Religious diversity in Saudi Arabia and US Speech or Presentation

Religious diversity in Saudi Arabia and US - Speech or Presentation Example Saudi Arabia offers lesser freedom of religion to the residents as compared to the USA. The practice in Saudi Arabia is that all shops are closed during the times of prayers, so as to discourage the people from engaging themselves in other businesses while the call for prayer is made through Azan in the mosques. While scheduling business-related matters in Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims have to play special attention towards this matter because their Muslim partners would not be available at these particular times at least for the duration of Salat in the mosques. On the other hand, in the USA, all shops remain open irrespective of the time of prayers in any religion, be it Islam or Christianity or any other religion. Government may impose restrictions but they are for other kinds of reasons like saving power, and are not grounded in any religion. Another factor that elaborates lesser freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia than the USA is the fact that there are no churches in Saudi Arabia w hereas in the USA, there are churches, mosques, synagogues, and Temples to entertain the religious needs of all of the communities that make part of the American society including the Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Hindus etc. Presently, Saudi Arabia does not have any official churches with a Christian denomination. Lack of official churches makes it very difficult for the Christians to conduct religious meetings and acts. The Christian community living in Saudi Arabia conducts private meetings for the religious affairs. The usual practice for the foreign Christians living in Saudi Arabia is that church meetings are arranged in one of the embassies. Christians can attend those meetings after registration and proving their foreign nationality. Sometimes, church meetings are also conducted at private assemblies arranged in the gyms of the schools. Many Christians conduct religious services at one another’s residences. Although Muslims make a sizeable portion of the American soc iety, yet the Americans have many suspicions, doubts, and confusions about the religion Islam. These confusions, in part, are grounded in the fact that the way of life taught by Islam to its followers is very much different from the traditional American lifestyle. The non-Muslim Americans find a lot of restrictions in Islam upon things that make part of their everyday life of many of them. Such things include but are not limited to consuming alcohol, eating pork, socializing with the opposite gender without significant physical boundaries and physical interaction with them, the girlfriend-boyfriend culture, same sex marriages, and cohabitation. When a non-Muslim American observes that everybody but practicing Muslims consumes alcohol freely in parties, visits night-clubs, and has a girlfriend or a boyfriend, he/she thinks of the practicing Muslims as people out of this world. Some may think good of them while others may have negative perceptions about the Muslims, but one thing that is a common observation among a vast majority of the non-Muslim American community is that Muslims in general and the practicing Muslims in particular have a very different lifestyle from theirs, and the source of this difference is Islam. Apart from this observation, another factor

Employees should have an expectation of a right to privacy in the Research Proposal

Employees should have an expectation of a right to privacy in the workplace, e.g. electronic monitoring of computer usage, phone calls, video surveillance should be eliminated or restricted - Research Proposal Example According to Findlaw.com, the employment law entails all rights and commitments within the relationship between the employer and employee. This covers all aspects of the employees whether current employees former employees or job applicants. The law is emphatic on safety of the employee at the workplace in terms of privacy (â€Å"Findlaw.com†). Many employers would argue that monitoring of their employees by camera surveillance, computer monitoring, restriction of phone calls and emails is one way of increasing productivity of a firm, but this is only relative. Too much monitoring and supervision may create a situation where fear is instilled among the employees that their performance is retarded. In addition, employees may not be able to think on their own and bring new ideas, as they would always feel that they are subject to being controlled by their employer (Weckert, 2005). According to Findlaw.com, all employees have essential rights at the workplace, which range from the right to privacy, fair treatment, and liberty from discrimination. Employers would argue that monitoring their employees is not a form of discrimination, but looked at from an ethical point of view it is. For instance, an employer who monitors the use of personal phones or emails by the employees denies them the right to communicate to people outside the workplace. A point to note is that some messages may need to be delivered urgently. If employees are not allowed, receive their calls or the calls are vetted by the employer, this denies the employees their fundamental right to freedom. The right to privacy at the workplace entails freedom of keeping one’s own personal possessions, including bags and brief cases, and lockers which are accessible only by employees (Howard, 2006). Employees also deserve a right to be the only people who access their private emails. If the employer keeps on monitoring an employee’s personal effects such as email, the employees may even

A Report Of Pace Leisurewear Ltd Finance Essay

