You'll Say Yes Read online

  I smiled weakly. "I'm a newbie, sir. I love my work and I just want to give the best for my authors. Writing story is not easy, especially to fulfill different expectations. I give them all my respect to write amazing stories and to accept all the critical responses. It's not easy."

  I paused.

  He nodded again.

  "And mostly because I feel I'm not qualified enough to become the candidate."

  My boss chuckled. "You are far more than qualified. You are a smart and dedicated woman. I never saw someone like you here, Ms. Bennett."

  I blushed. "Thank you, Mr. Smith."

  "I want to tell you that you mostly are being transferred to England."

  I gasped involuntarily. "E-England, sir?" Somehow I was wishing he send me to New York. I could deal with Ryan later.

  He shook his head. "I may not be able to supervise you, but I see everything, Ms. Bennett. I know Ryan set his eyes on you and he was determined to send you to New York. But, I knew better. His evaluation was not logic. I wouldn't do that to my employees. I won't have them working under pressure."

  A shiver ran down my spine when Mr. Smith told me about Ryan, but somehow I felt grateful he stood by me. "Thank you, sir," I said softly.

  "So, are you going to accept the offer?" He asked me again.

  Honestly, I didn't know. It was happening all of the sudden. I needed to talk to Joshua first. I knew we didn't talk about our relationship status right now, but he has the right to know.

  "Or, perhaps you want to talk to him first?"

  I blinked several times. "E-Excuse me?"

  He smiled genuinely. "I know all about your fiancé, Ms. Bennett. I've never met him, but from what Mrs. Bennington told me, he was a good man."

  I snorted mentally. I bet Mrs. Bennington was telling everyone about Joshua. I smiled. "He is, Mr. Smith."

  "Does he work in Seattle?"

  I nodded. "He's a doctor in the local hospital."

  He nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I won't rush you, Ms. Bennett. Just come to my office when you made your decision. And as a reward, I'll give you a free time today and two extra days off. You don't have to work today and you may use the extra days off anytime you want. Just call my secretary and I'll give it to you."

  Huh?

  "Sir?"

  He laughed. "You've already worked so hard, Ms. Bennett. You deserve a free time. Come back tomorrow. Enjoy your time."

  I didn't know what to say. Have I done something wrong? "Um...sir, I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" I asked nervously.

  Mr. Smith raised his eyebrows. "You will be if you refused my reward right now."

  I blinked several times. Is this true? I had an extra day off today and another two days anytime I wanted? That's heaven!

  My boss smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ms. Bennett. Say hi to your fiancé for me."

  This time I knew Mr. Smith was serious. I smiled widely and rose from my seat. I extended my hand to shake his. He also rose from his seat and took my hand.

  "Thank you very much, Mr. Smith."

  He chuckled and patted my shoulder. "Go on. Don't waste your day off."

  I took my hand back and nodded sharply. I turned around and half-running to get out from his office. I giggled like a schoolgirl while going back to my booth.

  Okay, so what will I do today?

  I've already did the laundry yesterday and the apartment is still clean. Perhaps I could ask Joshua to...

  Joshua!

  I mentally slapped myself. How could I be so stupid? He didn't know I have an extra day off, but he probably already in the hospital and I couldn't call him now. I slumped in my seat. I looked over the desk clock and it was just 9:30 am. I rested my head in my desk. What will I do for today? I definitely didn't want to waste my time here until lunch came.

  And what about Mr. Smith's offer? I knew I could refuse it and stay here, but I was sure Joshua won't allow me to do that. As much as I didn't want to go, this is an important phase in my life. I sighed. I knew it was the time that I must talk to Joshua about this; not only about our relationship, but also about our future.

  I raised my head and closed my eyes. Or, perhaps I could visit Joshua in the hospital and bring him some lunch. I opened my eyes and gathered my things. I quickly got out from my office. I walked to my old car and as I waited for the engine to warm I decided to visit the local library. I drove from my office to the public library and parked my car in the corner of the street. It was weird to visit the library on my workday. Usually, I visited the library in Saturday before it was closed in the afternoon. I looked around for classic collections. I read some of them in the reading room. I stayed in the library until 11:00 am and I drove my car to a Chinese restaurant. I smiled to myself when I remember Joshua brought me the same meal when I had to stay late at the office.

