by Holly Rayner
She was met with a wall of silence as eyes darted around the room, and Jasmina realized in that moment that there was more to the situation than met the eye.
“All right, who is brave enough to deliver the bad news?” she asked, feigning confidence.
The truth was, she was shaking in her ceremonial boots, but to let them know that was to lose their faith that she could be a strong leader. It was the last thing she wanted to do so soon into her reign. Kalim cleared his throat.
“I’m afraid things are not as well as they may appear, Your Highness,” he said.
“Please, if we are to work together, I would like it if all of you called me Jasmina.”
He nodded, and the rest of the men did the same.
“Very well, Jasmina. Before your father died, it was discovered that a small group of his advisors were pilfering from the national coffers. In fact, he learned shortly before his death that they had taken almost everything we have and left the country with it. El Jayiah is destitute, Jasmina.”
Jasmina blinked as she absorbed that information. Her eyes darted to Adir, another council member, whose expression was beyond morose. When he met her gaze, he nodded.
“It is true, I’m afraid. We were all of us deceived by those…those…” he struggled to find a word that wouldn’t be offensive, and Jasmina cut him off to save him the trouble.
“All right, so my father was betrayed. How do I know I can trust any of you?”
Her accusation was met with stunned silence as the men gawked at her. Finally, Adir spoke.
“We were the ones leading the investigation, Jasmina. Something didn’t seem right about expenditures, and your father couldn’t wrap his head around it. You know that’s saying something, because he was quite skilled with finances. Once they knew they had been discovered, their exit was hasty and well covered. While we have a team searching for them, it could be years before we are able to track them down, and we simply do not have that much time.”
Jasmina’s heart sank as she took in this piece of information. Her country was bankrupt? Her father betrayed to the point that it might have caused a fatal heart attack? She found herself grateful to be sitting down, for she wanted to crawl into a ball on the floor again and hide from the world forever. Instead, she cleared her throat.
“And do we have any options left to us that we can tolerate?”
Kalim nodded.
“About a month ago we received word that there is a yet untapped supply of lithium just outside the city. That mineral could be our salvation. If we could get a buyer in to mine it, we could produce enough jobs to give the economy a good boost and get back to where we were before, perhaps even better.”
Jasmina nodded.
“That’s good news. Now how exactly are we going to go about it?”
Pulling a few papers from a file on the table, Kalim slid them across the table for Jasmina to look at.
“An American company has offered to purchase the lithium mines for an exceptional price—and that’s before hiring our local workers to get the job done. They have already agreed to use only local workers, and they have offered us the highest price for the land. We will not likely get a better offer than this.”
“What is this company, that they can invest so much money into such a project and be fine not benefitting their own workforce?”
She gazed down at the papers before her, seeing the company title in bold.
Jenson Black Technologies
“Smartphones, I’m guessing?”
Adir nodded.
“The CEO is deeply interested in this deal due to lithium being essential to the manufacturing process. From what we can tell, his terms are beyond generous, and no one else has come close to offering what they have.”
Jasmina continued to read, but something made her pause and look up with a question in her eye.
“There is information missing from these terms; are they not fully laid out?”
Another man—Hami, going by his name plate—cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“That’s the tricky part… The CEO says that he will not close a deal until he has discussed the terms in full with you…privately.”
“Privately? Who is this man?”
“His name is Jenson Black,” Hami said dully.
“Is he difficult to work with?” Jasmina asked.
Another loaded silence filled the room. Jasmina wondered just how long it would take for her to earn the trust of her cabinet, that they may be open and honest with her when discussing matters of state. She let out a frustrated sigh.
“It doesn’t matter. If this is the deal that will save our country, I will meet with him as soon as possible so that we can strike a bargain. The lives of our people depend on this discussion, and I won’t postpone it, no matter what the man is like. Adir, can you work to set up this meeting?”
Adir nodded.
“I’d be happy to, Jasmina. I think that should be enough for today. We can delve into other matters tomorrow, say eight in the morning?”
There was a general rumble of agreement before the meeting was adjourned, and Jasmina was complimented on her decisive action so soon after taking over the crown. She nodded gracefully at the compliments, waiting until the last man exited before closing the door and staring around her at the chamber.
She wasn’t ready for this. Jasmina felt completely at the will of her council, and if what they said was true, that kind of trust had destroyed her father.
“I can’t do this, Papa,” she whispered into the empty room.
Tears threatened to take over once again, and she fought them back, gazing back down at the paperwork on the lithium deal.
Who was this Jenson Black, and what kind of deal was he going to make that required her personal attention? He had to have some idea of the straights they were in, but how could he know?
With a sigh, Jasmina realized there would only be one way to find that out. She would have to wait until her meeting with Black, and see what was so important to him that only she could discuss it.
Her country’s welfare depended on it.
