It had been 3 weeks since Lucille had taken over as Oliver's campaign manager, hence earning Rebecca a demotion. For Lucille, her humdrum life was finally picking up.

Aaron was home more often. She'd started attending church and bible study again regularly. Last but not least, her work-relationship with Oliver Reed had blossomed into an odd type of friendship.

They'd even gone on two double-dates with one another and their partners. Maybe Lucille planned these outings as a public relations stunt but this deep down it was something more.

In the following days of Lucille's promotion, she did a lot of things. One was assuring that she had the support of the wife. Lucille needed Anne-Katherine on their side. No politician can run without a Jackie by his side. Of course he can, but he won't win. All Lucille needed of her was to smile and look pretty for the close-ups but Anne-Katherine said that unless Oliver proved he could create a separation between his private life and his work, she wouldn't cooperate.

Lucille laid it out plain and simple: His work will become his life and his life will become his work. What she needed to know was what Anne-Katherine wanted from this campaign.

"I want my life back", was her answer.

Lucille was confused. "Your life back?"

"I didn't bust my ass all those years in undergrad at Brown and then at Yale Law to become a mother. I did it to be someone."

Lucille's brow rose at the confession.

"Don't take this the wrong way, I love my son", Anne-Katherine expressed. "But when I signed onto this I wanted more than to just be the strong woman standing behind the strong man."

Lucille understood exactly what she meant by signed on. It's just as common as one would think for people who foresee a career in politics to look for the best suitor or debutant.

From the research Lucille had done on the Reeds, Oliver and Anne-Katherine's fathers were pals. Basically this meant that their marriage was forced in a sense. She just needed confirmation and now she had it.

Lucille perked up. "A career in law?"

"What?", Anne-Katherine asked.

"What do you want?", Lucille urged. "After the election, what is it that you want? I'll make it happen. I promise."

"I'll let you know."

And that was the end of their meeting.

----------

Lucille sat on the edge of Oliver's desk. He leaned back in his chair obviously frustrated.

"Well what if we move the meeting with Miller to Thursday at noon?", Lucille suggested.

Oliver sighed. "Thursday I'm visiting the women and children's shelter in Beaumont."

Lucille scrolled around on the iPad once more. "Just calm down, we'll figure something out."

Oliver's parents were flying into town from Florida. His father demanded he make it to a 4 o'clock tee-off at the old country club and his mother demanded dinner with him at 7.

"I'll meet with Miller then", Lucille stated.

"No, we talked about this already."

Oliver looked up at Lucille as she was in deep thought. This was how most of their meetings took place. He sat at his desk. She sat on the desk with her legs crossed as if chairs were non-existent in his office. He never dared ask her to take a seat. He loved the smell of vanilla that filled the air nearby. It grew stronger every time she flung her hair over her shoulders. He noticed she did this when she was overthinking something.

"Okay", she stated. "This might sound bad but what if I come to the club at about 4:30 and say that there's a work emergency. I'll tell your dad that you'll make it back for dinner."

Oliver's face lit up. "Lucille that's perfect", he stated, "but I don't want to pressure you."

"Relax, it's fine", she said as she passed her fingers through her curls tossing them over her shoulder. She bit down on her lip. This noted her uneasiness.

"Don't lie to me Lucille", Oliver stood from his seat. "I know when you're lying", he said as he placed hands on either side of her, trapping her on the desk.

"Remember what we said about boundaries", she mumbled as she pushed softly against his chest.

He apologized as he backed away. "I thought we had moved past that. I didn't mean to damage the relationship we had." He paused. "The work relationship."

Lucille stood up from the desk. "It's fine. I just wasn't sure how to react. I don't know how you expected me to react. It's not every day your boss tells you he's having thoughts."

"So is that what you're calling it now? Thoughts?"

"You know what I meant", she answered as she started packing her bag. She knew where this was leading.

Oliver and Lucille were working late one night on a speech for a gala with proceeds going to food banks around Texas. They had both gotten comfortable on the couch in the conference room. Lucille sat Indian style with her laptop on her lap. He sat next to her leaning over occasionally to look at the progress they were making.

One of the times that he leaned over he rested his arm along her back, around her shoulders. Someone from the outside looking in would think of it as an innocent display. But they both knew it was wrong; especially Oliver since he knew how he felt about Lucille. But they stayed in that position. His arm resting comfortably around her body.

The warmth she felt from the subtle action made her feel both guilty and shameful but she couldn't bring herself to move it. But she managed to ease her way out of the situation. She stood up and placed her laptop on the table.

"I'm starving", she stated. "I'll be back."

She walked down to the cafeteria and settled with what she could find. Donuts.

She returned to her seat with a half eaten chocolate donut in her hand. Oliver tried to suppress his giggling but failed.

"What's so funny?", she asked.

"You have chocolate on your cheek."

She used her free hand to pull a Kleenex from the table to wipe her cheek.

"No the other side", he stated. Before she could do it, he took the Kleenex and dabbed it away.

That moment was what forced the truth out. That was when Lucille realized that's not how friends looked at each other. He looked at her- no looked into her soul- the way every woman hoped their significant other would. Except the story line was wrong and this wasn't right.

"I think we should call it a night", she mumbled quietly.

"Yeah", he agreed, nodding all the while still looking into her eyes.

They both packed up slowly and silently. For Lucille she was wondering where all of this had came from and when did it start. For Oliver, he just wanted to know that she wouldn't reject him if he would be honest with her. He thought he would've been struck down for even thinking what he thought.

"I'll walk you to your car", he stated.

