Chapter 127: 127 When things are no longer awkward, let's grab a meal together 2

''Sure, go ahead. Thank you for passing by'' Maria stood up and they bowed slightly towards each other before Marvel went out. Maria sighed and took the remote from the table and turned on the television. Coincidentally, they were showing news of her mother.

Maria watched as Alecia Maria Lee was surrounded by reporters as she stood in front of her hotel speaking.

Alecia Maria Lee: This is pure defamation. The Denarius family is targeting me for no reason. They are even preventing me from seeing my daughter.

Maria who was watching frowned upon hearing that. Just what was this woman planning to do?

''Did you just say that your daughter is with the Denarius family? Do you have a relationship with the Denarius family?'' a reporter asked.

''My daughter is married to the youngest son of the Denarius family. They are keeping my daughter and not allowing me to meet up with her'' Alecia Maria Lee said again.

Maria wanted to turn the television of but decided to leave it, losing all energy to bother with her.

Shelton Hotel.

Alecia Maria Lee kept her head held high as she addressed the reporters gathered in front of her hotel.

''Miss Lee, is it true that you are operating a brothel in the name of a hotel?' a reporter asked and Alecia Maria Lee chuckled before saying.

''I am operating an honest business and I pay my taxes. I will not allow anyone to defame me'' as she was speaking the police arrived and got down from their van and walked to them, the reporters gave way for the police as they walked closer to Alecia Maria Lee.

''Miss Lee, you are under arrest for hosting illicit businesses in your hotel and for child prostitution'' the detective said as he showed her his ID card. He gestured at the two others with him and they stood before Alecia Maria Lee and wanted to handcuff her.

''What is the meaning of this?'' Alecia Maria Lee asked angrily as the police ignored her and the reporters started writing their new scoop.

''Take her away and bring the men to take every document inside the hotel'' the detective spared her no look and walked into the hotel.

''You are not allowed to touch anything that belongs to me'' Alecia Maria Lee kept screaming as the police took her away. She saw Max Denarius and Marvel standing at a distance watching her. her face turned paled as anger seeped within her.

Max Denarius and Marvel watched as Alecia Maria Lee was escorted into the police van and they got into their car. Max Denarius looked at Marvel and asked.

''Are you alright?''

''I don't know. Let's get out of here. I don't want to see that woman for even a second more'' Marvel said.

''Okay'' Max Denarius drove away.

...…

First Hospital.

Kobby entered the ward and saw Maria sitting on the couch and he walked up to her ''Portia, are you alright?'' Kobby asked and looked at the television.

''Kobby, why does God still give children to such kind of women? Is clear she has no conscience. I can't believe such a woman is my mother'' Maria said as she sat on the couch.

''You are here with us because she gave birth to you. Even though she wasn't a good example. How do you feel?'' Kobby asked.

''I'm fine. Marvel came here. She just a while ago'' Maria said.

'Really? So, what did she tell you?''

''Nothing. things were really awkward and I think they will remain that way for some time. We can't put everything behind us and act like it never happened. We just decided to give each other time''

''Right, don't stress yourself too much and don't make such a rash decision like that again''

''I'm sorry, because of me you had to hear all that from Alecia Maria Lee''

''I thought we were past the stage of saying sorry to each other? You, should really get your brain checked. You are so silly''

''Psst''

''Have you eaten? Should I peel and cut the fruits for you?'' Kobby asked.

''Oh, can you do that for me?'' Maria asked and they laughed.

The next day, Ad-Din escorted Maria to take all the necessary tests and they packed their things ready to leave the hospital. Kobby walked with them to the OPD.

''I will let you know when the test results come out. Maria, take care, I will call you'' Kobby said.

''Okay, bye'' Maria hugged Kobby before letting go. Ad-Din held Maria's hand and they walked towards the entrance.

''I'm finally going home'' Maria murmured and Ad-Din looked at her and smiled.

...

Denarius Mansion.

Ad-Din pulled over in front of their quarters and they both got down. Ad-Din took the bag Maria used at the hospital from the backseat and turned to her ''Maria, I left something in the booth, could you take it for me?'' Ad-Din said and closed the door.

