You'll Say Yes

by Tri Amutia

  "Ow."

  I looked at my surroundings. I expected to see my room, but apparently I fell asleep on the couch. I groaned and tried to fix my nest-hair before I stood up to open the door.

  "Abby? Are you there? Are you alright? I heard a loud crash," A soft voice came from the other side of the door. I could recognize that voice anywhere.

  My hand froze on the door knob. What the hell was he doing at my apartment?

  "Abby!" He began to knock frantically.

  I opened the door to see a worried Joshua. He was dressed in a shirt and trousers, looked like he stopped by on his way to work. He frowned when he saw me.

  "Are you alright? I heard something break," he said while checking my body with his eyes.

  I felt like Lois Lane getting scanned by Clark Kent.

  I scratched my head in an un-ladylike gesture. "Um...I think so. I fell off the couch."

  His frown grew deeper. "Did you have enough sleep last night? You need rest, Abby."

  I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine. So, what brings you here first thing this morning?"

  He sighed and gave me a takeout bag. I looked inside and gaped at him. He brought me breakfast. I instantly felt awful for my rudeness. He was just trying to be a good man.

  "Joshua, thank you. You know you reall-"

  "I want to do this, Abby, and please don't thank me. You need a decent breakfast." He looked at his watch and smiled at me. "I better get going. I'll call you later, dear. I love you." He kissed my forehead and disappeared into the elevator before I had a chance to say anything.

  I blinked several times and popped my head in the elevator’s direction. He grinned at me before the elevator doors closed. I raised my eyebrows and looked inside the bag once again. I pulled out a sandwich and took a bite. Not bad!

  I prepared for the day in a hurry. I only had one hour to take a shower, prepare my bag, and walk to my office. I must thank Joshua later. If he didn't show up this morning, I would probably be late. I put my teacup on my desk and begun to work on my computer when Camila greeted me.

  "Morning, Abby."

  "Morning," I mumbled. I was amused for a moment that she already forgotten her rude behavior towards me last Friday.

  "How was your weekend?"

  How was my weekend? Well, I attended a horrible reunion, forced in living arrangements, being kissed without permission by my fiancé, and the most important thing was I had to meet with someone I didn't want to meet with. "It was...great." Honestly, that was the best I could come up with.

  "So, have you heard the news?" She asked me excitedly.

  I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to her. "What news?" Oh no, this was not about my twisted engagement thing, was it?

  "Our office is going to open a branch in London and New York. I heard they will be choosing the best editors here to work in the new offices," She said in a hushed tone.

  I assumed this news was still classified, for she feared our conversation could be overheard by someone else. Well, it was better than my engagement news.

  "Are you sure? Where did you hear this stuff?" I asked in a hushed tone.

  "I eavesdropped on Mrs. Bennington's conversation with Mr. Smith this morning. They will begin the evaluation for the candidates in a month."

  "Huh, that’s cool," I said nonchalantly.

  Mrs. Bennington and Mr. Smith are our bosses in this office. If Camila heard this news from them, the truth will be 99.99% true.

  "So, London or New York?" I asked her. I knew she wanted this position badly.

  Camila grinned. "I wouldn't mind being placed in either one of them. London and New York are the best places, Abby."

  I sighed. "I know that."

  "So, how about you? London or New York?" She asked.

  I smiled. Reverse psychology, huh? No dice! "I'm not very interested about that, Cam. I just want to work in good quality, that's all."

  "Is it because of Joshua?"

  I narrowed my eyes on her. "What is that supposed to mean?"

  She shrugged. "Maybe you don't want to move away from Seattle because of Joshua. Well, that does make sense."

  Was it? I chuckled. "It's not like that, Cam. I'm still junior editor and I only worked here for nearly two years. Those two places seem too big for me. I'll pass."

  "Suit yourself," She said, again and disappeared into her cubicle.

  I shook my head and began my work of the day. I passed my lunch, only having a small take out from the Italian restaurant near my office. I managed to finish my work of the day at five-thirty. I took off my glasses and rubbed my eyes tiredly. I took deep breaths and began to collect my things. I stepped out and into the lobby when the sun was setting. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Joshua sitting there. He smiled widely when he saw me. He rose from the chair and walked over to me. I blinked several times.

  "Hello, dear," he kissed my forehead.

  "Er...hi. What are you doing in here? Are you stalking me?" I asked, jokingly.

  He chuckled. "No, Abby. I just finished my shift at the hospital. I was wondering if you were working late or not. I was planning to drag you home if you did work over time," his tone turned serious.

  I laughed lightly. "I always work over time, Joshua. I was thinking of buying a laptop and bringing my work home so I don't have to stay late in the office."

  He pondered my statement for a moment. "Hmm...that is a good idea. When will you be going to the store? I could accompany you."

