Me Before You
Chapter 10

Joshua had been in Gibbston Valley for a week and he had known Monica Frances for a week. It turns out that his meeting with Monica gave a special impression for Joshua. She knows who Monica Frances really is. It turns out that by going on vacation like this, Joshua felt more open and indirectly entered into a drama that even he did not know before. He accidentally entered into a story written by fate. Though usually, Joshua who made some scenes, but this time, he became an important figure in the story.

It's as if he and Monica are the main characters in a story.

Some facts even happen by chance. Coincidentally meeting, Monica happens to be a fan, coincidentally that Joshua met again with Monica Frances, and it just so happens that they used to know each other, once, but it disappeared because one of them did not have a single piece of memory about the past.

And now Joshua remembered. If Monica Frances whom she had met so far, was the same Monica Frances whom she had met twelve years ago.

Time passes so quickly, that Joshua Spencer forgets Monica Frances.

Fortunately, fate brings them back together, although Monica Frances does not fully remember it.

Well, today Joshua plans to take Monica to the river after the girl is allowed out of the house by her mother. Joshua was relieved to see Monica Frances smiling a lot now since Angela's presence. Maybe all this time the girl needs friends to be invited to exchange ideas. Joshua also realized that during his stay here, he had not been able to make Monica Frances smile, as when the girl was with Angela. Speaking of Angela, the girl is still staying at Monica's house. He seemed to be living with his cousin rather than in the city. As Adrian said some time ago, Angela did not even want to go home because she was at home living with Monica.

Joshua is currently in front of Monica's house, waiting for the girl to come out. As promised yesterday, Joshua wanted to go for a walk with Monica. Today, he is trying to type something into his latest story.

Moments later, Monica comes out with Angela next to her. It was amazing for the two girls, everywhere always together. Though Joshua intends to take Monica alone, but Angela instead comes along.

"Again, Josh!" greet Monica with a bright smile, as bright as the sun. "I'm sorry to wait so long, Angela asked me to talk" she said.

Joshua also replied with a smile, then he said, "no problem."

"Where are you going?" Angela suddenly joined in. "I planned to go along" he said, raising his eyebrows. Joshua knew very well that Angela was teasing him for being caught going alone with Monica.

"Joshua wants to take me to the river, come along?" asked Monica innocently.

Angela then looked at Joshua who looked wrong, then the man cleared his throat, waiting for Angela to answer. Angela knew very well that Joshua wanted to get close to Monica. Looks like Angela's desire to match Joshua will work.

Angela gave a quick laugh, then turned to look at Monica. "No, I'm not coming. You guys just go. I want to go with my uncle to make wine." said Angela.

The grinning words of Angela just now, made Joshua Spencer smile brightly. Turns out the girl is sensitive too. Think Joshua.

Afterwards, Angela decides to catch up with Monica's father in the warehouse,

Joshua and Monica are left. I don't know why Joshua became so clumsy in front of Monica, but yesterday was still mediocre.

"You going now?" joshua asked while scratching his non-itchy nape.

"Can." Monica nodded with a smile.

...-οΟο-...

"Actually, there's something I want to ask you." said Joshua, after they sat on the edge of a small river where the water was so clear and shaded by shady pine trees. The gurgling from the river water sounded like music in the ear. They had now reached the river, the same place where Monica Frances had first taken Joshua Spencer for a walk in the village.

"What?" Monica turned to Joshua Spencer.

"If asked to choose, do you prefer the present life or the former life?"

Monica was a little surprised, she then laughed at a glance. "Why all of a sudden?"

"Hm. If it was my old life, I really feel protected because there is my sister, if now. I think I like both."

"Pick one!" joshua Protest.

"All right, all right." said the girl, a second later she sighed, then said, "I chose a past life, because I have my brother, Alex. Although I didn't know him, when I heard his name from my mother, my heart immediately felt warm. It was as if he was near me, calming me down, and giving me strength. Maybe I don't know what he did for me in the past, but I feel that he did a lot for me to make me happy."

Joshua remained silent. In silence he thought, how much love Monica has for her brother? And that's how much love Alex has for his sister, even though he knows that Monica is not his biological sister. A relationship that deserves praise. Even Alexander Frances was willing to die for his younger brother. The incredible power of love. Even Joshua began to doubt whether he could one day replace Alex in Monica's life, at least being next to the girl, protecting the girl and making her smile.

When Monica loses her memory, she can still recognize Alex just by hearing his name. A very strong feeling. If Joshua had been that close to Monica, she would have recognized him by now. But what's happening now... Monica forgot about it. And Joshua couldn't bear to remind Monica of the past.

"Ah, that's it." said Joshua with a smiley smile. At least Monica has said honesty. "I'm actually curious about your sister. He must be a good man." Joshua said.

Monica shrugged both of her shoulders, still with the same smile, adorning her face. "I think so" he said.

"By the way, you like to read novels, right?" Joshua began to change the subject.

"Yes! Very." exclaimed Monica.

"What genre do you like best?"

Monica seemed to think while tapping her fingers in the chin. A second later, he looked at Joshua again. "I'm not sure what genre I like, but if the story touches my heart, I'll love it" she said. "Ah, don't give me a weird novel. For example thriller novels, horror, adult, or the like. I don't like."

Joshua Spencer chuckles. "Related to dislike the adult genre?" joshua Goda.

Monica's cheeks suddenly warmed up. "No! I don't like it!" the answer is full of emphasis. It makes Joshua laugh and intends to tease Monica again.

"Some day you will experience it." Joshua also chuckled.

"Experiencing what?" Monica began to glare at Joshua, making the man laugh loudly at Monica's expression. It's so nice to tease Monica like this.

"OK, forget it" Joshua said after stopping his laughter. "What kind of news touches your heart?" timpal Joshua, connect the conversation earlier.

"Hm... What is it?" he muttered while scratching the end of his head that was not itchy. "About a possible reunion? I think it can cause its own emotional. Happy to mix haru. I think that's the version of the story I like."

"Prefer happy ending or sad ending?"

"Everybody's expecting a happy ending, right?" answer Monica while glancing. Then he continued his words, "but it is undeniable that every story has a sad ending. And I think I like both. Each story has its end, just like our lives now. Indirectly we are caught in a drama."

Joshua smiled widely, then he turned his gaze to look at the morning sky. Although the weather was rather hot, but it was not felt, because now Joshua was under a lush tree on the edge of the river, accompanied by fresh river water, and Monica who wanted to share her story with him.

Joshua felt, at this time his mind was more open after chatting a lot with Monica. Joshua was relieved to see Monica Frances doing well and growing up to be a sweet girl. He smiles more than ever before.

After this, it seemed like Joshua had to chat even more with Monica. Change their minds, to be more open. But Joshua still isn't sure to tell Monica about him in the past. Maybe it's better to let it all flow, surely one day Monica will regain her memory.

And all that time, Joshua just had to wait.

...---...