You'll Say Yes Read online

  My smiled disappeared. I knew he was not going to let it go. I sighed, hugging a pillow and turned to face him. "Promise me you're not going to get mad."

  "I promise."

  I looked into his eyes. "I met Ryan today."

  He stiffened and narrowed his eyes. "What did he do to you? I swear if he hurt you, I'll-"

  "He didn't do anything, Joshua," I cut him. "Well, at least not physically."

  His face was hard now. Even under the lack of light, I could see his eyes glisten with anger. "What did he say to you, then?"

  I frowned a little. "Nothing personal."

  Joshua stroked my cheek. "Please, Abby, we've made a compromise to talk like two adults. Did you back out from your own words?"

  Damn him!

  I sighed. "He...was amazed that you chose me."

  I paused while Joshua still staring at me.

  "And?" He pressed me to continue.

  I gulped and clutched my pillow tighter. "Apparently we were working at the same office."

  "What?" He seethed.

  I glanced at him and gave him a weak smile. "You promised that you're not going to get mad."

  Joshua pinched the bridge of his nose and took deep breaths. After calming his breathing, he looked at me again. "But, he never took advantage of you at the office, right?"

  I shook my head. "No. I've always found my way to escape. Today I was so caught up with my work I would have missed lunch if you haven't texted me." I winced internally, skipping the part when I spent my lunch with Ryan.

  He frowned. "Abby..." His eyes narrowed. "What's with you skipping lunch and Ryan?"

  Crap!

  I grimaced. "I sort of spent my lunch with him."

  He clenched his fist. "You what?"

  "I know, I know," I raised my hands. "But, I didn't even eat. I've lost my appetite," I said to him.

  He exhaled and rolled again to his back. "I never knew he was working in the same office as yours. How come I haven't seen him?"

  I swallowed hard. All right, this was the tricky part. "He is working at the same company as mine, but, not in Seattle." My voice was faltered in the end.

  Joshua turned his head to me sharply. "What?"

  I gulped. "He was working at one of the company's offices in New York."

  He narrowed his eyes again. "And what is his intention in Seattle?"

  I clutched the pillow again. I knew I must tell him sooner or later. "My company is going to open new offices in New York and England. Ryan is here to help my bosses to choose the candidates," I bit my lip.

  Silence.

  "And...do you know who the candidates are?" He asked me cautiously without removing his gaze from me.

  I nodded weakly. The sad feeling returned immediately.

  He turned his body to face me again and scooted closer to me. He caressed my cheek while I stared at him with sad eyes. "Are you one of the candidates, Abby?"

  My heart broke when he said that. I nodded again, fighting the tears not to fall from my eyes.

  Joshua's face softened and he rested my head to his chest. I sobbed again into his embrace. "Shhh… it's all right, dear. Please, don't cry."

  "I don't want us to be apart," I said to him.

  He kissed my hair. "We'll never be apart."

  I raised my head to look at him. "But, what about your job at the hospital? I can't make you risk everything for me."

  He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "Abby, every hospital needs a doctor and my hours are qualified enough to apply to a bigger hospital." He cupped my face with his hand. "And you are wrong, my dear. I'll risk everything to be with you."

  My heart swelled with hope. "Really?" I asked him in small voice.

  He smiled. "Yes, really. Now, go back to sleep. You're tired, Abby."

  I nodded and leaned again to his chest. Joshua hummed the same melody and I felt calm immediately. I was wondering if it was the melody his mother used to hum in his childhood. "Joshua?"

  "Yes, dear?"

  "The melody...it's beautiful."

  He chuckled. "Thank you, love. It's a melody."

  My eyes began to droop. "A melody?" I asked sleepily.

  "Yes."

  Before I fell asleep, somehow I heard he said, "It's Abby's melody."

  ~O~

  My next day at work went uneventful. I successfully managed to avoid both Ryan and Camila. I had a meeting again with my author to discuss the final editing of her story. I couldn't believe I've worked with her for 1,5 months. Her book launching was scheduled in two week and she insisted that I must come. I agreed wholeheartedly.

