Purple Romance

''Your sister is in high school, she will definitely like something like this'' Mirabel picked the compact music player and showed it to Joel.

''You really don't have to get them anything. They will be happy just seeing you'' Joel tried to dissuade her.

''No, I want to get something for them. first impressions are important''

''Do you want to win their favour that much?''

''Yes, I want to. You made my parents like you, I have to also work hard and make your family to like me. I can't let you win alone in this aspect'' she smiled at him before going to another section.

''You win'' Joel said, following her.

''Tell me your mother's favourite?'' she asked him.

''Get her something mothers usually like, she will appreciate it''

''Then, let's go to the tea section. I will buy her some tonics since she is always dealing with house chores. Standing and working at one place can be straining to one's back and spine. You said your father likes to watch football, I usually prepare Chamomile tea or my father. It has a lot of health benefits. It is caffeine free and is the best substitute for black tea and green tea. It has special antioxidants which play a vital role in lowering the risk of heart diseases and cancer'' Mirabel talked as she walked on. ''It also helps people who lack sleep is good for digestion''

''You know so much about tea?'' Joel asked curiously following her to the tea section which wasn't so far away from their current location.

''Off course, any type of tea you need information on, I have it. Thanks to my father who is a lover of tea, I learnt so much trying to find the best tea for him''

''Then, what tea would you recommend for me?'' he asked with an underlining meaning which Mirabel didn't catch on.

''I would recommend this…'' she picked out a box of Rooibos tea and started explaining its benefits ''this tea is originally from south Africa, and is made from the leaves of rooibos or red bush plant. It was used for wide range of medical purposes. It is rich in antioxidant and is caffeine free. You can choose to consume it cold or hot. You know the best part of it? It makes your skin vibrant and wrinkle-free''

Joel looked around them and realised there was no one coming towards them. He cornered her between the shelves and looked at her flirtatiously.

''What are you doing? We are in public'' Mirabel stuttered as her face turned red.

''I think I know what's best for me'' he said with cocked brows.

''What is best for you?''

''Yes, you are the best kind of tea I can never get tired of. You are…'' he sized her up, ''you are youthful, beautiful and…'' he lifted his hand to touch her face and she pushed him away.

''You… you are a pervert'' she ran away from him and Joel laughed.

''She is so cute when she is shy'' he said and was about to walk away when someone called his name.

''Joel?'' Amy walked out from the corner of the shelves and he turned and saw her.

''Amy? What are you doing here?'' Joel asked walking towards her with his hands inside his pockets.

''I came to get a few things during my break. You suddenly left the office, did you come to shop?'' Amy asked curiously.

''Yes, I came to get a few things with…'' he didn't get to complete his sentence when Mirabel walked back.

''Joel, I finished picking what we need'' she said and paused when she saw Amy. They both had looks of surprise staring at each other. Joel was now in the middle while the two were a few steps apart.

''Oh, you…'' Mirabel and Amy said at the same time before Mirabel walked closer to them.

''Hi'' Mirabel said to Amy.

''Hi. You two are here together?'' Amy asked as she stared at them having a foreboding feeling within her.

''Mirabel, meet my secretary, Amy. Amy, this is Mirabel, she is my girlfriend'' Joel said and wrapped his hand around Mirabel's waist.

''Stop it'' Mirabel hit his hand playfully.

Amy's face fell but she quickly recovered from it and faked a smile asking, ''I didn't know you had a girlfriend?''

'''It just happened that way. The moment I realised I liked her, I didn't want to waste time least someone takes her away from me'' he said smiling down her Mira whose face flushed as she blushed.

''Huh? Oh, I see'' Amy said while her grip on the shopping basket tightened. She stared at the two who were lost in their own world as they stared at each other. She felt like she didn't have a place at all. She has been working diligently by his side, hoping that one day, he would see her for more than she was but it seemed while she was busy working, someone had taken her place.

''I still have some things to buy with Mira. I will see you at the office tomorrow'' Joel said to Amy while she was lost in thoughts. By the time she came back to her senses, the two were already going away from her.

….

Joel opened the backdoor and placed all the things they bought inside before opening the front door for Mirabel to get in. As she was about to go inside the car, she saw Amy inside the shopping mall looking at them. Mirabel didn't know why but she felt that the secretary of Joel had feelings for him. Maybe it was her womanly instincts but she felt that the secretary wasn't going to be an easy opponent at all.

''What are you thinking about?'' Joel asked, fastening the seatbelt around her. Mirabel turned and blushed as their faces were extremely close. She didn't know when he had gotten so closer to her.

''You… can you move back?''

''We are already a couple why are you still shy around me?'' he asked not moving away from her.

''Huh?''

''It seems you still are not aware that we are dating now. Should I remind you?'' he whispered into her ears and pecked her lips making her stiffened. She instinctively shut her eyes as he leaned closer giving her a gentle kiss. It was their first real kiss.

Joel didn't fasten his own seatbelt, so he leaned even closer and turned the dark mode of his car window on so that no one outside could see them. He unfastened the seatbelt of Mirabel and lifted her upper body to himself. He didn't want to crush her small body with his weight, so he rather lifted her and she sat on his laps as he kissed her while his hand wrapped tightly around her upper body.

It was a gently and slow burn kiss. His actions were unforced and the pressure was just right as he left her mouth and planted kissed on her forehead, nose and them back to her lips again before he whispered into her ears softly.

''Lord knows how much I have fallen for you''

Mirabel finally opened her eyes and bit her lips as her hands clutched tightly around his neck. Her face was flush as their breathing became deep. The air in the car suddenly turned sensual.

''We should go now before I end up doing something else and scare you'' he said and helped her back into the seat, fastened her safety belt before he also did his and drove away.

Mirabel stayed quiet all the way while stealing glances at him as he drove. She touched her chest and felt her own heart beating faster. She subconsciously touched her lips. That was her first proper kiss and it had just happened rather quickly and unexpected but it didn't feel bad. She wasn't repulse by their pace, her mind was rather on something else. She didn't know when her eyes caught sight of it but now that it did, she couldn't look away.

''What's wrong? Why is your face so red?'' Joel asked and she pointed down at his lower body part. Her face burned even more.

''Oh, that'' Joel wasn't bothered by it. ''It is a normal reaction. I just kissed the woman I liked, it is normal for my body to react that way, but don't worry. I don't intend to scare you with it. You see be able to see how it is when the time comes'' he said and curved into the street leading to their apartment.

''What?'' Mirabel looked at him and suddenly felt that he was even more shameless than she thought. How could he speak about something like that and brush it off so easily.

''Who said I want to see it?'' she murmured and saw that they were already entering the apartment.

''Your body is more honest than you are Mirabel'' Joel said and pulled over.

''My body?'' thinking about how she held unto him tightly and even moaned during the kiss, she flushed and glared at him.

"You have to help me; I can't let my parents see me like this'' he said to her.

''What? I am not going to touch you okay?'' she exclaimed and he laughed.

''Just what were you thinking? I meant make sure you keep my parents busy while I sneak in and change before I come back. You just have to hold on for a few minutes until I return'' he explained and looked at her, ''but if you want to help me I won't say no. It is yours and you are free to ask for it anytime anyday'' he laughed and got down from the car.