Page 29 of The Sheik's Kiss

The guard touched her arm and silently gestured for her to move to a different seat. Thinking she’d taken an official’s place in the room, Mandy jumped up and followed the guard. But he didn’t lead her to one of the chairs set along the walls. Nope, he gestured for her to sit in an open seat in the front row!

Mandy looked at the man, silently asking him if he was serious. The guard merely waved his hand towards the chair again. So, Mandy sat in the empty seat, still clutching the file to her chest. Slowly, she lowered the file folder so that it rested in her lap, but she didn’t have the courage to look up. Not just yet. Instead, she took several moments to slowly breathe in and out, trying to release the tension in her body.

Zahir watched Mandy as she sat primly on the cushioned chair. Was she even aware of the significance of that chair? It was the only cushioned chair in the presentation room. All the others were hard, wooden benches. The long benches in the back of the room were slightly more comfortable because one could lean against the wall. But none of the other benches were softened by the tapestry cover or the soft, down cushion, and none except for the first row had a back to lean against.

He’d heard a few quiet gasps when she’d been led to that chair. And Zahir could feel the curious gazes of his department heads on him, waiting for him to tell her to find another place to sit.

But he didn’t. Mandy was sitting exactly where she should be.

In the chair of his future wife.

Smothering his amusement at the stunned shock on the faces of his elderly advisors, Zahir tried to focus on the person speaking into the microphone now. However, he kept glancing at Mandy, wondering when she would relax enough to hear what was being said.

He knew the exact moment it happened.

“Your Highness, I know that this is a ridiculous issue to bring to you. But I’ve spoken to several other people. The police tell me that it isn’t their problem and they can’t tell the guys to move the temporary toilets. The people at the building code department laughed me out of their office. I can’t get onto anyone’s calendar.” The poor man sighed, obviously embarrassed and frustrated as he rubbed the top of his head. His hair didn’t muss though, since it was cut so short. Instead, the poor man simply revealed his frustration. “The smell of shit is awful!” he groaned. “I don’t know what those people are eating, Your Highness. But whatever is causing that smell is filling those temporary toilets. And those toilets are never cleaned! The toilets, all five of them, haven’t been emptied in months! The stench reaches all the way down the block. People have stopped visiting the park across the street because the smell is so bad.”

Zahir nearly laughed out loud when Mandy twisted around so she could see the speaker. Everyone in the room was trying hard not to laugh at the poor guy.

Taking pity on the man, Zahir replied, “Thank you for bringing this matter to me. I believe that you’ve tried to resolve this issue at the lower levels of my government and no one in my administration has helped you.” He looked to each of his department heads, wondering which one was the culprit. Oh, he wasn’t overly concerned about the “toilet debacle”. He wanted to know which of the idiots in the front row was trying to topple his government. There were no new rumors over the past few days, but…?

All twelve men shifted in their chairs, obviously uncomfortable under Zahir’s glare.

When he turned back to the man, Zahir was careful not to look at Mandy – and the barely restrained laughter on her lovely features. If he did, Zahir was positive that he would burst out laughing at the situation.

And yet, this poor man’s concerns were valid.

Looking directly at the man who was shifting uncomfortably at the podium, he said, “This isn’t just a problem with the smell, sir. And you’re very brave to have brought this to me. I know that many people in this room find the situation amusing, and yet, this is a serious health concern with stagnant human refuse creating a bio hazard.” Once again, he looked at each of his department heads. None were laughing now! “I need you all to leave this room at once. Go into the conference room and figure out who is going to resolve this problem.” He turned to the man still standing at the microphone. “Sir, I apologize for the failure of my government for not resolving this issue prior to today. I will have a solution to your problem by the end of today and the temporary toilets will be not only cleaned up and sanitized within twenty-four hours, but a full bathroom, with proper connections to the city sewers will be built within three months for everyone who uses the parks to enjoy.”

He looked back at the men who were still sitting in the front row. “Why are you still here?” he demanded, irritated that they hadn’t left already.

“Yes, Your Highness,” several of them muttered as they stood up, their heads bowed as the group filed out through the door to the left of the presentation room. There was an awkward silence after their departure, but Zahir wasn’t finished.

“Sir, please present yourself to my office in three days’ time to report on whether this problem has been resolved.”

The man looked startled, but he bowed and nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. And thank you so much for taking me seriously.”

“You’ve brought a grave health concern to my attention and I’m grateful,” Zahir replied.

The man nodded and, with a flaming face, left the room.

Again, Zahir glanced at Mandy and noticed that she was smothering her own amusement. He gave her “the look” that warned her not to laugh, then turned to focus on the next speaker.

Thankfully, there were only a few more people left that wanted to present a problem or suggestion to him. A half hour later, the room was empty other than his council advisors, all of whom stood up, stretched, then stepped forward to bow to him before leaving. Several of them promised to look into the ideas presented today and Zahir nodded. But all he wanted was to be alone with Mandy.

She looked so uncomfortable as she stood up and moved over to one of the walls. Damn, she was cute! Cute and sweet and passionate!

He made the necessary replies to his advisors, relieved when they finally cleared the room.

Finally, the door to the presentation room closed with a thud, the sound waves echoing against the marble walls. And finally…he was alone with Mandy.

She stared up at him, eyes wide with confusion. She clearly didn’t understand what was going on or the implication of her presence here today. But Mandy was an extremely intelligent woman. She’d figure it out, he thought.

“Are you okay?” he asked, standing in front of her. He slipped out of his ceremonial robes, handing them off to his assistant, who had appeared out of some secret place. Zahir never understood how the man could be so aware of when he was needed. He disappeared just as stealthily as he’d appeared.

“I’m fine,” she replied, her tone formal and stilted.

There was a long pause and he waited until Mandy lifted her eyes to him. “You’re embarrassed,” he stated, then sighed heavily. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed, Mandy,” he told her firmly, then put a hand to the small of her back, guiding her out of the chamber.

---