A Report Of Pace Leisurewear Ltd Finance Essay Pace Leisurewear Ltd is a manufacturer of casual wear and designer leisure clothes company. Jill Dempsey and Mike Greaves are two co-founder of Pace Leisurewear Ltd. Lots of fresh experience in similar business and new ideas for developing a new range of clothes for young people motivate Jill and Mike to form such business to attracts younger and higher income market. Under guidance of Jane Barker, who is experienced designer, company had taken lots of efforts and spend lots of money to recruit young and talented design team. As expected design team produced range of clothes and welcomed by enthusiasm buyers. With the help of marketing team lead by Jill Dempsey, the sales was growing and orders had reached their highest level ever. Recession period Pace Leisurewear Ltd started trading due to average sales. After economy coming out of recession, companys sales started growing with new exports markets in France and Switzerland. Jill and Mike were very delighted when they received a ord er from Arena, which could be very important for companies growth over next few years in leisurewear business. Jill  and Mike invested all their life time savings as well as taken out large mortgages on their houses to invest in companies business. Major contribution added by Keeble Estates Ltd, owned by Keeble brother, David and John Keeble. The board of directors of Pace Leisurewear Ltd are Jill Dempsey, Mike Geaves, Jane Berker, David Keeble and John Keeble. Difficulties faced by Pace Leisurewear Ltd. The main problem which is company facing is reduction in bank overdraft by half over next six months. Even draft accounts details received from the auditors shows profit has more than doubled. Surprisingly company facing cash situation is so poor. Company invested a lots on additional plant and after selling old machines company didnt manage additional expenses includes  £2.8 million for depreciation. It is already clear from Keeble brothers that addition investment is not possible. Board directors not have financial expertise and business had crossed the overdraft limit on several occasions. Because of poor cash situation company need large amount of money to successfully execute new order from Arena and override Pace Leisurewears liquidity problem. Financing ratio analysis in the tabular format with relevant formulas : Profitability ratio : Ratio Formulas Year( 2008) Year( 2009) Return on capital employed (ROCE) Profit before interest and tax x 100% Capital Employed 2100 x100% 10474 =20 % 4618 x100% 15600 =29.7% Return on Equity(ROE) Ratio Profit after tax x 100% Share holder equity Formulas 1248 x100% 6874 =18.1% Year( 2008) 2926 x100% 9000 =32.7% Year( 2009) Gross Profit Margin Gross Profit x100% Sales 6510 x100% 14006 =46.5% 10792 x 100% 22410 =48.15% Net Profit Margin Net Profit bf interest tax x 100% Sales 2100 x100% 14006 =14.99% 4618 x100 22410 =20.6% Efficiency Ratio : Ratio Formulas Year( 2008) Year (2009) Stock Turnover in days Stock held x365 Cost of sales 2418 x365 7496 =117.73 days 5820 x365 11618 =182.84 day Debtors Turnover in days Trade Debtors x365 sales 1614 x365 14006 =42 days 3744 x365 22410 =61days Creditors Turnover in days Trade creditor x365 Purchases 1214 x365 7496 =59days 2612 x365 11618 =82 days Liquidity Ratio : Ratio Formulas Year (2008) Year (2009) Current Ratio Current Assets = Current Liabilities 4356 2482 =1.8:1 9974 8844 =1.12:1 Quick (acid test) ratio Current assets Stock Current Liabilities 4356 2418 2482 =0.8:1 9974-5820 8844 =0.5:1 Gearing Ratio: Ratio Formulas Year (2008) Year (2009) Gearing Ratio Fixed Interest Capital x100% Fixed interest capital + equity 3600 x100% 10474 =34.4% 6600 x100% 15600 =42.3% Financing position and performance of Pace Leisurewear Ltd Profitability Ratio: Every company is looking for its profitability. Ratio analysis is calculated with the help of different types of formulas. Ratio analysis help business to provide financial statements. Concerned with how much the company owes in relation to its size. It is improving its situation. Ratio gives very clear view of the financial stability rather than companies individual mathematical figures. Profitability ratio is most frequently used tools in financial ratio analysis. It shows companys performance and stability. Profitability ratio can be divided by margins and returns. All type of ratios can shows companies situation in the market, but ratios can not give any solution for any problem. Using companys profit and loss we can calculate its profitability. Here we will discuss profitability ratio for Pace Leisurewear Ltd. Return on Capital Employed : ROCE goes higher the companys profitability will increase. In year 2008 ROCE was around 20% and in year 2009 it increased to 29%. Even in year 2009 Profit before tax and interest was higher as compare to year 2008,but company also increase fixed assets and current assets. That was the reason companys ROCE is increased by 9% only. Return on Equity : The amount of net income returned as a percentage of shareholders equity. It will help for comparing the profitability of two companies, which are in the same industry. ROE for the year 2008 is 18.1% and in year 2009 was 32.7%,that means is double than 2008.Equity shows the total investment of the company. Higher the ROE goes shareholder get higher return. Dividend increased almost double as well as net profit after tax also increased, it means company is getting good return from shareholders equity. Gross Profit Margin : Gross profit margin prove the percentage of amount remaining after paying cost of sales. Companys total sales minus its cost of goods sold, divided by the total sales, which is represent in percentage. The higher percentage means more the company retain on each sales to its other costs. Gross profit margin for year 2008 was 46.5% and in year 2009 its increased to 48.15%. Because of cost of sales increased by 55% between last two years, it effected