Purple Romance

It was almost midnight when Ad-Din closed his file and robbed his eyes after removing the spectacles. He looked at the time and stood up with his phone leaving the office.

At the reception, he saw Calia in front and walked up to her, walking side by side along with her.

''Why are you going home this late?'' Ad-Din asked and Calia turned and looked at him before saying as they walked out.

''I could ask you the same question''.

''I had work to do, What about you?''

"I was nursing my wounds and lost track of time''.

''Nursing your wounds? Are you hurt?'' Ad-Din asked worriedly and she shook her head.

''No, I'm not hurt. I'm crossed in love and no, don't ask me about it because I'm not telling. I had enough of it the last time''. Calia said.

''I'm sorry about that. I was being a jerk. I apologise for that''.

''Me too. I shouldn't have mentioned Maria. I'm sorry about that''

''Is alright. Maria is working for me now by the way''

Calia stopped at the entrance and turned to look at Ad-Din with a confused gaze and asked ''you are not thinking of getting her back. Are you? Ad, she is a married woman now? You can't do that. Is a no, no''

''Who said I'm doing it because I want to get her back? I feel pity for her. It must be hard for her seeing that she is still using her certificate from back then. She won't be able to get a job from anywhere with that. And I am not doing this because I can't let go or I still have feelings for her. I am just doing a good deed for the benefit of humanity''.

''I see, you are not doing this because of any lingering feelings but for the good of humanity. But, what if she turns out to be not married? Will it still be for the good of humanity? Ad, don't start a game you can't finish. Cut things off with her. She is married now''

''I can't. Until she tells me why she did that to me and why she never visited me at the hospital. I don't think I will ever be able to get this behind me''.

''Hmm, looks like I am not the only one crossed in love. But, why did it have to be us?''

'What are you talking about?' Ad-Din didn't understand her statement.

''Nothing, let's go home handsome brother''. Calia said and they went out towards the parking lot.

...

Maria walked slowly out of her room holding her bag. She had a rather reluctant demeanour oozing out of her at that moment and when she looked up and saw that both Tiana and Kobby were waiting at the door she frowned and sighed.

''Why do you look like the world is against you? Are you not going to work? You will be late at this point''. Kobby said.

''I thought that the moment I found a job, all my worries will be over and my life will finally have a meaning again. I will be able to also hold my head up high so that no one will be able to look down on me but, right now I feel that my fingers just barely brushed against all the expectations I had before they disappeared right before my eyes''.

''Dad, what is aunt talking about? I don't understand anything she said'' Tiana looked at her father's face.

''Darling, I don't understand it either. She said so many things but I don't understand a single thing she said''.

''That inhumane boss who hides himself so well and only knows how to bully me. That pervert, I am going to crash and squash him'' Maria said and squeezed her hands as if she was really squashing something.

She looked up sounding vigorous as she added ''let's go. I have decided. No matter what he does, I will never quit. What is wrong with not working and still get paid? A lot of people will jump for such an opportunity. If he has that much money to waste, then I will gladly take it without feeling guilty. Guilty? To hell with it as long as I can boast that I work for such a company'

Kobby and Tiana looked at each other and shook their heads at the same time. Today was only her second day and she is already acting like this? Kobby made a mental note to buy some beer after work today. He was sure she was going to be in need of it soon.

.....

Maria got down from the car at the company and waved at Kobby and Tiana. Tiana was enrolling in her new school today and Kobby was sending her before he went to the hospital.

Maria looked at the entrance and the people that were already arriving that morning for work.

''They probably have lots of work to do. what about me? I'm just there to occupy space. Wait…am I an example of matter? Anything that has weight and can occupy space?'' Maria's face turned horrible as she thought of herself as an object that was just occupying space and her lips trembled and a rage rose from deep within her. Maria chuckled as she murmured. She was unaware of the fact that she wasn't alone anymore.

''Right, that must be it. Does he pity me? Because I'm already thirty and still doesn't have a stable job? Wow, that son of a gun''

Monroe looked down at Maria with interest and curved his lips. The woman was unaware of his presence so he was using that opportunity to admire her. But he wondered who had got her worked up so early. She was even swearing.

''Cute'' Monroe said bringing Maria back to her senses. Maria looked up and saw him. He was standing close and looking down at her because of their height difference. He startled her.

''Who are you?'' Maria asked and stepped back.

''I'm hurt. You can't even remember who I am after we met in such a fateful manner that day in front there?'' Monroe said and pointed at the door and Maria recognised him but pretended not to.

''We met? When? Why can't I remember?'' Maria asked and threw her bag over her shoulder. Today, she wore a khaki skirt that fell slightly above her knees and a blue blouse with her usual two inches black heels.

''Well, it doesn't matter. I remember you very well. Is not every day you come across an interesting character like you? I like you already''.

''Is there something wrong with your brain? Are you sick?'' Maria cocked her face up to look at him as she spoke.

''I'm a lawyer. My IQ level will shock you''. Monroe said and chuckled.

''Then, there must be something wrong with your EQ, because you don't seem to know how wrong it is to do what you are doing? Are you a stalker?'' Maria asked and walked away inside.

Monroe scratched his head confused and looked at her retreating figure and shook his head.

''Did I do something wrong again? I really want to be friends with her though?'' Monroe sighed and went inside towards his law firm.