Deprived

Chapter 29

None of the men sat at the table where the feast was, where the chandelier hung low like clusters of stars. The four men sitting on chairs gawked at her and whispered at each other. She was made to stand in the middle. On occasions, they would come up to her, rub her hair between their fingers, pass their fingers down her arm, or wrap their arms around her waist.

The dinner of twelve dignitaries deteriorated quickly. Three of the men had come already drunk and with their own women. They retired to spare rooms in the mansion to "stay up all night long." Two left the mansion and headed back home after seeing Maize, saying, "She's too young," or, "She's too scrawny."

Three others wanted to pull her into a room to "turn her into a real woman." President Aberdeen didn't like that plan and kicked them out of the mansion. Now only four dignitaries were left, and because Nelly wasn't allowed to communicate with her, she couldn't tell if any of them were from Fern or Ash.

A few hours had passed, and as Maize stood there, she didn't cry one tear. Nor did she frown. President Aberdeen wasn't going to have any reason to murder her family. Maize just wanted to get through the night with her clothes on.

Sipping a bubbly drink from a tall, skinny glass with rounded feet, President Aberdeen stepped back into the room. He glared at Maize, a smirk on his face as he entered her circle of shame and stood next to her.

"Okay, men. Introduce yourself to the tart." He glanced at the three men then looked long at the one sitting at the end. "Mr.—what did you say your name was again."

"Mr. Tron representing Hon. Billo from Passion."

"And Hon. Billo couldn't make it because he was busy, you said?"

"Yes, Mr. President. Something came to his attention, that he alone could take care of. So he asked me to bid on this fine lady in his place."

President Aberdeen laughed. "Fine lady, she's more like a menace. But that's why I invited you guys. You know how to treat a lady." He grimaced.

"Stone?"

The man in the blue suit sat cross-legged. "Stone, from Fern," he said.

The man next to him stood up, grabbed Maize's hand, and kissed it. His wet lips left a stain on the back of her hand. She used all restrain not to wipe it off on her dress. "Honorable Baker from Fern," he said in a winy voice, then took his seat. His stare never leaving Maize.

"Trim from the great state of Ash." He stuck his tongue out at Maize, and circled it around his thin lips.

Out of the four men, the one who terrified Maize the most was Hon. Stone. He stared at her in a sly way that made her want to cover herself in a thick blanket. Sometimes he tightened his fists in a ball and glared at her. It was as if he was fighting the urge to assault her in the room in front of everyone. Nelly was right. The men from the state of Fern and Ash were the creepiest.

"Men, you have seen the prize. Now let's eat." President Aberdeen said, gliding towards the table.

They all applauded the president's remark and left Maize standing there. Thank the desert god! They were no longing gawking at her.

Maize's feet hurt in the heels, but she wasn't allowed to remove them or sit. She was hungry but, given the opportunity, wouldn't have been able to eat. Her stomach was so tied and twisted with fear and anxiety that there was no room for food.

Nelly walked into the room with four field workers, and they stood against the wall. Nelly hadn't looked at Maize or attempted to, and the rejection Maize felt was real. Despite Nelly being kind to her, Maize knew Nelly was loyal to the president. And loyalty came first.