Chapter 181: Carlien's dilemma 3

Paige sat down in front of the mirror looking at her reflection as Carlien combed her hair. They were getting ready for the party.

''I really didn't think you would agree to go with Lucas''

''Well, there is going to be lots of good food. You know me, I can't say no to good food''

''Just be careful, Lucas and Jordan might be friends but I don't want you to fall for him. I can't bring myself to trust him with you after seeing how he plays with women''

''Don't worry, this sister is far from falling for someone like him. It's just a party, what can go wrong?'' Carlien said and placed the straightener down, ''done''

''Sit down, I will do your hair for you too'' Paige said and stood up. Carlien sat down and she took over. They soon finished and went to the hall.

''Dad, haven't you left already?'' Paige asked as they walked over to him.

''You girls are looking so beautiful''

''Uncle, Paige told me about the work you got. Congratulations''

''Thanks, Carly. You girls should take care of yourselves there'' Thomas Payin said and the doorbell rang.

''That must be Jordan and Lucas'' Thomas Payin went forward and opened the door. He smiled at the two gentlemen before him.

''Good evening, uncle'' Jordan greeted.

''Jordan, you two should take care of my precious girls and bring them back safely''

''We will. This is my best friend, Lucas Askia''

''Hello, uncle''

''Nice to meet you. this old man won't waste your time. I was going out to watch football anyways, so, see you later''

''Bye, dad''

''Bye, uncle''

''You look beautiful, my love'' Jordan said and took Paige's hand and they walked out.

''Shall we?'' Lucas asked awkwardly and stretched forth his hand. Carlien smiled and took it.

…..

The two cars entered a villa in one of the most expensive communities in the city. When they pulled over, Jordan and Lucas got down from their respective cars and went to the other sides to open the doors for the ladies they came with. Paige and Carlien got down from the cars and looked at the house in front of them. it was a beautiful house.

''The party is at the gardens, let's go in'' Jordan held Paige's hand leading the way and Lucas followed behind with Carlien. They saw Jessi and Mirabel waiting for them just at the entrance.

''Elder sister'' Jessi called out and Paige went over to hug her.

''Jessi, how are you doing? You look beautiful''

''I'm fine. How about you?''

''I'm doing well'' Paige said and looked at Mirabel. They smiled at each other.

''Jessi, I want you to meet someone. This is Carlien Arthur, my best friend'' Paige said again and took Carlien's hand.

''Hi, elder sister. I am Jessi Attoh''

''Hi, I am Carlien Arthur''

''Nice to meet you''

''Nice to meet you too, Jessi''

''Let's go in'' Jordan said to them.

''Jordan, there is someone inside you might not want to meet'' Mirabel said and everyone looked at her.

''Who is inside?'' Jordan asked.

''Yvonne, she came with your brother, Lucas'' Mirabel said looking at Lucas.

''My brother? Lazarus is here? Why am not aware he came back?''

''Jessi and I were equally surprised to see him today. I thought he was not in the country but he told me he's been here for a week now''

''Don't worry, whatever happens, we will handle it'' Jordan assured them as they went inside.

''By Lazarus, it won't be the same person we know, right?'' Paige whispered to Carlien.

''I doubt there will be such coincidence right? the one they are talking about is Lucas' brother''

''Right, if not, it will really be awkward. Let's not jinx it'' Paige said and they both nodded their head.

When they got inside the gardens, the place was lively and filled with lots of people. The main host of the party saw them and walked up to them.

''Jordan, Lucas. It's good to have you here. Jessi and Mira, I am familiar with but these two ladies must be your dates, right?''

''Yes, this is Paige my girlfriend and Carlien, her friend'' Jordan did a quick introduction.

''Hi, ladies I am Bliss. You are welcome to my little party''

''Thanks''

''Let's go'' Jordan held Paige's hand as they walked closer to a group of people. They saw Yvonne standing together with another man. Paige and Carlien looked at each other.

''Jinx it'' it was the Lazarus they knew.

