The Couple

Celia

“Joshua!”

“Joshua? Is it really you?”

“Yes Starlet. It is me.” He said with a big smile on his face. Oh my god, he didn’t grow old a single day. He looks the same, I saw him last and when was that about 3 years ago. He made his way around the table near me.

“You knew I was coming. I mean you know you don’t look surprised, you’re happy, smiling. You knew you didn’t tell me.” I glared as I realised he did not come to see me even after he was in town for sometime and he knew I was in this town. Everyone knew I was moving to this town after my graduation.

“I thought it would be great to surprise you but I think Starlet didn’t like seeing me here.” He made a sad face although I know he isn’t sad.

“Well, it was a good surprise.” He took a step and engulfed me in a big hug. Oh man, this guy is huge.

Joshua is a tall handsome man with dark blonde hair with this cute smooth short boxed beard on his sharp jawline. Oh damn, I always loved his beard. Did this man get strong from the last time we met? He definitely had those muscles a woman can drool on and he was always simply sexy but right now with all those muscles bulging and.visible from this suit, just yummy. Remind me why I never dated this guy before and now I got Chris. Goodbye my chance if I ever had it.

“Ouch, you’re suffocating me.” I mumbled against his chest as I struggled to get some air.

“Oh sorry.” He loosened his grip around me but yet we both were holding each other. “But you know what, I don’t care. I liked suffocating you.” He hugged me back but that was not tight this time.

“Let’s talk business now.” He pulled back and offered me to sit.

“Yeah sure.” This was only now I realised he shifted here and I have to shift back to New York. “Wow, you joined this company and I am leaving.” I laughed at the irony.

“That is what we have to talk about. Actually, it is the reason I called you to meet once. Firstly, I apologize on the behalf of our board of directors and all the staff for what happened and your sufferings. Now, I got some orders from the new owner that everyone who was fired or quit in the previous 5 months should be offered their jobs again to check if they would like to join back.”

What the hell is he talking about? I can join back, well a great deal because I never wanted to leave but oh god my parents. They will never agree to join back.

“According to the order, I have to cancel your resignation and you’re still an employee of this company. But since you already served your notice period before the order was issued, I need to know if you would like to join or still want to leave this company. Listen, I went through your report. I would love to have you on board. If you want we can make an offer as compensation for the emotional damage.”

Between all this talk he whispered “Take the compensation.” which made me laugh. He gave me a big speech where he prepared to apologize and convince me to join back. I would like to tell him I am ready but the issue is my parents.

‘Accept the offer, Heaven.’

‘You knew I will be offered this job again.’

‘Yes. Now accept the offer.’

‘I can’t. You know even if I accept this, my parents won’t.’

‘Heaven, I made all the arrangements to make you stay here. You can’t even accept a job offer for me. Oh Goddess, Heaven I don’t care how you convince your parents you’re staying here and that is final.’ He went silent after raising his voice, kind of like breaking the link.

I heard Joshua clear his throat and bring my attention back to him. “So would you like to join back?”

“I don’t know, I mean, I don’t know if I really want to stay now.”

“Oh Starlet, please don’t say this. I only accepted this offer in this town because I knew you’re going to be here for me.”

“You what?” He got up from his seat and came in front of the table to sit in the visitors chair next to me. He took my hands in his big ones and squeezed the one while rubbing the other.

“Yes, I was given this offer to handle this company and I rejected it until I realised this is the same town you moved to. Please don’t leave me. I know you haven’t joined any other company here and you are moving back with your parents. Let me be the reason you stay.” He pouted. I touched his cute face and nodded.

“Okay.”

to kiss my hands and get up. I exploded before he started

“But...”

don’t start

I interrupted him before he made any other comment.

to them but you keep calling

and you can convince them easily. Of course they

with excitement. I will get to stay here and without my parents

great food and convince my parents, Pinkie Pony.” I kissed him on the cheek and left his office for

I came down. I don’t remember how many I greeted on my way and kissed a few on their cheeks. I don’t mind that I tripped a few times coming here but I was

happy after quitting.” Mom asked

won’t believe what happened.” Mom and dad looked at each other and then again at me.

not staying here anymore in this town. Go back and reject

a few companies for you back in New York. You can choose any company but you gotta leave this

can’t, I don’t want to.

said with a stern look

I ignored both of them and opened the back door of the car

our way back to my apartment, my parents discussed how they will approach my new boss at the dinner and tell him that I am quitting and I am stupid to agree to the offer in the morning. They decided what to cook and a few other things. I didn’t

he can be annoying sometimes and he is definitely using this for his own benefit. Either going to learn how to keep his

bit as it hurts with

to my apartment. Walking upstairs with my parents when they are angry at me, not a good idea. I had my mind running over a few random things

one expects your boyfriend’s brother to be in your room. Not even gay

doing here, Bryan?” I whisper screamed at him. He was taken aback with all my screamings and raised his hands in surrender as he

heard the front door closing, thankfully my parents didn’t hear me screaming or us talking. I grabbed Bryan’s hand and dragged him to the

I handled everything myself. Now go back.” I

Luna?” I leaned against the

the balcony door next time. Yeah, everything is okay.

I looked up to meet Bryan’s eyes filled with worries. I know it is him who is asking but I couldn’t stop myself to

is asking your Alpha, yeah seems like he cares about me.” I snorted and sat over the closed toilet seat with my face covered with my hands. Bryan

can stay in this town for a person who wasn’t talking to me, not responding to messages. I wasn’t even sure if he wanted me here or if I should stay. There was nothing from him till last night. I asked him about his plan, he told me nothing, I wanted his help and he told me to figure it out myself.” I sobbed as I blurted out my feelings to him. “Here I am in this place with all

no. I will help you figure things out. First

someone to help me.” I told him as I wiped my tears and

handle the other thing. You aren’t alone in this place of strange creatures.” I

got up and got him in a hug which said thank you and sorry.

your brother handle your boyfriend. See you.” He opened the door and went for the balcony door. I ran behind him to know what he meant by that. I didn’t ask him to handle Chris. Oh my god,

the building. I don’t know how they do

jumped the balcony before I could say anything and had a smooth landing on the ground. I

mom entered to tell me that she and dad are off to the local market to get some stuff for dinner. I hope

what they said all this time. I told them about my plan and they certified it. We talked more and more sometimes about how things between Jeanne and Greg are improving and how they’re planning to move in together which makes Greg to shift to Dante house. How Mary’s pregnancy is going on and how her mood swings are affecting Ethan and

the takeaway for lunch and then I helped dad in some preparations for dinner. Mom did some work

get ready for dinner with my new boss. It was worth seeing my parents preparing to tell my boss that I am going to quit. Because I know they will flip on their decision as

dinner and we’re not expecting anyone else. I made my way to

early for

who it was, mom continued her lecture of manners to me. “They are our guests, they can anytime they

I missed this so much.” He burst into laughter and hugged me