  I walked back to my office with a big smile. I flopped myself to my chair and decided to entertain myself by fiddling around in the internet. I didn't check my Facebook account for a while. I smiled to myself when I remembered Camila showed me Joshua's Facebook profile. I opened my account and read the status from my friends. Melinda was going to get married next month and she sent the invitation online. Stella was busy with work and I giggled to myself reading her status. I was typing my comment for Stella's status when my phone rang. Without removing my eyes from my computer, I picked up the phone.

  "Abby Bennett. May I help you?"

  "Are you sure this is Abby Bennett?" A familiar voice was heard from the line and my heart jumped a little. "Because your voice is way too much sexier than my fiancée."

  I chuckled nervously. "Hi, Joshua."

  "Hello, dear," I could sense he was smiling. "Busy?"

  I exhaled and rubbed my temple. "Not really. I just had a meeting with my author to discuss the final draft. Finally I had some free time this weekend. Why are you calling me in my office?"

  "Just curious."

  I rolled my eyes.

  "Hmmm..." He seemed thoughtful. I went rigid. "Speaking of free time, how about I asking you to go on a date with me?"

  I blinked several times. "A date?"

  "Yes."

  I grimaced. "Are you serious?"

  "Yes, of course. I haven't escorted you properly. The previous dates were horrible, for your part. I want to make it up to you. So, what do you say?"

  I drummed my fingers on my desk. I chewed my bottom lip. Should I go or not? But, I must admit that I missed him and we didn't spend our time much outside the apartment.

  "Abby?"

  His voice brought me back to the present. I ran my hand through my hair. "Um...yes, of course. Okay." I guessed a little time with him won't hurt me.

  I heard him exhaled. I assumed he was nervous to wait for my answer. And then he chuckled. "All right. I also want to tell you that I'll spend the night in the hospital so I'll be home tomorrow and we'll have our date after lunch. How's that?"

  I frowned a little when I heard him wanted to stay at the hospital. That means I must stay in my bed alone. I was beginning to sleep more comfortable in his arms.

  "Sure," I tried to sound neutral, but it didn't fool him.

  He sighed. As if he could read my mind, he said, "Believe me, Abby. I'd rather spend my night next to you too, but I need to take this shift so we could spend our time together tomorrow."

  I smiled. I was touched by the way he tried so hard to manage his time so he could spend his time with me. That was the most important quality from Joshua.

  "I know," I said in low voice.

  "Don't stay late, all right. I love you."

  I bit my lip. I was not ready to say the words yet. I sighed. "Come home soon," I said to him, hoping to foreshadow my feelings from him.

  He was silence for a moment before finally said, "I will."

  And the line went dead.

  I went home early with takeout bags and planned to have a nice hot shower. After my shower, I ate my take out dinner in front of the plasma TV. The night when I spent alone after the Ryan incident was different from now. Even though I was alone, I knew Joshua will come home tomorrow. I turned off the TV at 9:00 pm sharp and walked to my room. I stopped at my door and glanced over at Joshua's door. I bit my lip an
d walked slowly to his door. I debated whether or not to go inside, but I've already spent my time in his room before so I guessed this time won't hurt me.

  I opened the door gingerly and peeked inside. I turned on the lights and looked around to his room. I smiled and walked inside. His memorabilia board was still there, his closet and a desk. A fancy laptop and speakers on top of it, I didn't even think to touch that. I was not good in electronic stuff.

  His wall was clean; I think he was not the type who would put some posters on the wall. His king size bed was neatly made and I blushed a little remembering the last time we spent the night in this bed. I opened the cover and slid under it. I inhaled his scent from the pillow. I smiled and snuggled myself on one of the pillows. I was fallen asleep afterwards.

  I woke up by the feeling something wrapped around my waist. I adjusted my sight and realized I was asleep in Joshua's room. I tried to sit up to look over the alarm clock on the night stand, but something on my waist tightened its hold. I looked down and found Joshua's arm encircled my waist. His face was inches from my neck and I could feel his steady breathing. I smiled and tried to release his hold, but he snuggled closer.

