Chapter 148: Subtle like it's almost not there 3

Thomas Payin looked at Paige's wrist as he spoke. ''Does this boy like my little girl or what? Why would he do this to a pretty little thing like you?''

''Dad, don't curse me. I will be the unluckiest woman if that bratty Royal Highness takes a liking to me. Are we in high school that boys bully the girls that they like?'' Paige said and frowned.

''Then why did he pour hot coffee on you? Guys who don't have the guts to confess always do that. Now my daughter is in pain. Should I go and teach him some manners at school?'' Thomas Payin said and they laughed. The doorbell rang and they looked at each other.

''Dad, are you expecting someone?'' Paige asked her father.

'"No. are you expecting someone?'' Thomas Payin asked back and Paige shook her head.

''Carlien is coming over but she won't knock if she is the one'' Paige said.

''Sit down, I will go and see who is at the door'' Thomas Payin said and Paige nodded her head. Thomas Payin went to the door and opened it. he saw Joel in front of him.

''Uncle Thomas'' Joel said affectionately.

''Joel?'' Thomas Payin mentioned his name surprised at his sudden visit.

''Is Paige at home?'' Joel asked.

''Yes, come in'' Thomas Payin stepped aside and Joel went in before the former closed the door.

''Paige, hi'' Joel said as he approached her.

''Joel? What are you doing here?'' Paige asked and realised she was being upfront and changed her tone ''I don't mean it in a bad way. I'm just surprised to see you that's all''

'"I came to see you. I met Carly this morning and she told me about your incident so I came to check on you. How are you now?'' Joel said and placed black polybag on the table.

:'I'm fine. Is just a small thing. No worries'' Paige said but Joel took her hand and looked at it saying.

''This isn't small, Paige. You were hurt seriously. Carly told me is the boy I saw the last time. Is that true?'' Joel asked as he subconsciously put pressure on Paige's wrist.

''He is not exactly a boy'' Paige said and Joel glared at her and she changed the sentence immediately ''yes, it was that bratty inhumane did this to me''

Joel seemed to have calmed down after hearing those words from Paige and said ''you should stay away from him. Nothing good will come out of hanging out with someone like him''

Paige looked at Joel dreamily and thought to herself ''is he worried about me now? But, why do I feel weird about it?'' Paige shook away her thoughts.

''Actually, I just finished applying some ointment on Paige and was about to get her something to eat before you came'' Thomas Payin said.

''Uncle Thomas, I already brought rice congee for Paige'' Joel said and Paige looked at his face.

''Huh? You brought me food?'' Paige asked unsure of what she heard.

''Yes, I remember you used to like congee from the woman at the roadside food truck, so I went there to get you some'' Joel said.

''Then, I will leave Paige over to you. She refused to eat initially so I will ask you to make sure she eats the congee'' Thomas Payin said.

''Dad, am I a kid?'' Paige asked.

''Uncle Thomas, don't worry. I am not going to work today, so I will spend the day with Paige'' Joel said and Paige looked at him not knowing what to make him the sudden new development.

Thomas Payin left the house leaving Paige alone with Joel. Paige turned to face Joel and noticed he was already looking at her and she flushed. Joel took her hand, sitting her down on the couch.

''This looks really bad, Paige'' Joel said and Paige felt he was being a little exaggerating but didn't ay anything.

''The congee will go cold'' Paige said and Joel stood up.

''Wait here, I will bring a spoon and feed you'' Joel said not giving Paige the chance to speak as he went ahead towards the kitchen.

''He wants to feed me?'' Paige murmured to herself ''why? Is not like I've lost my hands? This feels strange, I am not used to this at all'' Paige added and heard Joel's voice behind her.

''You can start getting used to it, Paige'' Joel said and sat across her. Paige blushed and pursed her lips. She didn't know that she was thinking out loud and that he had heard her. She watched Joel as he removed the bowl containing the congee and placed it on the table before taking off the lid from it. he dipped the spoon inside and fetched a small amount of the congee.

''Here, taste it and see if the taste brings back memories'' Joel said as he stretched his hand towards Paige's mouth.

''But, I can eat by myself?'' Paige said.

''No, you are hurt. Don't even think about it. Let me take care of you today. Just like the time you took care of me when I was sick'' Joel said and Paige didn't argue with him again.

Joel fed Paige the congee till the bowl was almost half empty. He looked up and saw Paige starring at his face and smiled. Paige looked away immediately after been caught starring.

'"You can look at me if you want to. I don't bite'' Joel said and Paige chuckled.

''Tsk'' Paige looked away.

''I see you looking at me a lot'' Joel said as he stood up and gathered the bowl.

''What makes you think so?'' Paige asked and Joel stopped and looked at her. They stare at each other for a while without saying anything. Paige smiled and tried to get up and almost fell. Joel caught her and pulled her closer to his body and Paige's lips brushed gently against his cheek and they both stiffened. Paige hiccupped.

''Are you alright?'' Joel asked as his hand remained around her waist. Paige nodded and stepped back slowly. Joel also distanced himself.

''Yes, sorry. That wasn't intentional'' Paige said.

''No worries. Go and change into something else. Let's go out and play since you are not going to school today'' Joel said to her.

''Huh? Date?'' Paige asked sceptically and Joel smiled nodding his head.

''Yes, a date. Let's go anywhere you want'' Joel said to her.

''Don't change your mind afterwards, okay?'' Paige said delighted. It had been a long time since she went out to have fun without thinking about work or school.

''I won't change my mind'' Joel said and Paige smiled and went to her room to change.

...…..

After leaving the house, Joel first took Paige to their old neighbourhood where they first got to know each other. Paige found it strange that he would take her there on their first unofficial date but she didn't mind because she had really missed that neighbourhood.

Growing up in Victor Street, this was the first place she experienced her first crush in the name of Joel. She was in high school when her father relocated them to Victor Street and her 17-year old self was naïve. She was the epitome of innocence even after going through a tragic childhood and losing her mother in a fire accident that happened when she was 13 years.

Paige was lost in her thoughts when she felt a leaf falling right down in front of her. She reminisced on that year that she was saw Joel. He was in his college uniform with a couple of his friends returning home from school. That day, Paige and Carlien had just skipped school to go and play at home because Paige's father was out of the town doing a part-time job. Joel's father, Mr. Mark Sandas was the one who introduced her father to that job.

Paige remembered that, she and Carlien were playing in the hall when the door was opened suddenly and a young man walked in wearing a college of Business Administration Uniform. The moment Paige saw him, she blanked out staring shamelessly at him as he approached them. from start to finish, she couldn't open her mouth to say anything and openly drooled at him. It was Carlien who had answered all his questions and took out the keys that Mr. Mark Sandas has left behind after going to work. Paige only came back to her senses after Joel had left their apartment.

Carlien had snapped her fingers at her, telling her that Joel was gone and she came back to her senses saying to Carlien ''Carly, I think I am in love''

''Silly'' Carlien had muttered back.

Back then and now, a lot of time had passed by gradually but today was the first time she was in a place alone with Joel with no distraction. Paige smiled subconsciously as she stood staring at the company building that had taken the very spot of their former apartment.