Chapter 151: When Feelings suddenly Change 1

''Thanks to this hand I'm getting special treatment from Carlien. You better heal fast ok? I've got work to do'' Paige said as she sat under their favourite baobab tree waiting for their second lecture. Carlien had gone to buy them some refreshments leaving Paige alone under the tree.

Paige's phone buzzed and she looked at it before deciding to ignore the incoming call from Jordan. She suddenly heard her name and looked up seeing Jordan walking towards her.

''Part-time, why are you not answering my calls? Have you suddenly backed out from our deal? Are you not scared that I will do as I say?'' Jordan said and Paige stood up to face him saying.

''Yes, I'm backing out. What are you going to do about that?'' Paige asked back startling him.

''What?'' Jordan asked.

''Why? Did you think I couldn't do a thing like that?'' Paige asked back.

''I came to see how you are doing and you? What kind of person am I in your heart?'' Jordan asked.

''A bully. That's the kind of person I see you to be. I still remember what you told me the first time we met. You called me a brainless beauty'' Paige said.

''That, I didn't…'' Jordan didn't finish his sentence and looked at her. ''So, in your eyes I am such a despicable person right?'' Jordan asked.

''Yes. I will not continue this again Jordan. Thanks to you, I cannot even go to work because this hand is taking eternity to heal. Do you know how much I make working as part time? That's something a rich kid like you could never guess. Life is easy for you but, is not for me. Every night, this hand hurts but I can't even cry because I don't want my dad to hear that I'm suffering. Jordan, I want to go back to the life that I had before I met you. The life that didn't have you was more blissful than this life with you in it. Here, take your phone back'' Paige placed the phone in Jordan's hand and continued ''as for the diary, do whatever you want with it, I don't need that either'' Paige picked her bag and walked to Carlien who was standing at the back of the tree as Jordan remained at the same spot speechless. ''Let's go Carlien'' Paige said to Carlien.

''Huh? Oh'' Carlien came back to her senses and looked at Jordan before going after Paige.

.....

Paige arrived home and found her father in the kitchen cooking and walked up to him. Paige gave her father a back hug saying ''dad, I missed you''

''Silly girl. We are here together the whole day and you still miss me?'' Thomas Payin asked

''Dad, I think I did something bad to someone. I didn't mean to but, before I knew it, the wrong words had already come out of my mouth'' Paige said.

''And now, you are regretting it?'' Thomas Payin asked.

''Yes''

''Then, go back and retract your words. Apologise to that person. Paige, our words are like knives that can cut people in the most painful way. If you realised your wrong, you should correct it'' Thomas Payin told Paige.

''I can't go back and retrieve those words. I think that he probably won't want to see me again after what I told him'' Paige said and leaned against the kitchen table.

''Are you sure because I just feel that your big ego is the one preventing you from going back and not because the person wouldn't want to listen to your explanation'' Thomas Payin said and Paige frowned.

''Aye, I don't know why I am feeling guilty when he was the one who started it first'' Paige murmured.

''Is he the same person who poured the coffee on you?'' Thomas Payin asked.

''Well, he didn't exactly pour it on me'' Paige said.

''Look at you, you are defending him even though he hurt you. You are just too proud to admit your mistakes. Just don't regret it later on, kid'' Thomas Payin added.

''I'm tired, I'm going to take a shower. Let's talk afterwards'' Paige said and picked her bag. Thomas Payin looked at her and shook his head.

...…

''Yes. I will not continue this again Jordan. Thanks to you, I cannot even go to work because this hand is taking eternity to heal. Do you know how much I make working as part time? That's something a rich kid like you could never guess. Life is easy for you but, is not for me. Every night, this hand hurts but I can't even cry because I don't want my dad to hear that I'm suffering. Jordan, I want to go back to the life that I had before I met you. The life that didn't have you was more blissful than this life with you in it. Here, take your phone back'' Paige placed the phone in Jordan's hand and continued ''as for the diary, do whatever you want with it, I don't need that either''

The words kept ringing in Jordan's head as he sat on the floor in his hall. Those words just brought a bad memory back. A memory he had always thought he was done with but today, Paige just had to repeat those same exact words to him.

''I am sorry, Jordan but I can't stay with you. You are incapable of loving someone else apart from yourself. I am going to find myself a better man. Someone who will give me the kind of love that I want and deserve. You are always going to end up hurting and pushing away the people you love, Jordan. That's why you can't even protect the people that are dear to you''

Jordan could still hear the voice of Yvonne, his ex, mixed with the voice of Paige telling him he was incapable of love.

''You are incapable of love, Jordan'' the voice rang again and Jordan threw away the wine glass in his hand and screamed.

''It's not true. I am capable of love'' Jordan stretched his body on the floor and laid there the whole night.

.....

That same night Paige had a dream she hadn't had in a long time. The dream of her 13-year old self when she stumbled upon her parents one night having a rather heavy discussion.

The 13-year old Paige stood by the door and listened as her parents talked about her father's business.

''How can this happen, darling?'' Gertrude Haskin, the mother of Paige asked worriedly.

''I found out today at the office that Damien Attoh ran away with the money we saved to open our own business together. I couldn't find him and since his family is not in City B, I don't know how to get in touch with him. He also sold the apartment he used to live in'' Thomas Payin said.

''What about the loan? Are they going to take away our house if we are not able to find Damien Attoh and take back the money?'' Gertrude asked.

''I will go to jail if I don't pay back the loan. Even if we sell our house, it will still not be enough to pay off the loan, Gertrude''

''How can Damien do this to us? I thought we were like a family? What are we going to do now? Paige's fees reminder was sent to my email this morning and the deadline is next week or they will remove her name from those that are going to skip grades this year. Paige is so brilliant. As long as she is able to pass the exams and skip a few grades, she will be eligible for the full scholarship. But if we don't pay the school fees, then all our efforts will be in vain'' Gertrude said worriedly.

''Don't worry too much, I have already informed the police about the disappearance of Damien Attoh. I will also call Mark, he once told me there were cheaper apartment that we can get at Victor Street. When I get some money, we will pay Paige's school fees and then sell this house and get a cheaper apartment. The rest of the money will be used to pay off the debt'' Thomas Payin assured his wife.

Paige who was listening outside suddenly felt her legs turned weak and she fell. Her parents heard her and rushed to the door and opened. They saw Paige on the floor.

''Paige, what are you doing here so late at night?'' Gertrude asked.

''I couldn't sleep and decided to look for you'' Paige said and pretended to not know what was going on.

''Paige, did you hear what your mother and I discussed?'' Thomas Payin asked suspiciously and Paige looked at him with her clear eyes.

''What conversation, dad? I just got out of bed and came to find you. Were you two discussing something without me?'' Paige asked innocently.

''No, sweetheart. Everything is fine'' Gertrude said but Paige could see the worry in their eyes that they tried to hide.