Loveless♣

Chapter 19

  Joshua tapped his fingers on his lap repeatedly.His patience was wearing thin and he was trying hard not to explode at the little bubbly blonde in front of him.Penelope beamed at him.He gave her a tight lipped smile.They were at Chillies.It was a cold morning,even colder considering their location.Penelope was wearing a bright green dress and her hair was packed into a very high ponytail.She was also wearing make-up.A lot of make-up, Joshua noticed.He cupped his face and stared at her.What the hell she saw in him,he did not know.He had a lot of issues,anger being one of them,and he was certain she knew them.They had dated for a while,but it had not been a breathtaking or enviable relationship,they both knew that.The love had been one sided all through.And,though he appreciated her affection and her undying need to please him,it had to stop.He'd actually been relieved when she'd broken up with him.So why the hell was she here?
"Do you wanna order anything, Penn?"he asked courteously.
"Nope."She shook her head.
He sighed,then cleared his throat and leaned forward.
"Penelope,we had a good one..right?I mean,you were happy with me,weren't you?"
She nodded profusely.
"But all good things must come to an end one day and,damn it,Penn, would you stop crying?"he said,exasperated.
She quickly wiped the tears from her face."I just can't help it,Joshua.I don't understand why you're ending things with me."
Lord,help me.
"Penelope,you broke up with me.Have you forgotten that?"
"It was an accident,Josh.I'm sorry.I'm really,really sorry.I was drunk,it was four in the morning and-"
"Enough of that,"he said sharply,cutting her off."You've been giving me the same excuse over and over.Let's look at things from a different angle,shall we?Were you ever really happy?"
"I-"
"I doubt it,Penn.I am a really hard person to put up with.I hardly reciprocated your love,in public and in private,and I know that hurt you a lot.Why don't you just let it go?"
"I can't!"she cried,causing a few heads to turn towards their table.
Oh,crap.
"Penelope, would you please-"
"I know you don't love me,Joshua,and I don't care.I just wanna be with you,is that so hard for you to understand?"
Joshua closed his eyes and pressed some fingers to his temple.He could feel a migraine coming on.
"Joshua,who is this ho?"a silky voice had his eyes snapping open.He turned and got a shock to his system,when he saw Julianne standing beside him.She was dressed in black from head to toe.Her dark makeup made her look mysterious.
She smiled and sat beside him,touching his shoulder sensually.
Penelope turned her nose up like she'd smelled something foul.She looked upset and disgusted.
"Did this black bitch just call me a ho,Joshua?"she asked him,glaring at her.
Julianne scoffed."I'm not the one crying for a man to take her back.Puh-lease."She turned to Joshua."How are you,Little J?"
Joshua looked at her in incredulity."Are you following me,Julianne?"
She smiled brightly."Stalking is more like it,but yeah."
This time,Penelope scoffed.
Julianne faced her."Girl,why don't you scram?Can't you see he's not interested in leftovers?"
Penelope looked offended.Joshua sighed.He couldn't take it anymore.
He stood up and turned to go,leaving the girls open mouthed,then he stopped abruptly when he sighted a tall shapely figure at the counter.
"Bella?"he said.
She turned to face him,blinked twice,then turned back to the counter.
Aw,hell naw.No way is she ignoring me.
He walked briskly to the counter and whipped her around to face him.
"Touch me one more time and you'll lose both hands,Joshua Pere,"she snapped at him,then turned back to perusing over the menu.
He glared at her."Someone's having a crappy morning.Why are you here?"
"Yes,I'd like one banana milkshake and a bowl of fruit salad,"she told the waiter,completely ignoring Joshua.
Joshua rocked on his heels,trying hard not to break her neck.He stuck his balled up fists into his pockets.
"Bella,I asked you a ques-"
"Thank you,"she beamed at the waiter,as he put her tray on the counter.
She took it in one hand but Joshua grabbed the tray from her,nearly spilling its contents.She looked at him,visibly upset.He narrowed his eyes at her.She looked more upset about something else.She had little eyebags under her eyes which she'd carefully concealed with make-up.She'd obviously had a bad night.
"Give me the tray,Joshua,"she growled.
He smirked."Not until we talk,Isabella."
She scowled at the use of her full name.They stood there for a moment,glaring at each other.
"Josh,"a tiny voice said.They both turned to face Penelope.Penelope widened her eyes when she saw Bella and stepped back a little.
Joshua frowned.Was she afraid?
Penelope bent her head.
