Chapter 104: 104 Family Dinner 3

DENARIUS MANSION.

AD-DIN'S QUARTERS.

BEDROOM.

Maria walked out of the dressing closet annex to the bedroom donning a simple blue short sleeved straight dress that had buttons from up to down and paired it with a phoenix like earrings and necklace. She stood in front of Ad-Din who also wore a blue tuxedo matching her dress and smiled. He looked really handsome in it.

''Were you always this handsome or I am the one suddenly finding you so handsome, my dear husband?'' Maria asked as she leaned against the door.

''Didn't you know? I was born handsome. Now, we really look like a couple, come here, let me kiss you. I might not be able to do that when everyone is around and I don't know how long we will keep there'' Ad-Din said and pulled Maria into his arms and kissed her.

''Let's go, my beautiful wife'' Ad-Din said and held her hand and they walked out.

''Wait'' Maria stopped at the door.

''What is it?'' Ad-Din asked. Maria returned to the closet and brought out a box. ''What's that?''

''This is Valerian root. I ordered it online from an Arctic shop. I remember you said grandpa doesn't sleep well so his behaviour has gotten cranky. I searched online and apparently, this tea is quite popular among old folks. It enables them to sleep well. I didn't buy grandpa any gift so I ordered this to give to him. But, I didn't get anything to give to your father. I know mother will not mind but…''

''Don't worry. I already prepared something for you to give to them. Let's get to the hall'' Ad-Din took the box and they went to the hall. Maria saw three boxes on the table.

''Actually, my grandpa doesn't do much work lately so he is often bored. He had a chess piece that he like to play with his friend but unfortunately, he passed away a month ago. that is also why he is a bit cranky lately. He refused to touch the chess piece he used to play with his friend saying that he could see his friend's face each time he touched the chess piece. My grandpa is quite a sentimental man, you see. he is also somewhat afraid he might die'' Ad-Din said and chuckled.

''Then, why did you buy a new chess piece for him? Ad-Din, I didn't think you could be so clueless?'' Maria said and chuckled. Ad-Din sat on the sofa and looked at her expecting her to explain further.

''You just said grandpa feels like he might die soon so he avoids the chess piece now. If that is the case, getting him a new chess piece won't solve the problem'' Maria added.

''Explain to this clueless husband, dear wifey'' Ad-Din said and Maria sat across him.

''Instead of getting him a new chess piece, why don't you get him a whole new game set after all? You said the last time that he likes to play that zombie game online with his tablet and is affecting his eyesight. Why don't we get him an HD player of Zombie apocalypse with a customised play set? That way, he can play all he wants and his eyes will also be protected''

''This is why men who marry smart woman always succeed? Maria, it is my fortune to have you. Let's never grow apart no matter what happens in the future. I don't think I can live without you'' Ad-Din said and Maria smiled.

''Just remember those words because I won't forgive you if you try to keep me in the dark again'' Maria said.

''I won't do that again. then, I will keep this chess piece but we can send the rest to the main mansion. This is my father's favourite electric smoke pipe. He had quit smoking but he sometimes craves it so he uses the electric smoke pipe instead. You can give this to him as a present''

''Okay. Thank you' Maria said and smiled.

'Let's go''

Main Mansion.

Ad-Din entered first and held Maria's hand as they went inside. He noticed the nervousness in her from the way her grip tightened around his hands and smiled at her, reassuring her. They went inside and saw Mona Lisa setting up the table. She also saw them and went forward to greet them.

''Maria, you are here. Look at you? You look so beautiful, child'' Mona Lisa said to her as she hugged Maria.

''Thank you. You look beautiful too'' Maria said as she looked at Mona Lisa who was dressed in a simple yet elegant green dress. She really looked beautiful and young for her age.

''Ad-Din, go and greet your grandpa. He is sulking in the study room with your father'' Mona Lisa said and just then Gibbs came out of the study room mumbling.

''Aunt, why is grandpa sulking? If he were a woman, I would have associated it to menopause'' Gibbs said and Mona Lisa hit his shoulder.

''Don't you see that we have a guest?'' Mona Lisa scolded him and he looked in front and saw Maria. He rushed forward with a smile and spoke to Maria.

''Sister in law, welcome to the family. I am Gibbs, you already know that. anyways, if you have any concerns, you can just contact me in the future. I am a loyal assistant to the boss, my cousin'' Gibbs said excitedly.

''Oh, okay. thanks'' Maria said and smiled awkwardly.

''Maria, I will go and meet my grandpa first'' Ad-Din said and placed the gifts on the table in the hall.

''Sure, go ahead. I will help mother to set the table'' Maria said and walked to Mona Lisa. ''Mom, let me help you''

''I am almost done. You can set up the cutlery, Calia will come soon. Food is almost ready'' Mona Lisa said and Maria nodded her head. She looked at the big hall that was divided into a dining table. Mona Lisa noticed her looking around and smiled and started explaining some things to her.

''You must be wondering why we don't have servants especially when we are having big dinner like this, right?'' Mona Lisa asked bringing Maria back to her senses. Maria smiled back without saying anything and Mona Lisa continued.

''It was a rule set up by the ancestors. We used to have a lot of servants in the house but my husband's father. Grandpa as you call him. His wife gave birth to twins'' Maria looked at her and Mona Lisa smiled ''that's right. my husband is a twin, but when they were little, a servant in other to collect money from our competitors poisoned one of the twins. Her intent was to kill both boys but she failed because my husband didn't eat his food because he was busy playing at that time, so the younger one passed away. Since then, grandpa placed a law that no servants will be allowed into the house. We only have a butler, two housekeepers and a chef who prepares the food. The service is done by the daughter in law of the family. Now that you are here, I will leave that to you. but, you don't have to worry. I am not an evil mother in law. I will teach you slowly. And you don't have feel pressured. All of these are just formalities. We hardly have dinner like these together because everyone is already busy. We only have dinner together as a family twice in a month. Once every two weeks. The rest of the days, everyone decides where to eat''

Mona Lisa finished and chuckled ''look at me? I hope I didn't scare you?''

''No, not at all'' Maria said and the door opened and Calia walked inside wearing a black and white strapped dress.

''Hi everyone'' she said and walked to the table ''aunt, were you lecturing your new daughter in law about the weird traditions of the family?''

''I just said a lot, I only hope Maria didn't get scared because of my long sentences'' Mona Lisa said and they laughed.

A voice cleared behind them and they all turned and saw Grandpa, Ken Denarius, Max and Ad-Din. They all came out of the study room. Maria looked at them and almost culled back nervously and grandpa noticed it. He looked at her sternly and Ad-Din noticed it and spoke first.

''Grandpa, you will scare my wife''

''In what way am I scaring her? If she can't even take a little looking, then what else can she take? The pressure she will soon receive outside as your wife will be more than what I am doing'' grandpa said.

''I am not scared of you. I just respect you'' Maria suddenly said and everyone looked at her.

''Look at that. I just knew she was a fearless woman. Look at the way she is finally speaking to me?'' Grandpa said making everyone to laugh.

''You try so hard to intimidate her every time you meet but she doesn't back out either. Father, you have met your match'' Ken Denarius said.

''Maria, welcome to the family. Don't put to heart whatever grandpa does. He is not purposefully being hostile to you. You will soon warm up to him. Use your hidden charm on him and turn him into a doting grandpa and he will do anything for you afterwards. He is easily pleased.