Ad-Din studied her and kept quiet. He wasn't sure of what she was doing or what was going on but he didn't interrupt her. He was curious about what she wanted to say.
''I met someone today''
''that person wasn't you''
''that person reminded me of you''
''I met someone today''
''that someone took my breath away''
''that person though far away from me, caught me looking at him''
''I met someone today''
''someone who looked exactly like you''
''I met someone who made my heart flutter again''
''but after getting closer to that person, I found out that he wasn't you''
''I found out that, it was my illusion of you''
''I found out that, because I missed you so much, I have begun to see you in everyone I meet''
''but, sadly, they aren't you. no one will be like you''
''so, I wait for my spring to arrive and bring me, you''
''I wait for my spring, which is you''
Maria finished reciting the poem and spoke.
''Ad-Din, I don't know about anything else but I know this for sure. I hate to be apart from you. I hate that you are avoiding me. I hate that you are suffering alone all by yourself. When I was at my lowest, you found me and gave me hope. You gave me a reason to live again, but if you just suddenly stay away from me, how do you expect me to go on without you? We have come a long way, faced a lot of battles but still, even with all that, you never let go.
Ad-Din, I want to share your happiness and joy with you. I want to share your pain and sorrow with you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Ad-Din Denarius, will you marry me? and make me the happiest woman on earth?''
Maria said and heaved a breath.
Ad-Din was now standing close to her and even though he had long turned the light off, he could still make her face up. she was tearing up. He placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her face closer to himself.
''Maria, why do you always pick the words out of my mouth? What am I supposed to do if you always do what I'm supposed to be doing?'' Ad-Din asked.
''Then, marry me'' Maria said.
''Alright, just answer one question''
''Tell me, what do you want to ask?''
''Are we alone or there are other people here?'' Ad-Din asked.
''We are alone right now but everyone else is hiding? Why do you ask?''
''Because I want to elope with you right now. Do you know how much I missed you? I thought I was going to go crazy from missing you'' Ad-Din said.
''Shall we then? Elope?'' Maria asked and Ad-Din threw his walking stick away and held her hand. He turned to take a step and the lights turned on suddenly blinding their eyes. They squirted their eyes and then saw the bewildered expressions of everyone.
''What a bunch of traitors? What? Elope? Whose seek are we here for and you want to elope already?'' Old Mr. Denarius spoke first and Maria pursed her lips and hid behind Ad-Din.
''I can't believe I came to support these two people who cared about themselves. After gathering us here, you want to run away just like that?'' Monroe asked and everyone walked towards them. ''Maria, I didn't think you were one to place love over everything? We haven't even celebrated yet?''
Calia walked slowly to them and brought out the champagne she hid behind her and popped it on them screaming ''yeah, yeah, success''
''Congratulations, Maria. This was even faster than I thought?'' Kobby said.
''Did you all gather here to see how it would go? How come everyone knew about this but me?'' Ad-Din asked and turned and looked at Maria and she pursed her lips.
''This was a surprise for you prepared by Maria. You were so stubborn that she had to go this far'' Mona Lisa said.
''You still haven't given sister in law your answer'' Gibbs said and Ad-Din turned to face Maria.
''Really? I'm sorry, I will make it up to you'' Ad-Din said and turned and kissed Maria in front of every one. ''That is my answer, now can we skip the party, I need some alone time with my wife to be'' Ad-Din said and pulled Maria away in front of every one and they gasped.
''Wow, boss is so shameless'' Gibbs murmured.
''I'm so envious of them right now'' Marvel who was standing at the back swooned over Maria and Ad-Din as she smiled.
''Really?'' A voice asked behind her and she quickly turned coming face to face with Max. He looked at her with a cocked brow and a dubious smirk.
Marvel blushed and stepped back. She had no idea when he came to stand beside her. She clearly saw him standing in front of the entrance a few minutes ago.
Max's lips curved into a smile as he watched the little woman in front of him. He saw her the moment the light turned on. She looked beautiful in the pink dress and her light makeup made her face poised and clean. Like a painting. The last time she was closed to him, when he held her in his arms preventing her from falling, her scent enveloped him. She had a unique faint scent that was different from all the women he had met before. He wanted to feel her scent again. Max didn't hide his interest in her as he watched her every reaction and expression keenly.
Marvel noticed the way Max looked at her and became nervous. She didn't understand him at all. She felt like a prey being looked upon by a lion. She didn't like being looked at like that. She wasn't really a drop dead beauty but Marvel knew she was attractive yet, it wasn't so obvious that men would look at her for the second time after seeing her once. She found it strange that Max was looking at her like that. Didn't he care about his image at all? Or wasn't he being obvious with the way he looked at her?
Marvel frowned and murmured subconsciously ''pervert''.
''You are the first one to call me a pervert to my face. You are quite a brave woman, Miss secretary?'' Max voiced out while intrigued by her.
Marvel looked at him and turned. Her eyes roamed the gardens and when she finally saw Calia she heaved and relief and turned and walked fast towards her leaving Max. Max chuckled and walked towards her.
''Is that not Calia's secretary?'' Old Mr. Denarius whose keen eyes saw everything from the side asked Max as he sat on the chair in the first row.
Max stopped and turned and saw him. He frowned and looked at the old man.
''She is a hardworking woman who finished University with Calia. She decided to work for Cal and they built Muse jewellery together. Dhe had been working for Cal for the past three years now''
Max frowned and looked at the old man and asked ''why are you telling me all this?''
''Nothing, I just thought you might be curious to know since you were looking at her earlier on like a prey'' Old Mr. Denarius said nonchalantly.
''Grandpa, you...'' Max was rendered speechless.
''Don't worry. I won't intrude this time. I have really changed. Plus, this one is a really good kid. Her uncle who raised her up works at the company" Old Mr. Denarius paused before adding calmly "Well, is nothing. I just thought you might be curious about her'' the old man said and stood up and walked away. Max looked at his grandfather and chuckled. Did he have eagle eyes or what?
''Mona Lisa, hi, I hope I wasn't late?'' Rihan said as she walked to the group of people. Mona Lisa looked at Rihan and smiled.
''You are not late but you missed something great'' Mona Lisa who was unaware of the bad blood between her niece and Rihan said.
''What did I miss? Oh, where is Maria?'' Rihan asked and looked towards where Kobby was. Kobby was having a chat with Tiana, Anne and Mr. and Mrs. Mathias. Calia followed Rihan's gaze and frowned.
''Ad-Din and Maria just left. Those two ran away before our eyes'' Mona Lisa said and chuckled.
''They must have missed each other so much. Too bad, I wanted to give her a congratulatory gift. Oh, right. So, what will happen now? Will she be moving in with your son?"' Rihan asked and looked at Calia.
''You can prepare the gift for their wedding'' Mona Lisa said jokingly.
''Aunt, excuse me'' Calia said and walked away to Max.
''Tell me. how are things with the doctor? Have you had a good chat with him yet?'' Mona Lisa asked.
''Yes. He still hasn't forgiven me yet but it won't be for long before we are together again. He is still angry with me which is a good sign"
''Well, I wish you all the best. My husband is waiting outside; I have to go. see you around Rihan'' Mona Lisa said and kissed her cheek before going out. Rihan smiled and turned to look at where Kobby was. She saw that the people with him were about to leave and smiled walking towards him.