  I parked my car in the hospital's parking lot and I could see Joshua's black car in the employee's spot. I took a deep breath and walked to the hospital lobby. Honestly, I was nervous. I've never went to the hospital before in special occasion, apart from me being a total klutz. This time I went to the hospital to visit a doctor and brought him lunch.

  How cool is that?

  I stopped in front of the main lobby. Should I go in or not? I looked over the take out bags and sighed. I dragged my feet and approached the woman behind the desk.

  "Excuse me. I would like to meet Dr. Walsh, please?" I bit my lip, trying to tame my nervousness.

  She raised her head and narrowed her eyes. I blinked several times. I had a feeling I'll have a hard time to see Joshua today.

  "Do you have an appointment?" She asked me in her nasal voice. Wow, was this place should be a public service? Where's the service part?

  I took a deep breath. "No, but-"

  "Dr. Walsh is busy right now," She interjected.

  I raised my eyebrows. "How can you tell he is busy right now? You don't even check."

  She rolled her eyes. "This is hospital, Miss. Of course we're busy."

  Uh-huh. I can see that.

  I sighed, trying to be patient. "Just tell him first, please. I'll go home if he's really busy."

  "Are you a family member of his?"

  Well, not yet, I answered mentally. "Um..."

  "Abby?"

  Both the woman and I turned our head to see Dr. Keller standing a few feet from the lobby's desk. He held a chart in his hand and the other hand was hiding behind the coat's pocket. I smiled grimly. "Dr. Keller?"

  He smiled and shook my hand. "How are you? It's so good to see you, well, under better circumstances."

  I blushed and from the corner of my eyes I could see the woman scowl at me. Dr. Keller looked over the annoying woman and said, "It's all right, Jenna. I know her. I'll take her to Dr. Walsh."

  Oh, so the woman has a name.

  "But, doctor, she's not Dr. Walsh's family or relatives," She said again.

  Dr. Keller grinned. "Really? Well, she's his fiancée." He turned to me again. "This way, Abby."

  The look from the woman's- I mean Jenna's- face was priceless.

  I followed Dr. Keller through some halls and finally we were stopped at patients’ hall. I saw him immediately. His red hair was so easy to recognize. It shone under the hospital's lights and my heart skipped a beat when I saw him wearing his white coat. I've seen him work before when I got sick, but he never wore his white coat. He looked so mature and so much like a...doctor.

  Gah!

  I even couldn't find the right sentence for that. He was standing in front of the high desk with two nurses behind the desk. I could tell those nurses were trying to get his attention, but Joshua ignored it. He seemed serious studying the chart in his hand.

  "I'm sure he'll forget about the chart when he sees you," Dr. Keller whispered to me and winked.

  I chuckled nervously.

  Dr. Keller cleared his throat. "Dr. Walsh, there's someone who wants to see you."

  "Who is it?" He asked without removing his attention from the c
hart.

  "Well, I don't know, but she's brunette and beautiful."

  Joshua froze and turned his head to look at us. His eyes lit up and he put the chart immediately in the desk, just like Dr. Keller's predicted, ignoring the nurses who looked at me in jealousy.

  Sorry, girls! But, that's my man.

  "Abby!" He said happily and approached me.

  I smiled and he enveloped me in a big hug.

  Dr. Keller smiled. 'I've told you', He mouthed and winked once again before turning around and walked away. I needed to thank him later.

  Joshua leaned away and looked at me. "I'm so happy to see you. What are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you, but shouldn't you be at work?" His hazel eyes danced happily and my heart swelled with pride that he was happy to see me.

  I chuckled. "Slow down. I have an extra day off. Mr. Smith gave it to me. So, I brought you lunch," I raised my hand which hold the take out bags.

  He was eyeing the take out in my hand and raised his eyebrows. "Chinese for lunch?"

  "Hmmmm..." I tapped my chin and looked at him. "That's all right if you don't want to eat it. I'll have lunch by myself in our apartment."

