You'll Say Yes (18 page)

I shook my head. "It was a gift."

"A gift?"

"A bet. I made a bet with one of my friends. Whoever graduated first, we had to give a present. I wanted the DVDs and my friend wanted a one way ticket to France. I think you  know who won."

He frowned. "A friend or...?"

I smiled and leaned away from his shoulder to look at him. His eyes were guarded. "Well, he did ask me on a date. But, it didn't make it to the second date."

He exhaled. "Wow, I have a lot of competition."

I giggled. "There's no competition." And then I remembered about the girl he once talked about. I frowned.

"Abby?" He pressed the pause button on the remote and looked into my eyes. "What is it?"

I sighed. "The girl you've been talking about...who is she?"

Joshua looked at me deeply and sighed. "She is one of my father's colleagues' daughters. We went to school together in Canada. At the end of my junior high, she told me she liked me. I apologized to her, telling her that my heart belonged to someone else."

"And how did she cope with that?" I asked, worriedly.

"I never heard from her anymore. She was just a friend. Nothing more."

I nodded slowly.

Joshua smiled and kissed my forehead. "I love you, Abby, and nothing can ever change that." A shiver ran through my body when he said that.

I smiled weakly.

Joshua grinned and grabbed the remote. "Shall we continue?"

I nodded again and we settled back onto the mattress. I didn't know how long we stayed awake before we both fell asleep.

I never imagined that I'd live or share an apartment with someone, even if he is your fiancé. Well, technically he is my fiancé, although he hasn't popped the big question yet. I knew he is waiting for me to love him back and be able to accept our relationship. The first night after we moved in, we had fallen asleep on the mattress that was lying on the living room floor. I woke up startled when I realized there was someone next to me. I needed to calm down when I saw that it was Joshua that was lying next to me, sleeping peacefully.

Other things with living with another person, was learning to share. We had one bathroom, so Joshua and I had a conversation about our personal 'space' in there. I also reminded myself not to leave my...personal...items in the bathroom as well. We also shared our belongings. After the first night, we had a discussion about where we should arrange our stuff. We both brought our own kitchen appliances and electronic devices. Finally, we both agreed to put all the kitchen appliances in our kitchen while I put my old TV and my DVD player in my room. I couldn't let the plasma TV and Joshua's fancy stereo to stay in his bedroom, such a waste.

Most shocking is how different our habits are. I was more of a free spirit and not a neat freak, the opposite of how Joshua is. His room was neat and clean while my room sometimes looked like a carnival, especially when I needed to stay up late with my laptop; working. So far Joshua has never complained about it, but sometimes I felt that he just held his grudge in his heart. I was trying to talk about it to him and finally after admitting his objection with my habit, we had one conclusion. If I didn't have time to clean up my mess, I'll leave a note. Shocker, I know! I was worried he'd love me less, but as the days progressed, Joshua was starting to get used to my habits. Besides he knew I would clean the apartment even if it was once a week with my schedule. I also found out what happened to his other bed. He said to me he was shipped the bed to his home in Long Beach.

My parents and Joshua's parents already knew about our new apartment. My mom whined all the time about sending her pictures of our new place. Finally, we gave up and Joshua sent the pictures to her e-mail.

I also found out a bit about Joshua's job as a doctor. Sometimes he went early in the mornings, but he always left a note when he had to go to the hospital, if I wasn't awake yet. Also sometimes he would go in the middle of the night and would come home the next day. I've tried to cook for him whenever he was home. He always smiled when he saw me, but I knew he was exhausted. I couldn't imagine how he had managed his time with the hospital while visiting my place when we lived apart. I felt awful when I remembered how rude I was at that time.

As for my job, apparently the book launching was cancelled for another week. That was why Joshua worked in the hospital with his regular schedule. I was still working with the new author. I met her in a meeting and she was a nice person. She was fluent in conversation, but not in writing. Well, not all people are perfect, right? The news about the new offices was still haunting the work environment. Everyone suddenly turned to be a good worker, including my co-worker, Camila. Normally she was not so enthusiastic about her job. I knew she never wanted to be an editor, she always dreamt to have a big career in New York or in Europe. That was why she wanted the position badly. As for me, I was just enjoying my work with my author. I also learned some interesting things from her cultural believes.