"Joshua,I was wondering if we could talk about-"
"Leave,Penelope,"Bella said sharply,drawing a gasp from the girl.
Joshua looked at both girls,confused.Bella seemed to have some sort of authority over her.
Penelope shut her mouth and looked sadly at Joshua,then she exited quickly.
Joshua looked at Bella.
"What on earth was that about?"he asked.
"None of your damn business,"she snorted and brushed past him.She walked to an empty table near the window and sat with her arms folded.She crossed her legs and raised an eyebrow at Joshua.He contemplated between dumping the tray in the trash or just flinging it at her.
Breathe,Joshua,breathe.
Four,three,two,one.
Four,three,two,one.
He made his way quietly to the table she was seated and sat opposite her.He dropped the tray on the table.
Bella's lips curved."Nice."
She took the banana milkshake and took a long sip,closing her eyes to savour the taste."Very nice."
Witch.That was the word that came to Joshua's mind as he watched her.There was no one else he knew that was as wickedly hot as she was.Not even Julianne.Where was Julianne?He glanced at the table where she'd been seated.She wasn't there anymore.
"She's gone."
He turned back to face Bella."How did you know-?"
"That your girlfriend was gone?" Bella provided."I saw her leave before your ex walked up to us."
Joshua frowned and leaned back."She's not my girlfriend,"he said dryly.
Bella snorted."Could've fooled me.I saw the way she was touching you,and you were looking at her all starry eyed."
Joshua paused,then laughed,shaking his head.
"What?"she asked,drawing her eyebrows together in confusion.
"You are something else,Bella.Starry eyed,"he repeated and laughed some more.
She scowled."It really isn't that funny."
"No,"he agreed."You are.You assume that every girl you see me with is my girlfriend."
Bella shrugged."Well.."
"Well,what?"
"Nothing."She put two large spoons of fruit salad in her mouth.Joshua blinked in surprise.
"What?"she challenged."Do you expect me to eat all dainty-like like Penelope?I'm hungry,nigga."
"Don't call me that.And how do even you know Penelope?"he asked,scratching his chin.
"I already told you...it's none of your business.Learn to mind your business,Joshua.Dios mio,"she said,rolling her eyes.
She made an irritated sound and went back to drinking her smoothie.
"Penelope is my business.Why are you always all up in my business,Bella?You stalking me?"He cocked an eyebrow.
"Hah!"she laughed once."Don't flatter yourself,nigga."
He frowned at the word.She shrugged.
"I'm not apologizing."Then she gave a sly smile."How's your foot,Joshy?"
He narrowed his eyes."Fine."She laughed at his curt reply and continued eating.
"You could apologize,you know."
"Neh,not my thing.I woulda come over to your place to give you a foot massage,though,but then that would be being nice.Again,not my thing.Besides,I didn't want to tempt anyone."
He noted the emphasis on the word.She was obviously still reeling from their previous encounter,when he'd called her a temptress,so he decided not to broach the subject.He did not want a fight,and she seemed to like fights..a lot.
"I'm not surprised you know my place though,stalker,"he said instead,drawing a gasp from her.
"I'm not stalking you!Your house address on the school student portal!"she yelled defensively.
His eyes glinted in amusement."You searched for me on the school portal?Damn,girl,got a crush or something?"
She scoffed."You wish."
  He studied her.She wasn't in her usual heavy make-up and tight clothing.She had on a blue cashmere sweater,and black pants.Her make up was light,but barely concealed the dark circles under her eyes.He wondered how she'd spent her night.Had someone kept her up?A lover perhaps?
"How'd you sleep?"he found himself asking suddenly.
The spoon in her hand froze midair,and she stared at him in shock.She hadn't been expecting that.
"Why do you ask?"she said,dropping the spoon."Do I look that bad?"
"No,"he answered,and nearly told her that she never looked bad,only beautiful,but he held his tongue."Nothing,you just look tired."
She frowned at him,then sighed and sipped her milkshake.Joshua saw that her features had changed.She looked...sad.She looked up at him and her eyes confirmed it.
"I'm fine,"she said."Never better."
He knew she was lying,but he didn't want to push it so he just leaned back and watched her eat.She didn't eat like a girl.She filled her mouth with huge bites,and then poured the milkshake in.He chuckled at her stuffed cheeks.
"If you're so hungry,why don't you get some real food and stop filling your belly with this poor excuse for a breakfast?"he asked.
She paused,her mouth full,and glared at him.This time,he laughed aloud.She reminded him of Patti.
