Trey

23

Trey can feel how nervous Alexa is as he guides her off the plane. If things don't go as planned it's likely that they will either be killed or placed in the slave trade themselves. Joa isn't a very forgiving person. Actually, Trey has never heard of an instance when Joa has forgiven, not even his own family.

As they come down the stairs they find Joa waiting for them along with about ten of his faithful men all holding weapons out on them.

"Well, Michaels, you finally come to see me." Joa says with no emotion in his voice to betray what he is thinking or feeling.

"I didn't put off coming intentionally Joa. You requested my girlfriend accompany me and we had to wait for the doctor to clear her to fly. As soon as she was cleared I called you. I didn't even leave the doctor's office before I did." Trey is quick to clarify and he knows that Joa knows he's speaking the truth because it is all true. Trey hadn't left the room when he heard the doctor clear Alexa for duties and traveling.

Joa doesn't show any change or make any sound but there is a subtle difference in the atmosphere that makes it so Trey relaxes a bit. Not so Alexa though.

Joa pointedly looks at Alexa and then to Trey. "Joa, this is my lovely girlfriend Alexa Chambers. Alexa this is Joa. He hasn't allowed me to know his first name yet."

Alexa hides her true feelings and shows just a bit of nervousness at meeting the biggest syndicate leader in Asia. "Mr. Joa, forgive me, with western leaders I know what to do. Trey hasn't told me much saying that he's not allowed to and I'm afraid that I've already insulted you. If I have, I assure you that it's completely unintentional." Alexa bites her lower lip. She looks away.

Trey steps in, "She has a gift for you, but is afraid that you will take it as an insult."

Joa is unable to hide completely his shock at Trey's words. He recovers quickly but not before Alexa sees it and hides her own smile.

"I won't be insulted by a gift from someone as lovely as you." Joa tells the nervous looking girl in front of him. He smiles he can tell that she's trying to hide her nerves from him. She should be nervous. He can't wait to have her join his slaves. He hopes that she won't be too difficult to train.

Alexa blushes lightly as Joa's words. "Thank you, sir. I wasn't sure how much would be considered appropriate or how much would be considered an insult. So, again, if I chose wrong forgive me?" She moves to get in her bag and the safety's on the guns are heard to be taken off.

Alexa stops immediately and looks up horrified at Joa. "Forgive me. The gift is in my bag. Trey did tell me that no weapons would be permitted so I didn't even bring any with me. If you would like to take out the gift yourself I can just set my bag down carefully and slide it over to you."

Joa assures her swiftly, "That won't be necessary. My men won't shoot as long as you don't make any sudden moves."

Alexa looks at Joa with wide innocent eyes, "I won't." Inside she's all but smirking. So far everything is going to plan.

Alexa takes her time looking for the gift that is sitting on top of her other things. After messing about for a bit she looks up in triumph, "Here it is! Would you like me to set it down and step back or hand it to one of your men?" Alexa asks the man in charge.

Joa instead steps forward and takes the rectangular wrapped gift from the slightly shaking hands of Alexa.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to keep it, I'll understand." Alexa tells him in a soft wavery voice. She hasn't had this much fun acting in a long time. She even manages to fill her eyes with tears.

Joa lifts her lowered head and then accepts the gift from her hand. "I'm sure that it will be fine."

Stepping back, Joa unwraps the gift and opens the box. It's obvious that the chain inside is expensive. The links are some of the finest that he's ever seen and he's sure that the gold is fairly pure. He lifts the chain up and is pleased to see that the length is perfect for casual wearing. Joa does like his gold.

"If you like it-" Alexa starts saying then cuts herself off and looks down. "Forgive me, sir."

Joa pulls his attention away from the fine chain back to the girl. "What is it?"

"I was just going to offer to place it on you, but that really is too forward of me. Please, forgive me."

Joa smirks, "I would love to have you place this on me."

Alexa shakes her head. "I can't lift my arm up high enough with out pulling my stitches. It would mean that you'd have to bend down or kneel in front of me and that would never do. Even I know that would be an insult for you." Alexa really doesn't know much of the eastern culture, but she's learned that much. Joa is a powerful man and compared to her-well he's far more powerful. It would be an insult to him to have him lower himself like that.

Joa waves that away, "Nonsense. Just this once will be fine. A gift this lovely deserves to have the beautiful giver place it properly." Alexa blushes far more deeply.

Trey is less than thrilled. He knows that Alexa is playing Joa and very skillfully too, but he hates this part. Everything can go wrong here and Alexa could be killed very easily.

He can see the lecherous look in Joa's eyes as he looks over Alexa. He has no doubt that Alexa has as well. He just hopes that Alexa can keep up the charade. She hates it when males treat females like Joa is doing her.

Alexa nervously looks over to the weapon holding men and then to Trey. She licks her lips once Trey nods encouragingly to her. She steps forward and with shacking hands takes the chain from Joa.