Me Before You
Chapter 24

Everyone knows, that the current round of time is going very fast, even without them noticing. People may also not realize, if they are too comfortable in the situation they live in, when in fact not always in the comfort zone it makes themselves comfortable. It could be, the zone makes us supported and do not want to know the beautiful outside world.

This is what Joshua Spencer felt. He was initially too focused on himself, until he finally found Monica Frances. Of course, all of that does not go well, there is always an obstacle. Until Joshua himself did not realize that a story can be camouflaged into memories.

At first Joshua only wanted to save Monica from injustice, but who would have thought when time had passed the feeling arose and turned into love. All these habits change their perceptions and feelings until they grow up in love. Everything comes about because of a process. Nothing in this world is without process. Even life needs a process.

A month has passed since that incident. Everything seems to be improving. Even unexpectedly, Adrian and Angela are planning their wedding. Well, welcoming the beginning of the month in the new year, they want to start a new life. Understandably, among the triumvirate, Adrian is the longest dating.

Speaking of time, Monica Frances is still in Wellington. He has no intention of returning to his village. Although he often gets calls from his parents if they miss Monica. Monica doesn't want to go home, but she still wants to be here, wants to enjoy the feeling of living in a big city, in addition to wanting to be close to Joshua.

After the fan meeting ended, Joshua Spencer did not immediately get excited. He's getting busy, yeah the novel project almost took his time with Monica. Especially now that Joshua's face has graced the internet screen. Joshua's public appearance caught the attention of people. Monica admits she was a little jealous when the ladies glanced at Joshua. Sometimes Monica had to resist being upset when Joshua was asked to take a photo with his fans while being alone.

A month has passed and today, Monica too Angela is going to the funeral to visit Alex. Since the tragic incident that happened to Alex, Monica has not visited Alex at all. Even at the last moment her sister, Monica could not come because she was still in treatment. Angela said that Alex's funeral was only attended by close relatives.

To be honest, Monica is very excited to visit her sister. Even the girl had already woken up early in the morning and prepared herself.

"Are you ready?"

Monica, who had been staring at the summer view from behind the window, immediately turned around and found Angela who was standing in front of the door of Monica's room on the second floor. Angela's room is just in front of Monica's room.

"Hm, already" she said, then the girl approached Angela and got down from her room.

When he reached the living room, Monica was surprised by the presence of Joshua who was sitting on the sofa. Their eyes met in a few seconds, after which they both smiled.

"Joshua said he wanted to come to the funeral yesterday, so I'll take it with you" Angela said.

"Oh." replied Monica briefly.

Joshua stood up, then approached Monica. "Sorry, I didn't tell you."

Monica shook her head. "It's okay, you must be busy, huh?"

"Sorry, if after the funeral, how do we go?"

Monica nodded briefly. "Maybe" he said.

...-ooO-i...

It turns out that it wasn't just Joshua who came to Alex's funeral. Upon arriving at the cemetery complex, Monica sees Adrian there too, arriving earlier than her. The well-built man was carrying a large bouquet of flowers.

Honestly, Monica keeps the taste of haru. Even Alexander Frances is still loved even though he is now gone. Maybe people thought Adrian was a mere tasting, but Monica was convinced, it was impossible for people to come to the cemetery just to find public existence. If so, he could not have come without praying. Although only imaging, surely they also feel condolences and send prayers to those who have died.

Monica felt guilty because she had never been to Alex's funeral. Even in her last moments, Monica did not come. Today he was truly grateful to be given the opportunity to come to the grave of his brother. It's not too late for Monica to thank her brother in person.

Now they get out of the car and approach Adrian who is waiting for the arrival of Monica and the others in front of the cemetery complex.

"You arrived first." said Angela. Monica had guessed, Angela must have told me about their plan to go visit Alex.

"Yeah, I happen to want to ask Alex for a blessing before we get married" Adrian said lightly. Though Angela herself knew that Adrian's desire was sincere to visit Alex.