It was Thursday today and I went home at 6.00 pm, exhausted and sleepy. You named it. I was helping my previous author to prepare her book launching. It was going to be held in the main bookstore in town. I reminded myself to tell Joshua later. Hopefully he could come with me. I parked my sedan in the parking lot and was surprised to see Joshua's car. He was supposed to be in the hospital, I felt anxious immediately. Was he sick? I climbed out from my sedan and started to walk to the apartment building when I felt a gentle tug in my hand. I looked down and I saw a boy with light brown hair and hazel eyes smiling at me with a sunflower in his hand. I smiled back to him.

"Hello, Joshua."

"Hi, Abby."

I looked around. "Where's your mom? It's almost dark, you should be inside right now."

He grinned. "My mom knows I want to visit you. I saw you when you were moving with him. Is he your boyfriend?"

I chuckled. "No. He's my fiancé." I felt a strange feeling when I said the word.

Little Joshua seemed to be thinking. "What does fiancé means?"

I laughed. "Why don't you ask your mother about that? Now, go home. It's getting dark."

He nodded and handed me the sunflower. I smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Joshua." Somehow I didn't feel exhausted anymore.

He grinned and ran back to his apartment building.

I shook my head and started to walk to my own building again. I unlocked my door and was surprised when I saw our dining room. Our dining table was decorated with two candles. The light was dim and a wonderful scent filled the room. I blinked several times and rubbed my eyes. This was the right room, wasn't it?

I looked around. "Joshua?"

He appeared from the kitchen with a deep blue shirt and jeans. I mustered all of my strength not to fall to my knees when I saw him. I had told you before; living with him was not good for my health.

He smiled and kissed my forehead. "Welcome home, dear Abby."

I looked at him stupidly. "Um...what happened here? Aren't you supposed to be at the hospital?"

He chuckled and took my bag. He frowned when he saw the sunflower. "Did Joshua give you another flower?”

I looked at the sunflower and giggled. I've already told Joshua about little Joshua, but he was still felt irritated towards the boy. "Yes. He gave it to me in the parking lot. He was sweet."

He took the sunflower from my hand and put it in a vase. I raised my eyebrow. "I thought you didn't like it when I received the flower."

"Yes, but this Joshua gave it to you. That means you are special to him and this flower reminds me how special you are to me." He smiled.

My heart swelled with a feeling I didn't know. How this man could ever loved me was beyond my imagination. He could choose anyone better than me, but instead he still wanted me. I smiled weakly. "Thank you."

Joshua smirked. "And of course, I will not let this little flower ruin our night."

My smiled disappeared and I furrowed my eyebrows. "What night?"

Joshua grinned. He took my hand and guided me to the dining room chair and pulled it out for me to sit down on it. He disappeared into the kitchen and came out with two plates in his hands. I was surprised when I saw the food.

"Beef stroganoff?" I asked in surprised tone.

He nodded. "I remembered that when I took you for lunch after the first time we met again, that was your order. So, I learned to cook it myself."

A warm feeling surged through my body. I chuckled happily. No man ever did this to me. "It's very nice of you, Joshua. Thank you once again."

He smiled. "Come on, let's have our dinner."

I nodded and we ate in silence. Joshua had cooked a fabulous dinner. He was not only good in the medical field, but also in the kitchen. After finishing our meal, Joshua offered his hand to me and I took it generously. He guided me to the living room and pressed a button on the remote. A soft melody came from the speakers. I looked at him questioningly. He smiled once again and offered his hand other to me.

"May I have this dance?"

I chuckled lightly and gladly took his other hand. One of his arms circled around my waist were he rested his hand at and the other one held my hand. Our gaze met and under the dim light, I could see his hazel eyes filled with love. My heart did that erratic rhythm again and it was a good thing Joshua held me tight. I was not sure I'd be able to stand if he didn't.

"So, what is the special occasion?" I asked in low voice.

He smiled. "I just wanted to spend my time with you, Abby. We haven't had that much time together lately. Today, I changed my shift with one of my co-workers, so I can cook you dinner."

"Your cooking is wonderful. Thank you, Joshua."

"Anything for you."

I nodded and laid my head onto his chest.

"How's work?" He asked in low voice.

