Purple Romance

After a rather awkward meal, Calia and Kobby walked out of the restaurant and were now at the entrance.

''Do you…want to take a walk with me?'' Kobby asked suddenly.

''Huh? A walk?'' Calia looked at him and blushed shyly nodded her head.

''The weather is nice and we ate quite a lot in there. A walk will be good for your health. I'm just saying this as a doctor. I don't mean anything else''. Kobby added and looked away. He wondered what he was even doing all of a sudden.

''Then, let's go for a walk'' Calia said ''there is a beach not far from here. Shall we walk to there before we come back?''

''Sure, let's go'' Kobby said and walked away and Calia followed. Their actions were awkward but unforced.

The two walked to the beach. Calia's heels kept getting stuck in the sand and it made her uncomfortable yet she didn't want Kobby to notice it. She didn't want anything to come between the serene and quite moment that they were having.

After walking for a while, Kobby stopped and something dawned on him. He looked down and saw that Calia was wearing the heels in the sand and she looked uncomfortable. He sighed and turned to her saying ''excuse me for a minute''.

''Oh'' Calia said and Kobby bent down and unlocked her heels zip. His actions surprised her but made her heart feel warm. Kobby looked at her blushing face.

''Actually, you can be comfortable around me'' he said and helped her to take off the shoes ''sit down, let me check your feet''.

Calia sat on the sand and covered her legs with Kobby's blazer leaving her feet. Kobby knelt down on one knee and looked at her feet.

''Do you enjoy hurting yourself that much?'' He asked.

''Who in the world enjoys hurting themselves?'' Calia asked back.

''I think both my EQ and IQ drops to zero whenever it has to do with you''. Kobby said and removed an ointment from his back pocket. He had casually kept it with him at the hospital and was grateful he did.

''Why? Do I bother you? Does my presence upset you?' Calia asked.

''No, not at all. I will never find you a bother. Is just that, I don't think I can ever be careful enough when it comes to you. Your feet are all bruised. Why did you even wear such high heels?''

''Wearing high heels boast a woman's confidence. It makes us feel that, there is nothing we can't achieve as long as we have our favourite heels on'' Calia said and Kobby shook his head.

''You should consider wearing low heels for now. Maybe sneakers will do. Your feet will swell at this rate'' Kobby said and unscrewed the lid of the ointment.

''Do you always carry that around?'' Calia asked as she watched Kobby squeeze out the ointment and started massaging her leg. She felt tickles and retracted her feet giggling.

''I don't carry it around, I just took it by chance and it came in handy''. Kobby said and pulled her leg back to his side and she chuckled and pointed at her feet.

''That, be careful. I am very sensitive and is quite tickling with the way you are touching it''.

Kobby looked at her and suddenly asked ''you have never had a boyfriend, right?''

''Huh? Who? That is not true. You will be surprised by the number of guys I have dated before'' Calia retorted back and flushed.

''I guess I'm right after all'' Kobby said and nodded his head.

''Right about what? I told you I have had about 3 boyfriends before you'' Calia blurted out and covered her mouth.

''Am I your boyfriend?'' Kobby asked and watched her expression. He was enjoying teasing her because of the way she kept blushing. For some reason, he like it.

''No, that's not what I mean. I didn't mean that you are my boyfriend. I was just trying to prove… a point. Sorry'' Calia said and looked away embarrassed and bit her lips.

''You know; you shouldn't bite your lips like that in front of a man. It could send him wrong signals'' Kobby said and stood up. He was done with massaging her leg.

''What kind of signals?'' Calia asked and looked at him. She was still sitting on the sand while he was standing up, in front of her. She boldly met and held his gaze for a few seconds after asking him that question.

''Forget of it. Is late, let's go. I will take you home'' Kobby said and turned to go and Calia called his name.

''Kobby Brian!!'' Kobby turned and looked at her. It was probably because that was the very first time she had called him by his full name. His focus was now entire on her. They stared at each other for a while before she continued ''can I like you?" she asked and pursed her lips. She couldn't believe what she just said herself.

''It seems you are the type to always speak or say whatever is on your mind? But, I don't like a woman taking the lead''. Kobby said 'let's go, I will take you home'

Calia looked at him as he walked away and followed sullenly. The two of them got into the car and the drive back was quiet.

....

A few days later.

Ad-Din was speaking on phone when Maria knocked on the door and went in. She stood across him quietly and didn't distract him as he spoke on the phone.

''Okay, thank you. I promise to visit and treat you to a meal sometime, bye''. Ad-Din hung up and looked at the woman in front of him. He leaned on the table and smiled at her.

''Sir, this is the revised designs submitted by the design team. If it is possible, they will like to hear your thoughts before they proceed with it as planned''.

Maria spoke professionally and Ad-Din cocked his eyes at her. Maria maintained her professional look and didn't smile. She didn't want to be seduced so early in the morning by this man.

''Sir?'' Ad-Din asked and stood up from his chair. ''We didn't even see each other on the weekend and the first thing you are saying to me is, Sir?''

Maria pursed her lips and stepped back. He was walking closer to her.

''You blatantly refused to go on a date with me during the weekend claiming that you had to send Tiana to the amusement park, I didn't complain. But, how could you not even call me once throughout the weekend?''

''Sir, we are at the workplace. I suggest you maintain a respectful and polite distance'' Maria said as she hit her back against the door. Ad-Din quickly placed his hand on her head and instead of hitting her head clumsily on the door, she hit his hand instead and he smiled.

''You should be careful with your head. Your head is full of smart and brilliant ideas, what will we do if you hurt yourself?'' Ad-Din said and shifted his hand and traced it down her back making her flush. When he reached her waist, he swiftly held it and pushed her against himself and looked at her blushing face.

''Ad, we are at the office'' Maria said.

''I am the boss but right now I want to be a man to you because I missed you so much'' Ad-Din said and hugged her tightly ''I almost ran to your house last night because I missed you so much''.

''I'm sorry. I was just a little bit busy that's why I didn't call. I went to the library to get some books to do self-study but even after studying the materials for hours I couldn't understand anything. I was so frustrated that I ended up sleeping for hours. When I woke up, it was already so late and I didn't want to disturb your sleep''. Maria said while in his arms.

''Do you want to study Marketing that much?'' Ad-Din asked.

''Yes, I really want to do it'' Maria replied.

''Then, I will teach you''

''Huh?'' Maria released herself from his embrace and looked at him.

''Why? You don't believe that I am capable?''

''No, is not that. Is just that, your fee might be too high. I dare not allow you to teach me'' Maria said seriously before they both busted into laughter.

''Don't worry, I don't charge that much. As for my fee? Let's say…a kiss a day is enough for me? Well, if you also want to pay me by spending the night at my place, I will accept it'' Ad-Din said and looked at Maria shamelessly.

''Were you always this shameless? How come I didn't know this side of you?'' Maria folded her arms and asked.

''I only dare to be shameless because is you''

''Then, I will gladly accept your free tuition. Right now, I need to learn Marketing anyway and anyhow possible. I am not going to refuse this offer at all. As for spending the night at your place…if you work hard, I might consider it'' Maria said and pushed him away before running out of the office.

Ad-Din chuckled and shook his head. This woman was becoming more daring.