  "Don't go. Stay," He mumbled.

  I smiled and turned my body around to stroke his hair. He leaned into my touch. "I just want to make you breakfast and do the laundry before we go for our date," I whispered.

  He smiled and opened his eyes sleepily. "We're going on a date."

  I chuckled. "Yes, we are. Now, go back to sleep. You're still tired."

  He nodded and closed his eyes again.

  I kissed his forehead and released his arms. Joshua went back to sleep while I was buzzing around from making breakfast and doing the laundry. I did some cleaning in the kitchen and in the living room, because we used to spend most of our time in those places. I finished two hours later and took a shower. Joshua woke up at 10:30 am while I was eating my breakfast or rather brunch in the living room. He ate his brunch next to me and took a shower too afterwards. I went to my room to change my clothes. Even though we've already lived together, but I wanted to look nice now. It was date after all. I decided to wear deep blue shirt and a knee-length skirt with flat shoes. I was in the middle of curling my hair when Joshua knocked at my door.

  "Are you ready to go, dear?"

  "In a minute," I answered him.

  I looked myself over the mirror and took a deep breath. All right, let's get this over with. I opened my door and found Joshua was sitting in the living room. He stood up when he saw me and I nearly fell on my knees. He was wearing blue shirt, dark coat and dark trousers. His hair wasn't so unruly, even though still a little bit messy. God, was he ever going to be more handsome day after day?

  Joshua looked at me with wide eyes and I instantly felt nervous. Did I dress right? Or did I have to change? I looked over my clothes and smiled at him sheepishly. "I'll go change now."

  But, before I could turn around, he was already stood in front of me. "Silly girl. You look beautiful."

  I chewed my bottom lip. "Really?"

  He rolled his eyes. "Of course, silly. Come on, let's get going."

  We walked hand in hand to the apartment garage and Joshua guided me to his black car. Ah, yes, the special occasion car. This was my second time to ride this car after the dinner with his parents.

  I raised my eyebrows. "The black car?”

  He grinned. "It's a special occasion. Of course, I'll ride with this one."

  He opened the door for me and I got in. He walked around the car and opened the driver's door. I buckled my seatbelt after Joshua did the same thing and revved the engine.

  "I wonder what you'd do to this car if you don't have any special occasions for a long time."

  He smirked. "The car stays in the garage, but I always check the machine regularly. You'll never know when you'll have a special occasion."

  "Uh-huh."

  He drove swiftly from the garage and I looked at him when we were out from the apartment complex.

  "Where are we going?"

  He grinned. "It's a surprise."

  Uh-huh.

  He drove us to a bookstore and no, it was not the one where the book launching was held. It was another bookstore, also in town. I browsed some books with him. Sometimes cracking jokes to one another and finally I bought two books while Joshua bought five books. Our next stop was at the museum.

  Yes, a museum!

  I knew it sounds corny, but I enjoyed my time with him. After spending time in the museum, Joshua took me to lunch in a fancy restaurant. I couldn't protest now. I knew this was his turn to make a special date for me.

  We finally spent our afternoon at the park. We sat on the bench and I cuddled next to him. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and I leaned to his chest. He kissed my hair and I smiled. We didn't talk much, just enjoying our time together although a worry feeling crept to my chest. What if I really had to move to New York or England? What will happen to both of us? Should we live apart again? Should I end the engagement or ask him to move with me?

  But, I didn't want to think about that now. I cared about him and...loved him. This time we were just a couple who would like to spend our time together.

  We were not just a couple with a long engagement.

  We were not just an editor and a doctor.

  We were just Joshua and Abby.