on gross profit margin. Companys gross profit increased by 65% over sales which is increased by 60%. Net Profit Margin : Net margin will vary from company to company and most companies will report their net margin both quarterly. it shows business net profitability.Net profit margin for 2008 was 14.99% and in year 2009 it increased by 20.6%.Net Profit after tax increased by around 134.5% over the same period. Increase in net profit after tax is a very good news for companys future. Efficiency Ratio: Company should invest in assets to run its operations. Efficiency ratio calculate how effectively company use its assets. It needs to be managed carefully. A good system of credit control is essential to any organisation. Stock Turnover ratio : It shows the number of days on average money is fixed up in stocks. Stock turnover shows how quickly goods move through the business. Profits must be increased if the rate of stock turnover can be increased. Stock is the part of working capital. Its important for working capital to as early as possible convert stock into cash to save from liquidity problem. In year 2008 stock turnover was 117.73 days and in year 2009 it increased to 182.84 days. Big turnover in days is not good for business because funds are very hard to use somewhere and funds got freeze with stock. Debtors turnover ratio ( days ): It will shows, how efficiently business can collecting its debts and how quickly company can solve debt problem. Short period of debt is not a big harm to company but the longer debt can effect on business badly. In year 2008 debtor turnover was 42 days and in year 2009 it increased to 61 days. It means longer time money will be stuck with debtors. Creditors turnover ratio (days) : This ratio shows ,how many days it takes to paying its debts. Cash must be retained within the organisation for longer period. Creditor turnover days must be always greater than debtors turnover days. Business holding creditors money for longer period so longer days with creditors turnover is good for companys business. In year 2008 creditors turnover in 59 days and in year 2009 it increased to 82 days. It seems to be good compare to debtors turnover days. Liquidity Ratio : Liquidity ratio shows companys ability to repay short term creditors out of its total cash. Current ratio must be in excess of 1. If it is greater than 1,it means ,its fully acceptable. There are two liquidity ration which is very simple to use and very important as well. These ration are :Current ratio and acid test ratio. It can pay its suppliers by having enough working capital. According to balance sheet for 2008,current assets are trade debtors, stock, cash and other debtors. Current liabilities are trade creditors, taxation, dividends, other creditors and bank overdrafts. Current Ratio: Current assets in year 2008 calculated as 4356k and in year 2009 is calculated as 9974k and current liabilities calculated for year 2008 as 2482k and in year 2009 is calculated as 8844k.As if we calculated current ratio should be 2:1,it means business has sufficient current assets to pay current liabilities. Current ratio in year 2008 is 1.8:1,it means company has sufficient liquidity to pay its debts, as year 2009 current ratio shows 1:12.Its increase shows company can pay its short term debts. Quick (acid-test) Ratio : Acid-test ratio does not includes value of stock so this ratio can calculate liquidity more accurate than current ratio. Fast stock turnover companys can keep acid test ratio comfortably less than 1. To calculate acid test ratio we will take out stock value from current assets. In 2008 acid test ratio was 0.8:1,which seems to be not bad. Next if we calculate for year 2009 the acid test ratio shows to 0.5:1which seems to be very unhealthy. Stock calculated in year 2008 was 2418k and in year 2009 is 5820k,it means company keeps more than doubled its stock. Acid test ratio for current year is showing company is in big trouble with its liquidity. Gearing Ratio: Gearing ratio calculate of financial leverage which demonstrate the percentage to which business activities are funded by owner fund versus creditor funds. There is no limitation to how much gearing ratio responsible to be. Company having less than 50% gearing ratio can be specify as a low geared. Also if company having more than 50% gearing ratio can be specify as a high geared ratio. In year 2008 gearing ratio was 34.4% and in year 2009 gearing ratio shows 42.3%.Comparing with this two years, in 2009 company is higher geared than in year 2008.Company top up loan amount by 6600k which is approximately 83%.Company have to pay more interest because of its higher loan and it can be effected companys capital, which they will end up in paying dividends. Last two year ratio clearly shows that company is having difficulty with liquidity in coming years. Top of that bank is going to reduce overdraft by half percent in next six months and this is not affordable by company to fulfil new order which is come from Arena, Pace Leisurewear Ltd have to complete this order to stay in the leisurewear market. Plan of Action : After writing this report for Pace Leisurewear Ltd ,there are few points, which need to be look into, as follows : 1.One positive point is company is highly profitable, but it is very difficult to convince potential investors to invest in company because its gearing ration is high and facing a liquidity problem .Some investor can invest with risks in exchange for future high returns. 2. There is chance to small investment from suppliers and customers after explaining companys future plan and current orders proposal. 3.Try to convert stock in cash for short term. Efficiency ratio shows large number of stock turnover effecting companys cash. 4.Pace Leisurewear Ltd need to be appoint some one who is expertise in financial activities to take control of the finances and investment of the business. 5.Company should be take a total control to expanding business activities, like concentrate on order completion in time. 6.Reduce stock level and minimize debtors collection period for short term. 7.Try to lease, so company can save money on purchasing fixed assets. Total words : 2025 References used for this report : Atrill P. And McLaney E.(2006), Accounting and finance for non-specialists. 5th Edition. London : Prentice Hall Europe Dr. Saeudy M. (2010) Lecture notes, Ratio Analysis, Accounting and Finance module. Tracy J.A. (2008) Accounting for Dummies. 4th Edition. Indiana :Wiley Publishing, Inc

