You'll Say Yes (13 page)

I smiled and hugged her. "Just wish the best for me, will you?"

Stella patted my back. "Of course, Abby. You are my best friend."

I leaned away from her embrace and looked inside the house. I could see Farah was preparing the table. I turned to Stella. "Come on, I think Farah needs our help."

Stella grinned as we walked into the house.

I didn't see Joshua in the dining room, but from the corner of my eyes I saw him talking to Kimberly in the next room. From their body language, I could see their conversation was serious. Evan and Kevin appeared to be watching TV in the living room.

I turned to Stella. "You go ahead. I think I left my purse in the next room."

"Ok."

I watched as Stella danced to the dining room while I walked slowly to the next room. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but the situation made me do just that. My heart sped up as I heard what they were talking about.

"So, you still with her?" I heard Kimberly ask Joshua.

"Yes, Kimberly. I love her," Joshua answered in a hushed voice.

"What about that girl in Canada?"

Huh? I furrowed my eyebrows.

I could hear Joshua exhaled loudly.

"I know she's your friend. You both probably discussed Abby behind my back. I don't care. I love her and I will marry her someday."

I blushed. I clasped my hand tightly to tame my erratic heartbeat.

I heard Kimberly huff. "She's prettier than Abby. But, you still choose that clumsy girl."

I gulped.

"Abby is beautiful, not pretty. I’ve been in love with her since we were six. And for your friend in Canada, she is just a friend. Nothing more and you could go tell her that."

"I still don't understand what you see in Abby," Kimberly sighed.

"Listen to me, Miles," Joshua said, anger clouding his voice.

I gasped lightly.

"She maybe not be a model like you or drop dead gorgeous like your dear friend in Canada, but Abby's beauty is more powerful than both of you combined. She may be clumsy or a klutz, but she is a strong girl. The opposite of you."

"Lunch is ready!" Farah's voice rang from the dining room.

I quickly slipped to the dining table, didn't bother with what I’m sure will happen next between them.

"Abby," Farah smiled when she saw me. "Come, sit next to me."

I smiled half-heartedly and sat next to her. Joshua and Kim appeared at the dining table seconds later. Joshua smiled instantly when he saw me while Kimberly ignored me. All the eight of us had our meal as we chatted animatedly. I barely paid attention to the conversation. My head still full with what Joshua and Kimberly discussed earlier. A flash of anger ignited in me. Joshua was not telling me the truth again. And who was this girl that Kimberly was talking about? Why was she so important?

"Abby? Are you all right?" Joshua's velvet voice brought me back to reality.

I looked at him.

Joshua watched me with a worried expression.

"Abby? You look pale," Joshua said, again.

All six heads at the table looked at us.

Kimberly rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, Joshua. She is pale all the time."

That was it! I stood from my seat and glared at the blond woman. "Stop, Miles. I thought our parents taught us better than that. If you don't want to have lunch with me at the same table, then just say it. You don't have to prove your New York's influence in front of William and Farah!"

Suddenly, the air felt heavy. I closed my eyes and tried to control my breathing. I opened my eyes and looked at Farah and William. "I'm sorry, but I think my presence isn't wanted here anymore. I think I better go home now."

I walked out of the dining room in search of my purse, ignoring Joshua, William, and Farah calling my name. My head spun and my brain was hazy with the anger and disappointment I felt.

"Abby, wait!" Joshua said and turned me around by my elbow. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Home," I said, sternly and tried to wriggle out of his grip to no avail. His grip tightening on my arm.

"You forgot something, Abby. I'm the host here. I forbid you to leave," He said, sternly.

"Then, tell her to leave," I shouted back.

Joshua sighed. "It will be rude, Abby. I invited her too."

"All right. Then, let me go!"

Joshua looked at me with dark eyes. "NO!"

I swatted his hand and glared at him. "What’s this that you don't tell me about your life in Canada, Joshua?"

He looked at me with a shocked expression.

I narrowed my eyes. "You seem to have problems about telling me the truth. Why? How can I marry you if you’re never honest with me?"

He didn't answer me.

I looked at him. "I don't care about what both of our parents have said. I called off the engagement."

I turned back to the front door and stormed out. I was too angry to notice that Joshua's house was in the middle of nowhere and I didn't have a car to take me home. I was halfway to the main road when I felt my shoes bothering me. I grumbled and took off my shoes with an angry huff.

I was starting to walk when again when suddenly I felt two strong arms on my waist and turned my body around. I yelped and saw Joshua looking at me with an angry expression. Without warning, he lifted me up by my waist and carried me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I was too shocked to fight, but seconds later I realized what had happened and begun to punch his back with all my strength.

"Joshua, put me down! Now! Joshua, this is not funny!"

He didn't answer me. He just walked back to the house while I continued to punch his back. He set me on my feet in his driveway.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked, angrily.

"Nothing is wrong, Abby. Like I said I want to marry you. I don't care if I have to wait forever for you to love me," He answered in a flat voice.

I rolled my eyes. "You always say that, but then you disappointed me. I can't do this anymore, Josh!" I walked past him in the opposite direction.