Chapter Three
A few days later, Jasmina was in her father’s old office, trying to puzzle out just how he had managed to be so misled by his former advisory team. Adir had provided her the entire series of files on the investigation, and she shifted a pair of black rimmed glasses a little higher on her petite nose as her eyebrows narrowed.
She was scowling when there was a knock at the door, and she glanced up and called out for the person to come in. Asha opened the door with a small cup of tea on a silver tray in her hand.
“You need some sustenance, Jasmina. This will do you no good.”
Jasmina gestured to the papers angrily.
“How could this have happened? This is outrageous! We must find these men and bring them to justice, immediately. I’m so mad I could just spit!”
Asha approached the desk, brushing aside files to make room for the tea, which steamed slightly as she set it on the mahogany wood.
“Just try not to spit into your tea, dear.”
Jasmina forced herself to calm down. It would do no good flying into a rage. She knew that there would be many instances where she would be met with less than happy facts, and she would have to handle it with dignity and calm resolve.
It’s what her father would have expected of her.
Lifting the cup to her lips, she took a delicate sip and released a breath. She glanced up at her old confidant.
“Thank you, Asha. This is just what I needed.”
Asha shook her head.
“What you need is lunch. I’m here to tell you that your business prospect has arrived at the palace, and is waiting for you in the main atrium.”
“Jenson Black?”
“That’s the one,” Asha said, her lip twitching. The small movement didn’t make it past Jasmina.
“Why are you smiling?” she asked.
Asha shrugged, feigning nonchala
nce. She stepped away from the desk and headed toward the door.
“Let’s just say I haven’t seen a man that looks like that since the last time I went to the cinema,” she said, winking at Jasmina before closing the door behind her.
Jasmina blinked. Did Asha just call the CEO attractive, like that was what mattered? The welfare of El Jayiah could rest on that man’s shoulders! It didn’t matter if he looked like a toad.
Squaring her shoulders, Jasmina took one last sip of the soothing tea before she made her own exit, her black heels clicking against the mosaic tiled floors as she made her way across the sprawling estate to the main entrance.
When she arrived, a man was standing with his back to her in the far corner. He appeared to be admiring a portrait of her great-grandmother, and even Jasmina had to admit that the back of him alone was…admirable. Broad shoulders were encased in a tailored black suit, his trousers perfectly displaying his…assets. Jasmina cleared her throat, to get his attention as much to regather her wits; checking the man out was hardly the best way to start the meeting.
He turned, and even from across the room Jasmina could see how emerald green his eyes were. She had seen her fair share of gems, but these were brighter and more stunning than any she had come across. Paired with his light brown hair, the man certainly had a celebrity quality to him, which, Jasmina mused, likely helped his business.
She knew firsthand that people could be terribly shallow. Even as she thought it, she remembered that she had reacted to him just by entering the room, and she chastised herself.
She was a Sheikha, and one in dire need of funds. That was the focus. The fact that the man was a stunning human specimen was irrelevant.
He approached her, sticking out his hand for her to shake.
“Your Highness. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today.”
Jasmina instinctively placed her hand in his, ignoring the soft feel of his touch. She would be shaking hands for the rest of her life with a million strangers a day. This was no different than any other diplomatic meeting. His eyes bored into hers, as though he was measuring her up, and she held onto his hand a little tighter before releasing it.
“I see you were admiring a portrait of my great-grandmother,” she said, and he glanced back before turning to face her with a nod.
“She was quite a lovely woman. It’s clear to me that those traits are genetic.”
Jasmina brushed off the compliment.
“We are here to discuss matters of state, Mr. Black. My appearance has nothing to do with it.”
“You don’t like being called lovely?”
“I don’t like being judged for my appearance over my substance. I am a Sheikha, Mr. Black, but if my face were plain I would still have the same mind.”
“So what you’re saying is you think you’re attractive.”
Jasmina could feel her cheeks reddening. How had she lost control of the conversation so quickly? She had to keep a cool head.
“I’m saying I would like to discuss our terms with you without you objectifying me because of my gender. Do you think that will be something you’re capable of, Mr. Black?”
He smirked at her comment, and Jasmina cursed the fact that she had ever found the man attractive. He was clearly a brute used to getting whatever he wanted because he himself had a pretty face. He wouldn’t find himself getting away with that on her watch!
“I will certainly try to keep my admiration to myself from here on out, Your Highness. Do forgive me for complimenting you.”
“Feel free to compliment me by not insulting my intelligence. I am not a woman who can be swayed by pretty words. I have a nation to run here, Mr. Black. I don’t have time for shameless flirts.”
Jenson put up his hands in a defensive gesture.
“All right, all right. Sensitive subject. I get it. Maybe we can start over. I’m Jenson Black, here to meet with you about that delightful supply of lithium you have.”
He crossed his arms, waiting for her to take her turn, to play into his game. When she simply stared him down, he glanced back at the picture of her great-grandmother.
