Chapter 158: Fluttering heart 4

Paige looked at Anthony through the window and said absentmindedly ''he is acting a little strange lately. Do you think he could be stressed by his brother's health?''

''Is his brother unwell?''

''Yes, the last time he asked me to go and visit his brother with him, I wasn't able to because I left to look for you. Now that I think about it, I feel bad that I abandoned him to go look for you'' Paige said.

''Am I that insignificant to you? That you will regret leaving him to look for me?''

''That's not what I mean. Off course you are not insignificant. I just mean that I could have gone with him before going to look for you. Are you… angry?'' Paige asked and looked at him.

''No, I am not. Because I knew sooner or later, you wouldn't be able to live without me in your life. Wonder how it took you so long to come to terms with that'' Jordan said smugly and smiled at her.

''So arrogant. Why won't I be able to live without you''

''That Anthony. Do you know him very well?'' Jordan asked changing the topic. His expression was serious as he asked.

''We met the first day he came to this school. He didn't know anyone and I had to show him around the school. We've been friends since then''

''Then, do you know anything about him apart from what he has told you?''

No. Jordan, is everything alright? I'm getting strange vibes with the questions you are asking me''

''You know me, right? I always speak my mind and don't keep things to myself, so I am going to be brutally honest with you, Paige'' Jordan said and pulled over by the roadside. He turned towards Paige and looked into her eyes as he continued ''I don't like you being around him all the time. This isn't out of jealousy but out of fear that he might be something you couldn't imagine. I don't like the vibes he gives me and I don't like how close you are with him. I don't trust that he has the purest intentions towards being your friend. You have to be careful with him. Don't get too close to him and also, give me your phone''

''My phone? Here'' Paige took the phone out and gave to him asking ''what are you going to do?''

''I'm installing a tracker on your phone. I will be able to know wherever you are at what time. Don't you dare remove it, okay?''

''Why are you suddenly treating me like a child? Tsk, am I your younger sister?''

''You can never be my younger sister because I see you as a woman. I look at you the same way a man looks at a woman'' Jordan finished installing the tracker and looked up, meeting her gaze.

'Why is my heart beating so fast right now?' Paige thought to herself as she blushed.

''Paige, you are thinking out loud'' Jordan said looking at her flushed face. Paige looked away immediately and bit her lips.

''I wasn't talking about you. Let's go, I'm hungry'' Paige said as she looked outside the window.

''What would you eat?'' Jordan asked as he started the car.

''Anything is fine with me, I'm not picky'' Paige replied shyly and he smiled.

...…

Blue Restaurant.

Jordan pulled over and got down with Paige. He tossed the key to the valet and waited for Paige to catch up with him.

''Jordan, are we eating here? This place take only orders based on reservations alone and I heard sometimes their reservations are always full till the end of the year'' Paige said as she stood next to Jordan.

''Don't you trust me?'' Jordan turned and asked her.

''I trust you'' Paige said with a smile.

''Good girl, come with me'' Jordan took her hand and they went in together.

Private room.

Jordan opened the door for Paige before going in himself. Paige saw a waiter already inside the room putting the dishes down on the round table and she turned to Jordan.

''You already got this prepared, right?'' Paige asked.

''Sit'' Jordan pulled out a chair for her and she sat down.

''Thank you''

''Enjoy your meal, Sir and Ma'am'' the waiter said and went out. Paige looked at the setting and turned to Jordan who sat across her.

''This setting is…''

''Why? Hasn't Joel sent you out to a formal dinner before?'' Jordan asked.

''You really know how to cut into someone's wound. I will forgive you today because there is a feast before me'' Paige said and looked at the dishes in front of her. ''Can I start eating?''

''Go ahead''

Paige picked the chopsticks beside her and started picking a few of the seafood into her plate. After picking what she wanted to eat, she smiled happily and started eating, forgetting the presence of Jordan completely.

''Is my presence not even important now that you have gotten your food?'' Jordan asked.

''You sound like an ignored child. Don't be like that. I go crazy when I see good food''

''Tell me. What exactly did you like about your first crush? I'm really curious as to how you ended up liking him'' Jordan asked and Paige choked on her food. She coughed and Jordan picked a glass of water closer for her.

''You are really… why do you want to know? Why are you so curious about how I first liked Joel? Don't tell me he bothers you?'' Paige asked after sipping the water and calming herself down.

''Yes, it's bothering me that you spent closed to 8 years liking the same man when he didn't even pay attention to you. didn't you know? I am extremely jealous''

''Well… the first time I saw him. He was dazzling and cute. He had just come back from college and came over to our house for their keys. I just liked him since then. He always protected me. Growing up, I used to be a target of bullies. Many people think that having a pretty face will make people like you but not in my case. The girls in my class from junior school to senior school treated me like an outcast, except Carly. I was always the first in class which made the boys to also hate me. They used to say that a girl always wining against the boys was an eyesore. It was really hard for me. Especially during my high school year, when my dad wasn't around''

''My dad is an ex-convict. He went to prison before because his friend betrayed him. I was alone by myself. Carly's mother took me in and I stayed with them for about three years until my father came out. All those times, seeing Joel was like a breath of fresh air for me. I was always happy each time he smiled at me and even fought those bullies for my sake. I guess I just liked the fact that whenever I saw him, I could escape from my world into a fantasy world where I could be happy and before I knew it, 8 years had passed, tsk'' Paige chuckled.

''You must think I'm stupid, right?'' Paige asked and turned to look at Jordan for the first time since she started speaking.

''No. I would never think you are stupid'' Jordan said as he stared at her face.

''Then, why are you looking at me like that?''

''I was just thinking that, you are quite brave to be able to still smile after going through so much. You are a strong woman, Paige and even though I still hate the fact that you could like Joel for so long, I am going to make sure that stops here. Paige, I am going to show you what true love is. A love you won't have to wait for it to be reciprocated but one that makes you feel secure and safe''

''Huh?''

''Relax, I won't cross the line with you until you tell me to'' Jordan said to her and turned away, eating his food. Paige looked at him and blushed.

....

''How was your lunch date with Jordan?'' Carlien turned and asked Paige who was sitting on the bed knitting a scarf.

''I told you, it was not a date. Just eating together'' Paige said and blushed. She thought about the words of Jordan.

''If it wasn't a date, then, why is your face so red? Paige, you are blushing'' Carlien teased her.

''No, I am not. Must be the weather''

''But, I think Jordan is serious about you? Have you forgotten what he said to Joel that day? She is the woman I am going to start pursuing. Damn, that was the most romantic thing I've heard in a long time'' Carlien said excitedly.

''He said that to upset Joel. I am not going to assume anything until I hear it from his mouth. I won't go ahead of myself again'' Paige said, suddenly feeling sad.

''Why do I see disappointment in your eyes, then?'' Carlien asked.

''What disappointment? I am not disappointed''

''Paige, you like him, right?''

''No I don't''

''I doubt it. Maybe, you've fallen for him already.

''I said no. Let's stop talking about Jordan Attoh'' Paige said and stood up. She opened her drawer and placed the knitted scarf inside.

''Tomorrow is Saturday, what are your plans?''

''I don't know yet, but I will probably spend it with my dad. What about you?''

''I will go to the shop and help out a bit''

''I will come and help you later in the day'' Paige told her.

''Thanks. It's not at all useless to have you as a friend after all'' Carlien said and they laughed.