You'll Say Yes (43 page)

Finally, Carissa hugged me again for the last time. "Au revoir, Abby. Il est tres agreable de vous rencrontrer."

I smiled and released her hug. "Au revoir."

We watched Carissa family's car strolled away from the parking lot. And then William and Farah said goodbye to us too. They said they wanted to spend the time together while Joshua rolled his eyes from the statement. I didn't think I wanted to know what the meaning behind it was.

We returned to our apartment after saying goodbye to Joshua's parents. He didn't speak much with me during dinner and it made me worried. Was he angry because I never told him about my French? It's not a big deal after all; I've learned French from one of my authors when I worked with her.

Joshua drove the Vanquish at the garage and opened the passenger door for me. He still didn't speak with me and I repressed the urge to ask him. He seemed thoughtful and I sighed internally. I opened the front door and turned the light on when suddenly Joshua kicked the door shut and pushed me into the wall.

"Wha-"

He attacked my lips fiercely and I kissed him back almost automatically. My fingers knotted in his hair and he lifted me so I was straddling him. He broke the kiss and looked at me hungrily.

"You never told me you can speak French," He accused me.

I blinked; still trying to control my breathing and remembering what just happened. "Uh...one of my authors taught me," I answered breathlessly.

"But, still you never told me."

I smiled slightly and stroked his cheek. He trembled slightly under my touch. "Do you remember the story about the bundling board?"

He pursed his lips and then his eyes lit up. "Ah, the 16th century custom, yes. Why?"

I shrugged. "Well, the setting of the story is in France and some of the dialogues are in French, so I learned to speak French from my author."

He smiled coyly. "You never ceased to amaze me, Abby, and you know what? I love you so much for that."

I giggled and leaned to whisper in his ear, "Is that the only reason why you love me?"

"Of course not," He whispered back and I shivered when I felt his warm breath in my ear.

I smiled and suddenly jumped from my previous position. I kissed him briefly. "Come on. Let's go to sleep."

He grinned and kissed me back. "Je t'aime, Abby."

I chuckled lightly and leaned my forehead to his. "Je t'aime aussie, mon cher."

French Dictionary

Ce doit être Abby = This must be Abby.

Oui, Madame McLaren = Yes, Mrs. McLaren.

Parlez-vous Français? = Do you speak French?

Pas couramment. Seulement les bases = Not fluently. Only the basics.

Il est tres agreable de vous rencontrer = It's very nice to meet you.

Le plaisir est le mien = The pleasure is mine.

Tu es belle, Abby = You are beautiful, Abby.

Merci = Thank you.

Bienvenue dans la famille, Abby = Welcome to the family, Abby.

Merci, Carissa = Thank you, Carissa.

Au revoir = Goodbye.

Je t'aime, Abby = I love you, Abby.

Je t'aime aussie, mon cher = I love you too, my dear.

After the meeting with his aunt, Joshua seemed a little bit relaxed. We decided to have a lazy Sunday and did nothing; only staying in the apartment, watching movies and just cuddled each other. I told him about what Carissa told me and he seemed shock at first. But, he understood why his aunt acted that way.

"We, The Walsh men, are having a high pride. I think that was what I saw from my grandfather before he passed away. But, my father never taught me that way. Well...he tried...once, but I was too stubborn to listen to him and I was grateful for that," Joshua explained to me when we cuddled in the living room. He put the stereo on with classical music and the soft melody filled the room.

I raised my eyebrows. "I don't understand."

He sighed. "It was all in the past now and I don't want to talk about it anymore."

I was getting more curious. What could possibly cause him to be that way? I sat up straight on the mattress. "What is it?" I asked sternly.

Joshua took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She already ruined our lives, Abby, and I almost lost you because of her. So, please, I don't want to talk about her anymore."

I shivered.

He must be talking about the time when his parents tried to pair him up with that woman. If I remembered Carissa's story, Joshua probably would be ready to cut all of the connections from his family if his parents didn't approve of me. I trembled slightly. I understood now how Joshua will sacrifice everything just to be with me and my love for him swelled in my chest.

"Abby? Baby?"

I felt he shook my shoulders gently. I blinked and slowly raised my eyes to meet his. He looked at me with guarded expression.

"I'm sorry if I talk-"

I put a finger on his lips and he went silent. I sighed and leaned my head to his chest.

"Please, tell me what's on your mind, my dear. I promised myself not to talk about her anymore, but I'm breaking my own promise. I'm a bad person."

I smiled slightly and leaned away to look at him. I stroked his cheek while he looked at me tenderly. "I was thinking about you."

