” Mr. Derek seems a little nervous.”said Joseph Edward.
” Do I? Stop making fun of me, Mr. Joseph Edward.”said Derek.
You wonder why Joseph Edward said Derek looked nervous, and why Derek, who looked calm now becomes nervous because of Joseph Edward’s words.
” That’s good.”said Joseph Edward.
” I wonder if Mr. Joseph Edward is nervous.”said Derek.
” Why should I be nervous?”said Joseph Edward.
” That’s great.”said Derek.
Derek then stops talking to Joseph Edward and walks to stand alone in the corner. Derek and Joseph Edward’s conversation leaves you scratching your head.
” Hey, Joseph Edward, what’s going on?”said you.
” What do you mean?”said Joseph Edward.
” Your conversation with Derek, feel like there’s something behind the scenes.”said you.
” Just keep your mouth shut and watch.”said Joseph Edward.
” To be honest, I’m really nervous.”said you.
” What are you nervous about?”said Joseph Edward.
” It’s the first time I’ve seen so many important people.”said you.
” Don’t have to be nervous. Just get used to it.”said Joseph Edward.
Joseph Edward stops talking and you keep quiet as well. Then the king and Albright show up one by one. The heads of states immediately rise to their feet until the king takes his seat. You see that the king is much more decent than Albright. He is lean and tall, and his face is well defined and structured, which makes him look solemn and awe-inspiring. His eyes are on you, they are bright and sharp, and this makes you don’t know what to do.
” This must be Miss Jessica.”said Abraham.
” Yes, Your Majesty.”said you.
” Haha, Mr. Joseph Edward didn’t lie to me, you are indeed very beautiful.”said Abraham.
You look shyly at Joseph Edward, who is looking lovingly at you.
” You’re very mighty.”said you.
” Hahaha, I’m getting old.”said Abraham.
” You’re not old. You’re still strong and brave.”said Joseph Edward.
” Mr. Joseph Edward always knows how to make me happy.”said Abraham.
” I’m just stating the facts, your highness.”said Joseph Edward.
” Well, let’s stop the small talk. We’re all here today, and let’s get down to business.”said Abraham.
You are amazed how quickly Abraham can change from a loving old man to a solemn king.
” You all know that if we want to survive in this world today, we cannot walk alone and have to work more closely with other countries. Our country’s unique system of slavery has always been criticized by other countries, so I’ve decided to abolish it.”said Abraham.
As soon as he finishes, the rest of the audience begins to talk about the matter. Obviously, they are reluctant to accept this.
” I know you all have many slaves and are enjoying having them, but for the sake of our country, we have to let this go.”said Abraham.
” I don’t think slavery is our weakness, father. It’s our national feature. Other countries criticize slavery simply because they don’t know enough about it. In fact, the slaves are very happy with it, too. Miss Jessica used to be slavery herself, you can ask her. They can serve as experiencers to tell the rest of the world what slavery is really like.”said Albright.
” Is that what you believe, Miss Jessica?”said Abraham.
You’re about to speak when you feel Joseph Edward pull your clothes aside, hinting you to stay out of this matter.
” To be honest, Albright is right in some ways. I do enjoy being a slave if it’s consensual.”said you.
” Miss Jessica is right. We can make some adjustments to slavery. Only those who are willing to become slaves can sign the slave contract.”said Albright.
” I’m old, but I’m not stupid. Miss Jessica does not fully understand what slavery is. Joseph Edward must be gentle with her as her master. Their relationship has no reference value.”said Abraham.
” Please think it over.”said Albright.
” I have not given you the throne, and I am still the king of the country! Don’t you find yourself a little too desperate?”Abraham frowned.
Albright makes no reply. He angrily gets up and walks out of the room. However, Abraham does not stop the meeting.
” Well, since there are no further objections, I declare…”said Abraham.
Suddenly there is a shot, and blood stains King Abraham’s white shirt. He looks at his chest in disbelief and falls off his chair. Albright is standing behind with his smoking gun.
You’re speechless with astonishment, and Joseph Edward is holding your hand tightly.
“The king died of an accident. Any objections?”said Albright.
People in the room are too frightened to speak.
” If not, I will be the new king. Any objections?”said Albright.
The crowd at the table quickly agree to support him.
“Well then, I declare slavery to remain! Mr. Derek, please dispose of the old king’s body. I’ll have a big memorial service for him.”said Albright.
“Yes…” Derek said in terror.
The funeral is held in front of the cemetery. Many people come, all looking grave. It’s a simple funeral because Albright doesn’t want to draw much attention to the king’s death. As the old king’s coffin is buried, Albright falls on his knees and chokes with sobs. This does not make the people present on that day feel Albright is vulnerable, but that he is horrible and fearful.
You and Joseph Edward watch in silence from a corner aside.
” I bought you a plane ticket. You can go home as soon as the funeral is over.”said Joseph Edward.
” Aren’t you going back?”said you.
” I’m not.”said Joseph Edward.
” Why?”said you.
” I don’t want to leave. This is the place for me.”said Joseph Edward.
” No, I don’t believe it. You must have other reasons.”said you.
” Don’t overthink it. You don’t fit in here, so get yourself out of here as soon as possible.”said Joseph Edward.
” Won’t you tell me the truth?”said you.
” That’s the truth.”said Joseph Edward.
” Then are you going to stay here? What’s so good about this place! The company still needs you!
Joseph Edward: It’s nothing compared to here.”said Joseph Edward.
” Do you think Albright will give you a better platform and future?”said you.
” That’s right.”said Joseph Edward.
” Don’t be a fool. He’s such a ruthless man. Maybe you’re next on the list!” You frowned.
” No, you’re scaring yourself.”said Joseph Edward.
” Joseph Edward, don’t do this. This is not you that I know of.”said you.
” Do you really know me?”said Joseph Edward.
You look at Joseph Edward’s solemn face and you don’t see any emotions. But you’re sure Joseph Edward isn’t that kind of person. He must have some unspeakable reason.
Then Derek comes over.
” Miss Jessica, please get out of here as soon as you can. This isn’t the country it used to be.”said Derek.
” It’s none of your business, Mr. Derek. Just leave us alone. To tell you the truth, I don’t like you.”said you.
” It doesn’t matter if you like me or not. I’m just here for your own good. Listen to Joseph Edward and leave.”said Derek.
” You’re just in time. Help me persuade Joseph Edward to leave too!”said you.
Derek gives Joseph Edward a helpless look and shakes his head.
” Everyone has their own business, and you can’t make decisions for them, so you’d better leave now for your own good.”said Derek.
Funeral is already over and Albright is standing next to you by the time you realize it.
” Mr. Joseph Edward’s not going back because he’s staying to help me. Are you sure you’re leaving?”said Albright.
People all look at you with different looks, waiting for your answer.
You look at Joseph Edward’s solemn face and you don’t see any emotions. But you’re sure Joseph Edward isn’t that kind of person. He must have some unspeakable reason.
Then Derek comes over.
” Miss Jessica, please get out of here as soon as you can. This isn’t the country it used to be.”said Derek.
” It’s none of your business, Mr. Derek. Just leave us alone. To tell you the truth, I don’t like you.”said you.