Purple Romance

Paula walked out of the hotel feeling both physically and mentally drained. She couldn't believe her first day at work would be this stressful. As she walked out to the main road, she heard a car horn and turned towards the outside car park. She saw Magdalen waving at her from the red Mercedes Benz and she walked over.

''Miss Magdalene?''

''Aye, what's with the 'Miss' title? Just call me Meg or Dalene'' Magdalene said and Paula smiled.

''Alright, Meg''

''Get in, I will drop you off. where do you stay?'' she asked curiously.

''I stay at avenue 3 off Street H''

''It's on my way then, get in''

Paula looked around her and didn't see Andy's car. Magdalene smiled and said to her, ''the CEO's father came. He must still be with him''

''I wasn't looking for him'' Paula said and got into the car.

''Yes, you weren't looking for him'' Magdalene said and drove out. As she did, Andy ran out of the hotel and saw them already out on the road. He stood there and watched them as their car went further off. A little while later, Betty walked out of the hotel with Mr. Bassey, hand in hand followed by Godiva and their parents. They were having dinner together just some minutes ago.

''Andy, what are you looking at?'' Betty asked.

''He is not your colleague. Don't address him by his first name'' Godiva said sternly and Betty curled back.

If there was someone that Betty was afraid off, then it would be her elder sister. Godiva never sugar-coats her words neither does she tolerant any pampered behaviour from Betty. She would always discipline her so Betty feared her elder sister even more than her parents.

As they stood outside, the valets brought the cars they came in and pulled over in front of them. Mr. Bassey turned to Betty's parents saying, ''it was a wonderful dinner. Though we hardly meet because of our busy schedule, let's try to meet and have dinner together more often. That way the kids can grow closer'' he said with an underlining meaning.

Andy frowned when he heard his father's statement but didn't say anything. He looked away and paid no more attention to them. his mind was on someone else.

''Mom, dad, you can go without me. I want to stay back and play some more. Andy will bring me home''

''It is already this late, where are you going to play? Also, Andy is quite busy. You either go with mom and dad or you wait and I will send you home'' Godiva said to Betty and she frowned displeased.

''But I…

''Dad, I have to go. Uncle, aunt, it was nice having you here. there is somewhere I need to go now'' Andy said and didn't wait for anyone's response before he got into his car and drove off.

''Andy, where are you going?'' Betty said and stepped forward and Godiva pulled her back.

''Don't you have some self-respect?'' she asked Betty.

''Self-respect won't get him to like me. I have to make him notice me'' Betty said and flushed in front of the adults.

''Well, I will go now'' Mr. Bassey said.

''Sure, let's meet again'' Betty's father said.

''Thanks for calling us out, we had a nice time'' Betty's mother also added.

''See you around, Godiva and Betty''

''Yes, uncle'' Godiva replied and they watched Mr. Bassey go into his car and the driver drove away. Godiva turned to her parents with an angry expression, ''mom, dad. Can you two stop filling her mind with useless thoughts? She and Andy can never be together. Not only is she childish, she can't even hold a proper conversation with anyone and lastly, Andy doesn't love her. Stop pushing this engagement ahead''

''Who said Andy doesn't like me? It is because that fat woman keeps throwing herself at him that's why he is attracted to her''

''Get back to your senses, Betty and I won't say this again, until you learn to respect and see people other than yourself as a human being, you are far from being the kind of woman that Andy would ever like. Go home, if I see you lurking around here, I will get the security to ban you from coming here again''

''Big sis. How could you treat me this way? Mom, dad. Are you sure she is my elder sister? Why is she always against everything that I do? I hate you'' Betty said and stomped her foot before running to the car.

''Do you always have to be so strict with your sister?'' their mother asked.

''It is because you are always giving in to her that she is becoming so unbearable. She doesn't see other people as human beings except herself. I still have work to do, I will go in first'' Godiva said and went inside.

….

''So, tell me those rumours aren't true, right?'' Magdalene asked Paula as she drove.

''What rumours?'' Paula looked at her.

''I heard that you hurt Amara this afternoon''

''Whoa, rumour really does travel faster''

''So, did you do it or now?''

''What do you think?''

''You did it'' Magdalene said and added, ''but, you did it smartly. I knew I would love you the moment I saw you. You look innocent but you really bit''

''You are right. I did it. I threatened her but she was the one who left the pan to fall on her. she wanted to hurt me but I turned the tables around her''

''Good shot, Paula. You did well''

''This is the first time I am seeing someone applaud me for doing something bad, but, it feels good to be bad at times. That way people won't walk all over you. I bet everyone will be on their guard against me from today onwards''

''Be careful with Amara though. That woman is vicious. She is capable of doing anything. You are the only one I am telling you this. I think that she has a hand in the reason why the nutritionist before you left''

'Why did she leave?'' Paula was curious.

''Well, she left for misconduct. She was caught having an illicit affair with one of the board of directors of this hotel. It was a total chaos. Thought she kept saying that she was innocent. Guess who was the one who brought the evidence forth?''

''Amara?''

''Bingo!! She studied Nutrition and first applied together with the lady but she didn't make the cut because she didn't have her certification licence so the lady was picked over her. One of the directors made HR to pick her as a chef instead and she has been here for three years now. Maybe she was still coveting that position secretly and then ousted the poor woman out but then, the CEO brought you, his beloved instead of making her the nutritionist. She is mad, mad and out to get you. be careful with her. she has the support of one of the board of directors of our hotel. Wow, it is so messy from the inside''

''Thank you for telling me that''

''Do you live alone?''

''No, I live with my friend. Oh My God!! I promised to call her because she is hurt and totally forget. A lot of things happened and I forgot of her'' Paula took out her phone and dialled Lisa's number. It connected after a few rings, ''God, Lisa. I am so sorry for not calling to check on you. How are you?''

'If you are sorry, buy me food on your way. I just woke up from bed and I'm hungry. Why are you still not back by the way?''

''I will explain when I get home. what food do you want? I will get it for you on the way''

''Anything sour, I am craving sour food today''

''Sour food? Where will I get sour food to buy?'' Paula turned to Magdalene.

''I know a place'' Magdalene said to her.

''Who are you with? Were you playing house with Andy till this late?''

''Ha ha ha, you wished. I am with a new friend I made. She will send me to a place where I can get sour food for you. Let's talk when I get home''

''Oh, take care''

''You too'' Paula hung up and saw Magdalene smiling, ''why are you smiling?''

''I am jealous of your friend. You two seem really close''

''We are close. We are more like each other's family''

''That's great. I wished I had something like that. You heard from the time Amara was quarrelling with me, right? Sister Godiva was the one who brought me to the hotel because I saved her, but compared to what I did for her, what she did is a greater deed. She saved me from myself. Messed up past''

''No one has a decent past. We all are broken in some way, so don't allow what others say define you. it doesn't matter how you began in life. What matters is how much changed and different you have become in the end, so don't give up'' Paula said to her.

''Sure'' Magdalen nodded her head and drove away. The drive became a silent one.