Free You'll Say Yes by Tri Amutia, Jovy Lim

your girls here?"
     
    Joshua tensed and grinned. "No, never!"
     
    I rolled my eyes. "Then how could they give perfect details about your house?"
     
    He chuckled. "Abby, this is Long Beach. Even small news can wipe you out like a storm. My father's colleagues happened to talk among themselves about this house after they visited here. I guess that is where the news came from."
     
    So...he never brought the girls here. But, for seven years...did he ever... I gulped. "Did you..ever...?" I ducked my head, hiding my crimson cheeks.
     
    Joshua tilted my chin to make me look at him. His eyes were searching mine. "What is it, Abby?"
     
    "Did you ever...you know...had..."
     
    Joshua burst out laughing. "Seriously, Abby. Are you asking me that question?"
     
    I frowned. "You're not answering my question."
     
    Joshua stopped laughing and looked at me deeply. "No, Abby. I still keep my virtue." And then he stroked my cheek. "For you."
     
    I blushed again as Joshua chuckled.
     
    Farah called both of us for lunch and Joshua took me to the dining room. The lunch was good. Farah was a wonderful cook, too.
     
    We talked about Long Beach, mostly, and William asked Joshua about his job at the hospital. They asked me about my job as well and I happily answered. After lunch, I said goodbye to William and Farah and promised them I’d be back for lunch tomorrow.
     
    Joshua drove me to my dad's. It was a small house, but it held a lot of memories.
     
    My dad's white car was in the driveway.
     
    Joshua stopped at the front of the house and turned off the engine. He got out of the car and opened my door.
     
    "Well, this is my house," I grinned as he chuckled.
     
    He opened the trunk and took my bags. We walked into the front door and knocked several times. A few rustles later, the door opened, and my jaw dropped.
     
    "Mom?"
     
    My mom squealed and hugged me. "Oh, honey. I miss you. Come on in! You too, Joshua."
     
    Joshua smiled as we walked into my house.
     
    My dad appeared on the stairs.
     
    "Hello, sweetheart!" He hugged me and shook Joshua's hand. "So, do you want some lunch or what?"
     
    "No, Dad. I already ate at Joshua's house."
     
    My parents' eyebrows raised and a knowing smirked appeared on their faces.
     
    "Really?" My mom asked.
     
    I nodded and looked at my mom. "Mom, what are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming."
     
    My mom grimaced. "Well, I wanted to surprise you."
     
    A surprise? My eyes narrowed again and turned to Joshua. "Did you know about this?"
     
    He shrugged, feigning innocence.
     
    I rolled my eyes.
     
    My dad cleared his throat. "So, what would you like to do now?"
     
    I could see Joshua fidgeting on his feet and looked at my dad. "Can I talk with the both of you, please?"
     
    My face turned pale.
     
    I took my bags to my old room, trying to escape their talk. But, I knew it was pointless. After stalling for fifteen minutes, my dad called me to go downstairs. I took a deep breath and dragged my feet to the living room. I saw my parents and Joshua sitting on the couch. I took my place next to Joshua.
     
    "Well, Joshua, what is it that you want to talk about?" My dad asked.
     
    Joshua smiled. "It's nice to see you both again, Jason and Bianca. I'm sure you know about my intentions towards Abby since I was six. I want to ask you if the permission to escort her is still available."
     
    I gaped at him. Joshua didn't look nervous at all. It was like he already practiced with this speech thousands of times.
     
    My dad cleared his throat. "I know exactly what your intentions with Abby have been and I already gave you my permission. Apparently, there are a lot of things you guys need to work out."
     
    "I know that, Jason," Joshua said, sincerely. "The way I treated her in high school was beyond disrespectful, but I will prove to her and to you all that I have changed. I’m not the same kid I was in high school. If you would just give me the chance to prove it, you won’t regret