Chapter 20: Bonded by the necklace

Maria took him by surprise as she slapped him hardly on his cheek. She stepped back frightened as she looked at her hand that had just slapped the man she had called her father for the

longest time. This was the first time she had done something so fiercely. It shocked her.

"You slut, how dare you rise your hand at me? This little bitch must have a death wish" Marley Suwait roared and raised his hand to hit Maria and Ad-Din caught it and swung him and he fell to the ground. Ad-Din squatted and whispered something into his ears. Maria was not sure what he said but her father who was uncontrollable a few minutes ago became tumid and shook his head vigorously.

Ad-Din gave an eerie laugh and looked at him saying ''do you understand what I just said? I will let you go today because of Maria but don't count on it again''.

''Yes, I understand''. Marley Suwait didn't waste time there and ran away like a scared kid.

Ad-Din turned to face Maria saying "my love, are you okay?'' Ad-Din inspected Maria's body and started reprimanding her.

''Are you stupid? Why were you just standing there? Were you going to allow him to hit you without running away?''

''It wouldn't have been the first time that he would do that anyway. I just didn't know how to avoid it. I'm used to it''.

''How could you be used to it, you, silly woman? Who is used to been beaten by their parents? Aye. What do I do with you? Should I just kidnap you and send you somewhere safe?''. Ad-Din sounded frustrated as he still inspected Maria's body.

''You know about him? My father?'' Maria asked cautiously as she tried to read his expression.

''Off course. He is the man that gave my woman a hard time growing up. How could I not be aware of him?'' Ad-Din said and smiled.

''Then…are you going to leave me now? Are you going to break up with me? Well, I understand if you want to. You don't have to feel burdened by me or my affairs. Who would want to be entangled with someone who was abandoned by her own mother and is been looked down upon by her father?".

Maria rambled on and Ad-Din sighed before pulling her in for a kiss.

''Silly woman. Where are you getting these wild thoughts from? What kind of man will I be to breakup with you because of your father? Maria, stop thinking about nonsense or else I might just take you with me tonight.

Listen to me. I don't care about your father's messed up life. That is his business. I won't meddle in it. But, when it comes to you. I will meddle in it because you are my woman. I told you. I will protect you. Breakup? You are stuck with me for life, Maria. So, don't even think I will ever break up with you. You don't know how important you are to me, right?''

''But, you left earlier. Why did you come back?'' Maria asked. She was surprised to see him again.

''I wanted to give you something and forgot so I came back and saw that. Wait here''. Ad-Din went back to his car and returned with a small box and gave to Maria.

''Here it is''.

''What is this?'' Maria looked at the box as she asked.

''Couple necklace"

"Couple necklace?" Maria asked as he took the box from her to open.

"En, I bought them today at an auction I attended this evening. I hope that, with this you will stop thinking about nonsense and feel my sincerity towards you, Maria''.

Ad-Din said and opened the box that contained two necklace made from a fine purple jade.

Ad-Din removed one and put it on Maria's neck saying ''so beautiful. Help me put mine on''.

Maria smiled and nodded her head before lifting her body higher to put the necklace around Ad-Din's neck.

Ad-Din chuckled and leaned down towards her since he was much taller than her.

''This is so beautiful, thank you''. Maria said touching the necklace on her neck.

''Don't ever remove it and always wear it. I will also wear mine too. Go inside, is late. I will leave after I see that you are inside''.

Maria nodded and leaned closer, giving Ad-Din a surprised kiss before running off to her apartment.

Ad-Din was stupefied for a while before he touched his lips and smiled. That was the first time she initiated a kiss between them.

Maria got into her room fast and turned on the light before waving her hand to give Ad-Din the green light. Ad-Din waved back before going into his car and driving away.

.....

A week later after school, Maria met up with Lexis at a café.

''Whoa. How could you advance so much in just a few days that I was away? I knew it. People like you, always take romance to the next level. Your speed is so exciting. You're giving me the 'third charm' vibes best friend''. Lexis exclaimed as she munched on a piece of cake.

''Do you also think we are moving so fast? Is been only a week but I feel that we've known each other for years already. Ad-Din is just so good to me that it scares me, Lex''. Maria asked unsure of herself.

''What are you scared about? That person? He is not someone you should even consider at all. How dare he try to blackmail my babe while I was gone. I should have been there to give him a good trashing. Is good that Ad-Din was there to protect you". Lexis said as she banged her fist on the table.

''Careful, you are pregnant" Maria said.

"Right, I am pregnant" Lexis responded.

'Tell me, how is it going with your mom? Is she still against the marriage?'' Maria asked.

''You know how stubborn my mom is, right? But, Kobby and I are not giving up. We already have my father's support. My mom will come around. She just needs time to accept it''.

''Don't worry, this weekend. I will go with you home and speak with her''. Maria squeezed Lexis' hand gently.

'' Don't changed the subject. Portia, let me tell you something. That boy is gold. Make sure you keep him. I can tell he really likes and cares about you. Don't worry about what others will say and just go ahead and have a wild romance with him. Have you slept with him yet?''

''Hey, you, what are you talking about? We just started going out a week ago. How could I do that?'' Maria blushed.

''Why? Don't you find him attractive enough yet? I thought you were crazy about him? Does he have a problem down there? I mean, how could he not have made advances at you? You are so beautiful''.

Maria felt flustered and flushed. She chuckled awkwardly and sipped her juice.

''Tell me the truth. If he has a problem, you need to tell me so that I can help. You know Kobby is a doctor. He could offer some advice. You need to get laid"

''Lexi, calm down. You are getting over excited. Is not good for the baby''. Maria told her.

''Oh, right. Okay, I am calm. Tell me already. Haven't you ever thought of doing that with him? He is so handsome and has a nice butt''.

''Fine. I have thought of it before but, is still early. We just started dating a week ago. What kind of woman would I be to have such thoughts at this early stage?''

''What is wrong with having such thoughts? You are a woman with feelings. Kobby and I slept first before we got together''. Lexis added and pulled Maria's plate of cake to her side to eat.

''You two are different. It was a drunken mistake you two made. Right now, we are taking things slow first. He is still a student so no matter what he is still considered a minor so that is even out of the picture for now''.

''So which part of him do you often dream about the most? His upper or lower body part? Don't you have ideas of what his size would be?"

''Lex, are we seriously talking about this? I haven't thought about it before. I just like him. Every part of him''.

''You naughty little thing. I just knew you were crazy over that boy. Tell me, do you think he is big down there? He is so athletic. Don't you imagine how he would be down there?''

Maria flushed and felt so embarrassed. She knew Lexis was a free and liberal woman but she didn't know she was this liberal. Maria felt shamed even watching her talk like that and didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. She just didn't know that years to come, she was going to miss this lovely friend so much and her heart will hurt so much that she wouldn't be able to know what to do next.