His eyebrows shot up. "Me?"

I nodded. "What would happen with you if William didn't approve of me? Will you end up like Carissa? Cutting away all the connections from your family? Will you be happy with your decision?"

Joshua went still for a moment before he chuckled and pulled me back to his chest. He kissed my hair. "I told you before, Abby. I'll risk anything to be with you. Even if my dad didn't approve of you, I still have my own way to live with you and hopefully I have my own ever after."

I took a deep breath. "You will forgive your aunt, won't you?" I really wished that he would.

Joshua smiled. "Of course, Abby. There's nothing to forgive. I understand why my dad told me the story and why my aunt decided to tell you."

I blinked. "Really?"

He nodded slowly and leaned his head on top of mine. "My dad did that to protect my aunt. They are apart for years and my dad didn't know when he could meet again with his sister. So, when she suddenly wanted to meet us, he was scared too. He was afraid she will speak some negative things about The Walsh family. Mostly if my aunt speaks about that in front of you."

He sighed. "I guess even my aunt can see how pure your heart is and she decided to tell you the truth. When I first saw her, I knew she is not a bad person. It's just I didn't expect her to speak French in front you," He turned his head to look at me. "And mostly I never knew my fiancée could speak French."

I grimaced while he chuckled and kissed my forehead briefly.

I leaned back to his chest and my fingers playing with the fabric of his T-shirt. I understood everything now. William loved Carissa and he protected his sister by telling some stories about her. In the process, he was afraid if Carissa changed and ended up giving a bad impression to The Walsh family. Apparently, Carissa was not as shallow as he thought. She was a wise woman and she still loves her family, even though she didn't see them often. Besides, she was still a Walsh.

"Your family is wonderful," I said slowly.

I could feel he chuckled and I raised my head to see him. His piercing green eyes stared back at me. I smiled and kissed him softly. He kissed me back deeply and hugged me tighter. I broke the kiss and said on his lips, "I love you."

Joshua smiled. "I love you too. So much."

~O~

The next day, I returned to my own schedule and so did Joshua. He still didn't receive the news from Harvard and started to apply to other university, as I suggested, even though deep inside my heart I knew he will study back to Harvard and I will support him no matter what. But, we couldn't just trust on our instinct, right? Our relationship slowly returned to normal. He didn't speak about his proposal anymore and he didn't ask me to return my engagement ring so I still wore the ring until now.

I worked again with Kelly and some news about the other candidates who got lucky to be placed at England and New York already spread. I knew some of them and I knew they were deserved it. Jessica surprisingly didn't make it and she was disappointed about that. Sometimes I heard she was babbling to herself about wanting to quit from the office and tried to find a better career.

It was on Wednesday when I received a call from the front office. The receptionist told me someone wanted to see me. I checked the digital clock on my BlackBerry; it read 11 am. There was no way Joshua will visit me in this hour. I told the receptionist to ask the person to wait for me. I got out from my booth and walked to the elevator. I pressed the button to the ground floor and waited for a moment until I heard the 'ding' sound. The elevator door opened and I walked to the front desk. I froze when the receptionist showed me the person.

She smiled and rose from her seat. She wore casual clothes; opposite from me who wore the working outfit. Her strawberry hair was pulled in a barrette and she looked beautiful.

"Abby, it's very nice to meet you...well, properly," She said to me.

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you doing in here?"

Natalia laughed nervously. "I just want to talk to you, besides it's nearly lunch time. You don't mind, do you?"

I stared at her blankly. What could she possibly think now? And how did she know where I work? I almost rolled my eyes.

Helena, of course.

"I'm not really hungry," I said to her. I still remembered the last time I had lunch with Riley and it didn't end well. I didn't want another repeat performance.

Natalia smiled grimly. "Okay, then. But, please can I talk to you? In the park, perhaps?"

My eyes narrowed slightly. The closest park was half an hour on foot. "We could go to the park on foot, if you don't mind," I told her.

She nodded slowly. "Of course not."

I started to walk outside; followed by Natalia. We didn't speak at all during our walk. I racked my brain for some possible scenarios on why she asked to speak with me right now. She could be asking me to stay away from Joshua or maybe told me she had a special bond with him or things like that. I shuddered. I wished I could read her mind right now.

We arrived at the park and I chose to sit on the bench near lots of people. It was already noon and the weather was getting hot, it was a good thing the bench was under a tree. Natalia sat next to me and we both just sat next to each other for a moment; looking to the people around us.

