That day after their breakfast, Jordan first sent Jessi over to visit their father who had just returned from his business trip. Paige didn't immediately go to meet with him because she was a little too nervous, so it was decided that Jordan should meet with his father and talk to him about her before introducing her to him.
They went over to Paige's house and saw her father in the hall reading newspapers. When the door opened, Thomas Payin turned and saw the two of them entering.
''You are here?'' he said and closed the paper.
''Dad, I missed you'' Paige went over to hug her father.
''You missed me? Why do I find those words not trustworthy?'' her father asked.
''Uncle, good morning'' Jordan greeted him and Paige took the luggage into her room.
''Jordan, sit down. I hope that silly girl didn't make things difficult for you?''
''No, uncle. Paige will never be a burden to me''
''How is Jessi? Is her therapy going well?''
''Yes, for now she can walk with crutches but, there is hope. She sent her regards''
''That's fine''
Jordan looked towards Paige's room and turned to Mr. Thomas Payin, ''uncle, as I said over the phone this morning. I want to marry Paige after she is done with her school'' Jordan didn't beat around the bush. Since they were both men, he didn't see the need to go round in circles.
''It's good that you think so fondly of Paige. But, will your family accept her? We are just two of us in this family and though we are not so poor, the difference between you and Paige is still wide''
''I planned to talk to my family tonight when I go over to pick Jessi from his place. Our different background means nothing to me. I love Paige and she also loves me. I want to be responsible for Paige. I want to be able to protect her and support her future''
''You must really care about Paige. It's good to see that she has found someone who cares about her like you do. Paige grew up without receiving much love from me and her late mother but despite all that she has grown up to be a good person. I owe her a lot of things in this life that I won't be able to compensate her for. I am glad that she has finally found someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Jordan, please take care of Paige and don't make me regret letting her marry you''
''I can't promise that the road will be rocky because we are two different people with different personalities, but in all that, I will always make sure that I do everything keeping her happiness in mind''
''When you are ready, invite your father and let's have a family dinner together''
''I will do that''
…..
Jordan peeled an apple before cutting it into pieces and placed them on a plate and sent them to the hall. He sat across his father and they ate the apples while chatting.
''So, have you decided to settle down with that girl you told me about?'' Mr. Damien Attoh asked and Jordan nodded his head.
''Her name is Paige. I will bring her over very soon. I already met with her father this morning and he said I can arrange for us to have a family dinner together. that way, I can introduce everyone at the same time''
''I thought you were going to take Yvonne back. She came here a number of times. Who would have thought I was accommodating someone who has hurt my own daughter? What are the police saying?''
''She is still denying all charges but she had nowhere to turn to right now. She insisted that she didn't know the person who ran over Jessi but Jessi insisted he was the same man she cheated on me with. The police are still investigating the accident. But Yvonne would have to spend about 6-8 years in prison because of the crimes she committed''
''She shouldn't be allowed to get out of there that easily. She had done enough harm to our family''
''I will handle it. where is Jessi?''
''She is in your mother's room looking at her pictures. She must have missed her a lot''
...
The next day.
Paige, Jordan, Joel, Mirabel and Jessi accompanied Carlien, her mother and Lucas to the airport. Today was the day, Carlien was leaving for Country A and Lucas had insisted on going with her and her mother. She didn't stop him because she felt she might need him especially now that she was going to a strange land.
Her cousin, Noah had left already with Cassax before they returned to City B. She was now going to witness his judgement as the crown Queen of Country A.
''I'm going to miss you, Carly'' Paige hugged her best friend.
''I will miss you too, but I will try to hasten everything over there and come back immediately''
''Lucas, take care of Carly for me. I am entrusting her in your care'' Paige said to Lucas.
''Don't worry. I will make sure she is safe all the time and bring her back to City B in one piece''
''Give me a call when you get there'' Jordan said to Lucas.
''Sure''
''Carly, go and come back safely'' Joel said and hugged her.
''En, take care of yourself and Mira too. Jessi, I miss you already''
''Call me when you get to Country A, elder sister''
''I will. You will be the first person I will call''
''Elder brother, please take care of her while you are there. If you lose her to a prince in that land, there won't be any saving grace left for you''
''I'm glad you said that to him, Jessi'' Mirabel added.
''Passengers of Flight TMH COUNTRY A ready to board, please'' They heard the announcement.
''That's our cue to leave. Bye everyone'' Lucas held Carlien's hand and they walked towards Kate who was already in the line checking in.
I can't believe everything that has happened so far'' Paige muttered.
''I know, right?'' Mirabel added.
They watched as the three people checked in and waved their hands at them before going into the boarding sector of the airport.
###
Sitting next to Lucas in the business class of the plane, Carlien held unto his hand tightly. This was the first time she was going to that country and she didn't know how the people were. In just a few months, her life had changed drastically and she hadn't had a break as the secrets surrounding her birth unfold one after another. Now she was going to that country. The place she had escaped from for many years.
Carlien had mixed feelings sitting on the plane. She didn't know exactly what she felt, but looking at the man sitting beside her, she calmed down. ecause he was by her side, she felt she could handle anything that came her way. She was going to find her roots and return back to her normal life. She had made a decision that she didn't want to be a part of the life in Country A.
After discussing with Noah, she had decided to hand over her title to him. After all, he had been with the people and knew them better than she did. If her grandfather wanted to see her, they could arrange for her to visit once or twice every year.
As if the people who wanted her dead. she had already diverse a plan with Lucas and Noah. She was going to pass her own judgement to them personally and make sure her parents could finally rest in peace. She was going to settle all scores with the members of the family who caused her to be separated from her family for so long.
Carlien placed her head on Lucas' shoulder and closed her eyes. He looked at her and smiled. He was finally with her and he was going to make sure he remained a part of her life from that day going.
...
Joel pulled over in front of his new apartment. It was a villa that he had bought in the new Golden holdings estates street.
After renovating and getting it ready, he wanted Mirabel to be the first person to see it, so after seeing Carlien off, he had taken her there.
''Come with me'' he said and held her hand, taking her to the villa. He opened the door and led her inside.
''Whoa, this place is so beautiful'' looking at the choice of colours, she couldn't help but feel that he had used all her favourite colours in the interior designing of the house. She looked at the sofa the hall before moving to the big kitchen.
''Do you like it, or do we have to redecorate it again?'' Joel asked, standing behind her.
''This is your house, why are you asking me? Would you really change it if I were to say that I didn't like it?'' she turned and asked him.