  I rolled my eyes. "I haven’t planned on that, yet. Maybe this weekend."

  He smiled. "That's good. We also have time to look for a new apartment."

  I frowned. "Seriously, Joshua?"

  He grinned. "Don't worry, Abby. It'll be alright."

  Uh-huh, but then I remembered I owed him for making an appearance at my apartment this morning. I linked my hands with his as Joshua looked at me curiously.

  I grinned. "I owe you for waking me up this morning. Dinner is on me."

  He grinned back. "After you, my lady."

  ~O~

  The week passed in a blur. I had another new author to work with and an invitation for a book launching from one of my authors in two weeks. My schedule was tight. Joshua insisted on us living together but with my busy agenda I wasn’t sure if I had the time to move my things into our new apartment.

  Stella called me on Wednesday asking how I've been. I told her about the living arrangements plan and my tight schedule. Stella suggested that I speak with Joshua about it. Even though we were not engaged emotionally, well, at least on my part, but we were still in this relationship together. My parents called me, too, asking the same thing. I repeated what I’d told Stella to them.

  The work environment was thick with competition. I guessed the news about the new office in London and New York was already spreading.

  Finally, Friday came. I walked home at five o’clock sharp because I wanted to enjoy my weekend in good terms.

  I decided to buy a laptop so I didn't have to stay late at my office. I arrived at my apartment in a good mood.

  I took a shower and dressed into a casual outfit. I took out a pen and a paper to write down a list of things I needed to buy at the grocery store. Then my BlackBerry vibrated. I looked at the caller ID.

  Joshua.

  I pressed the answer button. "Hello."

  "Hello, dear," he sounded happy.

  I smiled. "Hey."

  "Do you have any plans for tonight?"

  I looked over my list. "Um...actually I need to go to the store and do my laundry tonight. Why?"

  "I was just thinking I could go visit you."

  "Um...my place is a mess, Joshua," I grimaced. "I didn't have time to clean it up this week because I was super busy. I planned to clean tomorrow."

  He chuckled. "Silly, Abby. Like that can stop me from seeing you." Huh? I guess not. "What time will you be home?"

  I looked at the clock. "In an hour."

  "All right. I'll see you in one hour. I love you."


  And then he hung up.

  I sighed and shook my head. I grabbed my purse and walked out of my apartment. I climbed into my truck and drove to the grocery store. I picked up everything on my list, ignoring the disgusting wink from the cashier. I walked back to my truck and unloaded the cart. I drove back to my apartment and then started on my laundry. I went to my room and put on a tank top and yoga pants. It was the most comfortable outfit I owned. I turned on the TV and put the music channel on. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and started to clean my bedroom. I hummed along with the song I recognized or laughed when the DJ made jokes. I was halfway through vacuuming my living room when I heard a loud knock on my door. I turned the vacuum off and muted the TV. I opened the door and saw Joshua standing in the doorway. His eyes widened when he saw me and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

  I raised my eyebrows. "Joshua, is there something wrong?"

  He glanced at me nervously. "Um...no...nothing." He handed me the take out bags. "Here...I brought dinner for both of us."

  I smiled gratefully and took the bags. "Please, come in. Sorry, I just started cleaning. I'll dish out our dinner and meet you in the living room."

  He nodded slowly.

  I walked into the kitchen and put our dinner on plates. I grimaced internally. I had forgotten my own dinner. I set the plates on the coffee table in the living room. Joshua looked cozy with his grey T-shirt and jeans. I put my vacuum away and straightened up the living room to be rid of unnecessary things, so we could be comfortable. We chatted animatedly while eating dinner. Sometimes, I caught him staring at me with his piercing green eyes and my heart melted from his gaze. I took deep breaths several times to control myself. I didn't think living together would do any good for my health.

  Joshua also brought DVDs. We chose Ocean's 12 first.

  We sat on the couch.

  I could see Joshua glancing into my direction, but he didn't say anything. Finally he mimicked my move and leaned into the couch, too.

  "How's work?" He asked without removing his gaze from the TV.

  I shrugged. "Hectic." I sighed and ran my hands through my messy bun. "I have a new author to work with. I have an invitation for book launching in two weeks. My schedule is tight. I don't think I have time to move. If we really want to...you know..."

  He smirked. "I'll help you move."

  I rolled my eyes. Of course he would. "We haven’t found a place yet."

  He looked at me. "We are going to look for the place tomorrow."

  "Uh-huh. I want to look for a laptop first. I really need it."

  Joshua chuckled. "No problem. I'll go with you."

  I narrowed my eyes. "Aren't you busy at the hospital?"

  He grinned. "I'm a doctor, not a specialist, Abby. My schedule is not tight like my dad’s. I still have my spare time."

