Purple Romance

''I will do my best to convince him to make a statement, thank you'' Jordan shook the detective's hand before going to his car. He took out his phone and made a call to Paige as he drove out of the police station.

''Yes, I have good news. The detective managed to get me the number of the witness who made the phone call to the police station to report the hit and run at that time at the airport. I am going to meet him and convince him to make a statement. The case can be reinvestigated when he gives his statement''

''That's great. Make sure you get him to agree. Carlien is doing a great job with Jessi and I think she will open up in no time. I feel that the heavens are on our side'' Paige's voice sounded exceptionally positive over the phone.

''Yes, let's talk later. I am going to call him and meet him''

''En, good luck, bye''

''Love you, babe'' Jordan said and hung up the call. He scanned through his messages and found the number of the man the detective sent and dialled it. It connected after a few rings and a familiar voice spoke through the phone.

''Joel Asante Marks speaking, who is this?''

Jordan almost got a shock. He pulled over and looked at the number again.

''Hello, hello?'' Joel kept saying on the phone.

''Joel, this is Jordan''

''Jordan? How do you have this number?''

''I got it from the police station. Can we meet and talk?''

''Sure, send me the place and time''

''Okay''

…..

At the venue of their meeting, they stared at each other speechlessly.

''You were the witness who made the phone call to the police that year?''

''The girl who was ran over is your sister, Jessi?''

''Yes''

'What kind of coincidence is this?'' Joel sipped the juice in front of him.

''At this rate, I should call it fate, right? It seems you and I are meant to be'' Jordan said jokingly.

''I am straight''

''I was joking''

''So, what do you want?''

''A witness statement. I want the case to be investigated because I think the accident was not really an accident''

''I see, so, I just need to give a witness statement right?''

''Yes, but, do you still have the black box to the car you used that year?''

''I change cars every year, I need to look into it before''

''I will be happy if you could help me''

''Just be good to Paige''

''I will'' they looked at each other and smiled.

Back to Present.

''Jordan, Joel'' Mirabel ran to them as soon as she got down from her car.

''What are you doing here?''

''What are you doing here?'' they both asked her and she stopped in her strides and looked at them.

''Okay, I should be saying you two have quite the synergy but I will leave the jokes aside for now. I heard what happened from Jessi and came here as soon as possible but guess who I found on the way?'' she stepped aside to reveal Lucas behind her.

''Hi'' Lucas walked up to them.

''Hi''

''You know Lucas, right?''

''I do'' Joel shook Lucas hand.

''How is Carlien doing?''

''She is fine. Her mother is with her now''

''Can I just see her for a while before leaving? I bought a returning ticket''

''Whoa, Lucas, I am getting so disappointed in you. Why would you come this far just to see her face and leave again? Do you have that much money to waste, or are you scared she wouldn't want to see you?'' Mirabel quirked her eyes at him.

''Let's go in first'' Jordan said to Lucas.

''Sure, I will see you around Joel''

''Sure''

Seeing that both Jordan and Lucas were leaving, Mirabel also took a step ready to join them.

''Wait!!!'' Joel held her hand, stopping her.

''Oh? What?'' she asked confused.

''Are you going to be a third wheel? Jordan is going to see Paige. Lucas is here to see Carlien, who are you here to see?'' he asked her and she frowned and tilted her face, as if looking down on him. ''What?''

''I came to see Jessi. Are you having problems with your ears?'' she asked and shook her head.

''Jessi is having her therapy. I didn't get anything to eat before coming here. Let's go and get something to eat'' he said and pulled her along as he walked towards the hospital café.

''Wait, you need to ask for my permission first?''

''We have a deal''

''Did someone ever tell you that you are so bossy and difficult to get along with? You and I cannot get along; I swear on myself''

''Why? Do you want us to get along with each other?'' he asked and turned to face her. Their faces close to each other. She blushed and stepped back and he held her hand as he pointed at a small rock behind her, ''watch your back before you take a step back next time. Were you hoping that I would save you from falling?''

''No!!!'' she screamed at him and walked away adding, ''hurry up. I am suddenly hungry'' his lips curved, revealing a subtle smile.

....

Lucas stood at the half-opened door and watched as Mrs. Arthur held Carlien's hand tightly weeping. He removed his handkerchief and contemplated for a while before mustering the courage to go inside. He got near her and stretched his hand with the handkerchief towards her.

Kate Arthur looked up and saw him. She took the handkerchief from him and wiped her face before asking soberly, '"who are you? I've never seen you before''

''I am Lucas, a friend of your daughter. We are in the same school together''

''I see''

''I am also a friend of Jordan. I heard what happened and came to take a look''

''My poor girl, her life has always been in danger. I finally thought that we were free from all the troubles of the past, I didn't even know she was in danger here''

''Carlien is a strong girl, she will be fine''

''I know. I just feel guilty that I forced her to grow up and mature earlier than her age''

''Every child is forced to grow and mature sometime in life. This is a natural occurrence, aunt, you shouldn't blame yourself for this. Carlien has always spoken highly of you. I doubt she feels that way. You shouldn't blame this on yourself''

''Are you close to my Carlien?''

''Well, maybe but she is too good for someone like me. I came today to discuss something with you. I don't want you to take it the wrong way or think that I have bad motives. I just want to help''

''What is it? Since you are a friend of Paige's boyfriend, I trust that you are also a good person''

''Well, I know what happened has left you in shock and you might be thinking of leaving the place you are currently for security reasons. That is why I discussed this with Jordan and he said I needed to ask for your consent first. I have a place in City B that I don't live in currently. It has the best security and you and Carlien will be able to feel safe there. My company is into providing security for celebrities and other government officials. Off course, this is my private business and not a lot of people know about it. I can get a few of my people to make sure you and Carlien are safe from danger''

''Young man, are you in love with my Carlien? These things you are willing to do for us, makes me feel that you like my daughter''

''The truth is; I do but Carlien hates me right now because I abandoned her first. I don't want her to know I am the one doing this for you, so, if you accept it, then I would ask that you not disclose this meeting to her''

''Carlien is a smart girl. Do you think she will be able to stay in such kind of house without figuring out that I lied to her? She is my daughter, but honestly, I get scared when she is angry''

''I can testify to that''

''You have a baggage of your own, right? You seem to be running away from something. I don't know what it is, but sometimes we need to face our fears before they consume us''

''I know. I am working on it. I just need time to take care of it, I don't want to worry Carlien with my problems''

''I can understand that, even Carlien has a bigger burden on her. I think that it is about time I told her the truth before it consumes her''

''This is the key to the apartment, if you ever decide to go there. I have taken care of everything that might lead to suspicions. You don't have to worry about anything. If you need anything, just contact me through Jordan''

''I wonder how Carlien will feel about it. I have hidden so many things from her, I don't want to keep her in the dark anymore. Thank you for your offer, but I still need to think about it since it concerns my daughter''

''Yes, I understand''.

''Right, I need to go and check up on Paige. Watch over Carlien for me'' Kate Arthur said and stood up.

''Alright'' Lucas sat on the chair after Kate Arthur left the ward.