Purple Romance

''Blind date?'' Mirabel choked on her food and coughed. She picked a glass of water by her side and sipped before looking at her parents.

''Your mom and I decided set up a blind date for you. Since you are now done with your marriage in the game, you should think about real life marriage''

''Mom, dad. I am 24, not 30. Why are you rushing me to get married?''

''You know you are 24 and still got married in the game?'' her mother asked.

''Mom, that is just a game. In any case, I am not going on any blind date''

''You will go or there is no car for you. Your card will be frozen too'' her father said decisively.

''Okay, so, this is a gang up, right? You two husband and wife pair want to put pressure on me''

''We are glad you know that'' her mother looked at her.

''I can't believe this. Mom, aren't mothers supposed to dote on their daughters, why do I feel that instead of doting on me, you are forcing me into early marriage?''

''Early marriage is for girls between 9 and 18, you are already 24. You don't even have a boyfriend yet and you are someone's wife in a game'' her father said with a frown.

''Okay, you are doing this to me because I don't have a boyfriend, right? You two will leave me alone if I get a boyfriend, isn't it?''

''Do you have a boyfriend?'' both parents asked.

''How can I get a boyfriend so suddenly. Mom, dad, do you think men are tomatoes that you find in the market every time of the day? No!!!''

''That is why your mom and I want to find you suitable candidates for a boyfriend. We already booked a place at Origin Restaurant today. Your mom has gotten about 30 candidates but you will meet 5 of them today. If those five are not good enough, you can just go on dates with the rest and pick the one you like from them''

''Pick, mom seriously? You want me to pick a man? What are they; objects?''

''Mimi, we are doing this for your own good. You are our only child and we are not getting younger. We know we got you rather late in life, but we need to make sure that you are with the right man in case anything happens to us, mom is doing all this for your good''

''Okay, just so you can put your hearts at rest, I will attend the blind dates, but if I don't like any of them, you don't get to interfere with my life anymore. I will find my own boyfriend at my own time''

''Deal''

''Deal''

''I have to go to the library this morning, but I will be at Origin Restaurant on time for the blind dates''

''Thanks a lot honey, this means a lot to your father and I?''

''Yeah, sure, it does'' Mirabel sighed and went back to eating her food.

...

C and C Fashion house.

Amy walked into Joel's office with a folded in her hands. ''Joel, here is a list of the applicants that will be turning up tomorrow''

''Okay, put it over there'' he pointed to his left as he glanced at the game streaming on his screen. Amy placed the folder down and smiled.

''You really put a lot of time into this game''

''I do, right? It's fun'' Joel chuckled as he looked at the figure. He always recorded whatever happened in the game in his absence so he could watch when he was free. The time 'dancing in the sky' was online this morning, he was in a meeting.

''Joel, you asked me to eliminate Miss Yvonne the last time. Is there any reason for that?''

''She has a questionable character; the way she treats people is bad''

''Do you know her personally?'' she asked curiously.

'No, but she hurt someone I know personally. I can't let her join our team no matter how talented she is. You know I value character and talent together, not talent without character''

''Yes, you do''

''Right, how is the team dinner preparation going on?''

''I asked the staff and they all wish to dine with you before you go on your trip, so I moved it to this afternoon and I reserved a place at Origin for 15 people''

''That's good, I can join them if it's lunch. I will finish quickly and join you guys'' Joel said and went back to watching the stream.

''Alright'' Amy looked at him warmly before going out.

…..

Mirabel arrived at Origin exactly 1:00PM and pulled over after finding a suitable place. She got down and went inside the restaurant.

Origin was Thai restaurant that specialised in original Thai delicacies. Their setting was also simple as it was just like any normal restaurant with glass windows overlooking the road giving people a great view as it was the people inside who could see the ones outside but the ones outside couldn't see anyone that was inside.

Their sitting arrangement were unique in that, they had seats for groups dining, and also had normal seats for normal dining.

Looking into the restaurant from where she stood, she recognised the first man she was having the blind date with and walked to him.

''Hayden Adams?'' she asked looking at him.

''Yes''

''I am Mirabel Aikins'' she introduced herself, taking the seat across her.

''I know''

''Okay''

''What would you like to eat? I was waiting for you because I didn't know what you would like?'' he said and gestured at the waiter.

''Hi, welcome to Origin. Here is our menu'' the waiter handed the menu books to them.

''I will have Khao Soi'' Hayden said after glancing through the menu book.

''I will have Guay Tiew Reua, thank you'' Mirabel handed her book over to the waiter.

''It will be ready soon. In the meantime, I will bring over our specially made coconut water to quench your thirst as you wait for your food'' he said to them before leaving.

''So, you are still a student?''

''Yeah, what about you?''

''I just finished my PHD and will be joining my father's company this month''

''I see''

''What about you? Don't you plan on joining your parents? I heard from my mother that you are studying biochemistry in B City University?''

''No, I don't plan on following my parents' steps. I want to find my own path''

''But, people like us can't choose what we want. We are born to inherit what our parents have''

''People like us?'' Mirabel looked at him and chuckled.

''What's funny?''

''Nothing'' Mirabel said and looked up. her eyes widened upon seeing the man entering the restaurant with several others. 'What is he doing here?' he frowned as their eyes met the moment he looked towards her direction unknowingly.

Joel equally had a look of surprise as he looked at her. The people with him went ahead leaving him alone at the door. He looked at Mirabel and his eyes landed on the man sitting with her. He smirked and stuffed his hands into his pocket and started walking towards them.

''What is he doing? He is not coming here, right?'' she looked away, ready to act as if she didn't know him when he mentioned her name.

''Fancy seeing you here, Mira?'' he said. The way he mentioned her name seemed casual, as if they were very familiar with each other.

''Hi'' Mirabel said awkwardly and blinked her eyes at him, signalling him to go on with his business.

''Aren't you going to introduce us?'' Joel asked and turned to face the man.

''You are…'' Hayden asked first.

''He is the brother of my friend'' Mirabel quickly intercepted with a straight face, ''elder brother, what are you doing here?'' she asked and smiled.

''I came to eat with my staff and saw you here. I didn't know you liked Thai food?''

''Well, you know me. I like anything as long as it doesn't harm the stomach'' she chuckled.

''I see''

''I am Hayden Adams, her date'' Hayden said and Joel turned to look at him.

''Date? Oh, so, you are on a date with her?'' he pointed at Mirabel.

''Yes''

''Well, then, as the elder here, I will pick a tab on your food. Enjoy it and you are welcome. I will be over there is you two need anything else, just order. Have a nice time, Mira'' Joel said and went away to join his workers.

Mirabel sighed and felt like cussing him. Off all the places, he just had to come here with his staff to eat and crash her blind date?

''He is a nice guy. The food here is expensive, and he just took the tab on himself'' Hayden said excitedly.

''Yeah, I guess he did'' Mirabel said half-heartedly as she looked towards the door and saw Amy entering with two other ladies. She recognised her as Joel's assistance.

''Are you alright? You seem a little distracted?'' Hayden asked.

''No, I'm alright''

''Here is your coconut water, Ma'am and Mister'' the waiter said and placed the glasses on their side of the table before going away.

NB:

Coconut water is an already made soothing drink that is popular in Thailand.

Khao Soi is a famous northern Thai dish especially in  Chiang Mai, the noodles are made from wheat and eggs, served with fragrant curry broth. You can add chunks of pickled vegetables and sliced shallots to eat.

Gauy Tiew Reua is another noodle dish cooked in meat broth with Thai spice and meat such as chicken, pork or seafood.