PAPARAZZI

To cheer you up from what's happening in America ugh💀

Security arrives soon enough when the car is ready to escort Kamala as you're waiting for her downstairs. "Finally... I'm starving." She says, her voice a little tired but more cheerful as she approaches you. "Let's go! We deserved a little something after all that, especially you." You say as you go to the car and you instinctively open the door for her. She chuckles at your words, appreciating your thoughtfulness. "Aww... such a gentlewoman today." She says with a small smile, her tone teasing as she gets into the car and sits down in the back. "Of course Madam President..." You put some funky music during the car ride and when you get there you immediately get a lot of attention from the people around. A slight grimace appears on the older woman's face as the people start to react to her presence, but she forces a polite smile, always keeping up her public image as she steps out of the car. "Just act natural." She murmurs to you under her breath, taking care not to let anyone overhear as she makes her way towards the restaurant. "As usual..." You say as you go down and you stay a bit behind her but soon enough people record, take pictures, journalists get here and you hear people calling out. "Madam President! Are you dating this young girl?", "Are you still married to Doug?", "Kamala why are you so close to your assistant?"

She pretends not to hear the questions at first, plastering a forced smile on her face and walking a little faster towards the entrance of the restaurant. But it soon becomes clear that she can't ignore them forever and it's only a matter of time before she must give some kind of response. She glances at you behind her, her expression conflicted as she makes a split-second decision in her head. With a deep breath, she turns around to face the paparazzi with a firm expression. She waits for the excited chatter around her to die down and raises her voice so everyone in the crowd can hear her. "If everyone can be quiet for a moment, I'd like to make a statement." The crowd's chatter quiets down at her firm tone, and the few journalists present immediately pull out their notebooks and cameras to record the statement, their interest piqued. The security and yourself look at her in a way to say "be careful what you say now". She nods slightly to acknowledge you, her expression becoming serious as she prepares to speak. She takes a deep breath and clears her throat, her voice loud and clear, her tone firm and authoritative. "There have been some... rumors circulating recently." She looks at the media crew present, making eye contact with some of them as she continues. You look at her, a bit worried about what she'll say and hoping she'll keep it vague.

She continues speaking firmly, choosing her words carefully and intentionally keeping her statement large to avoid revealing too much personal information. "I'd like to set the record straight right now and say that my personal life is just that, personal." She looks at the journalists, her expression stern and unwavering. "Any speculations or rumors about my marital status or personal relationships are none of your business." You nod as she says that then some protest is heard from the crowd around. She raises her hand to silence the crowd, her patience beginning to wear thin at their persistent questions. "Please, I'm speaking." She waits for the crowd to quiet down before continuing in her firm tone, her expression resolute. "As the President of the United States, my focus is strictly on serving the country and making decisions in the best interest of the American people. My personal life is not for the public to dissect and examine. Understood?" People get quieter, picking on the respectful side of the situation and you subtly walk closer to the restaurant to show Kamala it's time to go. She can sense you discreetly trying to get her attention and takes a step back towards the entrance of the restaurant, ready to retreat.

After that statement, the crowd is thankfully a bit calmer, the journalists scribbling down her words and some of them attempting to call out more questions. Kamala ignores them, her focus now on getting inside the restaurant with you as soon as possible. Once inside you're settled in the usual private room to eat peacefully and when we're finally seated, you sigh and speak. "They're really getting involved in all this..." She sighs heavily, her expression tired and weary from dealing with the media and the constant questions about her personal life. "I know... I expected it but it's still so frustrating, you know? My life should be my own business, not public entertainment." She reaches out and takes your hand, her touch gentle and grateful as she intertwines her fingers with yours under the table. You smile softly and stroke her fingers. "It's perhaps not helping that they see us together..." She nods in agreement and squeezes your hand gently, her touch gentle as she intertwines your fingers fully. "You're right, they see a young woman spending time with the President and immediately jump to these conclusions. We should be more careful about being seen together in public places." She sighs softly before continuing, her expression becoming a bit more serious. "I don't want you to get dragged into this media storm because of me. It's not fair to you."

"Yea..." You look down for a second as you have an idea but don't say anything. She notices your reaction and the way you look down briefly, sensing that you have something on your mind that you're not saying. "What's on your mind? You look like you have something to say." She gently squeezes your hand again, encouraging you to voice your thoughts. "I think it might be better if we're not seen together, for a while at least..." You say as you turn a little towards her. She nods slowly, her expression becoming more serious as she processes your words, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she looks back at you. "I... I suppose it's the right thing to do... at least for now. To protect your privacy and keep you safe from the media frenzy." She sighs softly, her voice softer as she looks down at your intertwined fingers. "I'll miss spending time with you like this though..." "I know but I'm still part of your team anyway and you noticed the commotion we caused just now." She nods again, a small frown appearing on her face as she reflects on your words, her heart heavy at the prospect of having to keep your relationship low profile to protect you. "You're right, of course. It's not fair to you to be dragged into this mess just because we're together."She sighs heavily and looks at you, a mix of concern and sadness in her expression. "But that means no more dates like this... is that okay for you?"

You sigh and wrap your arms around her right one as you rest your head on her shoulder. "No, of course not... but we don't really have a better solution here." She sighs softly and gently lowers her head, resting her cheek against the top of yours and gently rubbing your back with her thumb. "You're right. It's for the best. I just... " She trails off, struggling to find the words, her emotions getting the better of her. She wraps her arm around you, pulling you a little closer to her. You press against her and hug her tightly, pushing your head in her neck, however you hear a door opening as your food arrives and you quickly pull away from her. She was caught off guard by the noise, her mind still preoccupied with their conversation but she quickly composed herself. She sits up straight, her expression becoming more neutral as the waiter sets the food on the table, her hand gently squeezing yours under the table for a brief moment before letting go. "Thank you." She says politely to the waiter, her tone polite but cool. The two of you appreciate your meal and time together as It'll be the last public place date for a while.

She's so perfect y'all

-Djedje <3