Struggle Between Good and Evil in William Goldings Lord of the Flies E

The Struggle Between Good and Evil in William Golding's Lord of the Flies   Ã‚  Ã‚   Evil is not an external force controlled by the devil, but rather the potential for evil resides within each person. Man has the potential to exhibit great kindness or to rape and pillage. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding deals with this evil that exists in the heart of man. With his mastery of such literary tool as structure, syntax, diction, point of view and presentation of character, Golding allows the reader to easily identify with each character and explore the novel's main theme, the constant internal struggle between the forces of good and evil.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Golding's novel has a "remarkably complete and solid structure"(Kinkead-Weekes 15). With the exception of Ralf's dream, Golding' novel follows chronological order. It begins with the boys' arrival on the island. Through the chapters one to four, the tension rises between Jack and Ralf, the two leaders. The crisis is reached in chapter five, "Beast from Water", when Simon comes face to face with the personification of evil, the Lord of the Flies. The tension mounts continually as the story unfolds for "the structure and technique of Lord of the Flies is one of revelation" (Kinkead-Weekes 22). The climax is reached shortly after the shattering of the conch and Piggy's death, when the boys attempt to kill Ralf. After this the story quickly comes to an end with the arrival of the naval officer. Thus the story follows the relatively common path of exposition, rising action, crisis, climax and falling action.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Golding's skilful use of syntax is also quite common. He uses long periodic sentences when describing of the peaceful coral island, shadowed wit... ...at "a clearly focused and coherent body of meaning [is] crystallizing out of every episode" (Kinkead-Weekes and Gregor 15). Lord of the Flies enables the reader to comprehend that the "devil rises, not out of pirates and cannibals and such alien creatures, but out of the darkness of man's heart" (Hynes 16). Works Cited. Baker, James R. "Why It's No Go." Critical Essays on William Golding. Ed. James R. Baker. Boston: G.K. Hall & Co., 1988. Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. London: Faber and Faber, 1958. Hynes, Samuel. "William Golding's Lord of the Flies." Critical Essays on William Golding. Ed. James R. Baker. Boston: G.K. Hall & Co., 1988. Kinkead-Weekes, Mark, and Ian Gregor. William Golding: a critical study. London: Faber and Faber, 1967. Moody, Philippa. Golding: Lord of the Flies, a critical commentary. London: Macmillan, 1964.

Police brutality in the United States Essay

Police duty is to serve and protect the people’s property and life, in some cases it is not like that. Sometimes innocent people die in the shootings and over the years police brutality has become a big problem as much as mass shooting. Police frequently overstep their authority and often act as if they were above the law. They seem to be using excessive force which can lead to major injuries or even death. As it did for Eric garner when he was placed in a chokehold by a police officer as he gasped for air and screaming that he couldn’t breathe. Tamir rice who was 12 years old was shot by the police because he had a pellet gun. Regardless the situation many of these officers have been cleared. It should be a top priority the need to find a solution to lessen if not stop these misfortunes. Citizens now a day think if the police and all that crosses their mind is the terror. Police are supposed to protect, serve and enforce the law. Police often let the race of others become a factor in which they will use to engage in enforcement. They have shot victims based on their own judgment even when the victim has no intention to shoot at the police. Police training all starts in the academy. The â€Å"first rule of law enforcement†: an officers main goal is to go home safe every day after the end of their shift. They are taught that every encounter could be a possible threat. Maybe this is why some police officers are quick to pull the trigger instead of diffusing the situation like they should. New police training programs are being taught to diffuse the situation that is in involving guns. Police are supposed to limit their movement when they are in a difficult situation. When in these tense situation police officer could use their taser guns or stun guns instead of using their real guns and this could easily do as much harm as using real bullets. A stun gun can communicate with the muscle in your body to cause pain. It helps officers because it limits the suspect’s movement while causing them pain but doesn’t threaten their life. Due to using the taser more, statistics show that in Orlando the crime rate has decreased 29 percent, but no suspects died during the enforcement. In some states, police are required to use body cameras. This body cameras help document what is going on in a conversation and make police more careful about what they are doing. Being a police officer is difficult and very stressful and are involved in many dangerous and violent conditions. In many of these circumstances, they are faced with having to use force to diffuse these types of situations. Police have crossed the line with using excessive force or â€Å"deadly force.