Purple Romance

Maria finished taking her bath that evening and walked out of her bathroom. She was still in her bathrobe when the doorbell rang. Her aunt wasn't around. She had called Maria earlier to tell her she was working overtime at her new work place.

Maria frowned and furrowed her brows. She was surprised to hear their doorbell ring for the first time in a while. Maria quickly changed into a lose black straight dress before getting out of her room.

The doorbell was ringing increasingly nonstop making her wonder how impatient the one ringing the bell was.

Maria opened the door and saw Karen Kash standing at the door. Maria frowned displeased and looked at the girl in front of her. She was dressed impeccably fashionable with the latest season clothes. It was almost spring but the weather was still cold in Cosmos so Maria wondered if the girl in front of her didn't feel cold because of the light dressing on her.

'' Miss Kash, you are here this late at my house, how may I help you?'' Maria asked and looked at the girl suspiciously.

Karen smiled and tried to look into the apartment but Maria blocked her view by standing in front of her and closing the door.

''Miss Lee, can we talk inside?'' Karen asked. ''I come bearing gifts''. She lifted the luxury brand bag in her hand up and showed to Maria.

''Miss Kash, we are neither friends nor acquaintances. I am really curious as to why you came to see me. Can you get straight to the point? I am beginning to lose my patience''. Maria said straightforwardly.

''Fine. Since you want me to go straight to the point, then I will. You saw the message along with the picture, right?'' Karen asked.

Maria looked at her calmly. She already had a prior premonition about it being her so she wasn't really surprised. Maria gave a low chuckle before looking at her. Maria met and kept her gaze on her.

''What do you want by showing those pictures to me?''. Maria asked.

''I thought I made myself clear already? Either you break up with Ad-Din or you leave the school, you decide". Karen said.

''Why should I do as you say?'' Maria asked her.

''What? Are you saying you won't break up with Ad-Din? You need to think carefully, Miss Lee. I am not someone you should mess with. I have known Ad-Din for a long time. We were getting along so well until you came into the picture. Miss Lee, I didn't mean to be this vicious but you just leave me with no choice if you continue to be stubborn about it" Karen said and her lips curved up.

''How old are you Miss Kash?'' Maria suddenly asked her.

''Ex-cuse me? I am almost 18 years''. Karen answered.

''At 18, you are already forcing a man to be with you against his will. Aren't you afraid of living in a loveless relationship for the rest of your life? Karen, Ad-Din isn't someone who can be forced to do anything he doesn't want to. I am also not someone who backs out just because someone isn't happy with my relationship. I considered a lot of things before deciding to be in a relationship with Ad-Din, so I won't be intimidated by some pictures that you have in your hands. You are quite bold for coming to my house to threaten me, Miss Kash.

Let me give you some piece of advice as someone who have lived longer and have experienced a lot about life than you. Some things can't be forced no matter how badly you want them''.

''So, what is your point exactly? Are you saying you won't break up with Ad-Din? Are you not afraid that I can show the pictures I have to the whole world? You will be the one to suffer. Do you know that? At most, Ad-Din will be considered the victim of a forced relationship between a student and a teacher.

Miss Lee, I hope you will consider your situation before making any decision. Your father is just a useless gambler. His debtors keep making you change cities every time. Now, you are just getting settled in Cosmos and you want to throw all that away because of a relationship that you are not even guarantee of its future? Ad-Din's family will never accept someone whose background is questionable like yours.

Forget that you are even older than him but you also have nothing in your name and can't offer him anything''. Karen spoke harshly feeling no need to filter her words or show respect to Maria

''You really came prepared to irk me, right? Okay, I will tell you what. If you can make Ad-Din to break up with me, then, I will leave him. Didn't he tell you? He was the one who chased and seduced me first? I am afraid that he won't be able to leave me and still find me even if I leave this city. So, instead of coming here to threaten me to leave him, why don't you make him leave me. You said you loved him? Then, make him leave me for you. I don't chase men, neither do I beg them to love me or be with me, so if you can make him leave me, I will give him to you"

"You will give him to me? Is he an object?" Karen asked.

"You're the one who came here to threaten me to return him back to you. You were the one who first treated him like an object, don't twist my words to make yourself feel good" Maria replied back sharply making Karen speechless for a moment.

''I already gave you a week. I will be waiting to see the kind of decision you will make, Miss Lee''. Karen said after calming herself down.

''She doesn't need to make any decision because I will never leave her''.

A voice rang at the corner and they both turned and saw Ad-Din.

Ad-Din walked to them and pushed Karen aside and stood next to Maria. He put his hand on Maria's shoulder and pulled her closer to himself.

''Karen, you have the guts to come to the woman I love and ask her to leave me? Do you really need me to do something to you before you stop all this nonsense?''

''Ad-Din, this is for your own good. I am doing this for you. Your family will never accept her and you know it. What is the use of being in a relationship with her when you will still leave her at the long run? Right now you are just blinded by your emotions. Do you think Miss Lee will be with you forever? She just sees you as someone to play with. She will leave you for someone else when she gets tired of you''.

''Can you stop putting words into me mouth? The more you behave this way the farther Ad-Din will try to get away from you. Leave my house, Miss Kash''.

Maria said and pointed at the entrance.

''Don't blame me for whatever happens next. You have humiliated me and I will make sure you go through the same humiliation too''. Karen said and walked away.

Maria's legs grew weak and she almost fell when Ad-Din caught her saying ''what's wrong with you?''

''God. That girl is scary. Ad-Din, you don't know how much courage I gathered just now facing her? She is so scary''. Maria said.

''Don't worry about her. I will make sure she doesn't do anything to harm you''.

Ad-Din said and helped Maria inside the apartment closing the door behind him.

''I called you several times but your phone was not available. Did something happen?'' Maria asked as they sat on the couch.

''I'm sorry. I accompanied my grandpa to visit our late grandma. Today is her death anniversary. We finished and I decided to see you right away''.

Maria looked at him and now noticed he was dressed in black outfit.

''What will you drink. We have juice and water?'' Maria asked standing up.

''Water, I am quite thirsty''. Ad-Din told her.

''Okay''.

Maria turned and went to the fridge to get him a glass of water. This was Ad-Din's first time of being inside her apartment so he looked around curiously. It was a small apartment with only two rooms but it was neat and clean. Everything was in place.

''Here. This is your first time of being inside here right?'' Maria asked as she handed the water over to him.

''Yes. Your place is beautiful. Where is your aunt? You told me you live with your aunt?'' Ad-Din asked.

''Yes, she is working overtime tonight. She won't be coming back tonight''.

Maria said and the atmosphere suddenly turned odd and awkward. Maria looked away and flushed. Her heartbeat increased and she didn't know what to do.

''So, you will be alone tonight?'" Ad-Din asked. His voice was deeply hoarse as he spoke and put the glass down. Maria nodded.