  I turned around and was about to take a step when suddenly Joshua grabbed my shoulders lightly and turned me around to face him.

  "No, no, no. I won't let you get out of here that easily, Ms. Bennett," His eyes glinted mischievously. He took the take out bags from my hand. "Let's have lunch, shall we?" He asked and offered me his arm.

  I chuckled and put my hand in his arm.

  Joshua guided me to a lounge. He said it was the leisure lounge for the staffs. Usually they used this lounge for letting the stress go after a long surgery or an emergency situation. He told me he has spent one time in this lounge after assisting Dr. Keller in one of his surgeries.

  "It was the most stressful moment in my job as long as I worked here," Joshua resumed his story.

  It was a rare thing he talked about his patient with me. We've already finished our lunch and now we're sitting next to each other. The empty bags were scattered in front of us. I reminded myself to clean it up later.

  "So, Mr. Smith gave you a day off?" He asked.

  I nodded. "And another two days. It's up to me when I'll use it."

  Joshua sighed and took my hand. He played with the promise ring he gave me. He looked...sad. I felt nervous. Was I that obvious hiding something from him?

  "Joshua?" I asked cautiously. "What is it?"

  He smiled timidly and looked at me. "I wish I could spend those two days with you, Abby. But, I can't ask for any day offs right now. Apparently I've messed up some of my schedules," He grinned sheepishly.

  I frowned. Was it something to do with his exchanged shifts? "Is it because you changed your shift often?"

  He sighed and nodded glumly.

  "I'm sorry," I said to him, feeling guilty. "Why didn't you tell me that? I won't mind if you can't spend your time with me that often."

  He chuckled. "Are you joking, Abby? I would rather stay in this hospital for two entire days just to have one day off with you."

  I shivered and smiled glumly. He didn't know the effect he did to my body when he started to be a loving man.

  He sighed. "Did Mr. Smith tell you anything else?"

  I gaped at him. "Are you sure you can't read me, Joshua?"

  "I can't," He assured me. "I just know you better."

  Yeah, I think I heard that one before.

  I swallowed hard and begun to play with the hem of my loose shirt. I felt Joshua's finger in my chin and he lifted my face to look at him. His piercing green eyes met mine and I felt weak in my knees. It was a good thing we were already sitting.

  "What is it, Abby?" He asked me softly.

  I stared at his eyes at a moment and sighed. I guess I must tell him now. "He told me about the-"

  "Hey, Walsh. Did you hear about the gala dinner?"

  A man burst in into the lounge room and I instantly looked at him. He was Asian with dark hair and dark eyes. He was not tall, but not short either and wearing scrubs. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Joshua roll his eyes and leaned back to his chair.

  The man saw me and grinned sheepishly to Joshua. "Sorry there, Walsh. I didn't know you had visitor." He extended his hand to me. "Hi, I'm Lee Parker."

  I raised my hand gingerly and shook his hand. He grinned and I grimaced. "It's nice meeting you. I'm Abby Bennett. Joshua's-"

  "Fiancée," Joshua interjected.

  Lee looked shock and quickly took his hand back. I almost laughed to see his expression. Joshua wrapped his arm to my shoulders and I clenched my fist in order not to hug him back. This was not the right time for PDA.

  "I've heard about that gala from some annoying nurses and one of them asking me to go. Of course, I know and I'll go with my fiancée," He said again.

  My heart turned erratic when I heard one of the nurses was asking him out, but he still wanted to go with me. I felt wanted and it made me shiver.

  Lee grimaced. "I'm sure you will. So, you're going?"

  Joshua raised his eyebrows. "Didn't you hear what I said? Of course, I'll go and I'll be there with Abby."

  "Okay," Lee nodded and turned to me. "Well, it's nice meeting you, Ms. Bennett. See you later, Walsh." He turned around and got out from the room.

  I blinked several times and looked at the grinning Joshua. "What was that?"

  He chuckled. "That's Lee, one of the nurses in ER. He was about to flirt with you. He didn't know you're my fiancée."

  "How could you know so fast?" I needed to know if these things happened often to all the people he met.

