King of Slaves (Jenna's Story) (The Slave Series Book 5) (2 page)

Jenna summoned all her calmness and kept her voice steady. “They do have network; I’ll prove it when I call you in a few days.”

“Okay, do you know anything about the country… like do they have nice beaches?”

Jenna could hear her sister tapping on her keyboard and knew she was Googling Spirima.

“It’s okay, Alex, I know you’re busy with… ehhm…” Jenna took a moment to consider how many pairs of pants she was bringing and slid her fingers over a big stack.

“Ehhh what?” Alex said defensively. “What is that supposed to mean, – are you implying my history studies aren’t important?”

“What? No, I’m just trying to decide what to pack and wondering what the weather is going to be like.” Jenna returned to the blue folder on her bed that she had sporadically looked through since her meeting with Miranda yesterday morning, but nothing sprang to her eyes that revealed anything about the weather.

“Hang on, I’ll Google it for you.” Alex tapped on the keyboard again. “Hmm… warm, definitely warm. Pack shorts, skirts, and t-shirts and maybe some flip-flops if you find a beach.”

“Thanks… what else can you find?”

“Ehhm, let me see… okay, here’s something. One of the oldest monarchies in the world, population of twenty-two point four million people, the capital is called Mensau and that’s where the royal family resides. Is that where you are going?”

Jenna found her plane ticket. “Mensau, yeah, that’s it.”

“There’s a ton of history on Wikipedia if you want to read up on it.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you going to meet the king?” Alex said with excitement in her voice and then she gave a small whistle.

“Why are you whistling?”

“Go on Google and check out a picture of their king. He is seriously good-looking. It’s kind of funny because I always thought royalty were mostly ugly people, you know, because of the historical inbreeding and stuff.”

Jenna weren’t paying much attention; her gaze was resting on some documents on the bed that she really needed to read through.

“So are you looking at his picture?” Alex asked.

“Whose?”

“The king…”

“No.”

“Hmm… from what I can read here Spirima seems to be a very poor country… so how come they’re hiring you guys? You are not exactly the cheapest solution.”

“Because the US is providing a two-billion-dollar help plan to rebuild the country and my company is managing the project.”

Alex whistled on the phone. “Two billion – wow, that’s a lot of money.”

“Yup, that’s what I said, but Kevin told me something interesting. Did you know that we gave Europe around thirteen billion dollars after World War Two and that in current value that would be one hundred and thirty billion dollars?” Jenna asked.

“Sure… I mean, I learned about the Marshall Plan in high school, I just forgot the numbers.”

Jenna felt stupid for a while. “I must have missed that class,” she said dryly because honestly, she hadn’t known.

“Ha… you missing a class, not likely… But I don’t understand why we need to use American tax money on rebuilding other countries. It’s not like we don’t have plenty of problems to fix ourselves…”

There was no way Jenna had time for a political debate with her sister right now. “I love you, but I’ve got to go… I’ll call you in a few days, all right?”

“All right, sis, talk to you later. I love you too.”

Jenna put down her phone and went over her mental checklist, making sure she was packing everything. She was used to traveling but had never been away from home for more than a few weeks.
What will I miss if I don’t bring it?
She looked around her bedroom and the first thing that came to mind was her vibrator, but Jenna had once heard a friend describe the humiliation of having an airport security guard go through her bags and pull out her dildo for inspection.
That is so not happening to me!
she decided, and opened her underwear drawer looking down at her sad substitute for a boyfriend. Not that she used it often, but still… it was one thing that she hadn’t been with a man for two years and another to completely give up on sexual pleasure. Without thinking, she picked up the small oval-shaped stimulator and held it in her palm.
Don’t do it
, her mind argued, but a rebellious part of her overruled her fear. “I’m an adult and I don’t have to answer to anyone,” she said out loud and threw it in her suitcase. It only took a few minutes before she picked it up again and carefully hid it inside a pair of socks. Just in case.

Next thing, she got the photo album that her mom had made for her with childhood pictures, all with captions written in her mother’s delicate handwriting. It held great sentimental value for Jenna, and the fear that it could somehow be gone when she returned was enough to make her bring it.

Two big suitcases and a handbag was all she could bring on the plane, and it would have to do.
If I need anything… like shoes, clothes, or… batteries, surely I can buy it in Spirima.

CHAPTER 2

Insult

Mensau, Spirima

There were many things that could explain why Jenna found herself on edge, and in her mind she made a quick list. 

1: The fact that I just arrived in a foreign country where I don’t speak the language.

2: That I’m now officially in charge of the largest project of my career and my future depends on the results.

3: That I’ve never felt as unprepared to meet a client in my life.

4: That I know only four of the nine architects on my team, and that I would have never picked those four, if I had the choice.

5: That my suitcases didn’t arrive with me and that no one knows where they are.

6: That my team and I are apparently spread out among three different hotels instead of staying in one.

“Jenna… Jenna?” A voice interrupted her list-making and she turned to look at Erin, who had been calling her name. The woman was as open as a book, and Jenna had learned a lot about her on the long flight. She liked Erin, and so far her impression was that she was a middle-aged sweetheart, with her southern drawl and warm bubbly personality.