† There are many reports of assaults by police officers who have used and abused excessive force leading to people getting injured or even sometimes causing their death. In most cases, the victims of the excessive force are usually charged with assaulting a police officer or resisting arrest. Like many cases police shooting often are unjustified. There are many cases that involve a non-armed suspect being shot by the police. In these cases, African Americans males or other minorities have been the victims. How are people to feel safe if the leader of our country is telling police officers that they should not worry about injuring the people they detain? This could be one of the many reasons why now police officers will use deadly force against every person they are detaining because our leader is pretty much telling them they can. also, what message is the president really giving when pardoning Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio was convicted of criminal contempt after he ignored a judge’s orders. The judge ordered that he should stop detaining people solely because he thought that they were undocumented immigrants. When police officers are dealing with an unpredictable or treacherous situation they have little to no time thinking about what could be the best possible result. Special training, as well as other protocols, can take place to diffuse a minor situation that could possibly become a dangerous one. Something must be done to protect the people. Making the police better and using less force or at least deadly force in situations like Eric Greys. Just alone with the body cameras, the percent of brutality has been reduced. Deadly force doesn’t always have to be the solution to every situation police officers come across. Police officers are to protect and serve and make as many arrests as possible but that necessarily doesn’t mean that they should overstep the laws and think that they are above them. Works Cited Humanrightshouse.org, (2014). Human rights house network. The right to peaceful assembly [online]

The Golden Lily Chapter 14

â€Å"OH, LORD,† I SAID. â€Å"What's wrong?† asked Brayden. â€Å"Is everything okay?† â€Å"Hard to say.† I put the phone back in my purse. â€Å"I hate to do this, but I have to go take care of something outside. I'll be back as quickly as I can.† â€Å"Do you want me to go with you?† I hesitated. â€Å"No, it's okay.† I had no idea what to expect out there. It was best if Brayden wasn't subjected to it. â€Å"I'll hurry.† â€Å"Sydney, wait.† Brayden caught hold of my arm. â€Å"This†¦ this is the song you requested, isn't it?† The one we'd been dancing to had just ended, and a new one was on – or, well, an old one. It was about thirty years old. I sighed. â€Å"Yes. It is. I'll be fast, I promise.† The temperature outside was pleasant, warm but not oppressively so. We were allegedly due for a rare bit of rain. As I walked toward the parking lot, some of Wolfe's lessons came back to me. Check your surroundings. Watch for people lurking near cars. Stay in the light. Make sure to – â€Å"Adrian!† All reasonable thoughts vanished from my head. Adrian was lying on my car. I ran over to Latte as fast as the dress would allow me. â€Å"What are you doing?† I demanded. â€Å"Get off of there!† I automatically checked for dents and scratches. Adding insult to injury, Adrian was actually smoking as he lay on the hood and stared up at the sky. Clouds were moving in, but a half-moon could occasionally be seen. â€Å"Relax, Sage. I won't leave a scratch. Really, this is surprisingly comfortable for a family car. I would've expected – † He turned his head toward me and froze. I had never seen him so still – or so quiet. His shock was so thorough and intense that he actually dropped his cigarette. â€Å"Ahh,† I cried, springing forward, lest the burning cigarette damage the car. It landed harmlessly on the asphalt, and I quickly stamped it out. â€Å"For the last time, will you get off of there?† Adrian slowly sat up, eyes wide. He slid off the hood and didn't seem to leave any marks. Obviously, I'd have to check it later. â€Å"Sage,† he said. â€Å"What are you wearing?† I sighed and stared down at the dress. â€Å"I know. It's red. Don't start. I'm tired of hearing about it.† â€Å"Funny,† he said. â€Å"I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at it.† Those words drew me up short, and a rush of heat went through me. What did he mean? Was I so outlandish-looking that he couldn't stop staring at the crazy spectacle? Surely†¦ surely he wasn't implying that I was pretty†¦ I promptly got back on track, reminding myself that I needed to think about the guy inside, not out here. â€Å"Adrian, I'm on a date. Why are you here? On my car?† â€Å"Sorry to interrupt, Sage. I wouldn't have been on your car if they'd let me into the dance,† he said. A little of his earlier awe had faded, and he relaxed into a more typical Adrian pose, leaning back against Latte. At least he was standing and less likely to do damage. â€Å"Yeah. They generally frown on letting twenty-something guys into high school events. What did you want?† â€Å"To talk to you.† I waited for him to elaborate, but the only response I received was a brief flash of lightning above. It was Saturday, and I'd been around campus all day, during which he could've easily called. He'd known the dance was tonight. Then, inhaling the smell of alcohol that hung in the air around him, I knew nothing he did should really surprise me tonight. â€Å"Why couldn't it have been tomorrow?† I asked. â€Å"Did you really have to come here tonight and – † I frowned and looked around. â€Å"How did you even get here?