You'll Say Yes (6 page)

"I knew it! I knew it! I knew he had a thing for you," Stella said happily, ignoring my earlier statement.

I almost rolled my eyes. If only she knew it wasn't just a thing...for him, at least.

"Yes, Stella. And now...if you don't mind, I'm in the middle of dinner with his parents."

Ooops...

"WHAT?"

I sighed. "Please, Stella. It's just a dinner and please, don't spread the news."

"Abby, Abby...dinner with parents is the next step from a relationship. You just meet up with Joshua again, after seven years; he already takes you to dinner with his parents. It took Evan nearly five years to finally take me to dinner with his parents."

"Stella, please. I'll call you later, ok!"

She snorted. "Yeah, right. You promised me you’d call me back on Thursday about our return to Long Beach, but you forgot."

Huh? I nearly slapped my forehead. "Sorry, Stel...I'll call you again after dinner. Promise!"

She sighed. "Alright. I forgive you. Say hi to Joshua and his parents for me, ok!"

I smiled. "Ok! Bye, Stella."

I pressed the end button and sighed. At any time today she could have called but she had to call me in the middle of dinner with Josh and his parents. I shook my head and walked back inside. The food was already on the table. I felt bad they waited for me.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," I said in remorse.

William smiled warmly. "Please, Abby. It was nothing. So, what did Stella say? How is she?"

"She's fine. She was just asking me about our plan to Long Beach this weekend. She said hi to all of you."

Farah smiled. "Stella is a very energetic girl. So, Abby, are you coming to Long Beach this weekend?"

I squirmed in my seat.

Honestly, I didn't make up my mind yet. "Um...I don't know."

"Please, Abby. I was hoping you’d come," Joshua pleaded.

His hazel eyes pleaded and honestly, who could resist those eyes?

"Er...well, all right. I just need to tell my dad and my mom, then."

"One more thing, Abby, do you trust your car to make it to Long Beach?" Joshua asked, again. His parents talked quietly to amongst themselves, pretending not to hear our conversation.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, it will. Don't worry, Joshua."

William smiled. "Well, let's eat then."

We ate our dinner. The food was amazing. Joshua shoved a fork full of pasta into my plate, and I looked at him curiously.

"It's good. You should try it," he said, seemed oblivious that his parents were in front of us.

After eating the main course, the waitress appeared with dessert. I just finished my portion from Joshua's dessert. I wasn't very fond with desert.

"Joshua, I think I left my wallet in my car. Would you like to get it for me?" William suddenly asked.

Joshua looked at his dad for a moment and finally rose from his seat. William gave him the key.

"I'll be right back," He whispered in my ear.

I nodded slowly.

William turned to me when Joshua was out of sight. "So, Abby, how are you?"

I stared back at William, and I knew instantly why William sent Joshua out. He wanted to speak with me in private. "I'm fine."

Farah smiled. "What do you think about our son, Abby?"

Uh-oh, tricky question.

I gulped. "He's...nice."

William and Farah chuckled.

"Joshua was right. You are not good in the lying business," Farah said.

I gaped. "He did?"

Farah nodded and sipped her wine. "Please, Abby. Joshua told us everything about you. Even before we met you, we knew you were a wonderful girl and apparently both William and I are right. You are amazing."

I laughed nervously. "Joshua often speaks highly of me."

William smiled. "Did he tell you about his proposal?"

My body went one degree colder as my heart sped up.

"Yes," I answered in a small voice.

"And what do you think about that?" He asked, again.

I sighed. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to offend your family, really. However, I had a bad memory of Joshua while we were in high school, and I was growing up to hate him. Suddenly, he appeared in front. Then my parents told me he asked them if he could marry me, and...I don't know."

Farah smiled. "Joshua has has been in love with you every since he was six-year-old. We thought it was only a child crush that time would wipe away. Apparently, we were wrong. The older he got, the more he fell for you. He said there's no other girl for him but you."

A shiver ran down my spine. It was romantic but also a bit scary. "But, we were apart..."

"Yes," William interjected. "You both are. However, he still knows everything about you. He really cares for you."

"If he really did care for me, why did he treat me the way he did when we were in high school?' I asked in a tight voice.

Farah sighed and rubbed my arm. "We knew about that too, and we told Joshua it was the foolished thing he had ever done. We tried to tell him, but he was listening to his friend more than us."

I didn't answer her.

"Give Joshua a chance, Abby. He really loves you, with all his heart," William said, warmly.

I slumped in my seat. "I'm afraid I'm not as perfect as he thinks I am."

William chuckled. "Abby, a lot of girls tried to get his attention, but he didn't budge. All he sees is you. Just open your eyes a little."

"If you feel that you need to talk, you could talk to us," Farah said, again.

I smiled weakly. "Thank you."

Just in time, Joshua appeared at the door, and William gave me a knowing smile. Even my in-laws supported their son. What could I do?

After another small talk, we said our goodbyes.

I promised William and Farah to visit them in Long Beach this weekend.