“I was just saying that if you want to, you can borrow some of my clothes… ya know, just in case your suitcase don’t show up soon.”

Jenna gave her a small grin. “I don’t think I would fit into your clothes, Erin. What are you, a size four?”

“I know, it might be a bit tight and all, but it’ll be clean at least.”

Of the nine team members only she and Erin were women.
Great!
Jenna was looking over the men in the minibus trying to decide if any of them might be small enough for her to fit in one of their shirts.

Maybe Daniel – he looked to be a size small, but he was a smoker and she suspected that even his clean clothes would smell of cigarettes.

The van came to an abrupt stop and the driver leaned out the window shouting at a man with a donkey who was blocking the way. It was a peculiar sight for the ten Americans. and so different from the Chicago ones they had just left behind.

“Look to your left,” someone said and they all turned their heads to see a crew working on restoring a building. Men were sweating as they carried bricks and buckets on their shoulders and on top of the three-story building an old man stood, yelling down to his colleagues beneath.

“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Nick, the youngest of the architects, snickered.

“Oh lord,” Erin exclaimed with a hand to her chest, and Jenna heard more clicks from cell phones capturing the insane scenario in front of them.

The man on the top of the building was shouting and gesturing with his hand to another man standing a few feet beneath him. The building was shaped like an L, and instead of building a scaffolding, the men had simply placed a slim wooden board between the windows in the two parts of the building that formed a ninety-degree angle. From what Jenna could see, it looked like the man on the wooden board was working on replacing a broken windowpane. None of the men were wearing safety helmets or safety lines.

“Christ, look at that guy,” Daniel exclaimed loudly as a young teenage boy climbed up a ladder where a man was already balancing on top.

“What the hell is he doing?”

“I think he’s bringing up that bucket to his colleague,” someone guessed, and Jenna dropped her chin as the teen boy continued all the way up until he stood balancing on the shoulders of his colleague. Click, click, more photos were taken and comments made.

Daniel turned his head toward Jenna. “I don’t think unions and safety representatives are a big thing here… at least we won’t have to struggle with rigid building codes and safety committees.”

She gave him a strained smile… and when the minibus finally drove on, Jenna felt the first signs of a headache coming on.

That pain only grew when she arrived at her hotel and learned that she was expected at the castle within the hour.

She had hoped to have a few days to get to know the team and learn more about the project before meeting with their local contact person. She was tired and still dressed in her yoga pants and soft hoodie, which were great for traveling, but not in any way suited for a business meeting.

With no other choice Jenna had to take Erin up on her offer and squeeze her size six body into Erin’s size four silk shirt and knee-length pencil skirt.

“You look… nice,” Erin said but her frown contradicted her words.

Jenna walked over to the mirror in Erin’s room and looked at her reflection.

“Shit… this is bad,” she muttered. The silk blouse was clearly too small, and Jenna worried whether the buttons would hold. The skirt was glued to her hips and followed every curve of her behind, restricting her movements.

“I look like an idiot.”

“More like a naughty secretary…” Erin grinned, which made her eyes sparkle.

“I’m sorry, but this isn’t going to work, Erin. I’ll just put my own clothes on.”

Erin crossed her arms. “Don’t be silly,” she said with her drawl. “You can’t meet the man in your sweatpants… that’s just not right. And besides, I’m sure this is just a quick meeting and nothing important. They know we all just arrived.”

Jenna sighed. “All right then, I suppose this is better than the alternative, but I don’t like it.” 

“I know, but take it from a woman past her own prime. You look pretty. and the color of the blouse compliments your beautiful blue eyes.”

“I’m not trying to look pretty,” Jenna exclaimed in exasperation. “I’m trying to look professional.”

“Oh, I understand, honey, but it’s not very professional to be late and they did say, ‘within the hour,’” Erin pointed out.

Jenna went downstairs, taking short steps because of the too-tight skirt, and was constantly looking down to make sure the buttons on the silk shirt were still closed.

“Let me get that for you.”

Jenna turned her head to see who the voice belonged to and found Nick behind her. He sped up to open the door for her.

“Thanks,” she said, wishing he hadn’t seen her in this outfit.

“You changed,” he said, and Jenna was sure she saw color flash in his cheeks. “So your suitcases arrived then?”

“Do you think I would be wearing this outfit if my luggage had arrived?” she asked more harshly than she had intended to.

“Is something wrong?” Nick asked politely.

Jenna sighed and looked across the foyer and out the glass door, where a driver stood leaning against a large black car. She suspected he was waiting for her.

“Sorry, Nick, I’m just not comfortable wearing this and I wish I didn’t have to go to the palace so soon.”

Nick was a sweet guy and one of the four on the team that she already knew. She didn’t know his exact age, but guessed him to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven, and knew he had only been with the company for about a year. He had good ideas but lacked experience; and the last time she had worked with him, he had made some stupid mistakes that had cost her time to correct. Still, she liked Nick for his kind personality and his great sense of humor.

