Purple Romance

''She looks so much like the girl you brought here a few years ago, but this one looks genuine and pure. I like her for you''

The girl he came here with a few years ago? Andy looked at Paula as she went to the table with the kids and felt that they had the same facial features. He was surprised he hadn't noticed that before, but she was different. Paula was different from that woman; he could feel it. The latter was calculative while this one was simply pure and innocent.

''I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought her up, Andy. My bad'' Sister Bernice apologised. She knew the kind of scar that woman left in him.

''No, it's alright. but, Paula is different. There aren't a lot of girls like her anymore'' he said looking at Paula. She had warmed up to the kids and were now sharing them the pizza. She had even lifted the youngest one on to her laps and was feeding her.

Glory land orphanage wasn't a government sponsored orphanage hence they lacked a lot of things but since Andy met the sister at a symposium ten years ago, he had been volunteering at the place and also making meaningful donations to help the kids in their daily lives. They were mostly kids abandoned at birth or left by their families, so the sister would often bring them in and take care of them.

''She is good with kids'' Sister Bernice said as she watched Paula curiously.

''I know, right? I didn't think she would bond with them like that''

''Keep her close to you, Andy. If she is someone who means a lot to you, and you are sure of what you want, then let nothing stop you''

''You think too much, Sister Bernice. I got two workers for you over the week, they will report tomorrow and help you take care of the kids''

''Thanks Andy''

Andy went to the table and sat next to Paula. He looked at her saying, ''you are a natural with kids, huh?''

''Don't tease me. But, these kids are so lovable''

''They are indeed''

''Paula, would you mind lending me a hand in the kitchen. The food for the kids is almost ready''

''Sure, sister Bernice'' Paula stood up and whispered something into the little girl's ear and she smiled.

''What did you tell her, she looks happy?'' Andy asked curiously.

''Girl stuff, you don't need to know'' she replied and went towards the kitchen with sister.

''What did she tell you, I will give you a lot of pizza if you tell me?'' Andy attempted to bribe the kid who looked at him with a weird face as if he had committed a grave sin. Andy soon regretted because the little girl was giving him cold vibes. He suddenly like a bad adult taking advantage of a kid.

Andy furrowed his brows, feeling displeased with the way the girl looked at him. He wondered where he went wrong. He felt betrayed and couldn't even vent out. He had been coming here for a long time and had specially bought a lot of things for this two-year-old girl but she had taken the side of Paula whom she had seen just for a few minutes.

''Anna is a loyal girl. She never spills out whatever you tell her'' a five-year-old girl said to Andy.

''I see'' he gave a little girl a side glare and murmured, ''right, she is really loyal for a two-year-old''

Little girl: ''…'' why is author making him take his anger out on me?'' little girl gives author a side glare.

Author: ''…'' author pulls over her quilt to cover her face and murmurs, ''what do you want me to do again? I've already written it''

Paula was helping Sister Bernice dish out the food when the latter asked her, ''isn't Andy amazing? They aren't a lot of men like him around, right?''

Paula wasn't sure she was following her but she still nodded her head, ''yes, he is a good person''

''Really? You think he is a good person too, right?'' Sister Bernice sounded excited as she asked.

''Well, I haven't known him for a long time but I think he is a good person'' Paula was sincere with her words. After knowing him for a few days, she could tell he was a good person. She wanted to give him credit for that. If he weren't a good person, then that night he could have taken advantage of her but he didn't.

''Then, what are your thoughts about him. Doesn't he also look like he will be a capable boyfriend?'' she pulled Paula over to sit down.

''Huh? Sister Bernice, I don't understand''

''Paula, do you have a boyfriend?''

''Huh? No, I don't but…'' Paula didn't complete her sentence before the sister intercepted her.

''That's good. Andy doesn't have a girlfriend either. That boy only knows how to work. I am afraid he will end up alone''

'Sister Bernice, you've misunderstood us. Andy and I are just friends'' Paula tried to explain.

''I know, but tell me honestly, don't you admire him? He is so handsome and well mannered. Our Andy has so many things that are likable about him. If you remain friends with him and don't act, another girl will snatch him away from you''

''Huh?''

''Paula, how old are you?''

''I'm 22 years this year''

''Mmm, Andy is also 32 this year. Do you think that he is too old for you?'' she asked and looked at her face seriously.

''Sister Bernice, the kids are waiting for their food'' Andy walked in interrupting them. Paula looked up at him, meeting his gaze and blushed before turning her face away. She was feeling awkward around. Andy smiled. Actually, he had heard their conversation just now and felt a little awkward too.

Paula took two plates and went out leaving the two alone. Sister Bernice pulled Andy back as he turned to go and said to him.

''Listen, I've planted the idea into her head. You should watch out and see how it grows. Women sometimes don't realise their feelings until it gets deeper. Now that I've planted the thought into her, she will begin to see you in a different light''

''Sister Bernice, she is not ready yet. She just got out of a bad relationship a week ago''

''The more reason why you should act fast and make her yours. Women turn to develop feelings faster for a man who is there for them when they are in some kind of trouble''

''Sister Bernice, let's go now'' Andy felt that even if he spent the whole day explaining the situation to this sister, she still wouldn't be convinced, so he didn't want to waste his energy.

When they reached the hall, they placed the plates on the table and allowed the kids to eat while they stood aside watching them.

''Andy, why don't you take Paula to the pond to look at the fishes. They've grown quite well since you brought them?'' Sister Bernice suggested.

''Do you have a pond here?'' Paula asked.

''Yes, Andy provided us an artificial pond where we rear our fishes. Andy, take her to go and see the fishes''

''Sure, let's go'' Andy turned and Paula followed behind. They went outside and sister Bernice smiled mischievously. In her mind, she was trying her best to set those two up, but she was worried. What if the girl felt that Andy was too old for her? After all, they had a 10-year gap between them. Sister Bernice felt that she needed to do something to help Andy. She was thinking hard about how she was going to help him.

''I didn't know you had this side to you'' Paula said as they walked towards the pond. She had her hands clasped together nervously as she walked.

''What side?''

''I didn't think you were someone who did charity works. But, it's a good thing. I applaud you for that''

''Then, how about giving me a million dollar from your inheritance since you applaud my works?''

Paula stopped walking and turned to face him with a serious expression, ''you are joking, right?''

''I am not''

''Our friendship ends here then''

Andy chuckled and pointed at the pond, ''we are here, daddy's girl'' he said and Paula turned to see the pond. It was well fenced and there were a lot of fishes inside.

''This is so fascinating. Andy, you did a good job with it'' Paula leaned closer to the fence, she stepped on a rock that was close by and Andy held her hand, afraid she would trip and fall.

''Be careful'' he said to her.

''Whoa, look at all the fishes'' Paula smiled as she looked at the fishes.

After making sure she was standing properly on the rock, Andy stepped aside and took out his phone. He watched Paula as she smiled and took a picture.

The shutter sound made her turn and he was able to capture her surprised expression. She looked cute with her bangs rising up due to the wind.

''What are you doing?'' she asked him.