Purple Romance

Maria arrived at the company and saw that most of the workers were already leaving. She didn't want to rise suspicion or make people like at her strangely so she used the back door of the company that was located at the parking lot. After getting down from the taxi, she picked the two heavy polybags and was about to go when she felt the weight being lifted off her and turned. She saw Monroe walking ahead with the bags of groceries and she ran after him.

'Wait'.

'This should be done by a man. A small woman like you will breakdown after carrying these things. Where are you sending these to?' He asked.

'The canteen' Maria said and followed him.

'So, you work at the canteen? Why haven't I ever seen you around then?'

'How many times do you eat at the canteen?' Maria asked as she opened the door leading to the stairs of the canteen.

'I've been there maybe once or twice but now that I know you work there; I will eat there every day starting from tomorrow'.

'Don't bank your hopes on it. I don't work there. I am just on an errand for my boss'.

'What?' Monroe stopped and looked at her.

'I'm an errand girl and my boss is hungry so I have to cook for him'

'Why? Come and work for me instead. I will make you my secretary'.

'Sorry but I don't have any interest in working for you. Secretary my foot. Let's go already'.

'Think about it. I already like you so I won't give you a hard time'.

'I don't need to think about it. I love my current job. I don't do much but I get paid a lot'. Maria opened the door leading to the kitchen and went in with him. Monroe placed the bags on the kitchen table and turned to face her.

'Don't I deserve a drink for my services?' Monroe asked.

'Here'. Maria picked a fruit canned juice from the fridge and gave to him. I'm going to be busy so you can leave now'.

'So, are we friends, likable?'

'Likable? What's that?' Maria asked.

'My nickname for you, since you haven't told me your name yet?'

'Call me Maria or Portia. My name is Maria Portia Lee. Don't call me likable'.

'Why? It fits you. you're so likable'.

'Whatever, you can leave now'.

'So, are we friends?'

Maria sighed and looked at the man. he was quite tenacious. Maria nodded her head saying 'yes, we are friends'

'Yes. Then, I will go and look for you tomorrow. Let's have lunch together at the canteen here. You can't say no. I just helped you out'.

'Okay, let's have lunch together. now, you really need to go. I have so much to do' Maria said and pushed him out of the door and Monroe chuckled before leaving.

Putting her arms on her waist, Maria looked at the ingredients and sighed. She was the worse at sorting ingredients out. She really hated having to separate vegetables from meat and obeying all those kitchen rules.

She removed the green leafy vegetables first and placed them separately far from the fresh meat to avoid cross contamination and also sorted out all the various ingredients. She removed a clove of garlic and crushed them. She was going to prepare the ingredients before calling Kobby.

Maria was almost done when Kobby's call came in. she quickly placed a saucepan of salted water on the burner before answering the call.

'Are you done? I just finished with my patient'. Kobby asked as soon as the call connected.

'I just sorted out the ingredients. Is good you called. What am I supposed to do with all these things on the table?' Maria asked and turned the video to the things on the table for him to see.

'What kind of pasta are you making anyway?' Kobby asked after seeing the ingredients.

'Tagliatelle carbonara. He claims is his favourite dish but he doesn't like the smell of the bacon in it so his chef replaces that with lobster. He likes to eat lobster meat. Does this make sense? I went to the internet and it clearly says the dish goes well with bacon but that psychopath wants it with lobster'.

'Tagliatelle carbonara is a tricky pasta dish, I'm worried that it might not come out the way he wants it when is prepared by you'. Kobby said.

'Hey, don't you dare insult my culinary skills, okay?'

'How about I come over and help you?' Kobby said.

'No, he wants me to do it. don't come. Who knows, he might be watching me right now from somewhere. You just give me the instructions over the phone. I will make him a blockbuster pasta dish he has never eaten before. He is going to totally fall for me after this'.

'Okay, let's start. Cook the tagliatelle in boiling salted water until al dente'.

'Wait. What is al dente?' Maria asked and picked her small diary to write it down.

'You don't even know what al dente means? Maria, don't ever boast of having culinary skills to anyone. You are going to disgrace yourself' Kobby said as he sipped his coffee. Maria frowned and glared at him.

'Is not like I studied culinary as a course. Why should I complicate my life by knowing all of those things? So what is it?'

'Al dente simply means to cook pasta so that they will still be firm when bitten'

'I see'. Maria opened the packaged tagliatellle and placed in the salted boiling water and closed the saucepan with a lid. What next?' She asked moving away from the burner.

'Heat oil in a suitable pan and fry the crushed garlic. And quickly prepare the lobster. Don't use all of it. Since is for one serving, just the fleshy part is enough. You need to be quick Maria Portia Lee'.

'Yes, sir'.

Kobby watched from the screen and gave her instructions on how to cut the lobster. She did it quickly and cut it into dice and washed them before adding it to the fried garlic and placed it back on fire.

As Maria was busy cooking, Ad-Din stood at a corner of the canteen watching her. He saw that she was making a video call with someone as she cooked and wondered if that was her husband.

'Mix together the beaten eggs, cream and parmesan. Season them with black pepper'.

Maria swiftly learnt fast and worked her way with the dish. She was almost done with everything and was about to serve when Paul entered the kitchen holding a bag of wine and two glasses and another bag containing clothes.

'Paul, I am almost done. I was going to call you when I'm done'. Maria washed her hands as she spoke.

'Here, the CEO wants you to change into this when you are done and serve this with the dish'. Paul said and handed her the bags.

'Red wine and clothes?' Why does he want me to change into this?' Maria asked sceptically.

'Those were his instructions. You can ask him when he comes. He will be here in the next 30 minutes'. Paul said and went out.

Maria looked at the bags and sighed. Her hands trembled and her heart started beating. She didn't know why she was suddenly feeling nervous.

Maria quickly cleaned up and looked at her phone and saw that Kobby was still online and she spoke 'did you hear that?'

'Oh, I did. Are you nervous?' Kobby asked.

'I can't help but be nervous. He just asked me to change into a dress. Kobby, I suddenly have a bad feeling. What if you were right? What if he turns out to really be my boss? I don't think I am ready to meet him yet, Kobby'.

'Portia, relax, take a deep breath and relax'. Kobby said as he noticed the panic in her voice. 'Maria, I will come with Tiana and pick you up very soon. If he turns out to be your ex and you don't want to face him yet, then you don't have to force yourself'.

'Alright. then, can you please be here and wait outside. I will feel assured knowing you are nearby. I really don't want him to see me at my weakest'.

'Okay, I will be there very soon'. Kobby said and hung up.

Maria went into the washroom and changed into the outfit that Paul brought. It was a purple flowery dress that stopped at her knees and fitted her really well. Her curvy figure came out perfectly. She released her tied bun and her hair fell down on her shoulders making her look beautiful. The outfit came with its shoes and jewellery so she wore it all as one set.

Maria sat at the table she set for the CEO and clasped her fingers nervously. Soon she heard footsteps echoing towards her from behind and decided to stand up.

She turned and saw the CEO and all colour drained from her face. Someone said the moment you begin to have an obnoxious feeling about something, it only meant that it was really about to happen.

Maria looked at the man before her. He was tall and had a really cold aura around him. Maria stepped back nervously almost knocking on the table behind her but the man was faster and grabbed her hand holding her sturdy.

The moment their hands touched, Maria froze and stiffened.