.C and suggested a lunch.'
'Why do you sound nervous?'
'I'm not sure if you wanted this?' Rachel's voice decreased.
'I'd love to, and my mother is eager to meet you, I've been holding the meeting until you are ready.'
'So, it's a yes? I told him you would agree to it, but deep down I was afraid either I need to come up with an excuse or I'll have to beg you to meet him.' Rachel felt relieved, surging a breath full of air as her sanity returns.
'I'm sure we can bond over some Dim Sum meal.' Derek makes a joke out of it, trying to ease his girlfriend.
'Yeah, Dim Sum is good, I love Dim Sum.' She nodded as she absorbs his words. 'Wow...this is getting more serious than I expected.'
'After a year of staying away from me, have you not thought about this?' Derek pondered, 'I don't want to sink into that nightmare again, just stay with me, Rachel, I'm all yours.' He took her hand, rubbing her knuckles.
'We still need to be away from each other, for a while, I mean, I'll be flying here and there, I'm busy, you know, got to check in to my work.'
'Oh, that reminds me, how about you fly with me, sometimes, when I have a state visit, the suite is all yours to use.'
'It won't be nice, that would be kind of awkward if I meet Dolores and Corbin in the plane, I have up to 300 unread messages from my friends, I am not lying.'
'You've got one sexy, smart and charming boyfriend, what are you ashamed of?' Derek suggested complacently.
'We need to think about how we began our story, I am not gonna tell them that we started from affair.'
'Okay, I am going to tell you a bedtime story.' He pulls her back to his side, covering her with the duvet, 'and the title is When Derek met Rachel.'
Rachel burst out laughing, she couldn't help it, that's the lamest title he can think of.
Everything felt kind of real now.
And everything is beginning to fall back into pieces. All the missing puzzles has been found and attached back to the picture.
Hiding from the public was a thing of yesterday, now, she could openly gazed the star at his vast garden, and of course, they could go for a short coffee break in the nearby cafe with cameras flashing at them. Rachel never goes out without make up anymore, she needed her armor of confident since she is unofficially a member of the public.
Lastly, her vanity hobbies, she could finally post the pictures of them in her Instagram and there's probably more than three million followers in her account.
March 2019
Winter is over, spring is back. The cycles of the seasonal change only means it's a wardrobe revolution for Rachel. Off the old and in with the new.
'Thank God you have to wear socks all the time, so I won't have to move this section away.' Rachel wearing a baby pink t-shirt with a white shorts, hair is a messy bun, looking extremely domestic, she was clearing away her winter outfit for the flamboyant spring design.
Derek's wardrobe was completely take charged by Rachel. Which, for her, it wasn't a chore, rather, she love to be to his personal shopper, matching the tie to his shirt or maybe his socks as well. Once in an occasional interview by reporters about their current relationship, Derek once flaunt about his suits and ties, giving Rachel the credit.
'Can you clear the drawer on the bottom left, there's stuff to be cleared.' Derek sat at the arm chair, the one they started their first quickie, looking at Rachel doing all the domestic work. He enjoys watching her, sitting there and chatting while she filled up the compartments with all the new clothings.
'What have you got in there?' Rachel crawl towards the one that Derek mentioned since she was on the floor, folding the clothes. She draws out the cupboard, what's hidden inside was two boxes of the same size. Derek must have planned something, the two boxes wasn't there yesterday. Boxes
Boxes...
Two emerald green boxes, the size of a typical cigarette box, were looking at her. Gingerly, she took one on the left and rest it on her palm, slowly, she begin to lift the cover.
A golden key appears on the surface of the black cushion.
Next, she lifted the second box.
Shimmers...
A Halo ring greeted her. The same black cushion only further enhance the shiny diamonds, where a larger diamond was surrounded by smaller one along it's side.
'What's all this about?' Rachel turns back to Derek, who is already holding on to a bouquet of violet peonies on his hand. She almost forgot to breath.
'I remember violet is your favorite color for flowers, and you love any flowers.' He walked towards her.
She waited for him to reach her, again, everything started to move in slow motion.
'Of course, I've put digital locks in the home I've bought for us, but it won't look good if I place the whole lock inside this boxes.' He chuckles, taking the key into his hand. 'This will represent the key to our new home.' He told her. Rachel is still silently waiting for the most important question. 'And this,' he held the ring, 'if you agree to marry me, Rachel Woods, you can start calling Vera Wang and have a wedding gown designed for you, and Ellie Saab as well, you can wear as many gown as you want on our wedding day.' He knelt down, 'so, Rachel Woods, here I am, asking for your hand, will you accept me?'
The lump on her throat were building, and it took almost five second to respond. 'Okay, this is really, I don't know, I thought I would be the one who proposed and you done it first.'
He sniggers, 'I'm so glad that I made the first move, Rachel, I mean feminism is a topic now, but I strive to be a gentleman.'
'Derek Hoffer,' she gazed at him.
'Yes?'
'Can we held the wedding in the White House?'
He stood up, took the ring of the cushion and slide it into her middle finger. 'I take it as a yes.'
She smooches his lips, 'I take it as the White House is our venue.'
'I don't think we can find anywhere better than here.' He replied her in the middle of their kisses, she felt his smile on her lips.
'I love you, Derek.'
The End
Author's Note
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Thank you for following Derek and Rachel's journey.
I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this story.
There will major edits going on and again, I apologize for unnecessary notifications.
I will be writing a spin off for this story, and who would be featuring in the next story? It's Captain Tony Lington, heartbroken and retreating back to South Korea, where a girl who is so much younger, is having major crush on him, and is determined to win his heart.
I'll update more on the new story when it is ready, so stay tuned.
Again, thank you so, so much!
XoXo,
Anna.