21

Kai's eyes danced away from her and he touched the sides of his neck as if he was worried that he was having trouble breathing. That's where your gills come out, Yuliya wondered. He was supposed to be a mermaid who came from the ocean but strangely she still felt like there was nothing strange about him. But a strange feeling was absent here too as even though technically she should feel fear, even though not a soul was aware of where she was sitting, she was calm. Maybe it was due to seeing so many people addicted to opioids around the area that she was growing up. It frightened her the most to see little kids trying to keep their addict parents together enough for school conferences. Kai was nowhere near these types of people whom she had known, she would feel very comfortable with kids with him. The thought shocked her.

Yuliya looked to his gaze, but couldn't see it so she tried to stay civil as this was his suite and not hers. "Even though you did what I did not expect you to do and your reaction is very different than many of the men of my acquaintance. Your intentions were clear and borne of kindness. I can see that your heart is a lot more gentle than Mario led me to believe."

Kai didn't seem moved by her acknowledgement of his actions as he kept his hands on his knees the veins popping as he tried to keep his wits about him. "If you date or marry me that means that the press will leave you alone. You're accounted for as you just went from one well known family to another. It's a quiet exchange of property. It's horrible to say it but it will die down and everyone will forget it."

Yuliya watched the punk pank start their set and remembered that the blue fish painted face was supposedly rumored to be linked with a sister of the current Afuru she was sitting with. The hobbling shark dance showed off his trim waist and angular features. The Afuru sisters did have good taste in beautiful men she had to say. "There is probably a security camera in the hallways so even though you think you're in the clear, once someone gets ahold of that video and share it. Then I immediately lose my peace."

"Okay. What's stopping you then?"

Yuliya thought of how she could handle this situation. If she was back in Egypt she would have stood up quickly and shouted for the servants and then have him carried away. It would have been dealt with by other people instead of directly here by her. Her husband had always told her that it was the lesser people who should cook and clean. But back home here she had always dealt with everything directly herself. Her husband had shoved off many maids who had tried to have their way with him when he was drunk or incapacitated. She could shove off this attempt at changing her life, but she doubted that Afuru would be uncomfortable with any situation she would cook up. He would find a way through anything.