Bella took her time to swallow her food and then smacked her lips."Why do you care what I eat,huh?It's my mouth,isn't it?"
He looked at her mouth and then back at her eyes."It's a hungry mouth."
"Whatever.I eat healthy food,not junk.I've never had pizza or pancakes or-"
"What?You're lying.Who hasn't ever had pizza?"he asked rhetorically.
"Me,"she pointed out."I don't take snacks either."
"You should be as skinny as a pole by now."
She laughed."I'm in great shape,Joshua.I don't even need to exercise,I just eat right.Which is what I've been trying to teach my Nina for years,but the chica just won't learn."
He narrowed his eyes at her."Great shape?Someone has a big ego.And why do you call Nina your Nina?You don't own her."
"I take care of her,"she told him firmly."And I care deeply about her."
"And you control her,"Joshua added,leaning forward.
Bella looked highly offended."What the fuck do you mean?"she asked angrily."I don't control her."
"Look,I'm a very observant person.I notice a lot of things,but I just opt to keep quiet.Nina dresses like you,styles her hair like you,walks like you.I think it's pretty obvious she copies you."
Bella snorted in an unladylike manner."And how do you know it's not the other way around,huh?"she snapped.
"The first time I met you guys,you were both dressed alike,from head to toe.Nina spoke first and quickly,so I thought she was the dominant one...the more outspoken one in the friendship.It was a façade.She glanced at you often for approval,and when you left the restaurant her voice changed, faltered a little bit..like she had lost her balance without you.Then she ran to get you and confident Nina was back.The next time I saw her,she was dressed exactly like you,from the hair to the stilettos.Only difference was she was not as comfortable in her skin as you were,as though she'd been forced to dress that way.She spoke well,but got nervous and hysterical quickly.She was uptight.High strung,if you will.In fact,I won't be surprised if she's dressed exactly like you today,from the casual clothes to the light make-up.She doesn't have a mind of her own,Bella,because,directly or indirectly,you have a domineering effect on her."
Bella could only stare at him,her brows furrowed together.After a few seconds,she let out a cold laugh.
"Are you done?"she asked.Before he could answer,she snapped,"You have got some nerve,Joshua Pere,talking to me like that,and handing me your goddamned opinion like I asked for it.You don't know a fucking thing about Nina and I.Your brain can't even begin comprehend the things we've been through.So keep your stupid observance to yourself!"She shoved the tray towards him angrily and stood up.
"Really?"he said,unfazed."You're just gonna leave cos I told you the truth?Why do you always run away when you're mad?You can't handle a simple argument without flaring up and stomping off like a child."
She clutched the table forcefully and gritted her teeth."I am not running away!I just can't stand your annoying judgemental ass!"
"Look who's talking about annoying!"he retorted."You slammed the damned door in my face when I came to apologize to you.I nearly broke my foot!"
"That,"she countered hotly,"was your fault,not mine!"
Joshua kissed his teeth."Girl,would you just sit down and let us have a civil conversation for once?"He gestured to her seat.
"No!"
He glared at her."You're acting like a toddler.Sit down,people are watching you."
"I don't give two fucks about that!You're annoying!"
He groaned and tossed his head backwards.Emiko,Emiko,look what you've gotten me into.He opened his eyes and looked at Bella.She was literally fuming.If she was a cartoon,steam would probably be coming out of her ears.He probably shouldn't have brought up the subject of Nina.Bella was obviously fiercely protective of her.
He sighed and stood up."I'm sorry,Isabella.I will keep my unwanted opinion to myself,as I always have. Can you sit down now?"
She was still glowering at him.
"Please?"he offered.
She relaxed a little,and released her grip on the table.
"Por favor?"
She hesitated,then beamed at the use of her language.Joshua smiled back at her.
"That's better,"he said as they sat down."If I could freeze that smile,I would.It's such a rare thing to come by."
She rolled her eyes and laughed."Oh,come on,I smile a lot."
He shook his head quickly."No,you don't. You smirk,you scoff,you tease and laugh at me,but you never smile like that."
"Well,that's your fault,"she said,scoffing.
"See?You just did it again."
They laughed,then froze.It was a strange sound, the fusion of their laughter.They had never heard it before.They stared at each other for a long moment,then Bella cleared her throat breaking the heated gazing.
"Right,"Joshua said softly.
Bella shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"Hey,do you know we've not had one study session since we met?Nina and Emiko have had several already,"she told him.
