You'll Say Yes (27 page)

All the guests clapped their hands, including me and Joshua. A soft melody was heard from the speaker and I frowned while Joshua was grinning at me.

"You promise me a dance, Abby."

I rolled my eyes. "No, you promise to hold me all night."

He smirked and leaned down to my ear. I almost gasped when I could feel his warm breath tickled my ear. "That's a deal. Besides, I can continue to hold you in the bed."

I was positive my face was red as a fire car.

He chuckled and led me to the dance floor. I knew I couldn't pull away; he'll drag me back in one way or another. He turned around to face me and wrapped his arm to my waist while his other hand held my hand. I remembered the last time we danced like this, at the reunion. I didn't love him at that time. That was why this dance was so different. We stared at each other deeply and he leaned down to give me a soft kiss. He rested his forehead to mine.

"You are so beautiful tonight," He said softly. A small smile crept in the corner of his lips.

I raised my eyebrows. "Just tonight?"

He chuckled. "Let me rephrase, then. You are so beautiful and not just tonight."

I pursued my lips. "That's better."

We both laughed and fell silent again.

And then he sighed and looked at me. "Abby, I want to ask you something."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Was this something to do with his strange demeanor all day long? "Ask me what, Joshua?"

He looked at me deeply. "Abby, I know we're just acquaintances for couple months even though we're already knew each other since our childhood, but, I love you, Abby. So much and...I don't know...somehow I feel that...you love me too."

I froze.

"Sometimes when we kissed, I could feel your love surged throughout my body. When we lay in bed together, I've always found myself get closer to you. It seems we have some kind of magnetic pull to each other."

I blinked several times. He felt that, too?

He took a deep breath. "Abby, I just want to ask you one question. Just to make it official and you don't have to answer it right now if you don't want to."

Wait! What question? My eyes widened. Suddenly I realized something.

Is he...is he going to...propose to me? Now?

Sensing my turmoil expression, Joshua held both my hand and looked at my eyes. "Abigail Bennett, will you-"

"Joshua!"

Joshua seemed startled and I blinked several times from the intense moment. We both turned our heads to see a woman in a red dress smiling at us, well, actually, smiling at Joshua. I was surprised to see his reaction. He quickly turned around and grabbed my waist. His face was hard and emotionless. I didn't understand at all. I looked back to the woman. As she walking close to us, I could see her appearance now. She was beautiful, with blue eyes and a strawberry blonde hair. A shiver ran down my spine when I looked at her smile. It was a longing smile and I instantly knew the woman has set his eyes on Joshua too.

She raised her arms to hug Joshua, but he flinched. The woman's smile disappeared and realized Joshua stood next to me.

She gave me a coy smile and looked back to Joshua. "So, you've found her?"

Joshua tightened his hold on my waist. "Yes," He answered sharply.

She sighed. "Don't you want to give me a hug, Joshua? We were good friends back in Canada."

Everything stopped when she mentioned Canada. A realization dawned to me.

Canada.

Good friend.

My face turned pale. I remembered Joshua told me about one of his friends who told him that she liked him, but he refused her. I turned to Joshua sharply.

He didn't look at me, but I was sure he knew I was looking at him. He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes. "We're never in terms of good friends. You were hovering me because you think you could keep me as your lovely companion..."

Joshua's face was hard when he said the woman's name.

"Natalia."

So, her name is Natalia.

Natalia smiled timidly and cast a glance at me. "And this must be Abby."

"Yes," Joshua answered for me.

I was still standing silently. I didn't know how to react this time. I could feel they had a unique relationship, more like a love and hate thing. Joshua seemed to think Natalia as just his old acquaintance while Natalia still had hope she could win Joshua's heart.

I shuddered mentally.

"It's so wonderful to see you here, Joshua. I was looking for you last year, but you didn't attend the gala. I missed you," Natalia said sweetly.

It made my body shiver.

"Will you excuse us, Natalia?" Joshua tugged my waist tenderly and I followed him in a daze.

We walked out from the huge building and to the corner. I still didn't say anything. Natalia's smile replayed over and over in my mind. Somehow I felt my life was going to be much harder the next day.

"Abby, are you all right?" Joshua asked me worriedly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that she'll be here." He sighed exasperatedly.

I didn't answer him. A strange feeling crept into my chest. I didn't like the way she looked at Joshua, I didn't like the way she acted like she was Joshua's former lover and mostly I didn't like the fact she has feelings for Joshua. I didn't understand this emotion. Some mix of anger and a little bit possessiveness.

I blinked several times when I realized what those feelings are.

I was jealous.

"Abby?"

I turned to look at him. He looked at me with a pained expression. Suddenly, I felt anger surged to my body. I narrowed my eyes. "Is that why you were acting strange all day? You knew she was going to come here, didn't you?"

