Me Before You
Chapter 14

Monica let out a rough breath after dropping down on the bed. The girl did not understand why she was quite upset after hearing Joshua's words earlier this afternoon. And why should he avoid Joshua when he calls him?

If you can be honest, on the deepest side of his heart, do not accept the words of Joshua. The man seemed to have no desire to be on Monica's side. Joshua preferred to give up on the situation.

Ah, annoying. Why is he thinking of Joshua Spencer now? When the man had no intention of getting in touch with Monica anymore.

Monica clucking. He's really upset right now.

The girl got up and slowly walked towards the door. Unintentionally, Monica glanced at the table full of her books. Then Monica remembered something. Then he approached the table and began rummaging through books that had been neatly arranged on the table, as if looking for something. A few minutes later the girl found what she was looking for, stared at the item closely, then gathered confidence.

"I have to give it back to Joshua." murmured Monica.

Next, he went back to doing the same, trying to find the books that Joshua had loaned him some time ago. The man is about to leave, for whatever Monica keeps things that don't belong to him. He better give it back to his master.

While seriously looking for Joshua's book among the pile of books, suddenly one of Monica's books fell. The girl looked down to see if it was the book she was looking for. Monica frowned when she saw the book, a second later, she lowered her body to take the book.

The Power of Change.

Monica did not remember that she had a book called that. Not willing to waste his time, Monica chose to put the book original, then returned to look for the book owned by Joshua who was scattered somewhere.

...-οΟο-...

Angela Frances heard a noise from the stairs when she just returned from the warehouse. The girl immediately raised her head towards the stairs and found Monica coming down the stairs while carrying something in her hand.

Angela frowned. What's Monica doing in such a hurry?

"Raw!" call Monica when the girl reaches the bottom, she immediately approached Angela who had just entered the house. "You just came, huh?"

"Md. I'm just going to the room." said Angela while nodding.

"Can you please for a minute?"

"What?"

"Please give this to Joshua" Monica said, handing over some of Joshua's books.

Angela glanced at the book at a glance, then she looked at Monica with a perceptible look. "Why did you suddenly tell me?"

"Please, Angela. Just this once." pinta Monica.

Angela knitted her eyebrows. "What's the matter, anyway?" abugn. "Have you brought it back by yourself, I'd like a break, it's so hot outside."

"Angela, wait!" Monica grabbed Angela's hand that was about to run into the room. As a result, Angela turned around and now they faced each other. "I don't want to meet Joshua." I'm Monica.

"You guys got into a fight?" timpal Angela's.

Monica shook her head. "Just don't want to meet."

"What's going on?"

"There's nothing, I just want to get used to it without his presence."

"You mean?"

"He's leaving soon, right? What should I⸻ for"

"No. I mean, are you starting to.. like it?" sela Angela's.

Monica looked down, not daring to give an answer. Understanding the situation, Angela then pulled Monica to sit on the sofa of the family room.

"Tell me what happened."

"I don't know, but after hearing that she didn't deserve it, I don't know why I was upset with her. Am I overreacting?"

Angela took Monica's hand and stroked her. "No, hon. That means you need certainty." Angela replied with a sincere smile. "You just don't want everything to disappear."

"Then is this Joshua's fault? He said it as if nothing had happened between us, other than just friends."

"He just hasn't noticed. Or maybe he's conscious, but he's not willing to admit it yet." Angela replied as she shrugged both shoulders. "Nobody knows what the human heart is, right?"

"Then I still don't want to see him."

"Why?"

"I don't think my heart is capable. Seeing him makes me feel like the most selfish human being."

Angela smile. "But you need to see Joshua as soon as possible before he leaves. Tell him how you feel."

Monica nodded, though her heart was still unwilling. Then the girl got up from her seat to go to the room. However, suddenly her hand was stopped by Angela, making the girl stare at Angela.

"This is the book, let me give it back to Joshua" Angela said with a smile that was still the same as before.

...-οΟο-...

Joshua Spencer spent his afternoon sitting with his head up, looking up at the twilight sky above. There were some things in his head that made it a little heavy to leave this place. I don't know why it's a burden to Joshua. Moreover, seeing Monica's actions earlier this afternoon, made Joshua feel guilty for saying things that are less wearing on the girl.

The man breathed a rough breath. Why is trouble always happening at times like this?

Not long after, Joshua turned his gaze toward the inn door that suddenly opened, displaying the figure of a girl he knew.

"Angela?" muttered.

The girl seemed to smile as she continued to approach Joshua.

"Why out?" ask the girl after taking her place in front of Joshua.

"I'm bored in my room." he said.

Angela smiled and pushed the books she placed on the table at Joshua. "Monica told me to give this to you."

Joshua seemed to wrinkle his brows. Trying to digest Angela's intentions.

"I heard you once lent Monica a book when she was sick" Angela said after seeing Joshua's facial expression.

"Oh." Then the man received his books.

"You're marahan?" chirp Angela then.

"Anger? Who said?"

"It's not clear from the way you don't want to see each other."

Joshua again let out a rough sigh. "I don't really understand why we're like this either."

Angela propped up her chin with one hand. "What don't you understand?"

"About our relationship. I didn't expect Moncia to feel for me."

"It's not clear, yes, if you like each other."

Joshua fell silent, trying to think about what Angela had just said. Come to think of it, his caring and worrying attitude towards Monica has always made a special impression in Joshua's heart. Especially the deepest side of his feelings. There is joy, relief, and happiness. But when remembering the incident earlier that afternoon, somehow Joshua's chest immediately felt tight, as if it was very difficult to breathe.

Did Joshua talk to Monica wrong this afternoon?

"Let's not until you're sorry, Josh." Angela later said.

Joshua was immediately stunned. Angela's words just broke into Joshua's heart and mind. Oh, what else is this?

"If you want to see her, she's home." then the girl gets up from her place.

"Raw!" Joshua immediately stopped Angela who was about to step away from Joshua. "I want to talk about something" he said.

With a puzzled face, Angela sat down again in front of Joshua. "What's that?"

"About Monica and my old memory."

Angela furrowed her brows, and drew a little closer to Joshua. "Tell me!"

"You told me about Monica who was bullied on me, right?"

Angela nodded.

"Lately I remember my childhood memories. It turns out that Monica and I used to go to school before I moved to Auckland." Joshua said. Angela widened her eyes, as if she could not believe what Joshua was saying. "I also know about him being bullied by one school⸻"

"You said it!?" sela Angela's.

"Say what?"

Angela closed both eyes while biting her lower lip. "Have you told Monica everything?"

Joshua shook his head. "No."

"Don't say anything, please." Angela asked. "You can't make any noise about his past."

"I really meant not to say it."

"Then you mean tell me?"

"I just want to tell you." Joshua took a breath again. "I know why you're all hiding old memories." Joshua looked at Angela. "You don't want the smile on Monica's face to wear off after hearing the truth, plus she can blame herself for her brother's death. Don't you?"

Angela nodded. "As long as you're here, don't ever tell Monica anything."

Joshua does not want to say anything to Monica about her past, but after hearing Angela's words, Joshua feels more guilty for letting the girl get caught up in her present world. Not knowing anything about who he really is. And the reason why people are so protective of him.

I don't know why the feeling makes Joshua depressed if he continues to be beside Monica. Is this a sign Joshua should be leaving now?

...---...