Chapter 165: A million dollar for a smile 2

''No, is too late for that. I just want to make one thing clear Joel. People who won't go into a room but, also prevent others from going in; I hate them the most. If you know you won't be serious with Paige then stop now because if you hurt my friend, I will never forgive you. That is a promise''

Carlien snatched the phone from Joel and turned back to go when the house bell went off, ringing loud.

''Are you expecting someone?'' Joel asked as he stared at the door.

''No, I will see who is at the door'' Carlien said and was about to go to the door when she saw Paige coming out of her room.

''Paige? Are you not supposed to be resting?'' Joel asked.

''I ordered some porridge from the Victor street food truck. That must be it'' Paige said and walked clumsily to the door while Carlien and Joel looked on.

Paige opened the door and saw Jordan. Her eyes widened as she looked at him surprised.

''Jordan? What are you doing here?'' Paige asked in a surprised tone. Her words were soft but Jordan still heard her. He looked at her paled face and put his hand on her forehead, ignoring the eyes of the two people inside the house.

Joel clutched his fists when he saw that Paige didn't push Jordan away like she did to him. In fact, she seemed more relaxed as if it was a normal thing between them.

''You are burning up. Why didn't you tell me you were sick? I wouldn't have known if I didn't come here'' Jordan said to her and walked inside the house, closing the door behind him.

''Is not so serious. Carly bought me some medicine. I will be fine after taking it'' Paige said to him.

''Have you eaten?''

''Yes, but I'm craving some congee from a food truck I used to buy from back at my old neighbourhood. I already called for it to be delivered but is taking longer than I thought''

''Go back to bed. I will go and get you some right away. Carly'' Jordan mentioned Carlien's name and caught her off-guard. She was busy admiring their synergy.

''Huh? Did you call me?'' Carlien asked.

''Yes, can you help Paige back to bed. I will go and get her the porridge. You can send the address to me''

''I know there. Let's go together'' Joel said suddenly.

''Is that alright?'' Paige asked sceptically.

''Yes, Joel knows there. You two can sort it out yourselves. Paige, let's go back inside'' Carlien said and pulled Paige along. She didn't want to be caught in the crossfire.

''Let's go then'' Jordan said smugly to Joel. The latter followed the former out as Paige and Carlien stood by the door watching them.

''Do you think those two will be alright?'' Paige asked.

''This was going to happen sooner or later. Let them sort it out themselves. What I want to hear from you is not whether they will be okay or not. Who are you going to go with?''

''Jordan'' Paige said without a hint of hesitation.

''Are you sure? You won't go back on your word, right?'' Carlien asked.

''No. I want Jordan'' Paige reaffirmed her answer.

''Paige, you've changed a lot, bitch. Let's go in. this big sister is proud of you'' Carlien said and opened the door for Paige.

...….

Jordan opened the door of his car about to get in when Joel spoke.

''Don't think you have won just because Paige allowed you to go and buy her the porridge''

''You are mistaken about something. I am not doing this because I found Paige as something I want to conquer. If you really care about her, know when to give up and not be a nuisance to her'' Jordan said and got into the car and Joel joined him at the front seat. The ride to the place was a quiet one. None spoke to the other.

Soon as the car left the area, Thomas Payin arrived and went inside. He entered Paige's room to find them chatting.

''Paige, how do you feel now?'' he asked his daughter.

''Dad, you are back?''

''I was a little worried, so I came back to check on you. How do you feel now?''

''I'm fine, dad. You shouldn't have bothered. Carly is here, what is there to worry about?''

''I will prepare something for you girls''

''No need'' Paige said at once.

''No need'' Carlien also said at the same time.

Thomas Payin: ''…''

''Why are you two acting weird? Are you hiding something from me?'' Thomas Payin asked as he looked at their faces. Paige and Carlien kept mum, each not wanting to say the specific reason. They just wanted him out before Jordan and Joel got back or things were going to be awkward.

''Dad, nothing. We are not hiding anything from you'' Paige said as she stood up. ''Dad, you must be tired. See, I am no longer sick. You just got back, you must be tired. Why don't you go to your room and take a nap?''

''Are you sure you are not hiding anything from me?'' he asked again and the girls laughed.

''No way. Dad, let me accompany you to your room'' Paige said and held her father's shoulders, pushing him out as she winked a Carlien to join her. They reached the hall and turned towards Thomas Payin's room when the door opened and Jordan walked in followed by Joel.

''You are…?'' Paige and Carlien stepped back and looked at each other.

''Uncle Thom, you are back?'' Joel asked as he stood beside Jordan.

''Is he your friend?'' Thomas Payin asked Joel.

''Dad, he is my colleague at school. he came to visit me because I wasn't feeling well. Jordan, meet my father. Dad, this is Jordan Attoh'' Paige did a quick introduction and Jordan bowed before Thomas Payin.

''Uncle, hi. I am Jordan Attoh''

''Oh, so you're the guy who scalded my girl's hand with hot coffee?'' Thomas Payin said to Jordan and he bowed again.

''I'm sorry about that'' Jordan apologised.

''Dad, I already told you it was a mistake'' Paige said and Joel looked at her feeling sad somewhat that she jumped in to defend Jordan.

''What is in your hands, by the way? It looks like the porridge from Victor street?'' Thomas Payin asked as he looked at the bag in Jordan's hand.

''Yes, Paige wanted to eat some of the porridge from there. now that is here, you should hand it over to Paige and leave. She is not fit to hold any conversation with you'' Joel said and snatched the bag from Jordan. Paige frowned after hearing Joel. She really needed to put him in his place. She turned to her father.

''Dad, you said you were going to cook dinner right?'' Paige asked and looked at her father and he smiled knowing his daughter wanted his help.

''Jordan, right? You brought porridge for my precious daughter. I was also about to prepare dinner. If you don't mind eating this old man's dishes, then why don't you stay back until after dinner?''

''Sure, it will my pleasure, uncle Thom'' Jordan said casually but the way he said it seemed more intimate and it infuriated Joel who was standing at the side.

''I just remembered I didn't buy some major ingredients. Joel, how about you drive me to the grocery store down at the end of the road?'' Thomas Payin said to Joel to ease the awkward situation.

''Sure, uncle Thom'' Joel said and forced a smile.

''Then, is settled. Paige make sure Jordan is comfortable. We will be back in no time'' Thomas Payin said and walked towards the door. He turned back and said to Joel, ''Joel, let's go''

''Yes, uncle Thom''

Paige watched as her father took Joel away and she sighed relieved. It was not she, Carly and Jordan. Carlien looked at them and pointed at the kitchen.

''I just remembered I didn't clean the kitchen. Uncle Thom will give me a good scolding if I don't do it right away. Jordan, I will leave Paige in your care. You can go to her room, but as her protective elder sister, I will say, just leave the door opened so things don't get out of hand'' Carlien said and ran away to the kitchen.

Paige clasped her hand nervously as she stared at Jordan. He lifted the bag he had taken back from Joel saying to her''you must be hungry. Let's go in''

''Sure, this way''

Paige opened the door to her and waited for Jordan to go in first before she followed behind. She was about to close the door when Jordan held her hand and she stiffened.

''Is better to leave the door open'' he said to her and she nodded her head nervously before taking her hand away. She walked to the middle of the room and pointed at the study chair.