"No it's fine."

"It's almost 2 in the morning. I'm walking you to your car", he said tossing her bag over his shoulder.

The five minute walk to the parking garage was silent. When they made it to her car, she took her bag and placed it in the backseat.

"Goodni--"

She was cut short by a hard chest cornering her against her car. Oliver caressed her face. He tucked loose curls behind her ear.

"Lucille I feel things for you that I know are wrong but I can't help it."

"Is this why I got the promotion?", she questioned.

He didn't answer her. He just started inching towards her.

There was unsteady breathing on both ends as he inched closer and closer towards her face. A bright beam of light crept around the corner of the parking garage.

"No soliciting allowed", a burly security guard yelled out across the garage.

Lucille pushed Oliver away and got in her car. He only stepped away when she started up her car. She backed out hurriedly and drove off.

The next day Lucille refused to talk about what happened. She only suggested that they set up some sort of boundaries. This was when she decided that Anne-Katherine should be more present in Oliver's work environment.

"Some things are just better when they're left in the past", Lucille stated. "I'll see you at 5:30 at the country club."

Little did Oliver know, she had other plans in mind. Being a campaign manager meant she had to take matters into her own hands at some times. Like now.

"Hi, Andrew Miller please."

"Yes, this is Lucille Johnson, Oliver Reed's campaign manager."

"I was just calling to let you know that I'll be meeting with you instead. I'll explain more when we meet."

"Okay I'll see you at Damian's at 5:30."

---------

"Here I've outlined some of the high points in which we've campaigned on so far and we feel that your company supports these same values."

Lucille spoke on and on even though she didn't think Mr. Miller was paying much attention to the words escaping her lips.

"So when did you say you started working for Oliver?"

"I didn't say, but I only started working for him a couple months ago."

"Mm", he let out as he stared across the table at her. "You're very beautiful", he stated.

Lucille grew uncomfortable in her seat. "I would prefer if we stick to discussing more important matters", she said.

He chuckled at her.

"So with this type of partnership, your company would be getting a lot more exposure to Oliver's base and it works for everyone involved."

He nodded, still undressing her with his eyes.

"Do you have any questions so far?", Lucille asked.

"I'm sold. Let's do it", he answered. "Let's get the contract signed right now."

Lucille beamed. She's just negotiated a half a million dollars in campaign funds. She was proud.

She pulled a pen out of her bag and passed the contract over to him. He signed in the different places as directed and handed it back.

"Thank you Mr. Miller. I'm sure Oliver will be happy to know we have the support of your company."

Lucille stood and began to leave. Andrew Miller stood as well.

"I'll walk you out, of course", he offered.

Lucille nodded, feeling uncomfortable as he ushered her away from the table with his hand on the small of her back.

When they got to the parking lot, Lucille turned to him.

"Well I hope to work with you again in the near future, Mr. Miller", she said extending her hand for a hand shake.

He took it but jerked her body into his with one swift movement, forcing a kiss onto her lips. He reached down grabbing her butt and squeezing it. Lucille pushed him away with all her force causing him to stumble.

"If you touch me again I will sue you for sexual harassment and take everything you own you fucking pervert!"

She quickly got into her car and locked the doors. Her breathing was heavy and unsteady as she drove out of the restaurant's parking lot.

--------

"I'm going to kill him", Oliver said through clenched teeth.

Lucille decided to tell him about the Miller incident just in passing but his reaction was much worse than expected.

"I specifically told you that I would handle this meeting", Oliver said angrily. "Why didn't you listen to me?"

The pair had been arguing for a few minutes outside of the country club.

"I just wanted to show you that I could handle things on my own. It's. My. Job."

He rolled his eyes. "You don't know Miller like I do! Do you know what he could've done to you? You should've let me handle this!"

"It wasn't that big of a deal. A little appreciation would be nice. Maybe a thank you."

"I do appreciate everything that you do", he retorted.

"Being desired and being appreciated are not the same."

"Not this again", he sighed.

"Yes, Oliver. This again", she stated. "A person can want to have you and still not recognize your value."

"I'm not talking about this. Not here. Not when I've tried to talk about it countless times before now."

"We don't have to talk", she said. "Enjoy dinner with your parents."

She turned to walk away but he tugged at her waist.

"Lucille wait."

She whipped back around. "Boundaries, Oliver", she whispered cautiously as an elderly couple walked past.

"Thank you for securing the contract", he said sincerely. "I mean it."

He reached out for her hand but quickly snatched away at the sight of his father coming around the corner.

"Oh am I interrupting?" the older man posed as he approached.

"Dad, this is Lucille. My campaign manager."

"So this is the woman who's gonna make my boy a governor like his old man huh?"

Lucille smiled.

"James Reed, one of the best governors Texas has ever seen", she fan-girled. "It's such a pleasure to meet you, sir."

She extended her hand to shake. Oliver's father accepted it, placing a kiss on it.

"The pleasure's all mine."

Oliver cringed at the scene before him.

"If you'll excuse me, I was just leaving", Lucille informed.

"Nonsense, nonsense", James said. "Join us for dinner."

"Oh no I couldn't", Lucille stated. "I've got some work to finish up at the office so I'll be going now."

"Maybe next time then", he said.

"Enjoy your dinner", she said.

Oliver's father waited until she was out of earshot to speak.

"Whatever you've got going on with that girl you better end it. Do you understand me?"

"What?", Oliver furrowed his brow. "There's nothing going on."

"Did you understand what I said son?" This time his father sounded like he meant business.

"There's nothing going on between Lucille and I."

At least not yet.