They go straight to Alex's grave, lay flowers and begin to pray for Alex. Afterwards, Monica took a step closer, intending to say something.

"Alex." said. "No feeling, time has passed. There's a lot I'd love to say to you, I don't even know where to start." Monica then sighed. "I'm sorry if I forgot about you, sorry for taking your life, sorry for me, you have to part with the people you care about."

Monica's defense finally collapsed. He lowered his head and started crying. Seeing that, Angela intends to approach Monica but is detained by Joshua.

"Let him express his heart" said the man.

"I should have been in your position, I should have died. They don't all want me. I'm not the son of the Frances family, I don't even know who my parents are." Monica held back her tears as hard as she could, but she cried as she pleased. "I'm sorry, Alex. I'm sorry."

Right at that moment, Angela immediately approached Monica and hugged Monica tightly. She almost cried seeing Monica.

"It's okay, it's not your fault. We love you. You're part of us, Frances's family. Ever since they decided to adopt you, you've been completely our family." Angela said as she stroked Monica's back gently.

"Don't cry, hm? Alex will see and be sad, because his beloved sister is crying." Angela cupped Monica's face and wiped away the girl's tears. "Never regret your life, Monica. Alex has given you his full life for you, now you have to prove that you can live without him, especially now that you are surrounded by people who love you. Don't ever feel guilty again, do you?"

Monica who was still as excited, only replied with a nod, without looking at Angela. He was still down, hiding his sadness.

...-ooO-i...

After leaving the funeral, they did not return home. Adrian invites Angela to go somewhere, he says he wants to prepare wedding equipment. So, they both parted ways with Joshua and Monica. But, before leaving, Angela whispered something to Joshua.

"I trust Monica to you, take good care of her. If you can keep my trust, I'm the first person to bless your relationship" she said.

Joshua held his breath when he heard it. Angela Frances is a very sensitive person.

Currently, Joshua and Monica are in a cafe, with a beautiful sea background. They sit outside the cafe, so they can enjoy the view of the morning during the summer.

"I'm sorry, I'm troubling you." chirped Monica in silence, making Joshua widen his eyes, startled.

"No, not at all. You're sad, so yeah.... I am comforting you."

Monica smiled at a glance, then exhaled slowly.

"Already, don't think too much. Everything has happened, there is nothing to be sorry about" Joshua said, stroking Monica's hair.

"Life is unexpected." chirped Monica. "At first we didn't know each other, once the time turned out we weren't strangers. Life is unexpected because of the narrowness of the world."

It was Joshua's turn to smile.

"I didn't even realize that the Joshua Spencer I've always known was a writer and was my favorite writer."

"Then after knowing everything, what do you want to do?" joshua asked, looking right at Monica's two beads.

"Spend time with you" she said, "and don't waste what Alex gave me."

It sounded cheesy, but Joshua admitted it made him blush.

"What about your parents by the way?" joshua suddenly switched the conversation.

"They're fine and didn't ask me to come home soon" Monica said.

"Ah, what a pity."

"Why?" asked Monica while frowning.

"I couldn't ask them for their blessing so quickly."

"You mean?"

"Wedding doesn't need parents' blessing?"

"Oh, My! Joshua!" monica's speechless turn was made by Joshua.

Yeah, they know this isn't the end of a story, but a start to a better life. Maybe every day is a beginning, because we have a different story every day.

And Joshua felt the difference in his days before he got to know Monica Frances. His life was too flat, nothing touched his feelings. But unknowingly, Monica has helped Joshua get out of his comfort zone.

And so did Monica. Before getting to know Joshua, Monica was just an ordinary girl who knew nothing. He was shackled in the supervision of his parents, even though he was an adult. But long before that, before getting to know Joshua Spencer, Monica wasn't a brave girl. He was more silent and unwilling to fight.

Everything is not over, there are still other early days waiting in front of the eyes. Everything happens consciously or without us knowing it. Before or after knowing someone who may be around us.

...---...