Ariel chuckled. “I don’t think senorita Marisa here agrees with that.”  She said with a wry smirk. Marisa sighed internally, not wanting this  disgusting conversation to go on again, the Draconians looking at her  like a piece of meat.

Alridge however just put on the same smirk  as Ariel. “Oh I can’t say I’m surprised.” He said looking over Marisa.  “Athletic, gorgeous, brown, and a splendid young woman blossoming into a beauty just like Andrea. But that blossom deserves to be in a collar and chains, so I doubt this is  comfortable for her.” He muttered as he continued to look Marisa over.  Even though her dress was fairly modest Marisa felt herself wishing she  had worn a thick hoodie and sweats at this point due to the gazes of the  Draconians, and even her mother. “After all, seeing one’s proper place  can sometimes be disconcerting.”

Marisa bristled at this. “Do  you all truly not have anything better to talk about.” She looked at her  mother. “Again I know this is an important trip for you and your  company but do you really need to humor them at every turn?”

Her  mother waved her off with a smile. “Marisa have a sense of humor. We’ve  been over this, Dracon culture can be strange, even abrasive, but the  attention should be seen by you as a compliment.” She said.

“And should she feel complimented as well?” Marisa asked nodding towards Andrea. Her mother looked at Marisa.

“She’s a slave dear. That’s not the same.” Marisa stared at her mother.

“Mom!  She’s an American! She’s been kidnapped. And ignoring all that she’s  still a person!” She was horrified by how callous and accepting her  mother was being of the situation.

Her mother sighed. “Listen  sweetheart, the world isn’t fair. Unfortunately for Andrea she’s a slave  now. Nothing you can do, what I can do is work hard to make a good  living for my family. Do you understand dear.” Marisa looked at her,  sighing, uncomfortable and feeling awful for Andrea. Julie walked over  to Andrea and raised her chin. She looked at the poor young latina for a  moment. “And Ariel and Geoff did their job with this poor girl; theres  no doubt that, she’s a slave. You can see it in her eyes. Her existence  of an American girl with a bright future is gone Marisa. Its how the  world works sometimes. You cant change that sweetheart, I’m sorry.” She  paused. "Think of all those poor schoolgirls kidnapped from Daphne Alba  Academy. The uproar it caused. Over three-hundred American girls  kidnapped and no doubt enslaved! Even if diplomatically thats  unconfirmed as to avoid war. Still, they no doubt suffered the same  fate. Its why the Archon and President met to crack down on the  blackmarket trade. The President knew he wasn't getting those girls  back, and the Archon knew they had to do something. Its just a cruel  fate that has happened, and is now set in stone. What I can do for you  though is work with these wealthy, and honestly charismatic people, and  make a good life for us."

Alridge laughed walking to Marisa.  “Your mother is right senorita. Unoffically of course.” He said, Marisa  hated looking at him, he was handsome yes, but she could feel the sadism  and arrogance coming off of his body like an aura. He placed a hand on  her waist. “Nice body.”

“Move. Your hand.” She told him sternly. Alridge smirked down at her, only squeezing to apply more pressure.

“Just  keep your back straight and chest out beautiful.” He said with a wink  as her backside a harsh slap, she yelped, jumping a bit as she stared  daggers at him.

Taking a breath she tried to control her fury. “You’re two seconds from losing your teeth.” She said, rage quaking in her voice.

Alridge just moved his hand up her side and chuckled. “She’s a feisty one Miss Julie!” He said chuckling at her mother.

“Oh no doubt, strong willed.” She said with a giggle.

Alridge looked into Marisa’s eyes. “Yes, and so expertly made.”

Marisa  pulled away, walking over to her mother and talking softly underneath  her voice. “Mother, I understand how you have to act around here. But  I’m sorry I’m uncomfortable, do you mind if I head back to the hotel?”

Julie  looked at her with pity. “I understand Marisa, but if you leave in a  rush it will look awful. I’m sorry, I know they can be rather rude,  especially from your point of view. But I just need you to toughen up  for another couple of hours. I assure you soon enough you’ll be gazing  at the ocean from our hotel room balcony. Just keep your cool, you’ve  done fine so far, just remember appearances are important here and you  storming off would look awful.”

Marisa looked at her mother and  nodded. “Okay.” She muttered. “Lets just get through this dinner.” She  looked at Andrea. “And I know the world isn’t fair but please don’t  dismiss what has happened to her.”

Julie looked at her. “I am  not. But I have no control. Its a shame, but like I said the world isn’t  fair. I’ll I can do is to work hard and earn a living dear.”

Alridge  walked over chuckling. “Yes listen to Mommy Dearest.” He said walking  over to her. “Speaking of beautiful American latinas who are enslaved how  long do you think she would last under the whip before breaking Julie.”  He said walking over and giving Marisa’s firm rear a slap. She jumped in  her skin, biting her tongue for a moment.

Her mother looked at  her. “Calm.” She muttered before looking at Alridge. “Oh like Ariel  said, fiery on the outside just means she has a creamy submissive  center.” She said with a wink.

Ariel laughed. “Oh I adore that line Julie, I’ll have to remember it!”

“On the house!” She replied.

Alridge  smiled, putting his hand back on Marisa’s waist, much to her annoyance.  “Speaking of creamy insides.” He said as he squeezed her side with one  hand, the other moving up to give a small grope to Marisa’s firm  breasts. “What would I have to offer you to have just one night of her  at my mercy.”

His fingers digging deeper into her side and  breasts, almost painfully so. Her eyes went wide, she acted on instinct  and rage and slapped him right across the face. In a fairly crowded and  large room, with a couple of waterfalls a classical music playing not  everything stopped. But everyone in their conversation halted, staring  at her with no expression.

Except for her mother, which stared on  in horror. “Young lady what do you think you’re doing!” She said  walking over and grabbed her arm. Marisa opened up her mouth to speak  but her mother kept talking. “I am so sorry, I can’t believe she would  do that.”

“Are you serious-”

“And Mister Alridge, please  accept my apologies, she can be too hot tempered at times.” Marisa was  stunned, she had never controlled her rage so well in her life. She just  looked at her mother in shock at her words.

Alridges just patted  his face and laughed. “Oh do not worry Miss Julie. I dont see her slap  as a reflection on you.” He laughed again. “Fun to see a pretty senorita  with such fire sometimes. I’m assured Andrea had it at one point. But  us three properly broke her until she had none. Always more fun that  way.” Julie nodded.

“I am sure, but I apologize again. Ariel we will speak later. Please excuse us.” She said pulling Marisa by her arm.