† â€Å"I took the bus,† he said, almost proudly. â€Å"A lot easier getting here than to Carlton.† Carlton College was where he took art classes, and without his own transportation, he'd come to rely heavily on mass transit – something he'd never done before in his life. I'd been hoping Sonya or Dimitri had dropped him off – meaning they'd pick him up again. But of course that wouldn't happen. Neither one of them would have brought a drunken Adrian here. â€Å"So I guess I have to take you home then,† I said. â€Å"Hey, I got myself here. I'll get myself home.† He started to take out a cigarette, and I gave him a stern headshake. â€Å"Don't,† I said sharply. With a shrug, he put the pack away. â€Å"And I have to take you home. It's going to storm soon. I'm not going to make you walk in the rain.† Another flash of lightning emphasized my words, and a faint breeze stirred the fabric of my dress. â€Å"Hey,† he said, â€Å"I don't want to be an incon – â€Å" â€Å"Sydney?† Brayden came striding across the parking lot. â€Å"Everything okay?† No, not really. â€Å"I'm going to have to leave for a little bit,† I said. â€Å"I have to give my brother a ride home. Will you be okay waiting? It shouldn't be that long.† I felt bad even suggesting it. Brayden didn't really know anyone at my school. â€Å"Maybe you could find Trey?† â€Å"Sure,† said Brayden uncertainly. â€Å"Or I can come with you.† â€Å"No,† I said quickly, not wanting him and drunken Adrian in the car. â€Å"Just go back and have fun.† â€Å"Nice toga,† Adrian told Brayden. â€Å"It's a chiton,† said Brayden. â€Å"It's Greek.† â€Å"Right. I forgot that was tonight's theme.† Adrian gave Brayden an appraising look, glanced over at me, and then turned back to Brayden. â€Å"So. What do you think of our girl's ensemble tonight? Pretty amazing, huh? Like Cinderella. Or maybe a Greek Cinderella.† â€Å"There's really not much about it that's truly Greek,† said Brayden. I winced. I knew he didn't mean to be insensitive, but his words stung a little. â€Å"The dress is historically inaccurate. I mean it's a very nice dress, but the jewelry's anachronistic, and the fabric's nothing that ancient Greek women would have had. Certainly not that color either.† â€Å"What about those other Greek women?† asked Adrian. â€Å"The flashy smart ones.† His forehead wrinkled, as though it were taking every ounce of his brain to come up with the word he wanted. And, to my astonishment, he did. â€Å"The hetaerae.† I honestly hadn't believed he'd retained anything from our conversation in San Diego. I tried not to smile. â€Å"The hetaerae?† Brayden was even more astonished than I was. He gave me a scrutinizing look. â€Å"Yes†¦ yes. I suppose – if such materials were hypothetically possible in that era – that this is something you'd expect to see find on a hetaera instead of the average Greek matron.† â€Å"And they were prostitutes, right?† asked Adrian. â€Å"These hetaerae?† â€Å"Some were,† agreed Brayden. â€Å"Not all. I think the usual term is courtesan.† Adrian was completely deadpan. â€Å"So. You're saying my sister's dressed like a prostitute.† Brayden eyed my dress. â€Å"Well, yes, if we're still speaking in hypothetical – â€Å" â€Å"You know what?† I interrupted. â€Å"We need to go. It's going to rain any minute now. I'll take Adrian home and meet you back here, okay?† I refused to let Adrian continue to play whatever game he had going to torment Brayden – and, by extension, me. â€Å"I'll text you when I'm on my way back.† â€Å"Sure,† said Brayden, not looking very sure at all. He left, and I started to get into the car until I noticed Adrian trying – and failing – to open the passenger side door. With a sigh, I walked over and opened it for him. â€Å"You're drunker than I thought,† I said. â€Å"And I thought you were pretty drunk.† He managed to get his body into the seat, and I returned to my own side just as raindrops splashed on my windshield. â€Å"Too drunk for Jailbait to feel,† he said. â€Å"The bond's numb. She can have an Adrian-free night.† â€Å"That was very thoughtful of you,† I said. â€Å"Though I'm guessing that's not the real reason you were hitting the bottle. Or why you came here. As far as I can tell, all you've accomplished is to mess with Brayden.† â€Å"He called you a prostitute.† â€Å"He did not! You baited him into that.† Adrian ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the window, watching the rapidly unfolding storm outside. â€Å"Doesn't matter. I've decided I don't like him.† â€Å"Because he's too smart?† I said. I remembered Jill and Eddie's earlier comments. â€Å"And unmemorable?† â€Å"Nah. I just think you can do better.† â€Å"How?† Adrian had no answer, and I had to ignore him for a bit as my attention shifted to the road. Storms, while infrequent, could come up fast and furious in Palm Springs. Flash floods weren't uncommon, and the rain was now pouring down in sheets, making visibility difficult. Fortunately, Adrian didn't live that far away. That was a double blessing because, when we were a couple blocks from his apartment, he said: â€Å"I don't feel so well.† â€Å"No,† I moaned. â€Å"Please, please do not get sick in my car. We're almost there.† A minute or so later, I pulled up at the curb outside his building. â€Å"Out. Now.† He obeyed, and I followed with an umbrella for myself. Glancing over at me as we walked to the building, he asked, â€Å"We live in a desert, and you keep an umbrella in your car?† â€Å"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?† He dropped his keys, and I picked them up, figuring I'd have an easier time unlocking the door. I flipped on the nearest light switch – and nothing happened. We stood there for a moment, together in the darkness, neither of us moving. â€Å"I have candles in the kitchen,† said Adrian, finally taking a few staggering steps in that direction. â€Å"I'll light some.