Chapter 4:
Josh was absent minded these days. He would do everything on an auto pilot mode but in reality his mind and body were not cooperating with each other.
He couldn’t sleep properly in the sleep because he wasn’t used to sleep alone and it had been over a week since their last argument that he was sleeping alone, and the thing that hurt him most was Marsh not initiating too. May be he had enough of Josh and he was regretting everything.
He was busy finishing up a dish when his manager stepped into the kitchen and told him someone had come to see him. He nodded and removed his apron before going out to see who is was.
He looked up and was shocked to see Marsh standing in the middle of the busy hall, all smiling, waiting for him with the biggest bouquet of roses.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. I hope you are enjoying the evening with the scrumptious food by this amazing person. But I would like to have a few moments please.” Josh was gaping at what Marsh was going to do or say.
“So, I wanted to say Josh, I am sorry. I am so sorry for hurting you and being a douche that I am occasionally. But, I have no intentions to let you go. I was waiting for your anger to phase down, but I realized I was so wrong to let you hurt alone even for a single moment.
Please forgive me for breaking your heart so many times, and take me back like you always do. I promise I will never hurt you again. And I will never leave you alone.” Marsh said every word with utter sincerity and Josh could only stand there with tears flowing down his beautiful eyes.
Without saying a word he stepped forward and hugged him tightly. Marsh was right. He could never stay away from him, say it his weakness or love.
The restaurant erupted in cheers and claps. Marsh laughed in glee while Josh giggled cutely. He could not live without Marsh and the days he spent without him in a separate bedroom were enough to open his eyes.
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“Marsh can you at least tell me where we are going?” Josh tried to peek out of the windows but all he could see was darkness spread outside.
“My love, there is one thing we call Surprise. How would I see your real expressions if I tell you.” Marsh said biting his lower lip as he was pretending to read a magazine. He could see Josh squirming from the corner of his eyes but just a couple of hours and then he would see the sunrise with Josh and then he would see the happiness spread on his face.
Marsh managed to engage him in conversations, positively distracting him from asking the questions about destination and then ….
“Joshie, look outside.” Marsh pointed towards the window and Josh couldn’t see anything for a while before his eyes opened wide and a beautiful smile spread on his face.
“Marsh… this…” He couldn’t speak a word and that was exact what Marsh wanted to experience. Josh was so pure and he would wear his heart on his sleeves.
“This is the surprise babe.” Marsh softly whispered in his ear. Josh turned in his seat, grabbing his face, he attached their lips together. He could not say what he felt but he could always show it in the best way he could.
“Sir, the jet is about to descend. Please fasten your seatbelts.” They were jolted out of their bubble as they heard the air hostess announcing about the landing journey.
Josh waited until they were seated in the car Marsh had rented. He looked around and then the pieces fit together.
“Marsh, we are in Bahamas.” Josh exclaimed in pure joy. “Oh my god. I wanted to come here for so long.” Marsh laughed at him jumping up and down in his seat. He was a happy baby from inside and Marsh was thanking all the lords to make him happy.
“Yes my love. We are in Bahamas. A joyful weekend for the love of my life.” Marsh leaned into him, biting his earlobe softly. The driver saw them in the rearview mirror and laughed at two men in love.
Josh blushed and slightly pushed Marsh away. And well Marsh did slide away in the seat but not without pulling him in his arms.
They were parked in front of the entrance of a luxurious hotel. It was not a sky scrapper but built with the finest architectural structure. The pathway was gravel and decorated with flower pots planted at both sides of the driveway.
They were escorted to a villa style cottage in the west wing of the main building. Josh loved the design as it was open planed. One bed room with attached bath and a hot bath outside too. The kitchen was counter style with an island build in the center. The fridge was stocked fully with everything they would need. And Josh was happy to explore it.
“I am hungry Babe.” Josh whined cutely, hugging Marsh.
“I am hungry too but not for the food.” Marsh winked making him chuckle.
Well, aren’t you always hungry Babe.” Josh turned in his arms playing with the buttons of his shirt. Marsh was about to kiss him but Josh placed a hand on his lips, stopping all his ministrations.
“I am not the main course baby, I am the dessert.” Josh said in the seductive tone and that was enough for Marsh to drag him outside for dinner before he could feast on Josh.
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The weekend they spent on the beach was the best days of their life. They would run around on the beach, playing with the water. They would collect seashells, lying down making love. There was no work, no prying eyes. They would spend all night naked in their bed, tangled into each other.
Josh was really happy and relaxed, soaking up all the love and gifts Marsh was showering on him. And he was bit sad to leave the paradise on earth. Marsh had promised him another trip in the coming future but who knows.
Josh was instantly busy with the new restaurant he wanted to start while Marsh was busy with the work load he had missed. They would meet on the breakfast in a rush and either one of them would be asleep at night. But at least they were both at peace.
Marsh had finished reviewing the minutes of the meeting his secretary had sent him when his intercom beeped with an incoming call.
“Yes.”
“Sir, Ms. Pierce is here to see you.” His eyebrows rose at the mention of Natasha visiting him without any prior schedule but it didn’t hurt to meet her, right?
