Chapter 7—Sheiks IX by CJ
Senator Banes sat in the oval office. Just being in the room impressed upon one the sense of immense power the office of President of the
“So, Banes, how’s life for you?” President Joshua Samson asked.
John and the President had known each other for years in the political arena. They had always been on the same side, rarely butting heads, and that had served John well in his career. Now, he was at the top of the list of the President’s picks to endorse for his party’s presidential candidate.
“Just fine,” John answered.
“Getting your campaign organized?”
“Yes, sir, I am.”
“Good. That’s why I called you in here. We need to talk about your campaign.”
There was a ring of urgency in the President’s voice and John wrinkled his brow, sat forward in the leather wing-back chair and listened intently.
“We need to discuss your dilemma with your daughter,” the President added.
“Dilemma, sir? I told you already about my affair years ago. I’ve told Jenny. I realize this could blemish my record, but I am prepared to be perfectly honest with the press and the American people. How could that be a dilemma?”
The President’s dark eyes narrowed and he gave that look that a true leader possessed. The look that said John had better listen and listen well.
“The dilemma, John, is that she is linked very tightly to a Middle Eastern royal family,” the President said.
“Yes. But the Armanjanis are friends to the
The President lifted a shoulder as if that statement could be questioned, then added, “The Armanjani family isn’t so much a problem as her Johar boyfriend is. He was a former member of King Jabbar’s military. He’s a distant cousin of the Johar royal family. He could be very dangerous to your campaign.”
**
Finally she was all settled in at school. Instead of living at the dorms, she was sharing a two-story town-home with a friend from Los Angeles. She had met Kylie when she had been dating Christian. Kylie’s father was a Hollywood producer--a rich, Hollywood producer. But despite the wealth and life-style of her family, Kylie Hobbs was grounded and real. She lived a bit in the past, even, with her “hippie-ish” ways, as Jenny called them. Kylie’s friends were an odd assortment of heavy-metal rockers, Goths and bookworms. But she was a responsible, caring girl and so Jenny was happy to share a place to live with Kylie while they both attended Stanford.
“You’re going to love it here, Jenny,” Kylie insisted as they unpacked the last of Jenny’s items after having said good-bye to Nik and Tara. Nik had been the most reluctant to leave her, but she had assured him time and again that she would be fine. And she would be.
“I know I will.”
“I invited some folks over tonight to welcome you. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. I want to start making friends as soon as possible. I’ve been lost in a time-warp that is Johar for nearly a year. I need to get caught up with life.”
“I’ll bet that was horrible; Johar,” Kylie said as she flopped on Jenny’s double bed with her black shirt and long maroon skirt and combat boots.
“It was an experience,” Jenny said with a shrug.
“Christian called me several times during the war to see if I had heard anything from you. He was worried. You should call him and tell him you’re fine.”
Jenny smiled when she heard that her old boyfriend had inquired after her. They may have broken up, but it didn’t mean she didn’t still care.
“I’ll call him,” Jenny assured her friend.
Kylie was smiling with an evil glint.
“What is it?” Jenny asked.
“I think Christian was more than worried. I think when you call him you might find out that he wants to get back together.”
Jenny sat down in the overstuffed reading chair she had in the corner of her room. “Why would he want to do that?”
“Because he played the field for the past year and I think he found that Hollywood is full of shallow, egotistical actresses who don’t really care about him as a person. You cared about Christian the guy, not the actor.”
“Oh,” Jenny said with a furrowed brow.
“Oh? Jenny, he’s Christian Todd, your first true love! Why wouldn’t you call him right away?”
“Because, Kylie, while I was in Johar, I met someone. I met someone very, very special.”
**
Emir was pacing again. Razi watched him out of the corner of his eye as he hunched over his desk reading financial statements. Emir often paced these days if he wasn’t neck deep in work. He had to be completely immersed in something otherwise his thoughts over Jenny consumed him.
“Damn it all to hell, Emir!” Razi finally snapped, unable to watch for another second as his cousin moved about like a caged wild animal. “Would you go visit her already? This is insane watching you moon over a woman just because you feel guilty about missing her upcoming birthday.”
Emir halted his pacing and stared critically at Razi. “But Razi, you need me here.”
“What I need here is someone who can do something other than worry about his girlfriend. Go to the
Anika entered the office then. She halted and eyed the two men who were staring each other down.
“Did I interrupt something?” she inquired.
“Tell this man to go visit Jenny before I kick his ass, Anika,” Razi instructed.
Anika smiled teasingly. “Go visit Jenny, Emir, before I kick your sorry butt.”
Emir sighed and slumped down in the nearest chair. “I’m torn,” he admitted. “Of course I want to go see Jenny, especially after the news she was dealt from her real father. But I don’t want to abandon you and Johar.”
“A quick trip to the States won’t mean you’re abandoning us,” Razi stood and insisted. He moved next to Anika and wrapped an arm around her. “It’ll mean you’re giving my beautiful wife and I some alone time.”
