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

it.”
     
    Bianca, my mom, nodded. "But, it seemed strange that you could love Abby at a very young age. How could that be?"
     
    Joshua blushed. "Um...because she is kind and beautiful and smart and I really love her."
     
    My mom giggled and dad chuckled while my jaw dropped.
     
    Seriously, Joshua?
     
    My dad turned to me. "What do you think about that, Abby?"
     
    I blinked several times. "Well, I already told Joshua it was not easy to forget what he did to me in high school and also this engagement thing is very...sudden." I grimaced.
     
    Silence.
     
    "Do you need time?" Joshua asked, suddenly.
     
    "Huh?"
     
    "Do you need time to accept our engagement? I can give you time," He said, again.
     
    My head felt dizzy and I sighed. "This is more like a force engagement or more like an arrangement marriage."
     
    Joshua smiled grimly. "No, it's not. I asked you to be my wife when we were six. No pressure and no influence. I really want to marry you."
     
    I blushed and my parents grinned like Cheshire cats.
     
    Ugh! I couldn't believe this!
     
    I swallowed hard. "I can't do this. I'm not ready for marriage. Can we call it off?"
     
    Joshua tensed and my parents looked at me in amusement.
     
    I shook my head. "Please, I just found out that I've been engaged for nineteen years and my supposed to be fiancée treated me like shit when we were in high school. It's too much for me."
     
    Joshua looked at me with pained eyes. "Abby, please...what can I do to make it up to you?"
     
    I sighed. "I don't know."
     
    "Um...what about you guys try to live together?"
     
    I nearly fell out of my chair.
     
    Joshua's eyes widened.
     
    My dad's jaw dropped.
     
    We all turned in my mom's direction.
     
    She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please...you could rent a two room apartment, besides you both are adults. I'm sure you know how to be safe."
     
    I blushed hard while Joshua choked on the air. My dad rolled his eyes.
     
    "Are we really discussing this matter, Bianca?" My dad asked.
     
    Ah, finally! One person on my side.
     
    "Come to think of it, you both were apart for seven years. A lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. How will you solve it with living in separate places?" My mom asked, again.
     
    I rolled my eyes. "Our offices are located on different sides of Seattle, mom."
     
    "Well, then, try to find an apartment in the middle of both work places," she insisted.
     
    I rubbed my temples. "It's not that easy, Mom."
     
    "Why?"
     
    My dad shook his head and looked at Joshua. "What do you think, Joshua?"
     
    He stayed silent and then grinned. "I don't mind."
     
    My eyes widened. "What?"
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 8

The Hometown and The Old Friends (part II)
     
    I gaped at my parents. "Seriously, mom, dad? How could you both agree so easily? Do you guys know how he was when we were in high school?"
     
    Joshua stared at me with a guilty expression on his beautiful face. "Abby, please-"
     
    "NO!" I shouted at them and stood from the couch.
     
    I tried to control my breathing and stormed into my old bedroom. I slammed the door closed and sunk to the floor. My back was pressed to the door. I could feel the tears in my eyes as I begun to sob. I hated this situation. I hated that they thought Joshua was good. They didn't know how miserable I felt in high school; how he treated me.
     
    I hated it! I really hated it!
     
    A soft knock at my door brought me back to the presents. "Abby," Joshua whispered, sounding sad. "Please, can I come in?"
     
    "Just go!" I shouted between my tears.
     
    "No, I won't, Abby. I can stay out here all day. Remember, I can be stubborn just as well as you are."
     
    I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand hastily. I opened the door then turned and walked to my bed. Joshua walked into my room and sat next to me on the bed.
     
    He stroked my hair lovingly while I remained still. "You said earlier that you wanted to know the real me. Well, I can give you that."