Purple Romance

Joel furrowed his brows and looked at the screen. For a moment his mind went blank before he turned to look at her face as she explained the game with a serious expression and passion.

'could she be the one? Is she 'dancing in the sky?' the questions came running in his mind as his gaze remained fixed on her.

Mirabel didn't know what was going on, she finished and turned to look at Joel and her lips brushed against his cheek and she blushed and stepped back.

''I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that'' she said nervously.

''Can you answer one question for me?'' he asked her.

''Huh? Ask right away''

''What is your username in this game?''

''Dancing in the sky'' Mirabel mentioned and he stared at her. ''Why are you looking at me like that'' she asked finding his gaze too penetrating and deep.

''I found you'' he murmured.

''Huh? You found who?''

''Nobody, let's go. Your mother must be ready with the tea'' Joel stood up.

''Oh, let's go''

...

''Mirabel, Joel, you two are back. Joel, sit down and have some tea'' Gloria said and took Joel's hand to the hall. He sat down together with Mirabel and took the tea from Gloria.

''Thank you, aunt'' he said politely.

''So, Joel, tell us about yourself'' Gloria smiled sheepishly.

''I am the only son of my parents and I have a little sister who is in senior high school''

''Your parents must be proud of you. Mira is our only child, so we are often worried about her but now that she has someone like you, we can be rest assured now. She might act impulsive at times but she is a very innocent girl, she respects elders, so I'm sure your parents will love her''

''Mom, can you stop saying so much already?'' Mirabel lowered her face shyly as her ears turned red. Joel chuckled, finding her amusing. He kept thinking back to all the times they played games online, her fiery attitude. He couldn't believe she was the same person and he just so happened to find out. He wondered how her reaction would be and what she would do after she find out he is her online game husband. He suddenly felt a surge of affection the more he looked at her. she was sitting close to him and for the first time, he was taking notice of the light freckles on her face, her pointed nose, her heart-shaped face, her lips that she kept licking subconsciously.

Joel shook his head and looked away. Just what was he doing? He couldn't believe he was thinking of her in such a perverted way. Now that he was looking back, it seemed he had always treated her as a woman and not a friend. He just didn't realise it early but he had never for once thought of her as a friend. Was he really developing feelings for her or did those feelings already exist but he wasn't aware of it?

....

Mirabel was able to finally let her parents to let Joel off and she walked with him outside to see him off. she stood next to his car as he opened the door.

''Thank you for today''

''Don't thank me yet, I will have to depend on you in case my mother and sister comes looking for you''

''Will they really come to look for me?''

''They will not waste this opportunity that I so happened to give to them myself''

''But, I always already nervous with my parents. What if I mess things up for you? I don't really know how to pretend, Joel''

''Just be yourself. I'm sure they will like you''

''But…''

''Mirabel!!''

''Huh?''

''I have high hopes in you. Don't let me down'' he said and entered into his car smiling. Mirabel stared at him confused.

''What kind of hopes does he have? Why do I suddenly feel like I just walked into the lion's den with my two feet?'' she shook her head and watched as Joel drove away.

...

Getting out of his car, Joel saw his mother and sister waiting by the entrance and he sighed and shook his head.

''Elder brother, where is sister in law?'' Jane asked her brother showing him the picture of Mirabel.

''You must have investigated about her already. Why do you bother to even ask me?''

''Wait!!!'' his mother commanded and he stopped at the door.

''Pick one. Are you bringing her here or do we have to go and meet her ourselves?'' his mother said looking at him with a smirk and Jane stood next to her, mimicking her actions.

''I will bring her, but not because I am afraid of you. I am just afraid that you will scare her'' he said to them and the two ladies hit their hands against each other triumphantly.

''Then, before you do. Let me know what she likes to eat, I will go and buy them tomorrow''

''Mom, are you thinking of meeting her tomorrow?'' Joel asked looking surprised.

''Yes, we have to win her over fast. You are always slow with your relationships. What if someone takes her away from you?''

''Mom, let's make it next week. I have a meeting tomorrow and Mirabel is busy with her thesis''

''Next week? Mom, what if he suddenly changes his mind?'' Jane asked looking at her mother.

''Next week, you won't change your mind, right? If you dare play tricks with me, I will go and meet her parents straight away'' his mother threatened.

''I promise, I need to get her prepared first, so that she doesn't get scared by you two'' Joel said and went inside.

''Mom, look at her picture again. isn't she pretty?''

''She is really pretty. I wonder how she looks in person. She must be someone Joel really cares about. Seeing how protective he is over her''

''Mom, does it mean elder brother is settling down soon?''

''Maybe''

….

Joel walked out of the washroom wiping his hair with a small towel and his eyes fell upon his game set on the table. he smiled and went to sit in front of it. his wet hair dripped down his bare chest as he sat wearing only a short pant that reached to his knee.

He locked into his game and immediately entered into the server and saw 'dancing in the sky' pacing about. He smiled and went up to her.

In the game.

''My lonely heart beats for you' stood behind 'dancing in the sky and asked, ''what are you doing?''

''You are finaly here?'' she said and pulled him by the and towards their usual sitting place.

''What is it? You seem worried''

''Well, I have a question to ask you'' she sat next to him.

''Go ahead''

''You know, we are married in this game, right?''

''Yes''

''And we promised to meet after you returned from your business trip''

''Yes''

''Well, it isn't that I am bailing out on you but, something happened recently and I am really confused''

''Did you fall in love with someone?''

''How did you know that?'' she asked, obviously surprised.

''Tell me about this person. I want to see how great he is, that way I can give you my blessing''

''I really feel bad now that you are mentioning about giving me your blessings''

''Is he someone you knew already or did you just meet that person recently?''

''Well, I've known him for a while but I really didn't see him that way. I just thought of him as maybe a friend. It's just that, he helped me out and I suddenly feel that he isn't so annoying as I thought. I feel comfortable around him and he even supports me''

''It seems you care more about this person?''

''I don't really know whether I am there yet, but I feel that if he suddenly asks me to be his girlfriend, I might not be able to reject him, plus he is just so handsome''

''Really? More than me?''

''I haven't seen you in person but so far, he is the most handsome in my eyes''

''Then, how about we meet in person. That way, you can make your decision of who is more handsome than the other''

''Huh? It's that necessary?''

''Yes, it is. I want to meet you in person. If after seeing me, you still like that person, I will annul our marriage here so that you can get to be with him''

''Oh, then, I will leave my number with you. Just let me know when you are ready to see me''

''Let's meet tomorrow''

''Huh? That fast? But, I am not ready yet''

''Then, get ready. I won't give you up without a fair play''

''Okay!!!'' she looked flustered and suddenly heard his laughter and looked up, ''why are you laughing?''

''I was messing with you. Did you have to put on such a strange expression?''

''The truth is I've not had two men fight over me, so I don't know how I will be able to handle that'' she confessed.

''Let's just meet tomorrow. Who knows, I might just be some that you know''