Chapter 141. FIONA

Chapter 141. FIONA
 “You said you were going to call off our wedding.”
“Yes.”
“Then why does Erick think we’re going to go through with the wedding?”
“Because I haven’t told him.”
“Why haven’t you told him?”
“Because I don’t want to tell him. I don’t want to call off our wedding. I’ll do everything I can to change your mind. There’s still time.”
I sighed softly.
This man was damn stubborn.
“Don’t you love me at all?”
“I love you. I told you four years ago.”
“I speak for the present, not the past. Do you love me now?”
I stared into his eyes.
“Yes, I love you.”
“So, why do you want to call off our wedding?”
“Because—”
“Hold it right there. Don’t talk.”
Joshua suddenly rose from his seat and knelt in front of me.
“What are you doing? Stand up. What if Armando sees you like this?”
I pulled his shoulders to get him to stand, but Joshua remained unmoved.
“You want me to kneel before you and be a romantic gentleman. I’ll do whatever you want, Fiona. I want you to know that I’m serious about marrying you.”
“Please, stand up. What are you doing?”
Joshua took my hand and squeezed it gently.
“Marry me and be my wife, Fiona. I’ll do anything for you. All for you. I’ve never done anything like this to another woman. I swear.”
“Josh…” my voice was hoarse, and my vision was blurred by tears.
“I don’t deserve any of this.”
“No, you deserve all of this. You deserve even more than this.”
“Please, stand up.”
“No. I’m not getting up until you accept my proposal.”
“Oh my God.”
I looked up and repeated God’s name in frustration. This stubborn man wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Are you forcing me again?”
“Yeah. At least, I’m not pointing a gun at you.”
I took a deep breath.
“Get up.”
“Your answer?”
“Get up.”
“Give me your answer.”
I nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“I’ll marry you.”
Suddenly, we heard loud applause from behind the kitchen door. Armando had been eavesdropping on us. He appeared, beaming, and then hugged me tightly.
“He loves you so much, Sweetheart. He’d never do that to anyone but you. You have to trust him.”
“I just…”
“No. Don’t doubt him. I’ve known him since childhood. He’s a responsible man, and he keeps his word.”
“But he likes to boss around.”
“Ah… That’s a typical Lident. It’s a bit hard to get rid of it, but I’m sure he’ll compromise for you.”
“I will. I’m even willing to be a romantic guy and kneel before you. It’s all for you, Fiona. You’re special.”
With tears streaming down my cheeks, I dived into his arms and he hugged me tightly. He pressed his lips to my temple. Peace washed over me, washing away all my anger and resentment towards him. He’d finally won my heart once again. He was too stubborn to give up.
I’m so grateful.
I was just an ordinary woman. There were times when I felt inferior because I was nothing and nobody, while Joshua was so far above me that it felt impossible to reach him. But he had just shown me that I didn't have to climb up to reach him, he would come down to hug me.
“This happiness deserves to be celebrated with the finest wine. I’ll be right back.”
“You don’t need to bother, Armando,” Joshua called out.
“Not at all. I’m happy for your happiness.”
Joshua leaned down and kissed my lips softly. It felt like we hadn’t had a kiss like this in ages. His lips felt like satin against mine. He was a good kisser. He was the one I first learned to kiss from. I started with him four years ago, and I’m ending with him now.
This rollercoaster of a life was unfucking believable.
“Are we staying longer to celebrate with Armando?”
“Yes. He’s a bit insistent. Don’t expect to get away from him tonight.”
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him once more.
“I like him. I don’t mind staying longer.”
\-00-
Surprisingly, after what happened last night, we didn't end the day with sex. We got home around two o'clock and were exhausted. I was the one who was exhausted. Joshua... I must admit, he had the stamina of a stallion. He didn't look tired even though he'd driven for four hours straight. I managed to sleep for about two hours on the way home. But still, I was exhausted and fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed.
And now, I woke up in his arms with the sight of his face. I studied his profile while he slept. This man who knelt before me last night and said I love you more than once. The one time I love you came out of Joshua's mouth was amazing. And the two times he said I love you, plus kneeling in front of me. That was fucking crazy. It was beyond amazing.
I noticed something different about the tattoo on his chest. I traced the engraving with my index finger. My breath hitched when I found something different. It was my name and Melissa's. He had actually tattooed our names on his chest.
"Do you like my new tattoo?"
"When did you get it?"
"Not too long ago."
My hand trembled as I touched the engraving of my name and Melissa's on his chest.
"It's beautiful. Can I have your name tattooed on my chest too?"
"No, darling. I won't let anyone else see the beauty of your body. This body is exclusively mine. You should tattoo my name on your heart. It would be an honor for me."
“I’ve been doing that for four years. You never realized it.”
“I did, but I was too scared to say I love you.”
“You’ve said it more than three times,” I covered my mouth in amazement.
“I know. From now on, I’ll say it every day, every hour, every minute, and every second. I love you, Fiona.”
“I love you too.”
He covered my lips with his. If we hadn’t had time to make love last night because we were exhausted, I’d make sure this morning we’d make love to our hearts’ content. We’d just woken up, and we were at the peak of our stamina.
Joshua pinned me to the bed. He knelt above me, towering over me. He had a very tempting morning look. I scratched his abs with my nails like I was scratching a hungry lion.
He was both cute and hot.
“You know, I can’t wait to make you my wife again. This time it has to last forever. No more annulments.”
“No more fucking drama involving the police and the FBI?”
“No,” Joshua shook his head firmly. “There are no more lies between us.”
I pulled the nape of his neck toward me, leaving only the slightest distance between our lips.
“No more lies. Because lying is wrong. And I don't want our relationship to be based on anything wrong.”
“You're being convoluted as usual.”
Joshua covered my lips with his, but I pushed his shoulders away because I wasn't finished.
“Wait a minute, Josh. I'm not done yet.”
“I've waited a long time to have you. I don't want to wait any longer. Seventeen fucking years. Can you imagine that? Seventeen fucking years I've waited for you to be born and grow into a woman.”
“Next time, you should ask God to give you a soulmate your own age.”
“I only want you. I don't want anyone else.”
“So, our love is never wrong, right?”
“Our love is never wrong,” Joshua admitted.
And I saw the love, promises, admiration, lust, and everything else I wanted from this mob boss in his eyes.
Love was never wrong, even though I had to start it with a bloodbath, at gunpoint, and even a heartbreak that hurts more than a gunshot wound.