Page 33 of Sold to the Highest Bidder
"I assumed you wanted the project ready this year."
"You didn’t consult me before making this decision, which wasn’t yours to make. You went against my wishes. “You're fired!"
He said it louder this time. The look on Shane's face almost made Nazalie pity him. She still had the feeling that he did this intentionally.
“I’m sorry about this, Nazalie," Joshua said, hugging her. That was the first time he hugged her. She held him tight, reveling in his scent.
He let go of her and rushed to where the construction workers were gathered, leaving a shocked Shane behind.
Nazalie knew that Joshua was trying to rectify the situation.
Nazalie’s legs carried her into the bakery. She was staring at the counter where she used to work. It was still intact but covered in dust and rubble. She looked around the place that was supposed to belong to her.
There was a gaping hole in one of the walls. Dust, glass, and what used to be a wall were gone. In their place was a mash of sand and stones that now littered the floor.
Nazalie didn't know what she was looking for. Past memories? Some sort of relief? She had no idea.
Nazalie noticed that she wasn't that upset about the bakery. She stared at the rubble for minutes, but she wasn’t angry.
She realized that she was more upset about losing Joshua than the damage to the bakery.
"Nazalie, are you alright? I'm sorry, that was a stupid question. I know you're not okay. I’m asking if you're not too upset. I'll pay for the damages. I've already told the workers. They'll repair the building within a week, and business can begin soon after. I’m sorry sweetheart. I don't know what went through Shane’s mind."
It clicked then, as she watched him stumble over his words. She didn’t want to lose him.She knew she loved him. He was in front of her, apologizing for something he didn’t even do.
"I can drive you home if you want. I know this was upsetting for you.Don't worry, everything will be fine… "
Nazalie held his face in her hands and kissed him. He was talking too much. She knew he was trying to make her feel better, but he was talking a lot.
"Joshua, I'm not upset about the bakery."
"You're not?"
She shook her head.
"I'm more upset at the idea of losing you. I don't think I can bear to not see you again. You've become such a big part of my life, and I'm not sure I can live without you."
Nazalie paused. The silence was almost deafening. Nazalie could hear her heart beating wildly in her chest.
“Sweetheart, I know how you feel. I was thinking of ways to extend our contract for a longer period. I don’t think I can live one day without you. Because of you, I’ve done the one thing I’d promised myself I would never do. I fell in love with the most amazing woman. I love you Nazalie and people may say this is too quick, but to hell with them. I love you more than I have loved anyone else and I want to spend my life proving to you how much I love you.”
Nazalie hadn’t been expecting this heartfelt confession. Tears streamed down her face and a smile appeared. The man she loves, loves her in return. He wants to spend his life with her. She wouldn’t lose him.
"You don’t need to extend our contract because I love you too Joshua. I love you so much and can’t wait to spend forever with you."
He kissed her then. A short, chaste kiss. Joshua rested his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes and smiling.
"Nazalie," he said then paused. "I want to extend the contract."Nazalie was about to protest but he quelled it with a passionate kiss. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my partner in life and mother to my three children. Will you marry me?”
Smiling mischievously, she responded, “make it two children and you have a deal.” She couldn’t believe that he had proposed to her.
Fine, two children but it’s open for negotiations later.” He winked at her and her heart leaped. She was always ready for negotiations.
“Yes, Josh! I’ll be your wife!”
Nazalie was vaguely aware of a ring being slipped on her finger before she was swept off the ground and lost in another frenzied kiss.
Epilogue