I sighed. "Hectic, as always. And I have to attend the book launching this weekend. Will you go with me?"

"Of course. This Saturday happens to be my day off. I'll spend it with you all day long."

I nodded again. He rested his chin in the top of my head and we were continued to sway with the music until it was over. We both stopped and Joshua looked at me in the eyes.

"I want to give you something."

I blinked several times.

He leaned away from our embrace and pulled out something from his jeans pocket. I gasped silently.

My eyes widened.

My heart beat sped up again.

He didn't...

He opened a ring box and showed me the ring. "It's a promise ring." I sighed internally. "Actually, I want to give you the engagement ring, but I know you're not ready yet."

Excellent observation there.

He pulled out the ring from the box and with his other hand; he put the box back to his pocket. He held my hand and looked at my eyes. "With this ring, I promise you my heart and my love. I will always be yours and I am yours." He slipped the ring into my third finger and kissed the back of my hand. "Until the end of time, I will always love you."

The ring was beautiful, with the black band and a dark stone. The color was just like his piercing eyes. I was speechless, I couldn't say a thing. My eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. For all the love in the world, I really didn't deserve this man. I mustered all of my strength to say what I felt for him.

"Joshua," My voice was thick with tears. "Thank you for loving me. Thank you for...staying with me...all these years. Please, just please...wait for me to...love you."

The traitor tears fell on my cheeks. I felt happy and confused. Happy because his revelation was overwhelming and confused because I couldn't think clearly about what I felt for him right now. Everything seemed to mix around.

Joshua wiped the tears and hugged me. I hugged him back with all my strength. "I told you before, Abby. I will wait forever for you to love me."

I sobbed silently. Joshua leaned back and looked at my face. He wiped the tears once again and this time I didn't know what power was coming from my body, because the next thing I know I was pulling him down for a kiss. He responded by wrapped his arms on my waist while I knotted my fingers to his beautiful hair. Our kiss grew deeper and suddenly I felt him lifted me up by my waist and pressed me into the wall. I poured out all my unknown feelings, my admiration and my remorse through my kiss. We kissed passionately until we had to break apart for air. We were both panting and Joshua leaned his forehead to mine. He closed his eyes and trying to control his breathing.

"That...was..."

"Amazing," I finished the sentence for him.

He shook his head and opened his eyes. They were still dark with passion. His lips were swollen from our kiss and I was sure my lips were too. "Incredible," His voice was husky.

He kissed me again before I could protest and I kissed him back automatically. His hands started to roam over my body, until I felt he started to caress the bare skin on my back. The consciousness returned immediately. I gently pushed him away.

"No, Joshua. Please...not like this."

"Why?" He looked at me lovingly, and I had to control my feelings so I wouldn't to fall for his charm. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for you, I want you."

I swallowed hard and put my hands on his chest. "Please, Joshua, for me?" I looked at him pleadingly.

He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths before finally looking at me in my eyes again. His eyes turned to the normal green. He sighed. "I don't know how long I can take this. You are so desirable, Abby."

I smiled and gave him a chaste kiss. "Just be patient, all right"

He smiled back and kissed my forehead. "Anything for you, dear."

~O~

The next day, Joshua had to leave to the hospital early. He had left a note saying he'll be late for dinner and told me not to wait for him. Honestly, I was feeling grateful because I still couldn't figure out how I was supposed to act around him now after our kiss. The kiss was like heaven, it lit a fire inside my body and I knew it was not a good sign at all. I was growing more and more attracted to him.

I left to work in a gloom mood. Feeling exhausted from the turmoil emotions and confused with my current relationship status. I was feeling more like a friend with benefits or a supposed fiancée with benefits. I sighed and frowned. Thankfully, today I didn't have to work very hard and decided to leave early. I walked out from my office at 4:30 pm and decided to go to the coffee shop. I brought my laptop with me because I knew I could try the Wi-Fi from that place.

I settled at down in my usual spot and turned my laptop on. I checked my phone and it was about dead because the battery was so low. I sighed and put my phone back into my bag. Before turning on the Wi-Fi, I went to order my usual order of coffee. Apparently, I was not that lucky. 15 minutes passed, but I still wouldn't manage to turn on the Wi-Fi. I sighed in frustration.