“Send her in, and arrange some coffee and snacks.” He said in a serious tone and hanged up the intercom.
It didn’t take even ten minutes when the door opened and Natasha entered his office wearing a pencil skirt and heels.
“I hope I didn’t disturb you.” She smiled tucking up her sunglasses in her hair.
“I can never be busy for a beautiful girl like you.” Marsh smiled too, coming out to hug her.
“That’s better. This way I won’t be accused of stealing you for lunch.” She hooked her arm around his and turned towards the door. Marsh was free anyway but he wouldn’t have refused her anyway.
Natasha waved her driver to take her car while she joined Marsh in his car and typed the address of the restaurant she had booked a table in. For once, Marsh was relieved that it wasn’t the one Josh working in.
He felt a pang of being guilty in his heart for lying to Josh, but that was just a fleeting feeling that vanished as soon as he parked his car and handed the keys to the valet.
And that was the first of many lies that he had started to weave, and he didn’t realize the damage it would cause.
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It was finally the weekend they had been waiting to spend some time together and do nothing. And while Marsh had tried his level best, Josh managed to prepare a yummy lunch for both of them and now they were chilling in front of TV to watch a long waited series.
“Are we expecting someone?” Marsh asked Josh as they heard the doorbell ringing.
“Not me.” Josh shrugged and stood up to open the door and he didn’t know why but his heart skipped a lot of beats looking at Marsh’s parents and the girl, Natasha.
“Hello Josh. How are you doing son.” He forced a smile and greeted them before turning to Marsh.
“Hi mom, dad. Natasha. Welcome home. What a pleasant surprise.” Marsh came forward to greet them all, unknown to how Josh was burning from inside.
Despite his concerns, Marsh was talking to Natasha as if his life depended on her.
“So Josh, what are you doing these days?” He turned to see Marsh’s dad.
“Nothing much sir. I was just busy with opening a new franchise in collaboration with a business partner. It will be inaugurating coming week, so just finishing touches.” He tried to ignore the laughter of Marsh and Natasha but failed miserably.
“Wow, that’s an achievement. What about marriage plans? I mean I have many proposals in my circle. There are eligible girls with strong family background that can help you. In fact, Natasha has her friends who are single and they can be a perfect match to you if you ask me.
I would love to arrange a date or two for you like I did for Marshal, and I am happy that despite his initial reservations, he has finally started to open up to her. It feels good to know when Natasha tells me about her dinners and lunches that she spends time with Marshal.” Marsh was gaping at his mother trying to signal her to be quiet but Josh had finally learnt the truth, once again, the hard way.
He felt his heart had stopped beating for a moment or two. Marsh had been meeting Natasha behind his back and he was so blindly in love with him that he didn’t bother noticing the changes in his behavior.
“So, what do you say Josh? Shall I....”
“Thank you so much for your concern Mrs. Andrew, but I have something to say.” Josh put his cup of coffee on the table and turned to them in a calm and composed way but only Marsh could see the determination in his eyes.
“Uh Josh. I think your phone is ringing upstairs. It might be the business partner. Right?” Marsh tried to avoid the ultimate truth but this time Josh had enough of it.
“I can check it later. So as I was saying. I really appreciate your concern about my single life. But I am not single to say. But I am not into girls.” He calmly said and picked up his cup to take a sip.
Marsh sucked in a deep breath because he knew the shit was about to hit the fan. And that happened exactly two seconds later.
His mom and dad were so furious that they started screaming and shouting on Josh for committing the sin. They insulted him of his sexuality and what awaited him in the life after.
He sat there, finished his coffee and stood up before grabbing his mobile off the table and turned to see Marsh with a smirk.
He knew Marsh would never step up for him, but somewhere in his heart, may be, he had high expectations of the man he loved.
“I am sorry for taking your time; I will be get going now.” He turned towards the door and went outside without sending a single glance at Marsh.
He knew, once he closed the door behind him, he will not be opening them again.
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Marsh argued with his parents that they shouldn’t have insulted Josh like that. No one had the right to question about someone’s sexuality, especially if it didn’t concern them.
Natasha was sour about all the discussion and she didn’t like Marsh defending Josh but she didn’t say anything and left with Mr. and Mrs. Andrew.
Marsh cursed in his heart before picking up his own mobile and went to search for Josh.
It was well after midnight when he spotted his car outside a lush bar. He rubbed his forehead in tired and went inside to look for him.
Josh was slumped down on the counter as Marsh approached him and shook him slightly.
“Joshie, let’s go home babe. You have had enough.” He softly said, trying to pull him off the bar stool but failed.
“Who… oh it’s you. Wow, you came to look for me, yeah?” Josh said in an excited tone but Marsh could see how empty his eyes were. He had not cried this time, but there was something alarming about the situation.
“Hey dude, look, my… my boyfriend is here to take me home. Right Marsh.” Josh hiccupped, cupping his face in his hand.
“Uh, yes Joshie, I am here to take you home. It’s late and you have drunk enough. Let’s go.” Marsh tried to pull him again but stumbled back as Josh pushed him away.