† â€Å"No,† I ordered, having visions of the entire building going down in flames. â€Å"Lie on the couch. Or throw up in the bathroom. I'll take care of the candles.† He opted for the couch, apparently not as sick as he'd feared. Meanwhile, I found the candles – atrocious air freshening ones that smelled like fake pine. Still, they cast light, and I brought a lit one over to him, along with a glass of water. â€Å"Here. Drink this.† He took the glass and managed to sit up long enough to get a few sips. Then, he handed the glass back and collapsed against the couch, draping one arm over his eyes. I pulled up a nearby chair and sat down. The pine candles cast fragile, flickering light between us. â€Å"Thanks, Sage.† â€Å"Are you going to be okay if I leave?† I asked. â€Å"I'm sure the power will be on by morning.† He didn't answer my question. Instead, he said, â€Å"You know, I don't just drink to get drunk. I mean, that's part of it, yeah. A big part of it. But sometimes, alcohol's all that keeps me clearheaded.† â€Å"That doesn't make sense. Here,† I prompted, handing the water back to him. As I did, I cast a quick look at my cell phone's clock, anxious about Brayden. â€Å"Drink some more.† Adrian complied and then continued speaking, arm back over his eyes. â€Å"Do you know what it's like to feel like something's eating away at your mind?† I'd been about to tell him I needed to leave, but his words left me cold. I remembered Jill saying something similar when she was telling me about him and spirit. â€Å"No,† I said honestly. â€Å"I don't know what it's like†¦ but to me, well, it's pretty much one of the most terrifying things I can imagine. My mind, it†¦ it's who I am. I think I'd rather suffer any other injury in the world than have my mind tampered with.† I couldn't leave Adrian right now. I just couldn't. I texted to Brayden: Going to be a little longer than I thought. â€Å"It is terrifying,† said Adrian. â€Å"And weird, for lack of a better word. And part of you knows†¦ well, part of you knows something's not right. That your thinking's not right. But what do you about that? All we can go on is what we think, how we see the world. If you can't trust your own mind, what can you trust? What other people tell you?† â€Å"I don't know,† I said, for lack of a better answer. His words struck me as I thought how much of my life had been guided by the edicts of others. â€Å"Rose once told me about this poem she'd read. There was this line, ‘If your eyes weren't open, you wouldn't know the difference between dreaming and waking.' You know what I'm afraid of? That someday, even with my eyes open, I still won't know.† â€Å"Oh, Adrian, no.† I felt my heart breaking and sat down on the floor near the couch. â€Å"That won't happen.† He sighed. â€Å"At least with the alcohol†¦ it quiets the spirit and then I know if things seem weird, it's probably because I'm drunk. It's not a great reason, but it's a reason, you know? At least you actually have a reason instead of not trusting yourself.† Brayden texted back: How much longer? Irritated, I answered back: Fifteen minutes. I looked back up at Adrian. His face was still covered, though the candlelight did a fair job of illuminating the clean lines of his profile. â€Å"Is that†¦ is that why you drank tonight? Is spirit bothering you? I mean†¦ you seemed to be doing so well the other day†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He exhaled deeply. â€Å"No. Spirit's okay†¦ in as much as it ever is. I actually got drunk tonight because†¦ well, it was the only way I could bring myself to talk to you.† â€Å"We talk all the time.† â€Å"I need to know something, Sage.† He uncovered his face to look at me, and I suddenly realized how close I was sitting. For a moment, I almost didn't pay attention to his words. The flickering dance of shadow and light gave his already good looks a haunting beauty. â€Å"Did you get Lissa to talk to my dad?† â€Å"What? Oh. That. Hang on one second.† Picking up my cell phone, I texted Brayden again: Better make that thirty minutes. â€Å"I know someone got her to do it,† Adrian continued. â€Å"I mean, Lissa likes me, but she's got a lot going on. She wouldn't have just thought one day, ‘Oh, hey. I should call Nathan Ivashkov and tell him how awesome his son is.' You got her to do it.† â€Å"I've actually never talked to her,† I said. I didn't regret my actions at all but felt weird at being called out on them. â€Å"But I, uh, may have asked Sonya and Dimitri to talk to her on your behalf.† â€Å"And then she talked to my old man.† â€Å"Something like that.† â€Å"I knew it,† he said. I couldn't gauge his tone, if it was upset or relieved. â€Å"I knew someone had to have prompted her, and somehow I knew it was you. No one else would have done it for me. Not sure what Lissa told him, but man, she must have really won him over. He was crazy impressed. He's sending me money for a car. And upping my allowance back to reasonable levels.† â€Å"That's a good thing,† I said. â€Å"Isn't it?† My phone flashed with another text from Brayden. The dance will nearly be over by then. â€Å"But why?† Adrian asked. He sat down on the floor beside me. There was an almost distraught look to him. He leaned closer to me and then seemed shocked as he realized what he was doing. He leaned back a little – but only a little. â€Å"Why would you do that? Why would you do that for me?† Before I could answer, another text came in. Will you even be back in time? I couldn't help be annoyed that he wasn't more understanding. Without thinking, I typed back: Maybe you should just leave now. I'll call you tomorrow. Sorry. I flipped the phone over so I wouldn't see any other messages. I looked back at Adrian, who was watching me intently. â€Å"I did it because he wasn't fair to you. Because you deserve credit for what you've done. Because he needs to realize you aren't the person he's always thought you were. He needs to see you for who you really are, not for all the ideas and preconceptions he's built up around you.