“Don’t worry, Jenna, you look good.”

She shook her head. “Thank you, Nick, it’s sweet of you to try and calm my nerves.”

“Do you want me to come with you to the meeting? I’ll be more than happy to,” he offered.

Jenna looked up at him. Even in Erin’s high pumps, she was still much smaller than Nick, who had to be at least six feet tall. She was going to tell him she was fine, that she had everything under control and didn’t need his help. She normally would have, but this time it would be a lie. Jenna knew she was completely out of her element, and the thought of having someone to back her up at the meeting was comforting. 

“I think I would like that,” she responded, and it made him light up in a genuine grin.

“Do you think we’ll get to meet the king?” Nick asked as they walked outside and got into the waiting car.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Jenna said and slid in on the wide back seat, “but I doubt it. Kevin told me that our contact person is a member of the king’s council. His name is…” Jenna opened her folder again and let her finger slide to the right place. “Coun Meme Tanomo.”

“But still… I mean it’s a huge thing we’re doing for the country… you don’t think the king will come to inspect or something?”

“Maybe.” She gave him a quizzical side glance as the car took off. “Why is it so important to you anyway?”

Nick widened his eyes. “Because I’ve never met a real king and I think it would be a cool thing to tell about when I get home.”

Jenna shrugged. “I’ll tell you what: if we do get an invitation to meet him at some point, I’ll make sure to invite you.”

“You don’t seem very interested,” Nick pointed out.

Jenna looked out the window at the dusty town. “When your dad is a senator, you meet a lot of important VIPs and you realize that it’s all just a show. In the end, we’re all just people.”

Nick grinned. “Your dad is a senator?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, that is so cool.”

Jenna slowly turned and looked at him. “What does your dad do?”

Nick scratched his ear. “He’s just a football coach at the local high school.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “I bet you played a lot of sports, then.”

“Sure did.”

“And did your dad come to see you play?”

“Of course – he was my coach for five years.”

“Sounds nice. My dad never came to anything,”

Nick frowned. “Why not?”

She shrugged but kept staring out the window. “Because he was too busy.”

“Ohh… I’m sorry.”

Jenna turned her head to look at Nick again. “Don’t worry about it, I understood why he couldn’t be there. There were important people he needed to meet with.”

“But you were important too,” Nick said quietly.

Jenna didn’t answer him; she was not going down the road to pity city. Compared to other people, she had nothing to complain about. Her life had been privileged with all the things money could buy and her father had made sure she went to the finest schools in the world. Because of him, she was a strong, independent, and competent woman.
Only I would feel a lot more confident in my own clothes and in my own country.

Jenna decided to change the subject. “Nick, listen, I need you to tell me as much about the project as you know.”

He sat up a bit straighter. “Sure. I mean, I wasn’t part of the bidding process so I can’t tell you a whole lot but Kevin said I would be working on building schools…” He trailed off and his eyes lit up as he gazed out the front window.

Jenna turned her head to see what he was seeing and saw a large beautiful building in front of them.

The palace.

“It looks like something out of a storybook.” Nick whistled low.

Jenna had to agree. The building was the size of the White House, and completely symmetrical with hundreds of arched windows and beautiful architectural details. It was in white and yellow colors, and she was curious to get closer and inspect the building materials to see if it was made of bricks or something else entirely.

“Definitely not something you would see in the US,” she muttered and fell quiet when the car reached the palace gates and the armed soldiers guarding the palace.

Their chauffeur seemed to know the guards but they still looked inside the car and checked the trunk before they waved them through.

Inside the fenced area, the black car drove slowly through a park with sculptured trees and a variety of flowers in bloom.

“This is pretty cool,” Nick said enthusiastic as the car came to a stop. “Do you think they’ll mind if I take pictures to share on Instagram… my friends at home are not going to believe this.”

The door was opened and they both climbed out of the car, which for Jenna wasn’t easy with the tight pencil skirt.

She didn’t have time to answer Nick before a man came towards them with his arms spread open wide. “Welcome, Mr. Davis, welcome!”

Nick and Jenna looked at each other in confusion as the plump man leaned in to hug Nick. From the surprised grin on Nick’s face, Jenna could tell he was unsure about how to react, but to his credit he hugged the friendly man back.

“Hello,” Jenna said and stretched out her hand to greet him. The man gave her a friendly smile, but didn’t take her hand.

“This way… this way…” He started walking toward the palace at a fast pace.

“He thinks I’m you,” Nick whispered. “He called me Mr. Davis.

“I heard that, but don’t worry – I’ll explain it to him in a minute.”

Right inside the palace they were led up a staircase and into an office, where the man pointed to a meeting table. “Sit, sit, Mr. Davis.” He gestured with his chubby arms and pulled out a chair for Nick.

“Thank you,” Nick said and took a seat.

The man was kind enough to pull out a chair for Jenna as well and sat down opposite them.

With a grand gesture he threw his hands in the air and grinned at them. “Welcome to Spirima, my friends.”