"Yeah,that's because of your hardheadedness,"he joked,sipping the remainder of her drink.
She gasped audibly."No,it's because of your pigheadedness."
"Is that so?"He grinned."I'd punish you for that,but we just called a truce so I'll let it slide..for now."
She laughed."Punish me?Isabella Bronze?Hah!You wouldn't dare."
I probably shouldn't have said that,she thought because his gaze darkened at once,and she saw a flicker of desire in his eyes.
"Uhm."That was the only comprehensible thing she could think of as he stared at her.
Her gaze travelled to his lips.
Perfectly formed,she thought and smiled slowly.
Joshua did not smile back.
His stare was so intense that she thought he'd burn a hole through her.
A phone rang loudly,startling them both.
Bella tore her gaze to her phone and let out a shaky breath,thankful for the distraction.She didn't know how long the heated moment would've lasted if her phone hadn't rang.
The ringing stopped as soon as it started.Bella frowned and picked up the phone.A message popped up.As she read it,her face fell abruptly.
"Shit,"she muttered,staring at the phone.
"What?"Joshua asked,concerned.
"Trouble,"she replied and hung her head in her hands."Shit,I'm so screwed."
Joshua frowned deeply.He had the sickeningly feeling that she was talking about something dead serious.She looked out of the window,her hand over her mouth,a blank expression on her face.It took a moment for Joshua to see the tears brimming in her eyes.His heart raced.Bella crying?Something had to be terribly wrong.
"Bella?"he called.
She didn't reply.She seemed to be in a trance like state.
"Bella!"
She was frozen,staring out the window,her mind elsewhere.The tears began to fall slowly.She didn't move,didn't even sniffle.
She looked transfixed...helpless.
Joshua grabbed her arm and shook her.
She turned to look at him.Her eyes were filled with so much pain,but her face was so still.
If it hadn't been for the tears,one would think she was just lost in thought.
Joshua stood up and hurriedly sat beside her.He held her shoulders and tried to turn her towards him.She was stiff.
"Damn it,Bella!Answer me!What's wrong?"
She blinked and turned to look at him.She frowned,as though she was just seeing him.
"I have to go,"she said,and a sad expression filled her face.
"No,"he said firmly."What happened?Why are you crying?"
She shook her head slightly, and wiped her cheeks."You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
She looked at him for a long time.His eyes were so beautiful,light brown with a touch of green ringing in the pupils.
Her mind fogged a little.
Then,out of the blue,she pressed her lips to his.
Joshua jolted backwards immediately.To say that he was shocked would be an understatement.
Bella stared at him.She looked so hurt that Joshua's heart nearly broke.
He took her face in his hands,and wiped her cheeks with his thumbs.Bella frowned at the gesture.
Joshua took one look at her beautiful sad face.Desire snaked up his spine,circled his gut.
"Fuck it,come here."
Bella's eyes widened in shock but she didn't have time to reply because a second later,his lips were on hers,moulding her full lips to his in fluid movements.
She gasped as his tongue parted her lips to taste her.A moan escaped her lips and vibrated into his mouth.He groaned and deepened the kiss.Her hands slipped around his shoulders and her fingers rested on the back of his neck.He shifted angles,and when she trembled,drew her closer.They were drowning in each other.
  Bella was dazed when they parted.She blinked repeatedly,trying to clear her head,trying to understand what had just happened.Joshua was still staring at her,his eyes so intense that they pulled her to him.She tore her gaze away,panicking, and rose quickly before she did something stupid,like kiss him again.
"I have to go now,"she mumbled hastily and brushed past him.
He didn't move.
His mind was clouded,and he had to force his mind to remember where he was.
He caught her hand before she could escape.
She gasped and pulled away."No,Joshua."
He turned to look her."I'm coming with you."
She paused for a moment then sighed."You might as well,"she said."Your brother-in-law is involved."
Joshua shot up like an arrow,his brows furrowed.She nodded slowly and began to walk away.He followed her,keeping his distance.
The kiss lingered on their minds as they exited the restaurant together.

Hey,guys,I'm sorry for the late updates.I have no other excuse other than the fact that I DO have a life so I can't update every second like you want.I've had some complaints about readers not being able to read the book offline.It's easy.Just add the book to your library first and not to your reading list.You can add it to your list later so your followers can see it when they check up on you.To vote is also easy,just click on the lovely star below.I made this chapter a little longer to make up for lost time.I hope you like it.
Gracias ;)