"Thank you for coming here with me," She said.

I didn't answer her. I just wanted to hear what she's going to say.

"I'm sure you want to know why I visited you today in your office."

I stared at a couple in front of me. They were sitting on a huge blanket with picnic baskets and they looked so happy. I heard her sigh.

"I just want to say I'm sorry," Natalia continued.

I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to look at her. She smiled at me. "You must know that I knew Joshua since my childhood, although you might know him too. He was different from other boys that I befriended." Natalia turned to look at the couple in front of us. "He never said I am beautiful or looked like he was happy when he saw me. The other boys always said I'm pretty and they will fight for my attention."

I turned my attention back to the couple. They were still eating their lunch together.

"I know he doesn't like me, but I always told myself I will make him mine someday."

I clenched my fist unconsciously, but I still didn't say anything.

Natalia chuckled lightly. "But, everything that I've done was nothing. He knew I like him more than friend. When I boldly told him that he felt the same way, Joshua just went silent. And then he said something that really broke my heart."

Silence.

Natalia took a deep breath. "I still remember what he said that day. He said 'I'm sorry, Natalia, but I've already love someone.'"

Again, another silence.

"I didn't trust him that time. I mean, how could that be? How could he love someone so deeply when he was the same age as mine? Where did he meet this girl?" She laughed lightly. "When I asked him about the girl, he never gave me his answer. I think he knows I will try to make him forget about the girl. He just told me that her name is Abby."

I took a deep breath.

"I was furious. I was angry. I couldn't imagine Joshua could fall for someone besides me. My female ego was wounded. I wanted to know everything about her. How could she catch his heart? What did she do to get his attention?"

I smiled slightly. Actually, that was the questions I often asked to myself. But, I didn't need answers anymore. I knew he loved me.

"And then I met Kimberly."

I went rigid.

"We're not close, but I like having a friend like her. I guessed we both feel rejected by Joshua, but with different reasons. She told me that she knew you and she told me about you. I guessed her jealousy foreshadowed her own opinion about you and I became more confident that I am more beautiful than you."

I took a deep breath and so did Natalia.

"And then I met you for the first time at the gala. I knew at that time there was no place for me in Joshua's heart and what Kimberly told me about you, it was all wrong."

She paused.

From my peripheral vision, I could see she was looking at me. "You are beautiful, Abby. You are so much beautiful than me or Kimberly. Even my cousin, Helena, told me that too."

I almost scoffed. "What is your point, then?"

Natalia sighed. "Like I said before, I wanted to say I'm sorry. I know what I did was wrong that day. Joshua was very angry with me and he even told my dad about what I did. He didn't hesitate to tell my dad that he will never love me and I better stop trying."

I looked at her blue eyes. "And you should be. You will never know what he could do to you if he was really angry."

She chuckled nervously. "I know that too."

I looked back at the couple in front of us and they were just finished their lunch. I guessed the lunch time was over. I stared back at Natalia. "If you have nothing more to say, I want to go back to my office."

She smiled grimly. "That's all that I want to say."

I nodded and got up from the bench. I turned around and started to walk when suddenly she called me. "Abby!"

I stopped and looked at her from over my shoulder.

"Will you forgive me?"

I smiled glumly. "Just never show up in our life again. You've done enough." I didn't wait for her reply and started to walk again.

I knew this was the last time I'll meet Natalia.

~O~

Everything was turning to normal again. I didn't tell Joshua about my conversation with Natalia because I thought that was my little secret. Besides he told me before he never wanted to hear about her anymore. The rest of the week was very hectic for Joshua while I was working more slowly with Kelly because she didn't want to publish her new book soon. Her latest book was becoming a best seller and I felt happy for her.

Joshua's schedule seemed so full and sometimes I felt bad for him. I tried to cook dinner every time he went home and helped him as much as I could. As for Joshua, he seemed grateful whenever I tried to help him.

It was Friday when I went home and the apartment was empty. I sighed and decided to have a warm bath before I cook Joshua dinner. I just finished my shower and changed my clothes when I heard the front door opened.

"Abby?"

I quickly got out from my room and met Joshua in the living room. He smiled widely when he saw me. Before I could say something, he gave me a big hug and kissed me deeply. As always, he smelled like medicine every time he went home and I was getting used to it. He broke the kiss and I smiled on his lips.

"Well...hello to you too," I said breathlessly.

He chuckled and pulled away from his embrace. Suddenly a bouquet of flowers appeared from his other hand. I blinked several times.

"It's for you," He stated simply. His green eyes lit with happiness.