It'd been three years since she had stood beside him, the camera lights flashing as they posed. He was the handsome politician, she the eye candy that had dimples in her smile and eyes that lit up with every person she conversed with. They were the epitome of happiness in those moments, his lips brushing the hair above her ear as he whispered that she was killing it. She would flash him a grin that displayed her pride. She loved making him proud.
They would go home that evening and she would feel her body tighten the closer to the apartment they got. She knew what she wanted - him to close the door, ravish her and tell her that he was nothing without her. His other half. The woman he loved. What would actually happen is that she would teasingly play his tie, make a joking jab, and he would be into it until his phone beeped indicating her. His other woman - his assistant. Except, Ryan wasn't cheating on Elle with his assistant. He was cheating on her with work. Elle might try to kiss his neck and grab his attention once more that night but he would explain she could have it when he was done looking at the polls. He was trying to get a real name for himself, Noelle.
They would end up breaking up a week later. It was their last event together. She remembered the pictures of him at the next event: another woman next to him. He couldn't do it alone, had to have someone on his side.
She hadn't taken a photo with him since.