𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲'𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐧 ⏧ Jey Uso

𝟎𝟔.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐱

𝐒𝖾ρ𝗍𝖾ꭑᑲ𝖾𝗋 15, 2023
20 ω𝖾𝖾𝗄𝗌 ρ𝗋𝖾𝗀𐓣α𐓣𝗍

Natia lay back on the hospital bed, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior. The sterile smell of the room mixed with the persistent beeping of monitors had become all too familiar over the past eleven days. She looked at Solofa, her friend and father of her boyfriend Joshua, and sighed dramatically. "Tell your son I'm ready to go home. I can't do ten more days in this hospital," she implored.

Solofa shook his head, a knowing smile creeping onto his face. "Oh no, if you can't get him to budge, then I won't be able to either, Natia," he replied, his tone teasing but firm.

Natia pouted, crossing her arms in defiance. She felt better than she had in days and couldn't understand why she was still tethered to the hospital bed. She had hoped that with Solofa's visit, he could persuade Joshua to let her check out early. Apparently, she was mistaken.

"Why are all of you scared of Joshua?" she asked, her voice tinged with irritation. It felt ridiculous that everyone treated him like some kind of enforcer.

"The same reason why you're still in the hospital knowing damn well you could check yourself out if you wanted to leave," Solofa replied with a chuckle, leaning back in the chair across from her.

Natia rolled her eyes, unable to argue with that logic. It was true; she could easily sign herself out. But a part of her—the part that wanted to be strong and independent—felt overwhelmed by the thought of defying Joshua's wishes. He had been so worried about her, so protective, and that protective instinct sometimes felt suffocating.

"He's pretty scary, isn't he?" Natia asked, a hint of admiration creeping into her voice despite her annoyance.

Solofa nodded, his expression shifting to something more serious. "He's scary when it comes to protecting the ones he loves," he answered, the sincerity in his tone striking a chord within Natia.

Natia raised an eyebrow, contemplating his words. "You think he loves me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. It was a question she had danced around in her mind but had never dared to voice aloud.

Solofa frowned, as if the question surprised him. "Yes, I do. Why do you think he doesn't love you?" he replied, his hand instinctively reaching out to rest on top of hers in a comforting manner.

Natia remained silent, her thoughts swirling. She had always been wary of letting someone in, especially after her past experiences. The idea that Joshua, with all his intensity and drive, could truly love her was both comforting and terrifying. She bit her lip, wrestling with the emotions bubbling inside her.

"Trust me, Natia," Solofa continued, squeezing her hand gently. "My son cares deeply for you. More than you know. Give him a chance to show you, and give yourself a chance for it to work."

His words settled in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Natia took a deep breath, feeling a flicker of hope mixed with fear. "I'll try," she said softly, nodding as she made a silent vow to herself. It was time to confront her feelings head-on.

𝐒𝖾ρ𝗍𝖾ꭑᑲ𝖾𝗋 18, 2023
20 ω𝖾𝖾𝗄𝗌 ρ𝗋𝖾𝗀𐓣α𐓣𝗍

"Josh, are you okay?" Rami asked Joshua as he noticed Joshua's mind seemed to be somewhere else.

Joshua was constantly checking his phone since they got to the arena. Joshua nods.

"Yeah, just checking on the family," Joshua answered.