Chapter 57: A little about Paige

"Now, there it is. I caught you right there. My father once told me that every man is suppose to make sure that the woman they are dining with is comfortable and satisfied with their meal first before thinking of themselves.

"No doubt, your father really spoiled you silly. You miss him, don't you?" Simon asked Paige.

"So much." She replied. "You have no idea. He took care of me, catered for all my needs making sure that I never lack a thing. After his death, Stefan took his place in my life." He stared at her in disbelief. "What?" She asked Simon who mumbled a laughter.

"May your food choke you as you're laughing Simon." She told him in anger. 

"No offence Sunflower, but your boyfriend had no place in this conversation." Simon blurted out amid laughter.

"Well, contrary to what you think, he does." Paige replied shoving a large chunk of plantain into her mouth. "He gives me everything I want." She further said.

"What about your needs Sunflower? Does he take care of all your needs too?" Simon asked with an intent eyes.

"What's the difference? Needs, wants. They are all the same." Paige blurted out."

"No, they are not. You know this." He replied. The air in the room suddenly became thick with emotions like impending storm kept in check. Paige's stare blazed at him like a wildfire while Simon stared boldly at her from her angelic face through her body down to her thigh. Paige understood the double meaning of his question, she was not dumb. Maybe he asked such a question because she was all over him in the car earlier today. Maybe that single action of hers is a mistake she seriously need to correct. She adjusted in her seat and stared right back at him.

"The answer is yes, Stefan takes care of all my needs." She replied with strong confidence. She was waiting to hear his come back and she was ready for it. The worst of all, he'll make jest of her via the bills Stefan accumulated for her. That was the most he could do and she was waiting to hear him speak as she had already prepared a comeback line that might knock him straight to a hospital bed.

Simon smiled mischievously. "We ain't fighting Sunflower. I am not an enemy of yours. But I'll sure ask you this same question again by the end of our agreement. Hopefully, you'll be honest enough with me then." He told her with a fierce yet soft toned gaze that instead of putting Paige off, kept drawing her into his magnetic pull rather. Reminding herself that she needed to put herself together and act like a queen that she was, she pulled her brilliant gaze away from his smug expression and focused it on her food. The food was way delicious than what they were used to at the Kentley's Mansion. So, she had no plan of wasting it.

"I'm sorry if what I said got you upset. I was way out of line." Simon apologized seeing that she felt bad.

"I'm not upset Simon." She said dropping her fork. She looked up and met his gaze. "I just think you should allow my relationship with Stefan breath." She told him.

"Relationship? But you said it was over between the both of you." He said pushing his food aside. His face was like that of someone that ate a bitter sauce.

"I also remember perfectly that I told you it wasn't official yet." She replied.

Simon placed his hand on the table and held his head in position with his palms. "What are you saying." He asked in a whisper. You still want him? You wish to remain with him?" 

"You know what, I think I just lost my appetite. I'll just go for a walk. Get some air maybe." Paige said standing up but Simon was quick to rush to her side. He held her arm gently. 

"I'm sorry, I'm an ass, I know this. I am extremely sorry. Forgive me, will you?" He pleaded.

"Fine, but I still need some air." She insisted.

"I'll go with you then." He offered but Paige shook her head in refusal. "I'm not asking." he further told her.

Both of them made their way to the side lounge. The cold air blew caressed their skin. A strand of her hair flew to her face. Simon stared at her from his standing position beside her. Paige shivered in response to the cold air. She changed her mind about taking a walk since she was not properly covered, there is no doubt she might catch a cold if she went ahead. "Let's just sit here." She told him and he nodded in agreement. He already decided within him that there was no way he was going to let her take a walk in what she was wearing. She sat on the lounge chair resting her back on the back rest. Simon covered her exposed thigh with a clean thick blanket that was placed on a side stool beside them. It was a known routine that he love sitting out on the side lounge every evening whenever he visits Lakeview. So, a thick blanket was always made available for him once it was evening.

"Thank you." She told him gratefully. "Your house is so beautiful Simon. There are no right words to describe it's beauty. I've always dreamt of owning a beach house as a teenager. But being here today, I must tell you, I believe my wish came through. Though not in the exact way I wished it. But this is quite okay." She said smiling genuinely.

"Thank you so much. I'm glad you love it." He said trying not to overstretch his luck. Few minutes ago, she was mad at him. So, he felt it more appropriate to tread cautiously. "I heard there are lots of beach houses at Elfer-town though. Is that true?" He asked.

"Yes, there are plenty of them. You'd see them towards the south region of Elfer-town. They are nothing too big. But they are so beautiful. People go there for sight seeing. I love their houses. They are made with bricks and wood. The residents are mostly less the privileged" She said with a distant smile as she remembered her last visit to the River village at Elfer-town.

"Maybe you'll take me there one day." He said. "I'm planning on launching a pet project for the less privileged. That might be the best location for a school, vocational institute, hospitals and more. I can work with some brands to build a facility that rich will want so desperately to access, they might have no choice than to draw the attention of the government to that area. Who knows, good things might follow." He said.

" What? That will be lovely. It's brilliant. Oh my god! You're brilliant Simon." She almost screamed. Simon laughed uncontrollably.

"Thank you." He said. "Such a lovely compliment from a gorgeous lady. So, tell me something." He started. "I've been thinking about this so much. The other day, you told me that you've been threatened with a gun before. How? When was that?" He asked shifting the strand of hair that covered her face.

"I live in a crazy neighborhood. Everything and anything is actually possible in such an environment." She replied.

"I'm listening."

"Listening to what?" She asked laughing.

"Your answer to my question." He replied.

"I have a neighbor that always get beaten by her boyfriend each time he visits. They'd break up after the beating and few days later, you'll see them together again. One particular night, she hit her so bad that she kept screaming and pleading with us to come help her. Nobody paid attention to her. We once called the police on her boyfriend and she denied being beaten by him. Said she fell off the stairs and the neighbors were lying against him. Since then, we all stopped paying attention to her. So that very day, I couldn't help it. I called the police again. Luckily for her, they arrived on time. Barged into the room and rescued her. He was arrested and a restraining order issued. A couple of months later, dude came to my workplace threatening me with a gun. That was my first ever experience. I was terrified. But the security grabbed him before he could do anything stupid. Last I heard, he was in jail." She narrated.

"What about his girlfriend?" 

"She moved to a new place." She replied.

"What is her name?"

"Alexa. Why?" Paige asked him.

"Nothing. I'm just curious." He replied.

"Well, that was not the only time I was threatened with a gun though. Living in a crazy neighborhood comes with it's share of madness. It actually make you strong though. You know, you have that numb feeling when you're faced with danger. You don't focus on the fear rather you find yourself calm and focused on the best way to escape." She smiled innocently.

Simon looked at her and saw under that innocent smile, a girl who have gone through a lot in life. "Let's go on a date tomorrow." Simon said to a surprised Paige.

"What do you want Simon?" Paige asked him. She'd be lying If she said she doesn't feel the connection between them and she honestly needed him to state what he really want from her.