Purple Romance

Inside the main mansion of the Denarius household, the entire family sat across each other on the large sofa seats in the hall. They were all quite, seemingly in their own thoughts. The old Mr. Denarius, who was the senior elder in the family sat at the head of the sofa but his face was gloomy even as he glared at Ad-Din. The atmosphere had turned intense as no one wanted to be the first to speak.

Gibbs turned to Calia who sat by his side and whispered ''why is the atmosphere so intense? If I knew it was going to be like this, I wouldn't have joined at all''

Calia turned and glared at him before ignoring him. Gibbs shrugged his shoulders and looked at their grandfather and smiled awkwardly when their eyes met but the old man scoffed at him and looked away puzzling him. Gibbs turned to Calia once again saying, ''did you see that? He even scoffed at me? What did I do?''

"You are on Ad-Din's side. You came back because Ad asked you to and he knows is to rebel against him. Do you think he will be excited and welcome you with open arms?'' Calia said to Gibbs and he nodded in agreement.

''Good evening everyone'' Max was the first to speak and break the ice. ''Dad, mom, can you two stop putting on such a serious font?''

''If someone hadn't gone against my son's happiness, would I have cancelled my many projects to run back to town?'' Mona Lisa said and looked at her father in law. Old Mr. Denarius humped and looked away.

''Mom, please. We are here precisely because of that. Actually, grandpa has regretted his actions. He realised he was rushed and ended up hurting Ad-Din. This past week that Ad-Din was in pain, grandpa hasn't been himself too'' Max said.

''Who said I wasn't myself?'' the old man said dissatisfied.

''Grandpa, please allow me to handle things'' Max said.

''Everyone is against me now. Even my son is against me. He hardly visits us because he is too busy with the military but the moment Lisa called him because of a certain someone, he came back immediately. Doesn't that mean he is here to support his son and cast his own father aside? Can't I even do what I think is right for my own family? Am I some deity that must be perfect all the time?'' Old Mr. Denarius looked at his son as he spoke.

''Father, I didn't come to show my support to anyone. I only came because Lisa told me the situation was serious. Ad-Din had a relapse and was even planning to leave the house. Father, why did you have to act so harshly towards that poor woman in the first place?'' Ken Denarius, Ad-Din and Max's father said.

''Everyone is gathered here to blame me, right?'' Old Mr. Denarius glared at his son.

''Grandpa, please, calm down and let's solve the problem at hand. You still need to apologise to Ad-Din and his girlfriend'' Max said and looked at his grandfather.

''I am an elder, how can all of you treat me this way? I only did what I thought was the best. Now, I am the villain in the family, right? My own grandson even wants to sever ties with me because of a woman. Fine, I admit, I was a little rush. I used her situation against her. but, if both of them cannot even take a little pressure, what will they do if they are faced with something big in the future?''

''Grandpa has admitted he was wrong. Ad, can you please consider your decision to move out? We are a family. There is nothing that can't be solved. No matter what happens, we are still family. Grandpa already regrets his actions and won't do anything like that again, right grandpa?'' Max asked cautiously and the old man turned and noticed that everyone's gaze was on him. He frowned and nodded his head lightly.

''Grandpa, are you shy or simply embarrassed?'' Gibbs asked.

''You…don't talk to me. You are just like your uncle. You never come home but when it concerns Ad-Din, you rushed home'' Old Mr. Denarius said and glared at Gibbs.

''Grandpa looks cute when he is embarrassed'' Gibbs added and winked at the old man making everyone in the hall to laugh.

"Grandpa" Ad-Din said drawing all attention to himself "I just want to know something. 8 years ago, you made the Education Office to revoke Maria's licence. Why did you do that? I trusted you so much but when I found out that you were responsible for that, I … I was so hurt"

"I thought it was just a fling between the two of you and that it will not last. I was worried that she would be a negative influence in your life so I wanted to distant you from her. I'm sorry for hurting you, child. Forgive this old man"

"Grandpa, I forgive you, but I am not the one you hurt the most" Ad-Din smiled.

"I know. I will find time to go and meet with her. Just promise me that you will not move out of the house. This is your home. If you want, you can bring that woman home and formally introduce her to everyone" Old Mr. Denarius said "in this world, which parent can win against their child. Did you have to be so strong headed and go against me? can't I even make decisions as the head of the family anymore? Must we walk on eggshells around each other when we are a family?"

"Then, in that case, can you stop tailing me and also that spy you kept in my company"

"I will get rid of them, happy? I kept them there because I was worried about you, but it seems you are doing well than I thought. I won't interfere in your business anymore"

"Father, are you angry?" Mona Lisa teased.

"You came and supported your son against me, can't I be angry?"

"Grandpa looks really cute when he is angry" Calia chipped in.

"Then, boss, should I continue to hack into grandpa's new development drug files?" Gibbs said and everyone turned and looked at them.

"You…you are such a begrudging person. Were you really going to go that far just to rebel against me?" old Mr. Denarius pointed angrily at Ad-Din.

"You left me with no choice. But, don't worry, I wasn't going to sell them to your competitors. I was going to use that as a bargaining chip but, it seems it won't be necessary anymore since you have agreed to stop meddling" Ad-Din said and tilted his head to look at him.

"Did you all see that? This boy only knows how to be petty"

"Well, when it comes been petty, no one can win you on that dad" Ken Denarius said.

"Now that everyone is happy with the reconciliation, can we now enjoy the feast that the kitchen staff made?" Max said and stood up.

"Wait. You are always talking about food. I already said I won't meddle in your affairs but don't you think Ad-Din is already a step ahead of you? He has a girlfriend. Why are you still single?"

"Now that father is saying, I am also curious son. Why are you still single?" Mona Lisa added.

"Wait. You are not going to talk about me right? I already told you, I am busy with work. I don't have time to date" Max defended himself.

"Calia, you have your jewellery show coming up. Give your elder brother a seat in the front row. Let the ladies see him. That way he will not be single for long anymore'' Ken Denarius said.

"Dad, even you are supporting them?" Max shook his head.

"Everyone, what about me? I am the youngest in the family and I'm still single too. Even big sis is single. What are you going to do about us?" Gibbs said and Calia and Ad-Din retorted.

"Who said Cal is single?"

"Who said I am single?"

Ad-Din and Calia looked at each other and smiled.

"Cal has a boyfriend?" Max asked as the older generation looked at her.

"Well, not really but he will soon be my boyfriend, so I'm out" Calia said.

"Cal, why am I not aware of that? Who is this mystery man?'' Mona Lisa asked.

''He is someone Ad-Din trust. For now, I can't tell you anything. I will bring him to introduce to everyone when things are certain between us" Calia said shyly.

"You see that? Calia has someone and you don't" old Mr. Denarius said to Max.

"Fine, I will get a girlfriend very soon" Max said.

"Wait. No one is saying anything about me. Am I not important?" Gibbs lamented.

'You…just have to concentrate in your studies for now. If your mom knows you are here, she will throw a fit" Mona Lisa said to Gibbs.

"I want a girlfriend too" Gibbs said.

Everyone ignored him and stood up walking to the dining table. Max chuckled and held Gibbs hand, pulling him away as he pulled a long face.