Purple Romance

Thomas Payin looked at the almost crowded space of his living room and smiled. His little girl was now grown and even had men fighting over her. He went back to doing his work as the voices of the youngsters came from the hall.

At the hall, Joel and Jordan sat together while Paige and Carlien also sat together. They each held cards in their hands.

''Two suits, one club and one diamond'' Paige frowned. How could she have missed all the two trump cards? She turned to Carlien who shook her head signifying she didn't have the trump card either. Paige looked at Jordan remained indifferent and frowned.

Paige looked at the cards in her hands and turned to Carlien. They shared a tactical look before Carlien stretched her head in attempt to spy at Joel's card but he saw through her act and swiftly placed the cards in his hands on his lap and looked at her.

''Carlien, playing dirty is against the rules of the game'' Joel said to her.

''I was just trying to pick a glass of water on the table. When did I try to spy on your cards?'' Carlien said innocently and sat back.

''What are our chances of winning, Paige?'' Carlien whispered to Paige.

''Is almost 2/5 unless you have a trump card which you don't'' Paige answered softly.

''Then, does it mean we are going to return the 500 dollars we won back to them if we lose this game now?'' Carlien asked again and Paige nodded.

''We won't have to give the money back to them if something happens, like if dad calls us for dinner right now''

''Then, can we dilly-dally for a few minutes and wish for lady luck to rescue us?''

''If we dilly dally for too long, our actions will be obvious. We have to be subtle about it'' Paige said softly.

''Are you two playing or not?'' Jordan asked them.

''Off course, we are playing. Don't think we are afraid of you, okay?'' Paige said and removed her first card.

''Dinner is ready'' they heard Thomas Payin's voice. Paige laid her cards down and stood up with a smirk. Lady luck was on her side after all, if not she would have lost 500 dollars to these two men.

When they started the game, they made bets of 100 dollars each. Paige won the first two rounds and collected 200 dollars each from them but towards the last round, she was dealt with the wrong cards and almost lost all the money she got from playing.

''Well, I didn't ask for dinner to be ready soon. Did I?'' Paige said smugly.

''It is rather unfortunate, right?'' Carlien added.

Paige looked at Jordan and he smiled at her as they walked towards the dining table.

.....

After the meal, Jordan received a call and went out to answer it. he was speaking when Paige walked out with Joel and Carlien. He was all smiles as he spoke to the one on the other side.

''Paige, you are still not feeling well, is a little cold outside, go back early and rest'' Joel said to her.

''I will see you in school tomorrow, Paige'' Carlien saidand turned to Joel, ''care to give me a ride home? Is late and I'm a girl''

''Such a sweet talker. Are you going to scold me again?'' Joel asked.

''No, you behaved so well. This little sister isn't so superficial. Big brother Joel, please'' Carlien said and hugged his hand, pouting her lips.

''Aww, cheesy'' Paige said and shrugged.

''I know, you two can never say no when I do that''

''Let's go'' Joel said and walked to his car. he looked at Jordan sceptically before getting in.

Paige waited for a while before Jordan was done with his call. He walked up to her and started explaining.

''That was my sister. She is coming in a few days' time and asked me to get certain things ready for her''

''You have a little sister? Well, you didn't have to explain anything to me'' Paige said but the excitement in her tone couldn't be hidden.

''I just didn't want you to misunderstand me. Is late, you should go in and rest'' Jordan told her.

''You should also go and get some rest'' Paige said and saw him moving close to her. She stepped back and asked nervously ''what are you going to do? My father is inside''

''What were you thinking?'' Jordan asked and hugged her before stepping back.

''Me? I wasn't thinking of anything. Go home, bye'' Paige said and ran into the house feeling embarrassed. She heard Jordan's chuckle behind her.

The next day, Paige finished her lectures quite early and was now going towards the school café to buy a snack. On the way, she hid behind the trees and the cars, trying to avoid or run into Jordan. She was still so embarrassed by her reactiveness last night that she didn't think she had the guts to see him at the moment.

Anthony got down from his car and saw her behaviour. He walked closer to her as she hid behind a white salon car.

''What are you doing?'' he asked her and she got startled and almost fell. He held her hand and pulled her backwards before circling his arm around her waist. Paige hiccupped and stepped aside almost immediately.

''Anthony? What are you doing here?'' Paige asked flushed.

''I just arrived and saw you hiding behind this car. What are you hiding from?''

'Oh that. Nothing, I watched a movie last night and the main lead was into hide and seek, so I was just trying it on my own. Nothing special'' Paige said in one breathe.

''I see''

''Right, your brother. How is he now? I am free today, is it too late to go and visit him?'' Paige asked.

''Huh? You want to go and see my brother with me today?'' Anthony asked.

''Yes, I am free the whole day. I will be stating my internship at the hospital next month and I have a lot of research material to read, so I'm afraid I might not get the time again if not today'' Paige explained apologetically.

''Then, I will give the caretaker a call to get him ready. Give me minute'' Anthony said and walked to his car to retrieve his phone. Paige remembered Jordan's words and muttered.

''Could he really be out to hurt me? he doesn't look like he is capable of hurting anyone though'' Paige removed her phone and sent a quick message to Jordan before Anthony walked to her.

''Who are texting?'' he asked.

''Jordan. I just told him I was going to visit your brother with you'' Paige said and looked at him. He looked displeased.

''You always tell him wherever you are going?'' Anthony asked trying to suppress his anger.

''He is my friend. I told Carly too'' Paige said feigning innocently.

''Then, why is it that you never tell me where you go? Am I not your friend?'' Anthony asked and stepped closer to Paige showing his dissatisfaction.

''Why are you behaving this way, Anthony? What's wrong with you?'' Paige asked and stepped back. She pressed her phone behind her back.

''Paige, cut the innocent act, will you? I am tired of seeing it every time''

''What?''

''You know what I'm talking about. You act like you are my friend but in truth, you are cautious towards me. Why? Am I not better than that man?'' Anthony asked and snatched the bag from Paige's hands. He threw them away and Paige fell down. She looked around and realised to her ill luck, they were at a secluded area in the campus. Not a lot of people pass there.

''Anthony, did you approach me with a motive?'' Paige asked as she sat on the ground. Anthony squatted in front of her and laughed.

''You aren't so stupid after all. But, why did it take so much time to realise it? Paige, I came to this school because of you''

''What? You… what did I do to you? I have never wronged you before''

''You hurt my brother. My brother is a vegetable now thanks to your lies and schemes. You acted kind towards him, made him think you loved him and in the end what did you do to you? You fucking labelled him as stalker''

...…

Jordan walked out of his lecture hall and removed his phone. He saw the missed calls from Paige and the message. He looked at the time and it was sent 10 minutes ago.hhe always had his phone on silence when he is teaching.

Jordan ran as he looked at the direction of the tracker and turned towards there.

....

Jordan arrived and saw Paige's bag and the phone laying on the floor and she was nowhere to be found. He cussed and turned and saw Carlien. She was also holding her phone looking for Paige.

''Jordan'' Carlien walked to him and showed him a message on her phone.

'If you want Paige alive, show this message to Jordan Attoh'

''Who sent this message to you?'' Jordan asked.

''Is an unknown number. Did something happen to Paige?'' Carlien asked worriedly.

''Anthony kidnapped Paige some few minutes ago'' Jordan said to her.

''Anthony?''