During our journey home, I was thinking about my future in-laws. They were really nice. I couldn't believe they are the parents of a boy I hated so much when we were in high school. Our small talk during Joshua’s absence gave me something to think about. There was so much I needed to know about Joshua.

We had a chance to really get to know each other because the seven years of not seeing one another gave us that opportunity. We were like strangers all over again.

"We need to talk," I said to Joshua after some moments of uncomfortable silence.

Joshua looked at me. "Okay, we can talk now."

I shook my head. "No, I mean we need to really talk."

Joshua didn't answer me.

He was staring at the road, then he sighed. "Alright. Where do you want to talk? At lunch tomorrow?"

"Somewhere private. Just you and I."

Joshua gave me a sly smile and stared back at me. "We could talk at me place, and I could cook you dinner."

I gaped. I didn't expect his answer. I was more thinking of talk at my place.

Joshua sensed my weariness and sighed. "I promise I won't do anything inappropriate to you, and we are just having dinner. You never visited my place, right?"

"Um..."

"Please..." Not those damn puppy-dog eyes again!

I threw my hands in the air. "Fine! Just give me your address, and I'll drive."

Joshua pursed his lips. "All right. You could bring your sedan in one condition."

I narrowed my eyes. "What condition?"

Joshua grinned. "You'll let me give you a ride to Long Beach."

I gaped at him and scoffed. "What kind of condition is that?"

"Take it or leave it."

"Definitely leave it."

"I still can give you a ride to my place."

"We can talk at my place."

"Are you sure you don't want to see my place?"

I rolled my eyes. "We can do this all night, Joshua. Just let me drive to your place; we will have dinner and then I will go back to my place. The next day I'll check my car first before I drive to Long Beach and I'll meet you there."

Joshua shook his head. "I don't trust your car."

I sighed. "So, we are having an argument in your luxury car about my Sedan? Nice move, Josh."

Joshua ran his fingers through his hair. "What I want to say is I want you to be safe,” he paused, then pinched the bridge of his nose. “Are you sure your car will make it?"

"Of course, I drove it from Long Beach when I first moved to Seattle. Ethan rebuilt the engine for me."

"Ethan?"

"Yes."

Ethan was my best friend back in Long Beach. His dad and my dad were friends.

"Do I know him?"

"Of course you do."

Joshua narrowed his eyes. "Ethan as in Ethan White?"

"Yes."

He stared at the road, and his jaw clenched. "I don't like him."

"Excuse me?" I blinked several times.

"He likes you more than a friend."

"Oh, please. Not this again, Joshua."

"Well, you should know, Abby," He said, stubbornly. "He was hoping to be your boyfriend. Even an elementary student can see that."

I laughed nervously. Somehow, I did think he liked me, but to me, Ethan was only a best friend.

"Hey, I'm not a kid anymore,” I told Joshua. “Besides he’s already engaged to a girl named Samantha Graham. So, there's no competition."

"Really?"

I giggled. "Really. So, how about our deal?"

Joshua smirked. "I still give you a ride to Long Beach."

"What?"

Like I said, he was a determined person.

No need to argue with Joshua when he already made a decision. He had a way of making people agree with him even when they didn’t want to; just like now. Joshua left me in front of my door once more after saying thank you for accompanying him to dinner. By the way his eyes lingered on my lips I thought he was going to try and kiss them again. But instead he kissed my cheek. I was glad he chose the cheek because I wasn't ready to kiss him, not yet anyway.

After several phone calls to Stella and my parents, I slept peacefully.

Stella asked me the details on the dinner I’d had with Josh and his parents, but I just gave her the major details, minus my conversation with William and Farah. My father seemed happy I’m going home. I haven't seen him since Christmas, and it seemed like a lifetime ago.

I woke up in the morning with an easy feeling. It was Friday and I'll spend my weekend with my old friends in my hometown. What could be more fun than that?

I prepared for the day, as usual, put my files and other important documents into my bag. I was about to toss my BlackBerry in as well when I saw a text message on the screen.

Morning, beautiful. Have a nice Friday. Can't wait for our dinner tonight. I'm sorry if I couldn't text you or call you often today. I have an emergency patient, and he's under my supervision. I'll call you at 5. Be safe. -J-

I smiled. I fingered my phone and sent my reply.

Morning, handsome. Have a nice Friday too. Be a good doctor today. Take care. -A-

I looked at the digital clock, put my phone into my bag and walked to my office.

The weather was not so hot today, so I enjoyed my walk to my office. I went straight to the Pantry and made myself a tea this time instead of coffee. My stomach already had its tolerance of coffee. I walked to my desk and began to open my files when Camila's nasal voice interrupted.

"Well, look who's here."

I frowned and turned to her. "A simple good morning will suffice."

Camila smirked. "Guess what, Abby. I met someone yesterday, and he told me interesting news about you."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What news?"

Camila pretended to play with her fake nails. "I just heard that you happened to be engaged to a man named Joshua Walsh."

I froze.

Where did she hear that? Nobody knew about this. Only Joshua, my parents, and Joshua's parents and...oh, hell, no!

I narrowed my eyes. "This someone...does he have blond hair and blue eyes? Always spends his time trying to get into my pants?"

