Chapter 9 Fair treatment

The couple turned back to look at her.

"What is wrong with her look?" The president asked.

"She looks..." Danna Sherrod struggled for a word. "Inelegant, plain GAUDY." She shrieked.

"She looks stunning to me." Skylar cut in. "More elegant than SOME PEOPLE with their extravagant makeup."

She did not look at Thalia but everyone knew who she was talking about.

Thalia had on layers of red lipstick, bright, bright highlighter and her cleavage was bare and bouncy.

Steffan looked at Racheal who was close to tears now. She did not know why her mother-in-law hated her so much. She had not even made any effort to get to know her first.

"Do you like your dress?" Steffan asked.

"Yes."

"Good. Let's go." He turned to walk away with her.

"But I can change my outfit if your mother prefers." She said trying to keep up with his long legs.

"No." He said strongly. The force behind the one word silenced her.

She quietly let him lead her, hand in hand to the convoy waiting outside. The security guards were on their tail.

This would officially be the first time she was stepping out since she got into the country.

She was uncertain of the reception she would get from the citizens. After all, her country had just ended a cold war with them.

"There's no need to be nervous." Steffan said, placing his hand over hers. She looked up at him.

How did he always know her thoughts?

The cars began to move.

"Thank you." she said with a smile.

Although she was still unsure about who she could trust and who she couldn't, she was grateful for Steffan. Steffan and Skylar.

They treated her fairly.

The car suddenly halted with a loud squeak. It looked like the chauffeur had stepped on the brakes suddenly.

Racheal noticed they were still within the walls of the Presidential villa.

"What is the meaning of this?" Steffan asked angrily, pulling open the demarcation glass between them and the chauffeur.

The chauffeur turned to face him nervously.

"It was not my intention sir. It's Miss Sanders."

"What?"

Racheal looked, and sure enough Thalia stood in front of their car, waving and hopping.

Was the woman insane?

She rushed forward and tapped on Racheal's window, gesturing for her to wound down the glass.

Racheal glanced at Steffan, and he nodded. She wound down the glass.

"I'm so sorry." She said breathlessly. "But I was going to the press conference too and thought I could ride with you."

"What happened to your car?" Steffan asked, his voice low and angry.

"It just won't come on, and besides I am late." She said with puppy eyes. "Please..."

Steffan glanced at Racheal. She shrugged. She had no say really. Like his mother said, she was just a common hostage.

"Get in the car behind." He said.

"But I thought..." Thalia started to say, when Steffan wound the glass back up with a button.

"Drive!" He commanded the chauffeur.

Racheal sat back wondering what Thalia's purpose at the press conference was.

Was Thalia going to cause her more trouble?

She pulled away from her thoughts and stared out the window. There was a group of paparazzi outside the gates.

They clicked their cameras as the convoy rolled out, although they could not see anyone in the cars as the windows were dark tinted.

The cars soon left the paparazzi behind and were on the road. The road traffic parted for them to pass through unobstructed.

This was one of the perks of the presidency. The road was always cleared so a convoy could speed through.

Racheal was enjoying the scenery of the city. The landscape here was different from her country.

It was modern and open where her home country had vintage historic landscape with modern interiors.

"You still have not had a tour around the city."

She turned to see Steffan smiling at her.

"Yes. It's beautiful here."

"I'll take you on a city tour soon." He said. "And later, a tour of the whole country."

She nodded and looked away. He was kind to her, but she had to continue reminding herself that their's was no true marriage.

Why did she suddenly care so much? It startled her to think that Maxwell had not crossed her mind in a while. Was it so easy to stop hurting over a man she had loved for years.

She shifted uncomfortably away from Steffan.

They had arrived at a big building. She had to tilt her head up to see the top of the building.

They waited in the car till the security guards took position around their car, and then an officer opened Steffan's door.

He stepped out, walked around and helped Racheal out of the car. The paparazzi and a few citizens swarmed them immediately.

The security team struggled to keep them away.

ONE MOMENT PLEASE. JUST ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS.

DO YOU LIKE THE COUNTRY?

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE IN A COUNTRY YOUR FATHER ATTACKED NON-STOP?

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR NEW LIFE?

Questions were shouted out at them. Steffan held her hand tightly and they followed security guards who led the way into the building.

She sighed as soon as they got in.

The director himself was waiting to welcome them at the reception.

"We are honoured to have you here." He bowed in greeting.

Racheal smiled at him and Steffan nodded and shook his hand.

The Director led them to a private waiting area where they were served cups of tea. Racheal felt hungry because she had barely eaten anything earlier.

"You're hungry?" Steffan leaned close to ask her. Racheal shivered as the air from his nostrils touched her face.

"How do you always read my thoughts?" She asked. Then she slammed her hand over her mouth.

Had she really just said that out loud? Damn! She should have kept quiet.

Steffan just laughed. "I saw the way you were staring at the tea cups."

She wanted to ask him how exactly she had been staring at the cups but she bit her tongue. It was better to say nothing.

She saw him motion to his personal assistant and whisper something in his ears.