Maria wept for a long time before she was able to calm herself down. She wasn't aware of the fact that Ad-Din was outside. He never left her side. He just simply wanted to be by her side when things were hard and tough for her. She stood up and wiped her face and was about to open the door when a knock came first.
Maria opened and saw Ad-Din holding a bag of different brands of chocolate bars and frowned confused.
''I heard chocolates are able to take away sadness from a woman? I went to the store and found they have different brands of chocolate. I didn't know the one you liked so I bought one of each'' Ad-Din said and walked into the office closing the door behind him.
Maria didn't want him to see what she was doing so she quickly closed the page she was in and Ad-Din saw through her and laughed saying ''Maria, I studied IT at a top university and I even have a good friend who can even hack into space. I will still find out what you did and what happened even if you don't tell me about it''.
Maria pursed her lips and snatched the bag of chocolates from him changing the topic ''you bought so many chocolate, do you want me to get fat or get infection from eating too much chocolate?''
''You should just say…thank you, Ad-Din. You are such a sweet boyfriend'' Ad-Din sad and pulled her into a hug ''Maria, I don't know what is wrong but I hope you can at least trust me with your problems and any other thing that worries you. Your boyfriend is so capable; don't you want to rely on him?''
''Did you hear my sobs? Is nothing. I applied for Professor Kodney's online Marketing lessons but I was rejected. It doesn't matter. I can just apply again next year and again and again till I am picked''. Maria said.
''You…want to be a student of Professor?'' Ad-Din asked and Maria shook her head.
''No, I don't even qualify to be her student. I just want to take part in her online courses. I heard her certification is well regarded, so I wanted to at least obtain one to add to my CV'' Maria said.
''Do you want to work with the Marketing department that much? Can't you just remain here by my side?'' Ad-Din pouted.
''No. I can't remain here forever. I need to work and grow. I don't want to be shielded by you all the time. And I have recently developed a liking to Marketing. I want to grow as a person and do whatever I like''.
''You are right. My woman needs to grow and also do whatever she likes and wants. I am not a bossy boss or boyfriend. Do whatever you want, I will always support you. I more than anyone wants to see you grow. You are so smart; I know you will succeed in whatever you put your mind to''.
''Are you giving me moral support now?'' Maria asked and sat on her chair and Ad-Din leaned on the table.
''Yes. I want to be your moral support and everything. Is late, you are the one left in this building who still hasn't knocked off from work apart from the boss''.
''I totally forgot of the time. Let's go. These days, I hardly get time to spend with Tiana, the little girl will nag and throw a tantrum one of these days''.
''Let's go then''.
Maria tidied her table and arranged her things before she took her bag and the bag of chocolates. She smiled and removed some and put into her drawer before looking at Ad-Din.
They walked down to the reception when Maria's phone buzzed. ''Wait, let me receive this call. Is from Kobby''. Maria said after seeing the caller ID.
''Go ahead, I will hold these''. Ad-Din said and took the chocolate and her bag from her hands. Maria appreciated it and smiled before she answered the call.
''Hi, Kobby. Date? OK. I will hurry home and be with T-baby. Have fun''. Maria hugged up and turned to face Ad-Din happily saying ''that was Kobby. He said he would be home late because he had a sudden late dinner plans with someone. I hope is a lady''.
Ad-Din smiled knowing very well who the culprit was. He knew it was Calia making her move on the innocent and unsuspecting Dr. Brian.
''Are you that happy about him going on a date with a woman?'' Ad-Din asked as they went out. They got into the car and the driver drove off as they chatted.
''Yes, I am so happy'' Maria kept talking enthusiastically all the time and Ad-Din kept nodding and smiling showing his interest in listening to her.
First Hospital.
OPD. (Out Patient Department)
Kobby placed the phone back into his pants pocket and stared at the woman in front of him deeply. She was dressed in a blue black strapless dress that stopped at her knees. A pair of earrings that resembled the moon hanged down her ears and a not so catching necklace around her beautiful neckline. The necklace wasn't eye-catching yet it was exquisite.
Kobby sized her up and a slight frown appeared on his face startling Calia. Calia pursed her lips nervously and had a lot of thoughts going on in her head. She wondered if he didn't like her showing up so suddenly without pre-informing him first?
Since he told her to plan the dinner and let him know, she got home and found out she didn't even have his number and she didn't want to take it from Ad-Din. She wanted him to personally give his number to her. she clasped her hands together as her grip on her small bag tightened.
Kobby looked at the woman in front of him and sighed. He didn't know what to do with her. She dressed and looked so beautiful but didn't she know she was attracting unnecessary eyes to herself.
Kobby noticed how the men who walked past them looked at her. She was eye-catching. Kobby felt that the woman was like an innocent seductress who didn't even know the power she held.
''Sorry…I came without calling first. But, that's because I don't have your number. You…didn't give me your number before leaving the other time?'' Calia said and bit her lips.
''She was doing that again'' Kobby said internally and removed his blazer. To him, the woman in front of him was going to be the death of him one day. He walked closer to her and put the blazer on her covering her bare shoulders that were exposed.
His actions made Calia blush and her heart started doing a marathon race. She felt a surge of electric sensation when his hand brushed against her shoulders.
''Aren't you feeling cold? Why did you dress this way and come here to see me?'' Kobby said angrily.
''I…sorry. I can go if you don't want me here?'' Calia said and her lips trembled.
''That's not what I mean. Let's get out of here, first. I just can't be careful enough when it comes to you, Miss Banks''
''You…know my full name?'' Calia asked with a hint of surprise.
''A famous jewellery designer who holds shows every season and has her name mentioned on a lot of platforms. How can I not know your full name? Let's go''. Kobby said and took her hand bringing her outside.
...…
City View Restaurant.
Calia rented the whole second floor of the restaurant so they were the only ones seated there. Kobby looked around suspiciously and asked as the waiter brought them a glass of wine.
''Don't tell me you rented all this place?''.
''I rented the whole second floor''. Calia said shyly.
''What? Calia, how could you rent the whole place? What if other people want to eat? Do you have that much money to spend?" Kobby asked.
''I…you said I should plan everything. I have never done this before? I have never planned a dinner for any man before. I didn't know how to go about it. I rented the whole place because I didn't want us to be distracted. It isn't because I have money to waste. I just did it because I wanted you to be happy with my arrangements. I'm sorry''.
Kobby sighed. It seemed his EQ and IQ is always put to the test whenever he was dealing with this woman.
''Listen, you seem to misunderstand me. I am not saying I don't appreciate your efforts. I just feel that is too much for you to go this overboard in trying to please me. I am sorry for saying such words. You don't have to feel pressure about pleasing me. I am just a normal person. Let's just enjoy the dinner tonight. I will be in charge of planning any dinner from now onwards. Is that clear?'' Kobby blurted out before realising what he just said.
''Does that mean; this won't be the last time we are having dinner together?'' Calia asked expectantly with a smile.
Kobby looked at her and sipped the wine without saying anything. The waiter brought their first course just then and served them.
''Let's eat first'' Kobby said.