Camila raised her head and looked at me. "How do you know?"

I snorted. Bingo! "He made Joshua upset. It serves him right." I looked at her. "So, you guys still keep in touch, then? I thought you both were over."

"Is it true about the engagement?" She asked again, ignoring my question.

"What is it to you?" I asked, sharply. "You still have tons of males to attack, but you just can’t leave a good man for me? Such a friend."

Camila's face turned red and disappeared into her cubicle. I rolled my eyes. For all of my working days she had to ruin it on this perfect Friday.

Great!

I buried myself in my work, trying to have a proper lunch, and ignoring Camila all day. I had enough with her this week. Joshua texted me at five pm giving me his address along with his room number. Surprising enough it was only half an hour from my apartment. He also asked me what kind of food I would like to eat. I answered him anything would be fine because the one thing crossed my mind was not the food, but our talk.

I went home, showered and changed my clothes to simple jeans, T-shirt, and a cardigan. The weather was warm so I won't need a jacket. I brushed my hair, applied light makeup before grabbing my purse, and locking my door. I got into my black Sedan and turned the engine on to heat it up. I waited five minutes and pulled out of the parking lot. I put the radio on and switched the channel to a classic station. I started to hum along.

Finally, I arrived at Joshua's apartment. My eyes widened. He lived in one of the most luxurious places in Seattle. That didn't surprise me, though. I took a deep breath and looked at my clothes. I grimaced, hoping the security didn't throw me out of the building. I climbed out of my truck and walked in the entrance. I greeted the doorman and pressed the intercom.

"Hello," a warm voice rang from the speaker.

I smiled. "Hello, yourself."

"Abby!" He seemed both relieved and happy when he heard my voice. "Come on in!"

"Ok!"

After looking around a couple of times I finally found his apartment door and knocked. I fidgeted with the hem of my cardigan when the door opened. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him. He only wore a dark button-up T-shirt and dark jeans, but he was still beautiful. I shook my head to regain my concentration.

"Hi!"

He smiled. "Hi, please, come in!"

"Thank you."

I stepped in awkwardly. This was my first time to visit a man's apartment. His room was twice bigger than mine, too big for a bachelor. His apartment had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a dining room.

Wow! I could see Farah's influence in this room.

"Your place is...nice," I complimented him.

He smiled. "Thank you. I'll go finish dinner while you make yourself at home and watch TV in the living room."

"Ok."

He smiled once again and disappeared into the kitchen.

I looked around. This room was dominated with black and white. A plasma TV with DVDs and bookshelf occupied the living room along with a big couch. On the wall, I could see a huge board of memorabilia full with pictures and a Harvard banner. I stepped closer and looked over the pictures. I could see his pictures with William and Farah, pictures from different places, pictures when he graduated, pictures of him in front of Harvard’s building where he gained his medical degree, and most of all I saw a picture of a boy and a girl standing next to each other. The boy had red-brown hair and hazel eyes while the girl had dark-brown hair and blue eyes. I furrowed my eyebrows and moved closer to see the picture clearly. The picture seemed to be taken in a local park, a lot of blur people could be seen behind them. And for the second time, a memory flashed through my mind.

*Flashback*

"Come and get me, Abby," Joshua shouted from the distance. His laughter filled the air.

I was standing breathless after trying to catch him.

"Not fair," I shouted back at him. "I can't catch you. Your legs are longer."

Joshua laughed and ran back to me, but stopped a few steps in front of me. "All right. Try to catch me
now."

I pouted and started to run, being clumsy as I was, I fell down on
the grass and hit a small rock. "Ow!"

Joshua's laughter stopped and he kneeled down beside me. His face was troubled. "Are you ok, Abby?"

I nodded, trying not to cry.

"Come on. I'll help you clean the wound," Joshua said and helped me to my feet.

I stood slowly and wobbled, but he caught me.

I smiled weakly. "I'm sorry. I'm just a burden to you. I can walk by myself. You should continue to play."

Joshua shook his head. "You're not a burden at all, Abby."

"But..."

"No."

I sighed. "It won't be fun if you have
to catch me everytime
I fall, Joshua."

"I don't care. I'll always catch you. Forever if I had to."

*End of Flashback*

"Abby?"

I gasped and turned around to find Joshua standing next to me. Our faces were just inches apart and my face suddenly turned red, but he seemed oblivious.

"Are you alright? I called you several times, but you seemed lost in your own thoughts."

I tried to control my breathing and smiled. "Yeah, it's nothing. It's just another memory."

Joshua went silent and looked over a picture on the board; an understanding expression written on his face. He smiled and touched the picture slightly. "I always take this picture everywhere I go. It's the only reminder of you."

I stayed silent and finally Joshua broke the trance. "Come on. Dinner is ready."

I smiled and followed him into the kitchen. My eyes widened when I saw the food; a plate full with pasta and a bowl of salad. "Wow! You really cooked this time."

Joshua chuckled and pulled a chair out for me to sit. We ate our dinner in comfortable silent. Joshua was a good cook, though, and it surprised me. Not all men could cook these days.