Chapter 124: 124 Familiar Strangers 1

''Mother'' the words felt strange coming from Maria's lips even as she watched Ad-Din walk across the street to Alecia Maria Lee. Maria had thought about various scenarios of her encounter with Alecia Maria Lee but she never imagined it would be this way.

Truth was, a lot of questions were forming in her head and she started thinking back to the morning and everything Ad-Din had told her. she had sensed something was wrong or maybe he was hiding something from her. but, what exactly was he doing with Alecia Maria Lee?

Maria wanted to find the answers to those questions and she couldn't do that being locked up in the office. She tried to open the door and after a few attempts, a thought came to her mind. She removed the short clip on her head and tried again using the sharp pointed edge of the clip.

'Clack'

the door opened and she walked out and shut the door behind her

.

Maria got down to the reception and saw Monroe chatting with Calia and Kobby. Maria wasn't sure when the two had arrived but she wasn't in the mood to talk to them. She walked almost passing them by when Kobby held her hand. Maria stopped and turned to look at them.

"'Maria, did you?'' Monroe said as he looked across the street.

'"When did you plan to tell me the truth, Monroe? What is Ad-Din doing with that woman?'' Maria asked sternly.

''Which woman?'' Calia asked equally shocked because Maria's voice sounded cold.

''Portia, which woman are you talking about? Is it that woman?'' Kobby asked unsurely as he looked at Maria.

''Let go of me, Kobby. I need to find out what exactly is going on across the street. Why is Ad-Din with that woman and how much about her does he know. What is he keeping from me? I need to know''

:'Maria, I don't think is the right time to meet her. she actually came here to see Ad-Din'' Monroe said.

''Ah'' Maria chuckled.

''I will go with you'' Kobby said and turned to look at Calia.

''I will be at the company. You can go ahead. Let's meet at the show tonight'' Calia said and went inside.

''Then, I will also be inside'' Monroe said and went inside.

''Let's go together but, you have to promise me that you will be calm and not rush into judging anything'' Kobby said to Maria and she nodded her head.

Café across the company.

Alecia Maria Lee sipped her juiced sensually as she sized Ad-Din up. She smiled and leaned closer across the table and asked ''is it because you are younger, I find you more appealing than your elder brother Max Denarius. I must say, my daughter has good taste. Well, she took after me, so I am not entirely surprised''

''Tell me, your reason for appearing in front of Maria after leaving her when she needed you the most?'' Ad-Din asked and Alecia Maria Lee chuckled.

''Is that what she told you? Well, I did abandon her'' Alecia leaned back against her chair with a half-smile as she continued ''I left her for her own good''.

''This is the first time I am hearing something like this? A reason I find very lousy'' Ad-Din said.

''You seem more quick-tempered as compared to your elder brother. But, are you allowed to speak to me this way? I am after all, your mother in law''

''Maria never spoke about you, so it means you don't matter to her. Tell me, your real reason for coming here. You have been in this country all that long and never bothered to get in touch with Maria. Why are you suddenly coming to find her?''

''Your brother must have told you about me and the kind of business that I do. Honestly, I didn't intend to look for Maria but I miss her. No matter what anyone says, we still have a mother and daughter relationship. I just want to meet with my daughter and connect with her once more'' Alecia Maria Lee said and sipped her juice.

''Then, why didn't you go up to the company and look for her? You are scared that she will not welcome you with open arms, right? I am Maria's husband and I promised to protect her from anyone who threatens her peace. You should stop whatever plans you have for approaching Maria and just stay hidden like you have been doing all these years. I don't want Maria to get hurt from finding out the kind of person her mother really is. You should stop that disgusting business and just leave Cosmos for good. I don't want anyone to associate my wife to someone like you'' Ad-Din said and Alecia Maria Lee laughed. They were both unaware of the fact that Maria and Kobby sat at a corner listening to them.

''I am proud of the business that I do. As for your brother's claims, I suggest you advise him to stop provoking me. I won't be the only one to get hurt when this blows out of proportion. I actually didn't come to meet Maria. I came to meet you because I know that you don't want Maria to have any form of interaction with me. We share the same sentiments because I don't intend to appear from Maria. I already abandoned her once. Whatever I leave in the past, I don't go back for it. Maria is part of my past''

''How could you say such a thing about your own daughter? Don't you have a conscience at all?'' Ad-Din asked as her frowned at the actions of the woman.

''Conscience? Is it edible? I can't believe you are so naïve even as a businessman, Mr. Denarius? The world is dog eating dog world. You really don't know how scary it is to work while having a conscience. Having a conscience is like leaving your enemies a way to pull you down. it is the same with having a weakness. Maria was my biggest weakness, so I had to get rid of her in order to achieve what I have to today. Anyways, I already said what I came to tell you. tell your brother to stop provoking me because I can't stop myself when I am provoked. Who knows, your wife might be the one to pay for the price'' Alecia Maria Lee said and placed the juice glass in her hands on the table and took her bag. She stood up and turned to go and saw Maria. her eyes twitched as she looked at her cardboard copy.

They stared at each other as if strangers meeting for the first time. Kobby held unto Maria's hand tightly keeping her calm.

''Wow. We really look like familiar strangers'' Alecia Maria Lee said and chuckled.

Ad-Din turned and saw Maria and quickly stood up ''Maria, how did you?''

''How long were you planning to keep me in the dark?'' Maria asked and looked at Ad-Din.

''We haven't seen each other for so long. Aren't you going to say hi to me at least? Maria, I am heartbroken. I thought we would have a rather emotional reunion when we finally met but you seem emotionless like an empty can''

''Why did you think that way? Didn't you say you didn't come to meet me?'' Maria asked expressionlessly.

''You grew up well, Maria. You look so pretty, just like me when I was your age'' Alecia Maria Lee said and smiled.

''I guess that is why we are like familiar strangers'' Maria replied sharply.

''You are still unable to control your emotions. Even as a kid you always spoke your mind and couldn't handle confrontations well. But, I am proud of you though. You said to me back then that you were going to be someone I will be proud of and begged me to stay. I received your letter though. The one you wrote in a fit of anger and mailed to me. I remember you said you were going to grow up well and be the opposite of everything I am and was back then. But, you got yourself a younger man. Isn't that a slap to your own face?''

''I am different from you. I wasn't the one who abandoned her 14-year old daughter for a younger man and a life of freedom. You have no right to judge me''

''Calm down, Maria. I didn't come here to see you. I came here because I had business with your husband here. Didn't he tell you?''

''Are all mothers like you? You don't deserve to be a mother at all. How could you speak to your own daughter like that? Don't you feel apologetic to me even once? Do you know how life was for me a 14-year old when you left without a word? How could you not feel sorry towards me even one bit?''

''If I feel sorry for you, what will I gain from that? What will you gain from it? Will that make the scars in your heart to suddenly disappear? Sorry, but I am not good at soothing people's wounds. I never had anyone to sooth my wounds''

''That's enough. You don't have to tell Maria all this'' Kobby said.

''You must be Lexi's husband. Sorry about your wife. I thought you would hate Maria the most for causing your wife to die but seeing that you are still together, I guess you must be a really kind person"