The Bodyguard

3.

Men are so easy, she thought.

His pleas started quietly, apprehensively. His eyes closed in shame, guilt, maybe a mix of both. Leslie's heels clicked as she walked across the grand bathroom. She left the man on the marble floor still on his knees, essentially begging for her mercy.

Didn't he know by now?

Leslie White was not a nice person.

~

"My wife, my daughter and I are ecstatic to announce my candidacy for New York State Senator," The strong voice of Bryce Levingston filled the gala's ballroom. "I am excited to bring strong, American values back to this lovely state."

The gala erupted in small courtesy applause. By now, Bryce had zeroed his gaze in on Karla and the table her family were at near the front. Leslie had made her way back to their table, Jasper was nowhere to be found (most likely at the bar) and Lucas had his gaze fixed on Bria, standing center stage next to her mother.

"Did you know Bryce sent someone to spy on us," Leslie whispered to her mother, who looked rather in a good mood despite Bryce's current speech. "I caught a photographer taking pictures of me in the bathroom."

Karla brushed her off at first, signaling to the many event photographers who were especially focused on their table. Likely eager to Karla to break character and show her disgust.

"American values?" Lucas murmured incredulously. "That's just a dog whistle for racism."

"Of course I know," Karla directed her attention toward her daughter once some of the cameras moved elsewhere. "He can't find dirt on me, so he's hoping to discredit me through one of you. He's desperate."

"Still shouldn't we-"

"No," Karla said strongly. "Let him take as many pictures as he wants. He won't find anything."

"I'm not let Bryce of all people invade my privacy," Leslie shot back strongly. "If he wants dirt on our family he should be focusing on Jasper instead."

"Jasper will behave," Karla countered sharply. "At least for the next 8 months. He won't jeopardize my campaign."

"So what, we're just supposed to let Bryce do what he wants?" Leslie said angrily. She glanced to the stage, Bryce still boasting about his candidacy and what his plans are.

"We want a state that fights for the American People, prioritizing those who have worked endlessly toward the American dream."

"You're going to let him?"

"The only thing I'm letting him do is exhaust his resources," Karla clarified. "Let him spend his budget on spies, or photographers. Someone as incompetent as him won't even make it the entirety of the campaign trail."

Leslie scoffed, sitting back in her seat. She took a sip from her champagne and looked across the table as Lucas who knew just as much as she did that they wouldn't get their mother to change her mind on this.

"Besides," Karla started again. "This will encourage you all to be on your best behavior."

"Tell Jasper that." Lucas mumbled, likely referring to his brother's outburst in the car.

Karla shook her head, "Like I said, Jasper won't get out of line. I have ways of ensuring that too."

"What, pills?" Leslie scoffed.

"We all know how well that went last time."

"Enough." Karla stated. "We're not talking about this here."

--like to give a warm welcome to our next Senator-Elect."

The two siblings hadn't realized their mother was up next. She was already smoothing out her suit, a smile on her face as she turned to push out her chair. Jasper returned moments later as the lights dimmed. A small montage of Karla and her work as Senator over the last 6 years played on the screen behind the stage.

Equality. Love. Forward-thinking...

Karla's voice sounded through the speakers as she stood to make her way toward stage so she would be up there once the the video ended.

"Enjoy your excursion?" Lucas said sarcastically to Jasper who took his seat on the other side of Leslie.

Jasper gave him a fake smile, before turning to watch their mother who was now on stage.

"Worry about yourself, Lucas." Jasper mumbled back in response. "Maybe specifically how you're going to hide your hookups with Bria from the press, and Bryce."

Lucas didn't get time to reply to his brother's comment before their mother's voice rang through the microphone. Instead he shot Jasper the deadliest glare, silently wishing his brother's attitude would cease to exist, or maybe him all together.

"I am delighted to be standing here in front of you all today, and hopefully for another 6 years.."

~

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