Anika giggled and Emir smiled.
“Seriously, Emir,” Razi added, “you should go. We can spare you for a week or so.”
The young man nodded, but there was something hesitant still in his body-language.
“What it is?” Razi asked.
Emir glanced away from them and Razi was shocked to see some fear in the man’s features.
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid to go to
Immediately Emir stood and defended, “I fear nothing, Razi. You know that. But…
Razi held up a halting hand. “Okay, I get it,” Razi announced. “You don’t think you’ll fit in with Jenny’s college crowd because the only thing you know is military drill and how to talk about the latest in military tactics and weaponry and how to avoid a post-war civil coup. Well, don’t fear anything, Emir, Anika just so happens to be a cultural expert on
Anika smiled mischievously, walked around Emir giving him the once over and declared, “Oh, yes, I am. And I think with a little shopping in Kumar City and some briefings on what’s hot currently in
**
Tara and Rafee were away for the day with Kess. Through Tara’s horse network, she had found the perfect pony in Sonoma County for Rafee to buy for Kess. So the three had loaded into the truck, attached the horse trailer and were taking a day trip north to purchase the pony. That left Shawna and Nik in charge of the estate for the day with Aria, Abra and a passel of children.
The kids were all down in the living room with Aria and Abra playing. Shawna and Nik stood in the second floor hallway and looked down over the railing on the chaos below.
“Your house will never be the same again after today,” Shawna teased.
Nik laughed easily. “Heck, Shawna, I don’t care. You know that.”
She leaned against him and affectionately placed her head on his shoulder. “I know.”
He wrapped an arm around her and hugged her, leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her head and said, “You and I were never really very close until the war. Why is that?”
“We always got along fine,” she countered.
“Of course we did, I meant that we weren’t close. Not like now.”
“I suppose thinking that Rafee had died changed things for us. I’m thankful you were there when I went to Johar, Nik. You made me feel so much more secure.”
“And you helped me remember my brother. Promise me we’ll never let Rafee run off to war again, Shawna. I can’t live through losing him again.”
“Neither can I,” Shawna admitted.
Nik appeared uncomfortable for a moment, then asked bravely, “What about Agent Snow?”
Shawna sighed wearily. “I hope he’s fine. He’s a good man.”
“I liked him,” Nik admitted. “I know you cared deeply.”
“I did. I loved him. But…well, he wasn’t Rafee and Rafee wasn’t dead. I love Rafee more than I love anyone else on this planet. Well, besides my kids, that is.”
Nik chuckled. “Yeah, kids certainly change things. And I’m glad Aria has children. It’s all that’s keeping her going right now.”
“She loved Aasim so much. He was such a good guy. I hurt for her. I know what she’s going through.” Shawna paused then asked, “How long does she plan to stay in
“I don’t know and I’m not going to push. She can stay here as long as she needs to. I think being at the palace right now would be too hurtful.”
“Yeah, I suppose so.” Shawna surveyed the living room below, saw the two new family members they had acquired, saw Aria’s sorrow etched in her face and thought about the news they had all heard regarding Jenny and Senator Banes. So much had changed, too much. Weather or not it was for the better or worse, still remained to be seen.
“I just hope everyone turns out all right after this war,” Shawna then added. “Its ruined families, its broken people’s hearts. It was horrible what Jabbar started.”
“He paid for it with his blood. As he should have paid,” Nik replied. “And the Armanjanis are strong, Shawna, we always regroup and find ways to endure and thrive. Always.”
“Yep, we do, don’t we?” She grinned at him and he playfully winked at her. Someway, somehow this family would return to “normal” again. Just like she and Rafee were back on track, so would Abra and Aria and everyone else be. She just knew it.
**
Three days later, Jenny was sitting around the living room with Kylie and Kylie’s good friend June. June was dressed in all black with died black hair and heavy dark make-up. June was a bit eccentric and rather dark in her thinking at times, but she was a genuine person that Jenny had grown to like since moving in with Kylie.
“So, Kylie tells me you have a man in Johar,” June was saying to Jenny and Jenny nodded.
“He any good in bed?” June inquired bluntly.
Jenny blushed. “June, we haven’t…”
June raised surprised eyebrows. “Why not? What’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing,” Jenny defended. “Well, perhaps he’s a bit old-fashioned when it comes to me. I don’t know.”
“Old-fashioned? Are you trying to say conservative, Jen? Does he expect you to start donning a burka and speaking to no man ever again? ‘Cause that kind of old-fashioned is just plain wrong.”
Jenny shook her head. “No, June, he’s not backward. He’s just…a gentleman. He was a military officer. He’s honorable.”
“And hot?” June asked.
Jenny broke out in laughter. “Yes, very hot.”
It wasn’t long after that, than the phone range. Kylie announced it was Jenny’s “Emmy” calling and Jenny raced to the phone. For the first time the connection to Johar was crystal clear. Instead of sounding like they were talking on two tin cans and a string, it sounded like he was on a real phone right next door.
