You'll Say Yes (38 page)

I stayed at a hotel that night, waiting the dawn to break. No, not at an expensive hotel; just an average one. Even though I was alone in the room, but I couldn't sleep at all. I just lay on my back and staring at the ceiling while I turned the TV on and I chose a music channel. I didn't know what time it was when I able to close my eyes and only stayed sleeping for just one hour. I still felt cheated, angry and mostly...betrayed. Those sweet words he said to me, could it be a lie? If it did, why did he waste so much of his time to do that?

I checked out from the hotel when the sun was rising and I stopped another taxi to take me to the airport. I purchased a ticket for the early flight to New York. While waiting for my flight, I turned my BlackBerry on and the phone vibrated several times. 2 missed calls from my dad, 5 missed calls from my mom and 15 missed calls from...him. I also received 7 messages from the same person. I took a deep breath and deleted all the missed calls. I pondered with myself to open the messages or not and then I realized I didn't want to hear from him right now. I deleted all the messages without reading it. Suddenly my phone vibrated again and I saw his name on the caller ID. I turned off my BlackBerry without answering his call.

I've waited for another 15 minutes before finally I could step into the plane and took my seat. I chose the window seat and leaned my head to the seat. I didn't know what I felt now. I felt lost and my decision to see my best friend in Big Apple was a snap one. I doubted she knew I'll come to New York. Well, honestly I've never been to New York. I just considered this is my getaway and also my...short vacation. Of course, I thought about my job too. I still had one day from my extra day off and maybe I could ask for my day off from Christmas holiday. That meant I had two days in New York before I had to go back to Seattle and dealt with all of the issue.

The journey to New York was long enough, almost half of the day; and I spent my journey by listening to some music from my iPod and read Helena's book. My plane landed on John F. Kennedy International Airport after lunch time. I walked out from my terminal and grabbed my bag from the baggage claim and walked out to find a taxi. I've always heard New York was a busy place, even in the airport. All people here seemed busy with their own world. They didn't even notice a small town girl from Long Beach walked among them.

I stopped a taxi and gave him Stella's apartment address. I never imagined I will need that right now. I was too distract to see New York for the first time, seeing the big building, the busy street, with people walked in fast pace on the sidewalk. And it's not New York if you don't get caught by traffic jam. I was trapped for an hour before finally the taxi could move again. I couldn't imagine how Stella and Evan could endure with this kind of thing every day.

The taxi stopped at a building and I looked at the tall building briefly before I paid the fees and got out from the car. I took a deep breath and stepped inside the building. Stella's apartment was a simple building and here I was already in front of her apartment door after I showed some of my IDs to the security. I closed my eyes briefly before opened it again. I raised my hand gingerly and knocked on her door several times. My heart was drummed loudly in my chest and I started to feel nervous. I fidgeted in my feet several times before finally I heard the door was unlocked and opened. My best friend's eyes widened when she saw me while I grinned sheepishly. I was sure I looked horrible now, with the lack of sleep and emotionally exhausted.

"Abby?"

I smiled weakly. "Hi, Stella."

She blinked several times. "W-what...how...what are you doing here? Are...are you alone?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes."

Stella seemed come back from her daze and quickly hugged me. "Oh, Abby. You look so tired. Come on in."

I nodded slowly and released her hug. She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and took me to sit on the couch in the living room. I looked around and I instantly felt comfortable. This room is so...Stella. Some of her best designs were pinned on a memorabilia board, a shelf full with fancy magazines, a plasma TV, a fancy stereo and of course her DVD collections. Her apartment had living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, one studio, one kitchen and dining room. I didn't mind if I had to sleep on the couch, though.

"Do you want something to drink or maybe eat?" She asked me.

I shook my head slowly. "I need to use your bathroom if I can and maybe have some sleep first. I'm sure you want to ask why I'm here right now."

Stella smiled warmly. "Of course, Abby. You can sleep in my room. I need to do something in my studio anyway. Just make yourself comfortable, all right?"

I nodded. "Thank you, Stella."

She smiled again and strolled to her studio while I opened my bag to grab some fresh clothes and my toiletries bag. I took a warm shower, washed my hair and changed my clothes. I stepped out from the bathroom and popped my head from her studio's door to find Stella sitting behind her design desk.

"I want to sleep now. Are you sure you're ok if I left you?"

Stella rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about me, Abby. Just have some rest, all right. You look like a zombie. Hell, even Milla Jovovich couldn't see the difference between you and the real zombie."

I chuckled lightly. "I'll see you this afternoon, Stella."

I walked to Stella's room and pulled out the blue comforter from her bed. Her room was simple, with a huge closet, a make-up table and a desk. I curled up under the comforter and after the long hours, I finally able to sleep peacefully.

~O~

I woke up when the day turned dark. The curtain was closed and Stella turned on her bedside lamp. My body felt stiff and my head was pounding. I searched for a clock in the room and founded it near the bedside lamp. It read 8.00 pm. I groaned.

I slowly got up from my bed and walked out from the bedroom. Stella was sitting on the floor in front of the living room table with some sketches in front of her. She sensed my arrival and smiled when she saw me.

"Hey. Have a good sleep?"

I nodded and rubbed my eyes. I slumped to the couch and leaned my head. "I sleep like a zombie."

She giggled. "I don't want to disturb you. You look so exhausted. By the way, are you hungry? I left some Chinese takeout in the kitchen."

I blinked several times. "Oh, no...Stella, you shouldn't-"

"No, I don't want to hear it!" She said sternly. "Just go to the kitchen and have your dinner. You didn't eat anything from lunch time."

I grimaced. "All right."