"What?" Joshua asked me in a shock.

"Just tell me the truth, Joshua." Somehow it was funny to see the table was turned. He once yelled at me because of Ryan and now I yelled at him because of Natalia. "Naive I may be, but I am not stupid," I spat at him.

Joshua's jaw clenched and his eyes turned dark. In normal situation I should be scared, but now, I was angry too. "I didn't lie to you, Abby. I was acting strange because I wanted to ask you something, but she interrupted me. I don't know she's going to be here."

My face was hard now. "Why is she here anyway? What is it with her and the hospital?"

He sighed. "I must admit I forgot to consider that part. Natalia's father runs a medical company in Canada. Her father's company must have a business relationship with this hospital."

"She knows you're here, Joshua. She won't stop until she could get you. Can you see that?" I stated a matter of fact and it made me worry too.

"I know, Abby," He shouted at me.

Silence.

I could only hear our hard breathing.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I was so stupid. I shouldn't have brought you here. We weren't supposed to be here. I'm sorry."

My shoulders slumped. "We can't turn back time, Joshua. We just have to deal with it."

He took a step closer and hugged me. I didn't return his hug for a moment before I gingerly raised my arms and hugged his waist. He sighed when he felt I returned his hug. He kissed my hair.

"I know that too, Abby. But, please remember something. I love you and not even Natalia can replace you."

I knew that, but I also knew that simple fact won't stop Natalia.

After our small 'talk', we walked back inside the building and Joshua spoke with the hospital's head. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Natalia was eyeing the both of us. Joshua didn't let me go until the valet brought his car and now here we are...on our way home.

I stared blankly at the road, trying to digest the previous event. I've never seen Joshua act like that before, even if that someone annoyed the hell out of him. It seemed there was something about him and Natalia. I didn't dare to ask him, though; this was not the right time. I swallowed back my tears. Why must everything come to this? First, it's Ryan and now, Natalia. I could deal with Ryan, because I didn't like him at all and we barely knew each other. But, Natalia was different. She was there when Joshua went through his elementary and junior high time; the time when we were separated. Surely, she knew a lot about Joshua more than I did. We were just getting to know each other again and it was nothing to compare the times they spent together in Canada. I fisted my fingers in my gown unconsciously when I experienced the familiar jealousy surged to my body again.

I felt the car pulled into a stop and I realized that we were already in our apartment garage. Joshua shut off the engine, but neither of us attempted to move from our spot. We sat there in silence for a moment before I unlocked the door and got out from the car. I slammed the door shut and walked to our room. I didn't turn back, but I could hear another door was slammed shut and I instantly knew Joshua was doing the same. I unlocked our apartment door and flipped the light on. I walked straight to my room and closed the door behind me. I changed my clothes and brushed my teeth. Joshua was already in his room when I returned to mine. I glanced swiftly to his closed door and smiled slightly. Perhaps he wanted to be alone tonight. I sighed sadly and got in into my room. I curled up in my bed and finally, I let out the sob I was holding.

God must hate me right now.

God must be punishing me for ignoring Joshua previously. He was trying to prove himself to me, but I stubbornly denied it.

And now, when I've realized I love him, someone from his past stood in front of us.

Pathetic.

I was busy letting out my frustration and didn't realize my bed was shifting slightly. Suddenly, I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist and I gasped in surprise. I turned around slowly to see Joshua looking at me in a worried and pained expression. He already removed his black suit, but still wearing the white shirt and the trousers. His hair was messy; perhaps he ran his hands several times through it. I choked back a sob before I buried my face to his chest. He enveloped me on a hug and kissed my hair.

We didn't say anything, just held each other all night.

~O~

I woke up in Sunday morning at 07:30 am. Joshua was staying in my room and he was still asleep when I glanced at my BlackBerry screen. He didn't change his clothes last night, so he fell asleep with his shirt and his trousers. He looked so peaceful although his shirt was already wrinkled and not in a good shape anymore. I loosened myself from his arm and he just shifted slightly, before returning to his deep slumber. I got up from my bed and took a quick shower. I changed my clothes and got out to the kitchen to make some breakfast.

I glanced at my room on my way to the kitchen and found him still asleep. I smiled slightly and started to make a breakfast. A sound of a vibrating phone startled me. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked around the kitchen to find the phone. My sight landed on the dining table. That was Joshua's phone. The light from the screen indicated he had a text message. I watched the phone intently until the light was dead. I didn't want to interfere with his private life, but somehow I felt that I needed to read the text message. I took the phone with shaking hands and pressed the button.

A text message from a random number.

I swallowed hard and pressed the open button to read the message.