“Hello, Jenny,” he said with a merry ring in his voice. “I can’t talk long. I just wanted to make sure I had your new address correct. I am trying to send you a package.”
“A package? What is it?”
“I will never tell,” he teased. “Just give me your address again.”
She did, then he inquired a bit more about how close she was to the college and before she could ask him why he was so curious, he said he had to go. She returned to the living room and to her conversation with Kylie and June and an hour later, she had the best surprise. Emir was standing on her doorstep, a cab was leaving the curb outside her town-house and she about passed-out from excitement and shock.
**
For Emir,
Of course, he wasn’t a complete innocent when it came to traveling. He had spent leave time in
His arrival had stunned Jenny. She stood, riveted to the tile floor, hands covering her mouth, eyes wide with shock. She scanned him over once, twice and shook her head. When he reached out for her, that’s when she squealed and leapt into his arms.
“Emir!” she cried out. “Oh God, I’m so happy to see you! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“I wanted to surprise you for your birthday,” he explained. “Are you surprised?”
“Am I ever,” she said, her voice muffled against his T-shirt.
Anika had indeed made him go shopping before she let him on an American-bound airplane. Though he felt a bit out of place not being in a military uniform or wearing combat boots, he had to admit that the jeans and T-shirts Anika had picked out for him were comfortable enough. Everything looked worn and faded. “Vintage” she had called it. Expensive for worn-out clothes, he’d insisted. But in the end, Jenny declared in his arms, “You look so good dressed like that, Em. So gorgeous.” He assumed that meant it was worth all the hassle.
After a long greeting, Jenny took his hand and his bag and led him inside. Two young women were sitting in the living room looking rather curious. One was dressed in a long baggy dress. The other looked like a character out of a movie and Emir wondered if there was some sort of costume party she was on her way to. He didn’t inquire, they didn’t offer to explain.
The one dressed like a movie character, however, gave him a good look up and down and drawled, “So, Jenny, this is your Em, huh?”
“Yep, this is Emir. Emir, meet Kylie, my roommate, and June, our friend,” Jenny said.
“Nice to meet you ladies,” Emir said and shook each of their hands.
Again, their eyes assessed him closely and he thought for a moment something may be wrong. He’d never been looked at quite so critically and it worried him.
“You were right, Jenny. He’s hot, he’s sexy, he’s…wow!” Kylie spoke up and Emir felt his face heat slightly.
Was this how all American women spoke in front of other women’s men? He was unsure for Anika had not covered this aspect with him. She had spoken of the equality among genders and races; she’d talked of equality for all under the laws. She’d told him about the movies and the famous actors and said not to be disturbed that Jenny had once dated a famous young actor in Hollywood. She had insisted that American kids could seem arrogant or spoiled at times, but that deep down, they were good people. But she had never mentioned these critical looks and it took him back some.
June stood and circled him. “He’s more than hot, Kylie. He’s amazingly out there.”
“Out where?” he asked and the girls chuckled.
Jenny grasped his arm and laughed. “Emir, just ignore them. I think they need to leave now and find their own dates. Weren’t you two just talking about some party at a sorority house or something?”
Kylie nodded and June rolled her eyes. They threw Emir one last look, then left.
“I’m sorry,” Jenny immediately apologized to him. “I guess I should have warned you that my friends were predators. But they’re good people.”
Emir pulled Jenny into his embrace and kissed her. “I don’t care if your friends are predators or aliens. I’m just glad to see you.”
He kissed her again and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pushed her curvaceous body next to his and immediately provoked his resolve.
Pealing her arms from him and backing away, Emir stated, “I’m not here five minutes and I already have to fight myself. I wonder how I will make it a week here without breaking my promise to you, Jenny.”
“You’re staying a week?” she asked back, desire gone from her eyes and only excitement filling them now. “I’m so glad.”
“As am I. I missed you so terribly.” He hugged her chastely and added, “I prayed you were doing well without me. I hoped everything was getting settled for you.”
“Everything is really fine,” Jenny said. “I’m excited about college starting, I’ve made good friends. I’m fine.”
Her voice was sure and confidant and Emir smiled down at her. “Then I’m happy for you.”
“But it doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you terribly too, Emir. I hate this distance between us.” She fell back into his embrace and nestled her head against his shirt. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
She looked up at him and smiled wickedly. “And I love the way you are dressed. Where on earth did you trade in your combat boots for jeans and T-shirts?”
“Kumar City. Anika took me shopping. Or shall I say, she shopped for me. She’s more of a dictator than Jabbar was.”
Jenny giggled. “I’ll pass along my thanks to her later. Right now, I just want to be in your arms and feel your lips on mine. Is that too much to ask?”
Emir smiled as he lowered his head toward hers. “No, my darling, that’s not too much to ask.”
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The Sheiks of Kumar IX: Family Reunion – Chapter 8