Purple Romance

Chapter 150: Subtle like it's almost not there 5

Jordan stood at the front door of the lecture of Paige's department. The class was over and most of the students that came out looked at him as they went. Those who knew him as a lecturer greeted him. After almost all of the students were out, he peeped inside.

Carlien went out through the back door and saw him. She smirked and went to stand behind him asking "were you looking for me?'' 

Jordan turned and saw her. She was indeed the one he was looking for but after seeing her, he didn't know what to say. He had gone there impulsively after telling himself the other night that he wouldn't be bothered about Paige.

''The doctor said it will take a few weeks for her hand to be healed. She is a medical student who will one day perform surgeries with her hands; didn't you consider the harm you would have caused if the coffee was boiling hot? She could have lost the chance to do surgery even before she completed medical school'' Carlien said bluntly since beating around the bush wasn't her style.

''It was a mistake. I didn't know the coffee was that hot. How is she?'' Jordan asked and Carlien could see the worry in his eyes. She smiled.

''Here, this belongs to Paige'' Jordan said and handed the bag he last took to Carlien.

''Oh, thanks. I was actually about to go to the lost and found department of the school to ask for it. So, it was with you?'' Carlien asked and smiled.

''Yes'' Jordan nodded his head.

''Why don't you go and see for yourself? I still have lectures to attend'' Carlien said and turned to go and something came to her mind. She looked at Jordan saying "in any case, you are my first choice. The one I support, so don't let me down" Carlien patted his shoulder and chuckled before going.

Jordan stood at the same spot for a while before going away.

...

That evening, after bringing Paige some notes on their recent lecture, Carlien sat Paige down on the bed and picked a comb to brush her hair after helping her to wash it.

''I really missed a lot. But, how could so many things happen in just one day?'' Carlien said and asked after Paige told her about her date with Joel.

''I'm still confused, Carly'' Paige said honestly.

''I really don't know what to make of this sudden development but I don't support you being with him. I like Jordan, he is handsome'' Carlien said.

''I told you not to mention that man's name in my presence'' Paige said.

But, something is fishy. I can definitely smell a rat, Paige. Why would Joel suddenly be nice to you?'' Carlien asked suspiciously.

''When hasn't he ever being nice to me? He always said he only sees me as his kid sister. I'm the crazy one thinking he will ever look at me twice but, why did he try to kiss me?'' Paige and Carlien screamed.

''What? He tried to kiss you? Why didn't you tell me that earlier?'' Carlien dropped the comb and sat next to Paige.

''I didn't want you to make fun of me'' Paige answered.

''Hey, you. This isn't about me making fun of you. He almost took your first kiss. Whoa, this kind of progress is too frightening. So, did he succeed?'' Carlien asked curiously.

''No, I pushed him away. I was too nervous'' Paige said.

''You did well. If you had lost your first kiss to Joel, I would have roasted you tonight'' Carlien said and Paige asked.

''Why are you always hostile towards Joel? You've never really like him?''

''I don't like him but I don't hate him either. I just don't like the fact that he has pretended not to be aware of your feelings for him these past years. I am 100% sure I placed that letter inside his bag before he left for school that year but till now, he hasn't spoken about it and now he is acting like this? No matter what, I will be the first to go against you being with him'' Carlien said sternly.

''Whoa, you sound like my mother and not my friend'' Paige said.

''He bought you congee, medicine, took you out on a date to our old neighbourhood and almost kissed you. don't you find it strange?'' Carlien asked and Paige shook her head.

''What is strange about that?'' Paige asked back.

''Aye, you are hopeless, Paige. Think about it. He sent you to our former neighbourhood, why? Because he wanted to reminisce about the past with you. Which means he knows about the fact that you've liked him for so long already, you fool'' Carlien said and Paige frowned.

''Aye, you are so intelligent and smart but ironically, your IQ in love is zero'' Carlien added.

''Well, is getting late. Braid my hair and let's study for the quiz tomorrow'' Paige said.

''Will you be able to write with your hand?'' Carlien asked worriedly.

''I will manage'' Paige said.

''Don't worry, I gave Jordan a good scolding today at school when he asked about you'' Carlien said.

''He should better stay away from me'' Paige murmured.

.....

Paige hanged her bag and left the house. She opened the gate and saw Anthony standing by his car in front of her house and she walked to him surprised.

''Anthony, I didn't know you were coming here today?'' Paige asked.

''I figured you will need a ride to school, so I came to pick you up'' Anthony said and opened the front seat for her.

''I see, thanks'' Paige said and sat inside.

''How is your hand? Carlien told me you have a quiz today. Can you manage?'' Anthony asked as he looked at Paige's hand worriedly.

''I will manage. Is just my wrist that is hurt, not the whole hand'' Paige said. Anthony leaned closer to her and fixed the seatbelt for her before driving away.

...

Anthony pulled over at the car park and got down. He saw Jordan also getting down from his car and they looked at each other. Jordan frowned as he stood near his car watching as Anthony opened the door for Paige to get down. He looked at Anthony and the sly smile he gave him the other day came to mind. Jordan didn't know why he felt a sort of insecurity each time he sees him with Paige.

Paige got down from the car and also saw Jordan. They looked at each other for a while before Anthony suddenly took Paige's bag while staring at Jordan with a mocking gaze which Paige didn't see.

''That hand needs a rest, let me hold the bag'' Anthony said to Paige.

''I will rest after the quiz and stop treating me like an invalid, I can walk'' Paige said and looked away as she felt the intense gaze of Jordan on her.

''Are you sure you don't want to talk to him? He looks like he wants to talk to you'' Anthony said and looked at Jordan with his lips curved into a half smile.

''Let's go, I have a quiz to write'' Paige said and took her bag from Anthony, walking away.

''Paige, wait for me'' Anthony intentionally said out loud as he ran after Paige.

Jordan removed his phone and made a call as he watched the two going farther away. The call connected and he spoke ''I want you to run a check on someone for me. I will send you the name and picture by the close of today''

Jordan hung up and walked away, holding his lecture book in his hand.

....

Paige and Carlien walked out of their lecture hall after the quiz. They were all smiles because what they learnt was exactly what was asked.

''How is your hand? Is it better? I realised you were having difficulty in writing fast'' Carlien asked.

''Is better, just a little pain but I'm fine'' Paige said as she looked at her hand. She had gotten it bandage before coming to school to avoid people looking at her blisters.

''Paige, Carlien'' Anthony ran to them ''where are you ladies going to?'' he asked them.

''We are going to eat'' Carlien said.

''I will join you then'' Anthony said and added ''my treat''

''I never say no to free food'' Carlien said.

Paige was at the back watching them as they started talking about their department. Her phone buzzed and she removed it and saw a message. Paige frowned and deleted the message immediately before hurrying to catch up with Carlien and Anthony.

Jordan who was a distance away looked at his phone. She clearly saw the message and ignored it. He had sent her a message to meet him and she just ignored him and went away. Jordan sighed and turned back walking away.

Paige turned and saw that Jordan was walking away and she looked at him. She didn't know why she was so angry with him yet she still wanted to see his face. ''What exactly is wrong with me?'' Paige murmured the question to herself.

Carlien turned and saw Paige behind and called out to her ''Paige, what are you doing there? Let's go''

''Coming'' Paige said and looked at Jordan's retreating view again before going to join Carlien. Anthony who was watching them from the side lines smirked.