Purple Romance

"Don't worry, you will do fine. Since he is single and doesn't have a girlfriend, you can say that luck is on your side'' Mona Lisa said.

''Portia, guess who came to see you?'' Kobby said as he opened the door and Tiana rushed in. They stopped at the door and looked at the people inside.

Kobby's heart turned cold when he saw the face of the woman standing next to Mona Lisa. His face turned expressionless and the atmosphere suddenly turned tensed.

''Dad, are you not going further?'' Tiana said and looked between the women and her father. She was unaware of anything.

''Kobby, Tiana'' Maria called out to them and Tiana ran to her.

''Aunt, I missed you so much'' Tiana climbed on the bed and sat closer to Maria.

''Hi…Kobby'' Rihan spoke first as she stood tall in front of her first love.

''Do you know each other?'' Mona Lisa asked and looked at them.

''Kobby?'' Maria repeated the name Rihan mentioned and looked at him adding ''do you two know each other?''

''Yes'' said Rihan

''No'' said Kobby

They all answered at the same time but their answers were different making Maria and Mona Lisa to look at them. Tiana sat leaning on Maria's shoulder and asked lazily.

''Dad, is she someone you know?''

''No, I don't know her'' Kobby said firmly but no one really believed him because of the awkwardness that occupied the room.

''Brian'' Rihan mentioned his last name and Kobby looked at her straight in the eyes saying.

''She must have gotten the wrong person. Portia, I brought T, I still have some things to do, so I will leave now. Mrs. Denarius, I will leave Portia in your care'' Kobby said and turned to go and Rihan spoke.

''Can we talk, please?''

Kobby culled his palms into fist and walked out without turning to even look at her. Rihan turned to Mona Lisa and spoke ''I will be back, Lisa''

'Oh, okay' Mona Lisa said and they watched her as she left the room to chase after Kobby.

''I guess they do know each other'' Tiana said and Maria tussled the girl's hair.

''Why are you so smart, T-babe?'' Maria added.

''He must be the one. Rihan's first love that she never got over'' Mona Lisa said and both Maria and Tiana said.

''Huh? First love?''

''So, you are Tiana?'' Mona Lisa asked quickly changing the subject.

''Oh, Tiana, greet grandma''

''Hello, grandma, my name is Tiana Brian but you can call me T-babe'' Tiana said and got down from the bed and bowed respectfully to Mona Lisa.

''Wow. Tiana, I like you already. Tell you what, T-babe, I just happened to need a child model. Your features are quite good, will you like to be grandma's model?'' Mona Lisa asked.

''Will I get to wear a lot of princess clothes?'' Tiana asked bashfully.

''Mm, not only princess clothes. If you even want to wear the clothes of the queen, I will make them for you'' Mona Lisa said and Tiana smiled happily.

''Then, I will ask for my dad's permission before I give you my answer'' Tiana said and Mona Lisa laughed.

''Then, make sure to get your dad's permission and let me know, I promise to make you beautiful clothes'' Mona Lisa said.

''What about my aunt? Won't you make clothes for her too?'' Tiana asked.

''Your aunt. Actually, grandma here wanted to turn her into a model but a certain someone will not forgive me if I do that. Your aunt will get to wear beautiful clothes but she can't be my model''

''Do you think they will be okay? They have gone for a while now?'' Maria asked worriedly cutting the chattering of Mona Lisa and Tiana short.

''They are grownups, let them take care of their business themselves. Tiana, come over there with me. grandma will take your measurement for now'' Mona Lisa held Tiana's hand and they walked to the couch in the room and sat down. Maria looked worriedly at the door before turning her focus to Tiana and Mona Lisa.

.....

Psychology/Psychiatric department.

Rihan ran after Kobby calling his name.

''Kobby'' a few nurses walked out of the ward and saw her. They recognised her and murmured.

''Isn't that the model Rihan?'' the first nurse murmured to the one next to her.

''Yes, she is the one'' the other one answered and they began to chat softly to each other.

''Wow. She is really pretty''

''Kobby, please hear me out'' Rihan said making the nurses to peek at them curiously. Kobby stopped walking and turned to look at her. He saw the nurses looking at them and said to Rihan.

''Follow me'' Kobby went towards his office and Rihan followed.

''Do they know each other?''

''Didn't you hear her calling Dr. Brian by his first name? They must know each other. Besides, he just told her now ''follow me''

''Dr. Brian is quite popular with women. First it was that beautiful jewellery designer and now is model Rihan''

''I know, right?'' the nurses chatted as they went away.

Dr. Brian's consulting room.

''What do you want to say? Say it fast and leave. I am very busy'' Kobby told Rihan as soon as he sat on his desk. Rihan pulled out the chair in front of her and sat down. she looked at the office and spoke.

''Is this your office? Is really so like you? You still prefer dark and blue colours''. Rihan said.

''What do you want to say?'' Kobby asked impatiently.

''How have you being? I heard about what happened to your wife. I am sorry''

''I accept your condolences. Is there something else you want to say to me?'' Kobby asked her.

''You…are really cold towards me. We haven't met for 10 years'' Rihan said and Kobby chuckled.

''10 years, you are right. We haven't met or seen each other for 10 years yet you somehow found out I lost my wife and came to give me your condolences. Is that what this is or there is more to your visit? No, that's not right. You didn't come to offer me your condolences, you came to meet someone and we happened to meet by coincidence, right?''

''No, that's not true. Mona Lisa is my godmother. I heard her son was sick and came to visit but it turned out that the one sick was her daughter in law. Also, I knew already that you worked here and planned to stop and see you. I didn't know that we will meet this way. That is the truth, Kobby'' Rihan said.

''Okay, since you are done with offering your condolences, you should go. I am quite busy''

''Was that her? Your daughter? She is very pretty and seemed smart. She must have taken after you''

''No, she didn't take after me. she took after her mother. Her mother was very smart and kind''

''I see. I came back for good, Kobby. I got a job with a jewellery designer here and I plan to establish an agency here in Cosmos and live here now''

''Why? Did you say before that Cosmos was suffocating and that you didn't want to stay here for another day? Why the sudden change?''

''Back then, I was too young and naïve. Now I am matured and know better'

''That's good to know''

''Kobby, if you have time, can you have dinner with me? I didn't eat anything since morning. I promise to leave after dinner'' Rihan laid and lowered her gaze. She was doing whatever possible to be with him and didn't care about her own dignity at the moment.

''I ate with my daughter before coming to the hospital and I also have an appointment outside the hospital, so I don't think I can have dinner with you'' Kobby told her.

''Then, how about next time? Kobby, I really want to make things right. I know I hurt you back then but that was because I didn't know better''

'So, what exactly do you want to say? Now you know better so you want me back? Even after knowing I am a single father? Is that what you mean? Rihan, you left because you felt that I didn't matter as compared to your future and I don't blame you for picking your future over me. I understand and I don't hold it against you but it ends there. I really hope that your coming back has nothing to do with me because I don't want to have anything doing with you''.

''Kobby, I'' Rihan couldn't find the words to say to him.

''I have to go. can you leave? I need to lock my office'' Kobby stood up and took his bag and blazer.

''I will come back again, Kobby. Until you agree to have dinner with me'' Rihan said and picked her purse and left the office. Kobby looked at the closed door and chuckled feeling ridiculous.

10 years ago, she left him and cut all communications with him only to return after 10 years and act like nothing had happened. Kobby was long over her but just thinking about the pain he had to go through because of her made him cold.