  "Oh...don't you want to be...a specialist?" I asked cautiously. This was the first time I asked him about his life.

  He smiled dreamily. "Maybe in the next two or three years. I want to be a pediatrician, you know. I love children."

  I smiled back. "I never knew you loved kids."

  He nodded and looked back at the TV. The movie didn't catch our interest anymore.

  "I'm an only child. That is why I always loved being around children. I imagined to have a sister or maybe to have children of my own." And then he looked at me and caressed my cheek. "Someday."

  I stared into his brilliant hazel eyes and got lost. Joshua leaned in to where our lips were just inches apart.

  "Can I kiss you?" He asked in a low voice.

  "I'm not a good kisser," I replied softly.

  I could feel his hand on my nape and the other hand on my waist and his eyes were dark with passion.

  "You have no idea what you are talking about."

  He kissed me softly and his hold tightened on my waist. I gingerly raised my hands and knotted my fingers into his red hair. He deepened the kiss. His scent made me dizzy, I gripped his hair tightly. I could feel the passion surge through my body just like the first time he kissed me. He leaned in closer and snuck his hand under my tank top. I gasped and broke the kiss immediately. We were both panting and Joshua leaned his forehead into mine.

  "Why did you stop?" He asked in a stern voice.

  I gulped. I knew he tried to control himself. I could feel my cheeks flush and my breath shallow. "We can't. Not like this, Joshua. Please."

  "You don’t love me."

  It was a statement.

  I smiled weakly. "Not yet. And I'm..." God, I didn't know how to say this.

  "What?"

  I looked back to him sheepishly. "I'm still a virgin."

  Joshua stared at me for a moment and I felt uncomfortable under his gaze. I sighed.

  "Forget it," I started to stand, but he pulled me back to the couch.

  "Abby, I'm not angry. Really. At least we have one thing in common," Joshua said.

  I looked at him in disbelief. "You're not angry?"

  Joshua looked back in amusement. "Why should I be? Even if you are not a virgin anymore, I wouldn't be angry with you."

  I nodded in a haze. "Ok."

  "Ok.”

  We stared at each other and then he sighed. "I'm sorry if I pushed you earlier. I think I got lost in our...kiss..."

  I chuckled nervously. "That's all right. But, please, I want our first time to be special." At least until I could love him.

  He smiled lovingly and kissed my forehead. "Anything for you, my Abby."

  Joshua went home before midnight. He kissed me lightly on the lips. I couldn't say no because I also longed for his kiss and touch. These new feelings are confusing to me. Was it love or just a physical attraction?

  I slept on my bed that night, didn't want another repeat performance on the couch. I woke up at seven in the morning. I took a shower and dressed comfortably. Today was the day we go apartment hunting and get my laptop. Joshua picked me up at nine thirty and we headed to the electronic shop. He helped me choose the right laptop, including the wi-fi access.

  "You'll never know when you need one," he said. I just rolled my eyes.

  After buying the laptop, we headed to an apartment complex not far from our offices. I was not fond of the first choice, because the neighbors were all men and I didn't want to take any chances. Joshua sensed my weariness, so we went to the next place. This next complex was a bit better with different neighbors; families and workers. The apartment had two rooms, one bathroom, a nice sized living room, a beautiful dining room, and a gorgeous kitchen. The laundry room was on the ground floor, it was just like the one at my current apartment.

  We talked with the landlord and agreed to pay the down payment tomorrow. Joshua insisted on paying that payment, so here I was sitting on the playground in front of the apartment complex, waiting for him to complete the agreement with the landlord.

  I sat on one of the swings and slowly swung back and forth. Some children were playing and I smiled as I was watching them.

  "Hello," a voice greeted me.

  I looked around and saw a boy with light brown hair and hazel eyes sitting on the swing next to me.

  I smiled. "Hello."

  He looked at me curiously. "Are you new here?"

  I giggled. "Soon. I'll be moving here with my...fiancée." My voice faltered at the end.

  "Oh." He began to swing. He looked back at me. "What's your name?"

  "Abby. And yours?"

  He grinned, he had two teeth missing, it was cute. "I'm Joshua."

  I raised my eyebrows. "Joshua?"

  He frowned. "Is there something wrong with that name?"

  I chuckled. "No, I'm sorry. Of course not, it's a beautiful name."

  He looked at me and nodded.

  "Joshua, it's time for your nap!"

  Little Joshua looked at a dark haired woman and he shouted, "Yes, mom."

  He hopped off the swing and reached into his back pocket and handed me a sunflower.

  I looked at him curiousl
y while he blushed. "I wanted to give you the flower, but I didn't know how. So I pretended to talk to you.”

  I laughed and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Joshua. The flower is beautiful."

  He nodded. "Just like you." And then he ran to his mother. I watched them walk into the apartment building next to my future apartment.