  He shrugged. "Some people are easy to read, some people need to take a move before I could read them and..." He looked at me with his smoldering eyes. My core instantly went to Jell-O. "One person I couldn't read at all."

  I'm momentarily lost in his eyes before I cleared my throat and shook my head. He smiled looking at my daze mode.

  Damn him!

  "And this..gala..dinner? What is it?"

  "It's an annual event at the hospital. Mostly reward parties for our partners like the medicine company or some social service and insurances. They held the gala last year, but I didn't attend it."

  I furrowed my eyebrows. "Then who's going to run this hospital if all the staff are going to the gala?"

  He laughed lightly. "Not all of us are going, Abby. Only a staff which already served more than two years or with high hours here. But, it's still an option, though."

  "But, last year-"

  "Yes, I know what you're going to ask. Last year I was assisting most of Dr. Keller's surgery. That's why I could attend it, but I didn't go."

  "I see."

  "So," He said and took both of my hands. He looked at me again and smiled. My heartbeat turned to erratic again. "Will you go with me to the gala?"

  I narrowed my eyes. "Not fair. I didn't use the eyes' effect when I asked you to the book launching."

  We both grimaced to the memories. That was the worst day for our relationship, but Joshua quickly composed himself.

  "Abby, you absolutely have no idea what you did to me at that time. I nearly passed out when you asked me to go with you. You don't know how long I've waited for you to ask me to go somewhere with you. But, that's not we're talking about now. So, what your answer will be?"

  I bit my lip. "Is this gala involved...dancing?"

  Joshua raised his eyebrows and burst out laughing.

  I frowned. "That's not funny."

  Joshua slowed down his laughter and looked at me. "Of course, there will be dancing, but don't worry. I'll have excuses to hold you all night long."

  I rolled my eyes and rubbed my temple. I looked at him shyly. "All right. I'll go with you."

  He grinned and gave me a quick kiss. "Thank you, dear. So, what are you going to do for the rest of the day?"

  I pondered his question for a moment and I frowned internally when I remember we haven't discussed about m
y transfer yet. But, I didn't want to ruin this moment either.

  "Abby?"

  I blinked several times and smiled. "I think I just go home and wait for you in our apartment. What do you want to eat for dinner?"

  Joshua looked at me and ran his hand through his hair nervously. "Um...I really like your enchilada. Can I have those for dinner?" He asked sheepishly and a faint blush creeps in his cheek.

  It was cute.

  I giggled and kissed his flushed cheek. "Of course, silly. See you at home."

  He grinned and kissed my cheek back. "Thank you, dear."

  Anytime, Joshua.

  At least this was the best I could do for you.

  ~O~

  Joshua went home exhausted that night. I fought back the intention to talk to him about my transfer. He did ask me about my conversation with my boss, but I insisted that he should take a rest. The next day was the same. I went home to an empty apartment and Joshua arrived at 10:00 pm with me asleep on the living room couch. I didn't talk to him until Saturday night when the gala dinner was held. And it was getting on my nerves to see Joshua's reaction. He seemed nervous. I was sure it was not because of the gala. I asked him at lunch, but he said it was nothing.

  In the afternoon, we were both getting ready for the event. I wore a navy blue gown, a gown which Stella gave me as a present when I told her I was accepted in my office. I've never wore the gown before because I was not a party person. But, I knew I must wear it now. I was sure Stella will squeal happily if she saw me finally wearing her present. I applied light make-up and did my hair into semi-curl. This was my favorite hairstyle for special occasion. It made me feel more mature and...sexy.

  Knock.

  Knock.

  "Abby, are you ready?"

  "Yes," I answered immediately. I glanced to see a woman's reflection in the mirror for the last time and grabbed my purse and my shawl.

  I opened my bedroom door only to greet a view of Joshua wearing a black tuxedo. My heart did the dance and I had to clutch my purse for the effect. I could feel my cheeks getting warm looking at his attire.

  Joshua cleared his throat. "Wow...Abby, you look...absolutely...beautiful," He said breathless.

  I smiled sheepishly. "Y-you too," I stuttered.

  We stood there awkwardly and then Joshua broke the tension, "All right. Let's get going, shall we?" He offered his arm and I took it gladly.