"I'm still your fiancée, Abigail!" He shouted at me.

I turned sharply and glared at him. "Then, start acting like one!"

Silence.

Joshua looked at me expressionless. Suddenly, he took a few steps toward me. His eyes still dark and smoldering with anger.

And he did something I didn't expect at all.

He kissed me.

His lips felt soft and warm against mine. One of his arms held my waist while his other one rested on my nape. I couldn't escape his embrace. I clutched his shirt tightly as my mind went into overdrive, my heart thumped loudly, and my body felt like it was on fire. I closed my eyes for the overriding passion which coursed through my body. I never kissed a man before. I've dated, but I always ended up with men whose only interest was to get into my pants rather than a relationship. That was why I didn't know how to respond. His lips turned urgent and demanding, while I was standing in shock and trying to kiss him back. He moaned lightly against my lips and that sound brought me back to reality.

My eyes flew open.

Of course, he was a good kisser. God knew how many girls he'd kissed in high school. Suddenly, I felt sick. I tried to wriggle out of his embrace, but Joshua tightened his hold on me. I continued to my attempt in escaping his arms. Finally, he broke the kiss for air and I pushed myself off of him. I wobbled and fell to the ground, panting. Joshua, still standing, looked at me with dark eyes full of passion, love, and desire. He was also panting. Neither of us said anything. I tried to control my breathing. The kiss was amazing, but repulsive at the same time. I always dreamt to have my first kiss in a special place, but my supposed to be fiancé ruined it for me. And the sad thing was...I was not his first kiss.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I spat at him.

Joshua raised his head and looked at me. "I just kissed you and you kissed me back."

My body shook with anger, mostly at myself. "Yes, you did and I did not kiss you back! I hope you didn't like it because I'm inexperience. Not like you!" My eyes brimmed with tears. Why does this man have to ruin everything?

Joshua looked guilty. "Abby, I'm sor-"

"Save it!" I said angrily. I stood up and began to walk again.

"Abby!" He grabbed my arm and turned me around.

I looked at him with hatred in my eyes. Joshua looked at back me with a guilty expression.

"What?" I asked him rudely. "Congratulations! Finally, you really got me, Mr. Walsh. I hope you really enjoyed yourself."

"Stop it!" He shouted at me and grabbed my shoulder. Joshua took deep breaths and leaned his forehead into my shoulder. "I really love you, Abby. Please!"

I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. His red hair tickled my cheek. I had to fight to not run my fingers through his hair. I opened my eyes and looked at the trees. "It's too late for that, Joshua. You disappointed me."

He raised his head and looked at me anxiously. "Never say that. It's not too late."

I looked at him with sad eyes. "You’ll never be honest with me. How are we supposed to have a healthy relationship when it’s built on lies, Joshua? The week is not over, but we already fought more than three times. I can't do this!"

"Abby...the girl that Kimberly mentioned was only a friend. She did confess her feelings to me, but I didn't return them. I told her that I love you. I have no idea why Kimberly still brings her up. I haven’t seen her since we moved back here. I didn't tell you because there was nothing to tell."

"It's not about the girl, Joshua!" I shouted at him and wriggled free of his hold on my shoulders. "I don't care how many girls you've kissed or slept with. I don't give a damn!" I sighed. "You’ll never be truly honest with me. You always keep secrets from me. What will happen when we're married, Joshua? Should I know if you have any kids with one of those women?"

"ABBY!" He shouted back at me. "Do you really think of me like that? Do you really think I will do that to you? You don't know anything!"

"The hell, I don't!" I looked at his black eyes. "This is not going to work, Josh. We've changed. I'm not a teenager anymore and neither are you." I rubbed my temples. "Please, let me go. You will find someone better than me," I said, slowly. Better to end it soon rather than feeling more hurt later.

"NO!" His dark eyes sought my face. "You can ask me anything. Anything, but that!" For a brief second, I was thinking of what Stella said earlier about asking Joshua to jump off of a cliff.

Nope, not a good idea! At least, for now.

"Joshua, please...we can't hurt each other like this," I begged him.

"I don't want to hurt you. I want to love you, Abby," he pleaded.

I sighed. This was hopeless. "I just want to go home, please."

Joshua's hands still cupped my face before he finally released me. He held my hand and took me to his car. He opened the passenger door and helped me in. He walked around the car and opened his door.

"You should put your shoes and your seatbelt on," he said in a low voice.

I looked at my feet and cursed lightly. I grabbed my shoes from my purse and put them back on. He revved the engine after we both settled our seatbelts and drove out of his driveway. We didn't say anything during our journey to my parents’ home. I just looked outside the window, never looked in his direction. Joshua parked in the driveway and cut the engine. We sat there in silence for awhile before he spoke up.

"I'm sorry, Abby," he whispered.

"There's nothing to forgive," I answered flatly. I didn't recognize my own voice.

He sighed and leaned his head into the seat. "I'll come by with my parents later."

What? They really want to discuss about this...living...arrangement...thing? Ugh! The nerve of this guy!