I walked to the kitchen to find some takeouts on the dining table and my stomach growled. I guessed I was too hungry now. I ate my dinner greedily, realized I didn't eat anything since I checked out from the hotel. I felt so much better after I finished my dinner and I quickly cleaned the table. I walked back to the living room to find Stella still working on her sketches.

"New designs?" I asked her when I flopped myself on the couch.

She nodded, but never tore her gaze from the paper. "It's for the next edition." And then she looked at me. "So, what are you doing here? In New York?"

I sighed. "Just a short vacation." I wasn't ready to tell her about what happened the other day.

Stella stared at me with her blue eyes. "Joshua called me when you slept," She said cautiously.

I tensed and anger boiled automatically in my blood. I clenched my jaw. "And what did you say to him?" I asked flatly.

"I didn't say anything," Stella said. "He asked me if I knew where you were or if you told me where you are. At that moment, I knew you were running away from him."

I cursed under my breath. Damn him!

"Abby? What happened?" Stella asked me and sat next to me on the couch.

I tried to control my breathing and rubbed my temples. "I caught him with Natalia."

Stella blinked several times. "He what?"

I nodded slowly and looked at my best friend. "I had a book launching yesterday and I went there with Joshua. He said he wanted to get me some drinks, but he never showed back. I needed to find him because my boss was looking for me. I searched him and found him in the corner of the room with that strawberry blond wrapped her arms around his neck. He didn't fight it, Stella. He seemed...enjoy it." And the pain crept back to my chest. I clutched my chest unconsciously and started to sob.

"Oh, Abby..." Stella soothed me and pulled me on a hug.

I sobbed freely in her embrace, letting go all my frustration, my anger and the betrayed feeling. Stella continued to whisper 'I'm sorry' while her stroking my hair. After seemed like hours, my tears were dry and I felt much better. Stella leaned away to grab some tissues from the table and gave it to me. I dried my cheeks and my eyes until my crying was really stopped.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Stella whispered.

I shrugged. "It's ok, really. It's a good thing I know that now and not after the wedding. I don't think I could take it."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "But, it's strange, though. Why would he do that? He loves you so much, Abby."

I scoffed. "That's a lame reason. I don't trust him anymore." And then I remembered something. "You said something to me, though, about talk to him and listen to him. What was that about?"

Stella sighed. "I just had some...visions...about the two of you. But, I couldn't see you afterwards. I think I know that now. You decided to come here without plans."

I nodded slowly. "I just need to stay away from him for a while."

"But, I still see the wedding," Stella said again.

I snorted. "There will be no wedding, Stella," I spat. "I returned the ring to him."

"But, honestly, I still see it, Abby. You will find a way to forgive him, though," Stella insisted.

I rolled my eyes. "The only way for me to forgive him is when the hell freezes. Keep dreaming, though."

Stella smiled warmly and held my hands. "My premonition is never wrong, Abby. The truth is I couldn't see Joshua too. Perhaps what he decided or what he will decide has something to do with your forgiveness."

I stared at her. "The future is uncertain, Stella."

My best friend smiled knowingly. "Yes, but some things are certain, Abby. And the love Joshua has for you is true. Never doubt that!"

I narrowed my eyes. "Did you already know he loved me since we were in high school?"

Stella grimaced. "Well...you can say that."

"Stella!"

She rolled her eyes. "You will never believe me even if I tell you, silly. You hate him too much. But, now he's changed. I can feel it."

I scoffed but didn't say anything.

And then she grinned. "And of course, since I have a special guest here, I will give her the full tour in New York City."

I blinked several times. "Huh?"

She giggled and winked. "I just called my boss to give me two days off and she granted it. I can spend my time here with you."

I scratched my head. "Um...I didn't say I will stay here for two days."

She grinned. "Have you forgotten something?" She tapped her temple. "I can see."

I rolled my eyes.

Sure.

~O~

I insisted to sleep in the couch that night while I suggested Stella to sleep in her room. She needed to rest in a better place and I felt awful to invade her bed for half of the day. I couldn't sleep through the night, so I spent my night by watching some meaningless shows from the plasma TV while I lay on the couch. Somewhere after midnight, I was able to close my eyes.

Stella woke me up early in the morning. I grudgingly woke up from my imperfect sleep and took a quick shower. We got out from Stella's apartment when the clock showed 6.30 am.

"Stella, where are we going? It's still early," I said to her while waiting for our subway.

She grinned. "I told you before I want to give you a tour. First destination is The Statue of Liberty."

I raised my eyebrows. "Seriously?"

Stella just giggled.

When the clock showed 8.30 am, I called my office and spoke to Mr. Smith. I told him I want to take my last extra day off and one day from my Christmas holiday. He granted my wish again and I was looking forward to spend my time with Stella. Honestly, I've never been to The Statue of Liberty before. Stella took me there and I declined her offer to go inside the statue. I prefer to see it from outside. Stella took some pictures of me and both of us with the help from other tourists. After The Statue of Liberty, she took me to the Ground Zero, where The World Trade Centre was stood before it was collapsed from terrorist attacks on 2001. A memorial was built there, a reminder of them who lost their lives that day. The next destination was The Empire State Building.

"I see this building on Spiderman 2," I said to Stella after I took some pictures in front of the tall building.

She chuckled. "Yeah, I know that too. Perhaps if we were lucky, we could see him now."

I laughed lightly.

Our stomach growled when we walked on the sidewalk. Stella took me to a cafe and we had our lunch there. One thing I forgot about Stella was she loved shopping and I helplessly followed her around among the stores in Times Square. She bought me a simple green dress too. She said I will need it someday.