  Chapter 16

  The Candidate and The Gala

  We never talked about my impending transfer anymore after our date. I spent my weekend mostly with Joshua. We laughed, cracked jokes, cooked together, watched some DVDs and simply enjoyed our time together. I wish we could stay like that for a long time; didn't need to worry about our jobs or mostly about my current status as one of the candidates who was going to be sent to New York or England. But, Joshua and I knew we must have to deal with it. He's already searching for some suitable hospitals in New York and England if I were really about to be sent there. I've told him I haven't made a decision yet, and my bosses didn't talk about it with me. Somehow I felt guilty, to make him move from Seattle to New York or England, if I really did have to move. But, he told me that he couldn't bear to be separated from me again. I felt my love for him go deeper the moment he said those words. And it terrified me if I must live apart from him.

  Apparently, that day was about come. Wednesday morning when I just arrived at my cubicle, Mr. Smith was looking for me.

  "Ms. Bennett?" A soft voice called my name and I turned around in my chair to see Marianne, Mr. Smith's secretary.

  I cleared my throat. "Yes?" I answered in a shaky voice. Mr. Smith does not often send his secretary to call for an employee. This must be an important matter and suddenly, I felt nervous.

  Marianne smiled. "Mr. Smith wants to see you in his office."

  Uh-oh.

  It's definitely an important matter.

  I nodded slowly and stood up from my chair. I smoothed my clothes and followed Marianne who's already at the elevator door. I walked into the elevator and stood next to her. We didn't talk much and I was busy calming my breathing and my erratic heartbeat.

  Is there something wrong with my job?

  Does it have something to do with Ryan?

  But, I dismissed that thought quickly. Ryan was a smart man. I didn't like him, but I knew he won't do something dramatic like that. Or is he going to...I don't know...fire me? My body went two degrees colder.

  Marianne escorted me to Mr. Smith's office. She knocked three times and I heard Mr. Smith's voice to allow us to go inside. She opened the large mahogany door and gestured me to come inside. I walked in slowly to his elegant office. I was expecting Marianne to come with me, but instead she closed the door.

  I gulped.

  Mr. Smith smiled when he saw my nervousness. "Ms. Bennett. Have a seat."

  I nodded slowly and sat on a chair across from him. "Good morning, Mr. Smith."

  He nodded and leaned back to his chair. "So, how are you, Ms. Bennett? I assume you're enjoyin
g your work here."

  I chuckled nervously. "Yes. Yes, I do, Mr. Smith. I really enjoy it." His tone was firm and I must admit I wasn't feeling nervous anymore.

  "Do you have any idea why I called you to come to my office this morning?"

  I clenched my fists, trying not to tremble. I smiled. "No, I'm afraid I have no clue, Mr. Smith." My heartbeat increased again.

  He smiled and leaned onto his desk and let his elbows rest. "I'm sure you are working with Mrs. McLane recently and she's the first foreign author that works with us. She called me last Friday and she told me she was pleased working with you. I, on behalf of the company, must say thank you, Ms. Bennett. You must know that if she was happy working with us, our company will be known outside the State. We would like to hold a celebration along with Mrs. McLane's book launching. I'll make sure you attend the event, Ms. Bennett."

  I blinked several times. I knew Helena McLane was originally from Slovakia. She married an American and lived here with her husband. She was good at speaking English, but has a weakness in writing. She loves to read and write. The manuscript that I worked was her first book and she was so proud of it. She already asked me to come to her book launching and I accepted it, but to hear from Mr. Smith how I work with her could have a great impact for the company, was beyond me. I've always tried to work in good terms with all of my authors.

  I took a deep breath. "Um...thank you, Mr. Smith. Actually Mrs. McLane already asked me to come and I said yes," I told him. As much as I hate attention, I knew this was important to her. I just want to make her happy.

  My boss nodded. "It's good if you decided to come. There's one more thing that I would like to discuss."

  There was silence.

  Mr. Smith leaned back to his chair. "I'm sure you heard rumors about the new offices in New York and England."

  My face turned pale. I swallowed hard. There was no way I could say no. "Yes, sir."

  "I was paying attention to all the employees here since the rumor had spread. Some of them are trying to make good impressions while others were just trying to do their best. It seems you're not affected at all with the news. May I know why?"

  Oh, Lord. This was like the first time he interviewed me before I worked here.