"Okay'' Marvel didn't refuse anymore. After all, it was less risky going out with him than leaving alone. Max nodded his head and went into his room.
Marvel put on the apron and quickly washed the dishes. She dried them and placed them at their right places. She looked at the rice bowls and noticed they belonged to the shelf that was in the topmost part of the cabinet. She stood on her toes and tried to open the drawer and a figure suddenly enveloped her. She turned and saw Max in front of her. He didn't look at her even though she was now facing him. He just opened the cabinet with ease and picked the bowls to place them in. His upper body came close to Marvel and she smelt his after shave. He smelt of fresh peppermint making her blush at their close proximity.
Max placed the bowls back at their original place and looked down at her saying in a hoarse tone ''do you really not remember me, Marvel Nelson?'' his Adam's apple moved up and done and Marvel stared at him confused.
''You are Calia's elder cousin and the CEO of Denarius Group. Everyone knows who you are'' Marvel said and stepped back leaving the kitchen.
''Not that. I mean, do you really not remember meeting me before that day at Saint Hotel?'' Max asked and she turned and looked at him shaking her head.
''I'm not sure I am getting what you mean? Did we meet somewhere before that day?'' Marvel asked with a confused gaze.
''If you don't remember then that is it. forget whatever I said to you then. Including last night's confession'' Max said to her.
''Okay. Can we go right now? I have something to do later on'' Marvel said in a rather harsh tone that surprised she herself. He was the one who confessed to her and now he was the same person telling her to forget everything. Was he playing with her feelings or what?
She picked her bag and turned to look at him saying ''I don't know what right you think you have to play with me this way, but I must tell you I am not the least thrilled by the fact that someone like you took a fancy to me. To me, people like you belong to a different world from me and I always stayed within my limits. I hope we don't meet again, Mr. Denarius. I will see myself out. I don't mind being caught because I have a clear conscience and … a boyfriend''
Marvel finished her piece and went out of the quarters. Max looked at her retreating figure as a mixture of emotions filled him up making his expression even more complicated. He dug his phone out from his pocket and made a call.
''Find out everything about Marvel Nelson, the secretary of sister and also, I want to know if she has a boyfriend and who that man is'' Max said and hung up. He has finally found the woman he lost 5 years ago and she already had a boyfriend? What a joke'' he sneered in his heart as his gaze turned cold.
Kobby's apartment.
Hall
Kobby and Maria were in Maria's room while Tiana and Ad-Din were in the hall. Tiana looked at the door of Maria before she turned to look at Ad-Din with a stern gaze. Ad-Din noticed her gaze and frowned. He wondered why the little girl was looking at him like that, it made him feel like he was being scrutinised by his father in law.
''Why are you looking at me like that?'' Ad-Din asked after he couldn't take it anymore.
''I'm scrutinising you. Uncle, you better take good care of my aunt if not I will never forgive you'' Tiana said and a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
''You, you were being intentional the first two times we met right? You intentionally called Maria your mother, right?'' Ad-Din asked her and faced her.
''Yes, you are right. The first time I saw you, I had a feeling that you liked my aunt. I was jealous, so I intentionally called her my mother, but don't worry anymore. Since we have made a rather amicable exchange, I don't mind giving you my aunt'' Tiana said and smiled with a wink.
''An amicable exchange? What do you mean?'' Ad-Din asked a bit confused and Tiana broke into a smile. She got up from her seat and went close to Ad-Din. She stood on her toes and whispered into his ears.
''You gave me your sister in exchange for my aunt'' Tiana said and winked at him before going back to her seat. Ad-Din looked at her couldn't fathom just how her brain worked. But, he had to give it to her. she was really smart for her age.
''Tiana, right?'' Ad-Din asked.
''Yes, speak comfortably to me. We are one big family now. I am also considered to be your little niece. Isn't that right, uncle Din?'' Tiana said and smiled and Ad-Din nodded his head.
''Do you like my sister that much? You want her to be your stepmother?:' Ad-Din asked.
''Oh, not only do I like her, I also find her very satisfying. She is so pretty and also kind. Most importantly, my father likes her too'' Tiana said and stood up from her seat. She picked a glass of drink on the table. She stretched her hands forth to Ad-Din and continued ''in that case, uncle Din. I would like to know something. Can you drink this juice as my token of acceptance and also my apology for messing with you the first two times that we met? At the airport and at the park?''
She even had a good memory. Ad-Din thought and looked at Tiana. He took the glass of juice from her and Tiana watched him expectantly waiting for him to drink the juice. It looked like she wouldn't take a step back until he drunk some of the juice. With that, Ad-Din sipped the juice and nodded before giving the glass back to her.
''Since you have already drunk the juice, I take it that all the bad blood between us is no longer in existence. Now, we one big family, so, uncle Din…'' Tiana sat next to him and held his hand playfully and Ad-Din looked at her. this little girl really knew how to curry favour with people.
''so, uncle Din, I was wondering. Do you have some tips you could possibly share me T-babe? Well, is not much, I just want to know how to speed up the relationship stage of my father and Pretty aunt. Can you tell me what I need to do to make her more in with us faster? You know, you ignored my aunt and that made her frustrated and she decided to propose to you but I don't want the same method. I need a simply heartwarming tips that could make my dad to propose to pretty aunt fast and make her move into our house''
''What?'' Ad-Din asked and looked at Tiana.
''You are already taking my aunt away. I will have no one to play with. Don't you find me pitiful?'' Tiana asked and pouted her lips at him looking like a dejected poppy while she blinked her eyes.
''Tiana, Ad, I didn't know you two were this close?'' Maria asked as Kobby pulled her luggage out of her room. Tiana turned to look at them with her hands still locked unto Ad-Din's hands.
''Uncle Din and I were getting acquainted with each other. As a family, we need to be familiar with each other for harmony to reign. Right, uncle Din?'' Tiana said and smiled.
''Sure, Tiana is a rather amusing kid'' Ad-Din added and tussled Tiana's hair. ''Are you done?'' he asked Maria.
''Oh. Kobby, I would have stayed back we have a family dinner tonight and I need to meet the entire family. Sorry buddy'' Maria said and hugged Kobby. Kobby smiled and was about to wrap his arms around her when Ad-Din coughed and cleared his throat. Kobby chuckled and let Maria go before saying.
''I better let go before someone breaks my legs'' Maria looked at Ad-Din and laughed. She couldn't believe he was even jealous of Kobby.
''Aunt, I am going to miss you but what can I do?'' Tiana said and went to hug Maria.
''Oh, my little sweet devil. Aunt will miss sleeping next to you, but I will see you every day so you won't even notice I am gone'' Maria said.
''That won't do'' Tiana said and stood on her toes and Maria lowered her body to meet her. Tiana whispered into Maria's ears ''you need to create opportunities for my dad and pretty aunt in the future''
''Oh, right. I will do that'' Maria said and they gave each other a knowing wink.
''What are you two secretly planning?'' Kobby asked.
''Nothing'' Tiana said and stepped aside. Ad-Din took the luggage from Maria and spoke to Kobby.
''We will leave right now''.
''Sure, we will see ourselves tomorrow anyways. And one more thing, no matter the circumstance, don't allow Maria to cook or you won't have anything to eat that day'' Kobby said.
''Whoa. What a nice thing to say to your brother in law about your sister and best buddy. Kobby, you are such a rare breed of family'' Maria said and the two men laughed.
''Don't worry, I don't intend to let her go near the kitchen for my own safety and herself'' Ad-Din said.
''I am not listening to this anymore'' Maria said and kissed Tiana's cheek before going out.