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

He sighed and played with the hem of his shirt. "My name is Joshua Anthony Walsh. I'm the only child my parents had. I like to read, watch movies, listen to classic music, and I can play the piano."
     
    I stayed silent.
     
    He took a deep breath. "I moved to Canada with my parents not long after you moved with your mother, but I couldn't forget all of our memories in Long Beach. I asked my father to move back here, hoping I could see you. When your dad told me that you were going to move back here, I was so happy. After high school I went to Harvard and graduated, majoring in Medical. I stayed at the single dorm, I never dated nor seen any girls. My friends called me a freak when I told them I already had the girl of my dreams. I had to punch one of them when I found out he tried to look for you after he saw your picture in my room." He chuckled and sighed. "After I graduated, I tried to look for you again. I know you went to Dartmouth. It didn't surprise me. You are amazing and smart. Jason said you already graduated and decided to work in Seattle. I went to Seattle a couple of weeks after I graduated to look for you. And amazingly, I met you at a small coffee shop."
     
    I turned to look at him. "Coffee shop?" There was only one coffee shop I used to visit and it was near my office. He really did that?
     
    He nodded. "Yes, Abby. I saw you for the first time in seven years. You’re still beautiful as I remembered. At that time, I decided to live close enough to you to get to know you again and to have your love."
     
    "But, I don't understand. You work in Seattle to get close to me? Why now? After seven years?" I asked him in a low voice.
     
    He smiled grimly. "I want to prove to you that I'm not the same guy you knew in high school. I want to prove, I'm worthy of your love."
     
    "Joshua, what you did in high school was a part of who you are. You can't throw that away," I said, again.
     
    He grimaced. "I know, Abby. But, please, believe me when I tell you," He cupped my face with his hands, "I love you. I’ve always loved you and always will."
     
    I sighed.
     
    Slowly, Joshua enveloped me with a tender hug. His amazing scent calmed me once again.
     
    I gulped. "So, about this living arrangement thing?"
     
    Joshua leaned away and looked at me. "We could try. I promise I won't do anything inappropriate to you. Besides, if I tried I think your dad would shoot me where I stand." He chuckled.
     
    I stared at him. "We could start with our date for the reunion."
     
    He nodded. "Of course, Abby. I won't force you."
     
    Maybe we could work this out.
     
    Maybe...
     
    ~0~
     
    Joshua went home with a promise to pick me up at seven for the reunion. I left my room and went to the living room. I found my parents on the couch and sat next to them.
     
    "Abby, honey, how do you feel?" My mom asked.
     
    "I've been better," I answered slowly.
     
    She sighed and rubbed my arm. "Please, honey, don't be angry with us. We already saw how much Joshua changed. Why don't you try the same?"
     
    "By living together, mom?" I asked, sternly.
     
    "Well, technically you're engaged, honey, but you don't have take the next step if you're not ready."
     
    I rolled my eyes. "Please, mom..."
     
    "Just try this first, Abby. You can call off the engagement if you both really can't work this out," my dad said.
     
    I shook my head. "I can't believe this."
     
    Stella called me at five pm, telling me she arrived in Long Beach two hours earlier. She was also asking about my dress for tonight and told me shes going to the reunion with Evan, of course.
     
    I showered and dressed.
     
    My gown was a simple black dress. I paired it with black flats. I was not very fond of high heels. I decided to go simple with just semi-curls and pull it up into a barrette. I applied some light makeup before checking myself in the mirror. I smiled, I looked fine and mature enough.
     
    "Abby, Joshua's here," my dad's voice brought me back to reality.
     
    "I'm