Morning, my dear Joshua. I hope you're already awake this morning. How about we take a walk at the park? It's been so long since the last time I saw you before you moved from Canada. I missed you terribly. -Natalia-

I nearly dropped the phone. My breath caught in my throat. My whole body was trembling and I tossed the phone back to the dining table. It landed with a thud. I clutched the edge of the table with shaking hands. I was starting to hyperventilate.

What happened?

Is this what they do back in Canada?

How close are they?

How come he never told me about this?

And how did she find out Joshua's number?

I could answer the last question.

It was easy, though, she could tell Joshua's colleagues that she was his old friend or old...acquaintance.

I could feel all the air left my lungs. My legs wobbled and I slumped on the floor. I rested my head on one of table's feet and closed my eyes. Joshua told me there was nothing between him and Natalia. I trusted him. But, somehow I felt he isn't completely honest with me either. What should I do? Everything was perfect before she came along. I wanted to talk with him about my transfer, but how could I speak with him in this situation?

God, I really hate this situation.

I needed to get out from here.

I opened my eyes and stood on my feet. I stormed to my room and grabbed my laptop along with my purse and my jacket. I glanced briefly to Joshua who still sleeping peacefully in my bed. I took a deep breath and got out from my room.

I rode my car to a coffee shop in town. I didn't tell Joshua about this place and I was praying he didn't find me here. The smell of coffee and the change of scenery calmed my erratic mood. I turned on the laptop and fiddling around on the internet. I idly searched information about my company's offices in England and New York. My eyes widened when I saw the pictures. They had a big building in each place with a conference hall and studio. I was considering myself to accept Mr. Smith's offer before I remembered Natalia. I frowned. How could I leave Joshua here to deal with her? God knew what she will do to him while I'm gone. But, is it worth it if I pass this opportunity so I could keep Joshua with me? What if he changed his mind someday? What is left for me then?

Oh, come on, Abby. He loves you; he won't do that to you.

Yeah, but, people change.

I sighed and covered my face with my hands. What should I do now? How I must bring this conversation to Joshua? I sighed and took a sip from my crème latte cup. Suddenly, I've got a message from my Skype account that I had an invitation to chat from someone. I remembered Thomas was the one who set the Skype system to my laptop when he visited me after my arrival from the hospital. I never used it until now. I furrowed my eyebrows and clicked the link to find out who was the one to invite me. I was hoping it was not Ryan. I couldn't stand it now.

A box popped up in my screen and a face that was so familiar to me appeared in the box.

"Abby!"

I laughed when I saw Stella. It looked like she was in her apartment because I could see the interior of her studio. I recognized her studio from the pictures she sent to me when I started my job in Seattle.

"Hi, Stella." I didn't realize I missed her so much.

"How are you?" Her voice doesn't seem to affect other guests at the cafe. They were all busy with their own world. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I smiled grimly. "I'm fine. Wow, you're already awake. It's Sunday."

She laughed. "I just had a lot of work to do and decided to take a break and then I saw you're online. I didn't know you have a Skype."

"Yeah, Thomas, my neighbor, installed it for me on my laptop as a welcoming present after my arrival from the hospital."

"I see," She said and she looked at me thoughtfully. "Where are you, Abby? You're not in your room? It looks like you're in a cafe or something. Are you there with Joshua?"

I sighed and rubbed my temples. "No. I'm alone."

Stella sensed the change in my expression and she looked at me with her blue eyes. "Abby, is there something wrong?"

I leaned my back to my chair and chuckled darkly. "Lots of things are going wrong, Stella. I'm confused."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Do you want to talk about that? Or would you rather chat with me not from Skype?"

I chewed my bottom lip. "Not from Skype."

Stella nodded. "Okay, then."

I nodded back and disconnected the connection. I opened my MSN account and seconds later Stella buzzed me. I told her about my impending transfer, my developed feelings for Joshua, and our decisions for the future and mostly about Natalia.

pixie-girl: Did you talk to Joshua after what happened yesterday?

blushing_klutz: No, not yet.

pixie-girl: Why?

blushing_klutz: *pout* He seems to be not in the mood to talk.

pixie-girl: *rolling her eyes* And what about you? Are you in the mood to talk?

I paused a moment and bit my lip. I should have known myself better. I was the one who didn't want to talk about that. It was because I was afraid everything will be different after I told him I love him. Will he change? Will he still care for me and still become the loving person? Will he still want me over Natalia? I shuddered when I remembered Joshua almost proposed to me last night.

pixie-girl: He loves you, Abby. Remember what I've told you that he'll jump off a cliff if you asked him to?

I laughed lightly.

blushing_klutz: Yeah, I remember.

pixie-girl: I think this is the time you test my theory *wink* And trust me, everything will be fine if you talk to him and listen to him. Remember, I can see *tapping her temple*