Purple Romance

''No, you are not staying another minute in this place'' Paige said as she forced Jordan's luggage into his car.

''Paige, did I do something wrong?'' Jordan was flustered by her sudden decision to drive him away when she was the reason why he was there.

''Don't you have work piling up in the city for you? Don't you have to follow up on the investigations? If you stay here any longer, Yvonne, that scum of a lady might make a run for it. You and the police needs to get your heads in the game''

''I already have everything under control. I just want to stay for a few more days and spend time with you and Jessi before I leave. Why are you suddenly asking me to leave?''

''You are a threat to my peace here. I can't stand the way the ladies here look at you. You have to leave so that I can feel safe''

''What? Paige, since when did you start getting jealous?''

''Since I realised the number of female doctors and nurses leave their post just to watch you anytime you were with Jessi during her therapy''

''Paige'' Jordan placed his hands on her faces and moved closer to her.

''What?'' she blushed suddenly.

''You are the only one for me. You don't need to pay attention to them. I only see you and no one else''

''Really?''

''Yes'' he said and pulled her closer. Kissing her as they stood at the car park.

With folded arms and a lollipop in her mouth, Carlien sighed and shook her head.

''Paige is done for?'' she murmured and turned to see Noah at the door.

''I thought they were doing good last night. Why is she suddenly asking him to leave?'' Noah stood beside Carlien.

''Well, that might have something to do with this evil sister here'' she pointed at her own face. ''It was childish, but I suddenly got jealous of their love. I don't even have a boyfriend and that silly girl is always rubbing it in my face. I told her she had a lot of competitions here as long as her boyfriend continued to stay by her side''

''Really childish'' Noah affirmed.

''Yes, that's why she is going to kill me if she finds out I lied to her. but, that's why we are best friends. I get to play pranks on her. aww, I can already imagine the face she is going to make''

''How long have you two known each other?''

''We've known each other since junior high school, so that should be more than ten years, right? She was the first one to become my friend when no one was willing to be my friend. After changing schools for more than five times, I finally found myself in her school. I was desperate to make friends but each time the parents found out I didn't have a father; they would tell their children to stay away from me.

I still remember the first day we talked. She was in the toilet after eating too much and getting constipated and I was in the next still eating my lunch. Can you imagine that?''

''Wrong combination'' Noah shook his head.

''Really wrong, right? But I didn't care much then. She used up all the paper rolls in her still and asked me to pass her some. When she finished, she didn't leave. she said she was curious about me because she didn't hear the flashing of the toilet and was worried. Damn, you should have seen her face when I told her I was pooping but eating'' Carlien chuckled, ''she pulled me out of the washroom and sent me to the sickbay and asked the doctor to examine me. I was brought to tears because someone finally showed me they cared. After affirming that I was alright, she went to the pharmacy and bought all sorts of laxatives saying I needed to pass out gas and go to toilet to bring out bowel so that my stomach could be cleansed. She was so cute. She even said she couldn't be rest assured so she was going to become a doctor in the future. Someone I could lean on. How could I ever leave such a cute girl after hearing those words?''

''She seems sweet''

''She is sweet. That is why I always want to see her happy''

''But, you just tricked her into asking her boyfriend to leave?''

''Too much happiness is not good for the heart'' Carlien smirked and sucked on her lollipop as she went inside with Noah.

''Call me if anything happens, okay? and please, cut Lucas some slack'' Jordan said as he wrapped his arms around Paige.

''That depends on his performance. He dared to abandon my friend. He needs to work twice as hard for me to accept him''

''I will call you when I arrive'' he kissed her before getting into his car. Paige waved at him as he drove out of the premises.

...

''Send me all those documents. I will work on them while I'm here. Just monitor whatever Lazarus does and let me know. Also, send me the names of the shareholders he met in the last month, okay, bye''

Lucas hung up and sighed. He turned to go and saw Paige. They looked at each other before the latter walked to him asking, ''are you determined to stay here and be by Carl's side?''

''Can we talk somewhere?'' Lucas asked and Paige nodded and led the way.

They went to the bench beside the coffee vending machine and he bought two cups of coffee and sent to her.

''Here''

''Thanks''

''Paige, I know that I am lacking in so many ways and that what I did wasn't the best, but I do hope that you will give me a chance to prove to you''

''How do you intend to do that? You ran away once, what prevents you from running away the second time when things get tough?''

''I am working hard to sort out my personal affairs so that Carl doesn't get hurt by them the second time. This time I am serious and will not back away no matter what happens''

''Even if Carl doesn't remember you for the rest of her life? What if she finds someone else, would you still support her?''

''If that person genuinely likes her back and makes her happy, I will back off. it doesn't matter how long Carl takes to remember or accept me, I am willing to wait''

''Actually, I don't hate you, Lucas. It's just that you have so many baggage and I don't want my best friend to be the one to clean after you. Carl is very important to me and I want the best for her. You are still far from been the best in my eyes, but, I won't turn a blind eye to your efforts. Coming here must have been a big decision and I know that things aren't so good between you and Lazarus. You didn't grow up in the best environment but you grew up well. As long as you are good to my friend, I will be good to you. I can say that we all didn't grow up in the best environment. We all have our baggage, something we are afraid off, something we feel we can never fight against, something we find overwhelming, something that brings only bad memories and pain to us, but, amidst all that, we grew up well. I love Carlien because she is a simple girl who loves people and never judges them. She sees good in everybody. She just wants a simple life so; I hope that she can find someone who will give her that''

''Life has really not dealt me the right cards, and it took me a long time to realise that my decisions and perspective about who I am and the kind of person I want to be all lies within me. when I heard of what happened, my mind was blank for a moment and the only person I could think about was Carl. I realised too late how important she is in my life. I just hope that I can still make it up to her. Thank you, Paige for been by Carl's side all these years''

''You don't need to thank me for anything. Carl's presence is irreplaceable in my life just as how I am irreplaceable to her. we don't always agree on the same things but we respect our differences and don't allow it to drive us apart. If you are serious about her, then you need to understand that she is stronger than you think. Once she makes up her mind about someone she would give her support to that person fully. The first time I saw Carl cry so much for someone was the day you decided to leave. I was flustered and confused. I didn't even know how to console her because that was my first time of seeing her cry that much for somebody. I could only vent my anger out by beating Lazarus and you. But, do you know the first thing she asked me when she found out what I did?''

''What did she ask you?''

''She asked whether I hit your face or not. Funny, right?'' they both chuckled, ''that silly girl didn't want me to ruin your face. She even sneaked out early in the morning and went to the airport to see you off''

''Carlien came to the airport?''

''Yes, she did. Lucas, I am going to give you a chance to redeem yourself. If you mess up again, I will personally dig a grave and bury you alive; thanks for the coffee'' Paige smiled and stood up, walking away.

Lucas looked at the coffee in his hands before also going towards the other direction.