† The power in Adrian's gaze was so strong that I kept talking. I was nervous about meeting that stare in silence. Also, part of me was afraid that if I pondered my own words too hard, I'd discover they were just as much about my own father and me as Adrian and his. â€Å"It should have been enough for you to tell him who you are – to show him who you are – but he wouldn't listen. I don't like the idea of using others to do things we can do ourselves, but this seemed like the only option.† â€Å"Well,† Adrian said at last. â€Å"I guess it worked. Thank you.† â€Å"Did he tell you how to get in touch with your mother?† â€Å"No. His pride in me apparently didn't go that far.† â€Å"I can probably find out where she is,† I said. â€Å"Or†¦ or Dimitri could, I'm sure. Like you said before, they must let letters in.† He almost smiled. â€Å"There you go again. Why? Why do you keep helping me?† There were a million answers on my lips, everything from It's the right thing to do to I don't know. Instead, I said, â€Å"Because I want to.† This time, I got a true smile from him, but there was something dark and introspective about it. He shifted closer to me again. â€Å"Because you feel bad for this crazy guy?† â€Å"You aren't going to go crazy,† I said firmly. â€Å"You're stronger than you think. The next time you feel that way, find something to focus on, to remind you of who you are.† â€Å"Like what? Got some magic object in mind?† â€Å"Doesn't have to be magic,† I said. I racked my brain. â€Å"Here.† I unfastened the golden cross necklace. â€Å"This has always been good for me. Maybe it'll help you.† I set it in his hand, but he caught hold of mine before I could pull back. â€Å"What is it?† he asked. He looked more closely. â€Å"Wait†¦ I've seen this. You wear this all the time.† â€Å"I bought it a long time ago, in Germany.† He was still holding my hand as he studied the cross. â€Å"No frills. No flourishes. No secret etched symbols.† â€Å"That's why I like it,† I told him. â€Å"It doesn't need embellishment. A lot of the old Alchemist beliefs focused on purity and simplicity. That's what this is. Maybe it'll help you have clarity of mind.† He had been staring at the cross, but now he lifted his gaze to meet mine. Some emotion I couldn't quite read played over his features. It was almost like he'd just discovered something, something troubling to him. He took a deep breath and, his hand still holding mine, pulled me toward him. His green eyes were dark in the candlelight but somehow just as enthralling. His fingers tightened on mine, and I felt warmth spread throughout me. â€Å"Sage – â€Å" The power suddenly came back on, flooding the room with light. Apparently, with no concern for electrical bills, he'd left all the lights on when he went out earlier. The spell was broken, and both of us winced at the sudden brightness. Adrian sprang back from me, leaving the cross in my hand. â€Å"Don't you have a dance or a curfew or something?† he asked abruptly, not looking at me. â€Å"I don't want to keep you. Hell, I shouldn't have bothered you at all. Sorry. I assume that was Aiden texting you?† â€Å"Brayden,† I said, standing up. â€Å"And it's okay. He left, and I'm just going to go back to Amberwood now.† â€Å"Sorry,† he repeated, moving toward the door with me. â€Å"Sorry I ruined your night.† â€Å"This?† I nearly laughed, thinking of all the crazy things I contended with in my life. â€Å"No. It'd take a lot more to ruin my night than this.† I started to take a few steps and then paused. â€Å"Adrian?† He finally looked directly at me, once again nearly knocking me over with his gaze. â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"Next time†¦ next time you want to talk to me about something – anything – you don't have to drink to work up the courage. Just tell me.† â€Å"Easier said than done.† â€Å"Not really.† I tried for the door again, and this time, he stopped me, resting a hand on my shoulder. â€Å"Sage?† I turned. â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"Do you know why I don't like him? Brayden?† I was so astonished he'd gotten the name right that I couldn't voice any answers, though several came to mind. â€Å"Because of what he said.† â€Å"What part?† Seeing as Brayden had said many things, in great detail, it wasn't entirely clear which Adrian was referring to. â€Å"‘Historically inaccurate.†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Adrian gestured at me with his other hand, the one not on my shoulder. â€Å"Who the hell looks at you and says ‘historically inaccurate'?† â€Å"Well,† I said. â€Å"Technically it is.† â€Å"He shouldn't have said that.† I shifted, knowing I should move away†¦ but I didn't. â€Å"Look, it's just his way.† â€Å"He shouldn't have said that,† repeated Adrian, eerily serious. He leaned his face toward mine. â€Å"I don't care if he's not the emotional type or the complimentary type or what. No one can look at you in this dress, in all that fire and gold, and start talking about anachronisms. If I were him, I would have said, ‘You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth.'† My breath caught, both at the words and the way he said them. I felt strange inside. I didn't know what to think, except that I needed to get out of there, away from Adrian, away from what I didn't understand. I broke from him and was surprised to find myself shaking. â€Å"You're still drunk,† I said, putting my hand on the door knob. He tilted his head to the side, still watching me in that same, disconcerting way. â€Å"Some things are true, drunk or sober. You should know that. You deal in facts all the time.† â€Å"Yeah, but this isn't – † I couldn't argue with him looking at me like that. â€Å"I have to go. Wait†¦ you didn't take the cross.† I held it out to him. He shook his head. â€Å"Keep it. I think I've got something else to help center my life.† The Golden Lily: A Bloodlines Novel