"You don't have to come by. I'll ask my dad or Ethan to take me back to Seattle."

I unbuckled my seatbelt and ready to step out, when Joshua's hand blocked my way. He leaned so close to me I could feel his warm breath on my face. His closeness sent warm feelings through my body. I stared into his piercing hazel eyes.

"Do you honestly think I will let Ethan White take you to Seattle after what I saw between him and his fiancée? Never! You will ride with me, whether you like it or not," he said menacingly.

I narrowed my eyes. "You are so pushy."

He smirked. "Yes, indeed...I am, Ms. Bennett, especially when it concerns my fiancée."

I scowled at him.

Joshua released his block on me and I opened the door, didn't bother to wait for him to open it for me. Ethan's bike was nowhere to be seen. Looks like he was already gone. I walked to my front door and into the house. I closed the door and leaned against it. I could hear the sound of Joshua's car disappearing in the distance. I exhaled and shook my head. What should I do now?

"Abby? Honey? You're home. How was the lunch?" My mom asked from the couch.

I raised my head and tried to smile. "Hey, Mom. The lunch was...good." I stepped away from the door and walked to the couch. I looked around. "Where's dad?"

"He went fishing with Bobby. He'll be back soon," my mom answered me while flipping through the channels on the television.

"Ok..." I said, slowly. "I'm going to my room, mom," I said as I stood from the couch.

She just nodded as I headed up to my room. I suddenly felt exhausted when I walked into my room. Since meeting Joshua, I’ve felt worn out. I spent a lot of energy just to keep a healthy conversation with him. This engagement won't work, but why he insists to keep it? I sat in my old rocking chair and looked outside the window. I rocked slowly back and forth...back and forth...trying to calm myself from my twisted engagement. I could hear my BlackBerry vibrate several times in my purse, but I ignored it. My mind wandered back to our kiss. I closed my eyes. I still could feel his warmth and my lips started to tingle from the memory. I opened my eyes again and sighed. I didn't know how long I've been sitting and rocking my chair when I felt someone touched my shoulder lightly.

"Abby?" A soft voice called me.

I froze and stopped rocking my chair. I slowly turned to see Joshua standing next to me with a worried expression.

"Abby, are you all right?" He asked, again.

I pondered his question for a moment.

"No," I answered him lightly.

He sighed. "Stella and I called you several times, but you never answered your phone. We were so worried. I'm sorry, Abby. I'm really sorry for making you so upset. Please, would you join me downstairs? Our parents are waiting for us."

I scoffed. "No."

"If you don't want to come downstairs, then I'll stay here with you."

I looked at him. "What is it to you? You don't care about how I feel. Stop acting like you know everything about me. Since you came back, my life has turned to hell."

"Is that what you think, Abby? If you think your life is hell, then my life will be a curse. Because there is no heaven without you," he said, slowly.

I narrowed my eyes and stood from my chair. I walked out of my room while Joshua followed me. I saw our parents in the living room.

Wow, I didn't even know my dad was home.

When I looked at Josh’s parents I instantly felt guilty about what happened at lunch. I just hoped they didn't mention it in front of my parents.

"Abby, honey, we've been waiting for you," my mom said and patted the space next to her.

I sat obediently. Joshua sat next to Farah. I raised my head and looked at his parents. They both smiled when our gazes met. I smiled back and quickly lowered my head when I saw Joshua staring at me.

I didn't pay much attention to their conversation. I just heard some glimpses like living arrangements...the engagement...living together...wedding...the true love…

"What do you think, Abby?"

The sound of my name cut my day-mare. I blinked several times and looked to the faces around me.

"About what?" I asked, stupidly.

"About the new apartment. Are you listening, Abby?" My mom asked me.

I sighed and rubbed my temples. "I'm sorry. I don't feel very well. I’m going to have some water in the kitchen." I stood from my seat and walked to the kitchen.

I poured the water in my glass and sat in a dining chair. I played with my glass and then felt a presence in front of me. I looked up to see Joshua sitting in the chair in front of me. I shook my head and leaned into my chair.

"What do you want now?" I asked him, instantly feeling tired.

He smiled grimly. "I want you."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please, that’s a lame answer."

Joshua chuckled. "Yes, maybe, but that is the truth."

"What happened at lunch?" I asked him.

He was drawing some random patterns on the dining table.

"When I got home, Kimberly was already gone. Apparently, Stella gave her some pointers. I didn't know the details. I'm sure Stella will call you and tell you about that."

I sipped my water. "Like I want to hear about it. You put Kimberly and I again in one room and this thing will happen again."

"Well, I called Kimberly and gave her some pointers as well. I won't let anyone insult you like that, again," he said, sternly.

I sighed. "I already told you this is not going to work. Why do you insist? You probably have tons of women waiting for you. Don't bother me!"

Joshua's jaw clenched as he looked at me deeply. "You can say that thousands of times, Abby. I'll get used to it. But, you have to remember one thing. I LOVE YOU and I will wait for you to love me back."

I scoffed. "This is not the time for daydreaming, lover boy."