“I would love to hear about all the accomplishments of your ancestors, without discussing their personal appearance, since that topic is clearly so disgusting to you.”
The man was arrogance personified. Jasmina continued to stare at him in silence, wanting him to squirm beneath her gaze. Seeing her game, Jenson crossed his arms again and stared right back at her.
“As much as I love a good staring contest, there is business we need to attend to. Are you quite finished?” he asked.
Jasmina bit back a retort. Her people were counting on her, and this swaggering brute was her only ticket to salvation. Taking a bracing breath, she reminded herself that she was a diplomat, and that refusing to speak with him wasn’t going to resolve anything.
“Now that your little game is finished, I would love to sit down and discuss terms. If you’ll follow me,” she said turning.
“You know,” he said, drawing out the last word as he stayed in place.
Jasmina turned back to face him with a lifted eyebrow. He seemed entirely unaffected by her obvious annoyance.
“We could have a much better time discussing business over dinner in the city. What do you say? Come out with me tonight instead?”
Jasmina blinked. Her disbelief was so overpowering it left her momentarily speechless before she walked up to him to look straight up into his eyes. She instantly regretted that decision, because the man had a delicious smelling cologne that permeated her senses and left her feeling slightly dizzy.
“This is not a date, Mr. Black. You are here to negotiate terms that will benefit both our parties, and I am here to ensure that those negotiations take place in a timely manner. I do not have time to waste going out to a public place to discuss private national matters. We have a luncheon already prepared here. You would not want to offend my chef by walking out on his careful preparations?”
Jenson grinned, and Jasmina wanted to slap that smile right off his smug face.
“Nice power play. I can see this isn’t your first rodeo, Sheikha, in which case we’ll do things your way. Please lead the way to lunch, Your Highness.”
She nodded once, turning and walking out of the room, beyond caring whether it was rude that she chose not to walk beside him. The man was rude and bullish, and she wanted to finish the negotiations as soon as possible so she could leave him in the hands of her advisors for the rest of their commitment. The meeting couldn’t end soon enough as far as she was concerned.
A pair of wide glass doors opened up to the royal gardens, which were peppered with sweet smelling flowers of all shades and hues. A table for two had been set up beneath a white gazebo, loaded with local delicacies and fresh-squeezed juice. Jasmina took a seat, and Jenson followed suit.
“I take it back. This is far more romantic than a dinner out. I see what you did there,” he quipped.
Jasmina’s blood was beginning to boil. The man refused to address her as a monarch, instead trying every tactic to flirt with her like they were at a bar in Manhattan. She thought back to her time in New York, and was grateful for it. Without having dealt with American men in the past, she wouldn’t know just how to handle this one.
“Mr. Black, before we begin this meeting I’d like to be very clear about one thing: I would never in a million years consider a romantic engagement with someone like you. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s discuss what we’re actually here for, okay?”
Her tone was the perfect mixture of disgust and condescension, but to her despair Jenson seemed in no way put off. He simply shrugged, grabbing a roll off the table and taking a bite. Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Jasmina began her prepared negotiation.
“I understand that you’ve agreed to hire only local workers to mine this supply, while also offering to use your own equipment to complete the extraction. I am perfectly willing to grant you access to the lith
ium mines for as long as this process will take, but from what I’ve read you should be able to mine the supply over the course of the next ten years. We can renegotiate your status in my country at that time, but I think ten years of promised employment will be enough for now, with the inclusion of your initial payment for the lithium itself.”
Jenson continued to chew on his bread. Even though he wasn’t slovenly about it, something about the gesture annoyed Jasmina beyond understanding. It was as though he wasn’t listening to a word she was saying. After swallowing another huge bite, he finally looked at her directly, and there was a hunter’s gleam in his eye.
What on earth was he up to?
Chapter Four
“I’d like to make a counterproposal, if I may,” Jenson said, leaning in ever so slightly.
Jasmina sat back in her seat, waiting for him to go on.
“I’d like for this to be more of a partnership, Your Highness, and you know I’ve made you a fantastic deal. I am perfectly willing to give you the millions for the rights to mine the lithium. I’m happy to move manufacturing to El Jayiah and build the factories we’ll need to process the mineral, which will take far more than ten years, I can assure you. Your people will have job security for life. I am happy to do all of this starting tomorrow…if you’ll agree to marry me within the next six months.”
Jasmina stared at him, stunned, but Jenson only laughed.
“I know, I know. It sounds like a wild proposal, doesn’t it? Still, you have to see things from my point of view. Marriage to a Sheikha is the ultimate career move for an up-and-coming international businessman. Not only will my reputation be upgraded, but it would guarantee business opportunities elsewhere in the Middle East, which is an incredibly lucrative market right now.”
Realizing her mouth was hanging open, Jasmina closed it, her teeth grinding together as she worked to control her temper. When she was finally able to speak, her voice was laced with daggers.