Lazarus had a look of confusion when he saw them, he quickly took his hand away from Yvonne and watched them as they got closer. He had come to the party because Yvonne wanted a date, he didn't expect to see Carlien and Paige there.

''Lazarus'' Paige mentioned his name when they got closer to them.

''Paige, Carl, what are you two doing here?'' Lazarus asked and looked at the intertwined hands of Lucas and Carlien.

Nervously taking her hand away, Carlien started to explain, ''we are just friends''

At her words, Lucas looked at her and frowned. Why was she so quick to draw the line between them?

''You came back and didn't even bother to call your family?'' Lucas asked looking at Lazarus. There seemed to be a kind of hostility between them. Jordan subtly touched Lucas's and the latter calmed down and smiled adding ''you should visit home now that you are back, dad misses you''

''I wonder if the prodigal son will ever be missed, but since you said it so kindly, I will have to visit him. Carlien, how did you know my older brother?''

''Older brother? Are you two related?'' Carlien asked and looked at both of them. Now that she was looking at them, they did seem to have some slight resemblance.

''Yes, he is my brother who also shares the same father with me but different mothers'' Lazarus said and Carlien looked at him, she didn't know why but she didn't like the tone and how lightly he spoke of their relationship. The atmosphere suddenly became tense and awkward.

''Lazarus, do you have to always be hostile towards Lucas each time? He has given in to you enough. We are at a party; must you say such things in public?''

''This is their family matter, Jessi, I suggest you don't meddle'' Yvonne said and turned to look at Paige, ''we've met again''

''Yes, we've met again'' Paige said and wrapped her arm around Jordan protectively and he smiled.

''Elder brother, I feel thirsty, can second elder sister go with me to look for something to eat?'' Jessi said and looked at Carlien. She wanted to salvage the situation.

''Me? You want me to go with you?'' Carlien asked and Jessi smiled, nodding her head.

''Let's go together, I feel thirsty too'' Lazarus spoke.

''Let's talk Lazarus'' Lucas said to him.

''Later, I have something to ask Carlien'' he said and took Carlien's hand walking away.

''I will take Jessi to go get some deserts'' Mirabel said and held Jessi's wheelchair.

''You are a lot kinder than I thought, Mirabel. You still are naïve even after Jordan rejected you for so long'' Yvonne said and Mirabel's hand tightened on the wheel.

''Yvonne, watch your mouth'' Jordan warned her.

''What? I was just applauding her for how good she is to you after you rejected her time and again.

''Mirabel, let's go. We don't avoid poop because it's harmful; we avoid it because it's dirty, don't lower yourself to the standard of anyone who tries to put you down'' Paige said and held Mirabel's hand on the wheelchair and pushed it with one hand as the other hand held Mirabel's hand.

''What?'' Yvonne chuckled sarcastically as her face turned ashen.

''Stay away from me and everyone close to me. Take this as a last warning''

''Jordan, I will go out and make a call first'' Lucas said and without looking at Yvonne, he walked out.

''What did I do? I was invited to this party. I didn't come because of you''

''I'm talking about Lazarus. You were the one who asked him to come. Did you really not know that Lucas and I would be here, or you just love to see the people I care about in desperate situations?''

Yvonne turned her flicking gaze away from Lucas as she said, ''I don't know what you are talking about. I just came with him to have fun. I can't be responsible for what he does''

''No, you are wrong. You are going to be responsible for whatever happens tonight, I will make you pay for messing with my friends''

''Are you threatening me?''

''No, I am only telling you to get mentally prepared for what I will do to you if something happens between Lucas and Lazarus'' Jordan said and left her alone as he went to join Paige and the rest.

Yvonne bit her lips as she fought the tears that threatened to fall. Her hands clutched to her bag tightly a she watched the happy atmosphere between Jordan and Paige. Why can't it be her? She just came back to him and he was slipping out of her hands. All these years, she had kept tabs on him and knew he was still single. She had thought it was because she still had a place in his heart and just when she decided to return to his side, he chose someone else.