''En, what did you…leave'' Maria paused her words as the scene before her surprised her. She saw a ribbon tied together with balloons and rose flowers. They filled the car up, she didn't know how many they were but she knew they were more at least more than 500 single roses there. She turned and looked at Ad-Din speechlessly as tears trimmed down her face.

''Ad, you. how man flowers are there?'' she asked trying to calm herself down. her heart was beating fast.

':About 999 pieces of rose flowers. Do you like my present?'' Ad-Din asked and Maria nodded her head and went to hug him.

''But, today isn't valentine's day? Why are you suddenly giving me flowers?'' Maria asked curiously.

''Silly woman. You must have really forgotten what day today is right?'' Ad-Din asked as he hugged her halfway ''take the flowers and let's go inside. There is more surprise waiting for you'' he said to her.

''More surprises? Today really feels like is my birthday….wait, what's today's date?'' Maria asked as it dawned on her. Ad-Din looked at her without saying anything and she started laughing ''today is 31st July, is my birthday''

''Did I marry a klutz?'' Ad-Din said jokingly and Maria glared at him and took the flowers from the booth. Ad-Din opened the door for her and they went inside. Maria saw the whole Denarius family in front of her. Calia was standing by a table with a big chocolate cake with lit candles. They started singing a birthday song for her when they saw her.

''Happy birthday to you''

''Happy birthday to you''

''Happy birthday to you''

''Happy birthday to you Maria, happy birthday to you''

Maria busted into tears as they each gave her a hug.

''Maria, today is such a happy day, why are you crying?'' Mona Lisa asked.

''I'm just happy. I didn't even know everyone was here planning this. I thought that everyone was avoiding me because of what was going on. I thought that everyone was going to walk on eggshells around me. I'm just happy that everything is still normal between us'' Maria said.

''Do you think you are that great? You think too highly of yourself'' Old Mr. Denarius said.

''Grandpa, today is my wife's birthday, can you not be obnoxious for a while?'' Ad-Din said making them laugh.

''Happy birthday, Maria. Here is something small for you'' Ken Denarius said and handed Maria a small box.

''Thanks, father''

''This is my gift to you'' Mona Lisa said and handed her a big gift bag that contained a dress.

Maria looked at the box and turned to Ad-Din ''open it and see'' he told her.

Maria nodded and opened the dress and saw that it was a wedding dress 'a wedding dress? Is so beautiful''

''I want you to officially marry my son quickly and give me a grandson to cuddle. I have lost hope in a certain someone here'' Mona Lisa said and turned to look at Max Denarius.

''Mother, where you referring to me just now?'' Max asked.

''Who else if not you, elder brother? I am still young'' Gibson said.

''Maria, happy birthday. Here is my gift to you. I hope that you and I can grab a meal together when all this is over'' Max said and handed Maria a small box.

''Actually, I don't mind at all. She is paying for what she did'' Maria said.

''Today is a happy day, let's not ruin it by bringing up unfortunate happenings'' Calia said and continued 'Maria, won't you open elder brother's gift? Is the most expensive''

''Thank you, elder brother'' Maria said 'I will open it later on'' Maria said and turned to look at Old Mr. Denarius with an outstretched hand.

''Why are you stretching your hands at me?'' the old man asked suspiciously.

''Don't tell me you didn't prepare a gift for me? Aye, I just got discharged from the hospital on my birthday and my grandfather in law didn't even prepare me a gift. Aren't I so pitiful?'' Maria said making everyone laugh.

''Who said I didn't prepare anything for you? I was the one who helped in the decoration. I blew air into the balloons. Do you know how much oxygen I lost doing that?'' Old Mr. Denarius said and removed a small card from his pocket ''here is something for you. Go and do shopping. I heard women love to shop. This card is unlimited. It's your birthday gift. I have also allocated shares to your name, Max will brief you on that later on''

''Grandpa is the best'' Maria hugged the old man suddenly and he chuckled.

''Maria, why didn't I get a hug for my gift? Do you know that your behaviour now is hurting my feelings?'' Mona Lisa said.

''Aye, mother, don't think that way. This is grandpa's first gift to me, I have to show him I appreciate it so that he would always give me more'' Maria said.

'Oliver Twist'' the old man said.