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29
FUMI
At the end of the day, it’s up to you if you want to look away from your fears or face them head on.
For years, I found a middle ground: I buried my fear and just ignored it in hopes that it would one day fade away.
But then I married Gabriel. A man who brings out the wild fierceness in me I’ve never really known how to express. A man who lets me run through the dark and explore the blackest parts of my soul without any judgment or shame.
A man who’s taught me how to look my fears in the eye and not back down.
So I haven’t.
Three weeks ago, exactly fifty-eight minutes after I walked out of his office, Governor Hall resigned, citing “personal health issues”. Less than half an hour later, he was eating those words when the press got copies of the recording of him propositioning an eighteen-year-old staffer and almost pulling his dick out on camera.
Then it all snowballed, and I finally decided enough was enough.
“Mr. and Mrs. Black, it is so good to have you on the show with us today!”
I smile at Jen, the insanely perky morning show host, as the bright studio lights blaze down on us.
“Thank you for having us, Jen,” Gabriel says with one of his trademark jury-charming, winning smiles.
It used to freak me out how he could so seamlessly switch from one persona to the other. How he could be so charming and smooth by day, and this dark, vicious monster by night.
It doesn’t freak me out anymore. I know it’s not that there are “two Gabriels” inside of him. It’s just all part of who and what he is: a man who makes me feel like I’ve never felt before. A man who makes me come alive in ways I never have.
A kindred spirit that I never thought I’d find.
“Well, Gabriel, or I suppose we could just start calling you Governor…”
“Jen, Jen,” Gabriel chuckles. “Let’s not be too hasty. The election is still a few weeks away.”
“That may be,” Jen laughs. “But I’m sure you don’t need reminding that you’re running unopposed.”
He is, too. In the three weeks since Preston Hall resigned and was then publicly shamed and dragged through the mud, his lieutenant Governor, Rupert Cleef, has taken over the position. But Cleef isn’t seeking the office permanently, and the only other candidate in the race just bowed out a week ago, throwing her support behind Gabriel.
Pending an utter catastrophe, the seat is Gabriel’s.
“Well, Gabriel, though I do suppose we’ll talk about you eventually…”
The live studio audience laughs. So does my husband.
“First, we need to talk about your superwoman of a wife.”
I cringe as most of the audience jumps to their feet and starts applauding. But I remember Meredith’s coaching, and wave with a humble smile.
I never intended to be a “hero”. I never wanted to be the push that gets a ball rolling. But something snapped in me that day when I stormed into Preston’s office unafraid and angry. Then, when Amber’s footage was leaked, a woman came forward with a similar story of Preston exposing himself to her in a conference room. Another woman a few days later accused him of rape.
After that, I was done being silent. I added my voice to the mix, and since then, a dozen more women have come forward. Now, the attorney general for the state is opening a criminal investigation.
Preston Hall isn’t just out of office. There’s a very real chance he’ll go to prison.
“Believe me,” Gabriel smiles, turning to me. “There is no one I’d rather talk about.”
That, of course, gets another whole round of applause from the crowd. He reaches over and takes my hand, squeezing it tightly as our eyes lock.
“You must be so proud of her.”
