The Longer The Fall, Aviva Gat [top 10 books to read txt] 📗

“I expected a halo, or some sort of aura to be surrounding you.” He moved his head around as though looking for something.

“On me? I could have said the same thing about you, based on what everybody seems to be saying.”

“I’m actually surprised you’re a real person,” he continued. “I was beginning to think you were just a legend, or Wonder Woman.”

“Who says I’m not?” Madeline joked, taking another fake sip of her drink.

“True, it is definitely still possible, or maybe even probable that you are Wonder Woman,” Brandon said.

During the rest of the convention, Madeline and Brandon were inseparable. They sat next to each during different lectures and speeches, discussing the speakers’ merits and what they would do differently. During social hours, they mingled near each other, often sharing a look when one was caught in an unbearable conversation. When they stood near each other, they often received comments from other convention attendees. You two look marvelous together. I can’t believe this is the first time you’ve met! The Republican dream team! Madeline reveled in the attention. She loved feeling like a part of something bigger than herself and she loved that people saw her as such a force to be reckoned with.

When the convention ended, they headed to the airport to return to their respective coasts. After passing through security Brandon waited with Madeline at her gate because her flight would take off first. There hadn’t been a lull in their conversation throughout the trip and their conversation continued animatedly until it was time for Madeline to board.

“Come to California,” Brandon said as they stood face to face. It wasn’t a question. It’s debatable whether it was even a suggestion. It was more a statement, something that surely was inevitable in Madeline’s path. Madeline smiled in response and then Brandon kissed her.

It was their first kiss. There weren’t fireworks or butterflies in Madeline’s stomach, but it was a good kiss. A solid kiss that sealed their partnership much like the way two children might prick their finger to mix their blood for an oath of undying friendship. Then Madeline got on her plane to New York. She spent the entire trip reminiscing over the weekend and daydreaming about what a future with Brandon could be like. His parents and family were long time GOP supporters, who donated significant amounts and had the ears of Washington DC in their cell phones. Brandon himself was no less impressive, having founded his own software company with a couple friends after finishing his Master’s in Business Administration from Stanford five years ago. The company’s software was now considered a ‘must-have’ for corporations all over the world, allowing them to manage financial data securely. Brandon was no doubt the driving force behind the company’s success and had been named one of the top 30 under 30 by every business and political media outlet that Madeline had ever heard of.

The next month she and Brandon spoke daily on the phone. They often spent hours talking, until Madeline—whose time zone was three hours later than Brandon’s—ultimately announced that she needed to get at least some sleep before she had to get up in the morning for her own job working as a project manager at a large business consulting firm. When the month ended, she had successfully negotiated a transfer to her company’s Southern California office and had gracefully given up her beloved position as the Chairman of the New York Young Republican National Federation. She had every confidence that her vice Chairman would be able to step up and complete her duties as well as she had. While the other members of the YRNF chapter were sad to see her go—they declared that no one else shared her enthusiasm and her ability to solve problems before they arose—they understood why she was leaving. They could see that she and Brandon belonged together. She belonged with Brandon much more than she could ever belong in New York.

And that was that. She gave up her Midtown apartment and packed what she could carry on a plane. The rest of her things were shipped to Southern California where they would arrive at her new home with Brandon. Brandon met her at the airport with the largest bouquet Madeline had ever seen and then he drove her to his apartment, where he had already cleared out half of his closet. He told Madeline to feel free to change any of the design in the apartment, even suggesting that they go furniture shopping together to find a new bed, couch, dining table and whatever else to make sure the apartment didn’t feel like Brandon’s. It was no longer Brandon’s apartment; it was their apartment.

Madeline didn’t need to replace all of the furniture. She agreed they should get a new bed, one in which she wouldn’t feel like she was on a roller coaster every time Brandon rolled over at night. She also added several houseplants, abstract paintings on the walls, and replaced a few light fixtures. Even before making her changes, Madeline was impressed with Brandon’s good taste. The apartment already was well designed, but with her changes it felt like home.

Madeline quickly fell into place in her new life. She became close with Brandon’s parents, who welcomed her into their home and family debates. His father held a PhD in economics and served as a political consultant to the last four presidents and his mother was a top oncologist who was specially sought out by the country’s wealthiest sick. Family dinners often revolved around debates on the country’s healthcare or economic state. Madeline felt at home debating with the Thomases and they appreciated her perspective and obvious passion for policy.

Madeline also fit right into Brandon’s social circle. Many of his friends were also members of the YRNF and they too had heard of Madeline before she had moved to join their chapter. She quickly became