“Stay. The. Fuck. Away. From me.” Josh growled. “You and me, we are over for good. I don’t want to stay with you and I no more belong to you. You go and lick their feet to get your inheritance and live the path you chose for yourself.
Where were you when they were insulting me? When they were spewing hatred towards me? You are a fucking coward Marshal Andrew. And I should have thought about it that if a person cannot stand for them, they cannot support and stand for someone else too.
You cheated on me, you lied on my face. You said you met Natasha just out of family courtesy and I believed in you. Unlike other people, I never spied on you, always trusted you. And you have proved how blind I was to not see it.
So today, I break all ties with you. I am no longer related to you, and I don’t want you to contact me ever. Do you understand?” Josh pointed a finger at him angrily before turning towards the bartender.
He threw some hundred dollar bills at the counter and left the bar without looking at Marsh and closed the door forever.
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Tabby
Chapter 55 Josh was mentally exhausted and that’s why Bolt offered to cook dinner but he refused, stating that cooking was the much needed catharsis for him, so Bolt let him be. He was working on his laptop, on the kitchen island, occasionally glancing at Josh who made pasta from scratch. The aroma of the sauces lingering in the kitchen was mouthwatering. Bolt tried to ignore the grumbling of his stomach for as long as he could, but he was human after all. He turned off his laptop exactly when Josh turned off the stove and dished up the food for both of them in the plates. Bolt was relieved to see Josh back to being himself. He was relaxed and his forehead was finally relieved of the lines that were permanently itched on his forehead. “So I was thinking to get back to work from tomorrow.” Josh said, putting the plates on the table. “Work? But I thought we are moving from this city”. Bolt was surprised at his decision. “Can
Chapter 54 Josh had never realized that a courtroom could be the worst nightmare for anyone. Everyone could be a monster here. He saw how their lawyers compared and cross questioned every statement. He saw with shocked eyes how the opponents tried to save their asses. He counted every smirk from Natasha. Every wink from Mario and every guilt from Marshall. There was just one person who stood for him. Although Bolt could not speak to him being the officer in charge, his presence alone was enough for Josh to sit in his chair. Marshall was the last to enter the witness box. Josh saw how many tears fell down his eyes as he confessed his love for Josh and how he let him down. He told the court that he was unaware of the planning going on behind his back, that he couldn’t save Josh from the pain. The assistant to the judge was constantly typing on his computer for further assessment. The judge ordered for a half hour break before the final verdict.
Chapter 53 “The statement is recorded and handed over to the duty officer. Where is Josh”? Bolt asked Richard as soon he entered his office. Richard grimaced, pointing towards the closed washroom door. Bolt looked at Richard in alarm who nodded his head in confirmation. “Thank you Richie, for taking care of him in my absence. I will take it over now. I am taking him home now. Call me if you need me.” Bolt patted his shoulder and turned to look for Josh. “Hey, Babe. Hey. It’s okay, it’s over my love.” He sat on the floor beside Josh, taking him in his arms. Josh was crying heavily. He was trembling in his arms. “Let’s go home, yeah? I am free for two days now. I am all yours, babe. Let’s go.” He helped Josh rinse his mouth and wipe all the tear strains. They drove in silence. Josh was looking out of the window, lost in his thoughts. His mind was still clueless at why Natasha would do such horrific act? He never chased Marshall
Chapter 52 Josh was standing by the one way glass that was showing him the room where Mario was tied by his handcuffs that were locked in the center of a concrete table. Bolt was sitting on the other chair while the team was finishing up with setting the microphones and cameras to record the whole interrogation to be presented in the courtroom. Josh was anxiously biting his nails. He wanted to be with Bolt, but he knew how risky it was. It already took a lot of convincing from Bolt so the higher authorities and his officers could allow Josh to be a part of this interrogation and he had to sign an NDA in order to be there. Richard and Martin were accompanying Josh in the room that was apparently hidden from plain view. No one could guess where any one was standing behind the walls. Josh could see the smug smile on Mario’s face although it was painted blue black, with split lips and swollen eyes. He also saw how confidently Bol
Chapter 51 If Bolt thought a silent Josh was difficult to see, this Josh was even more difficult to watch. Every time he would scream about his days he was held captive, asking for his mistakes, Bolt would die inside. How he wished to take the pay away from him but he was helpless. He knew anything he would say won’t be enough for Josh to calm down. He would not believe Bolt no matter what he would say. Bolt was feeling helpless. Every day he would hold Josh until he would fall asleep under the sedatives. And only then he would go to the station to proceed with Richard. He had just stepped in his office when Richard came to him. He handed a couple of papers to Bolt who raised his eyebrows in question. “Well, Mrs. Natasha Marshall had apparently applied for a bail that was rejected by the court, and now she wants her lawyer to press charges on you that you have put her behind the bails and she wants security for her un born child.
Chapter 50Bolt was not sure of what to expect as he would see Josh in the hospital room, but surely he didn’t expect him so quiet and silent. Initially he thought maybe it was a good idea, but as the time passed into minutes and his gaze didn’t turn warm toward Bolt, he was starting to get concerned. Surely his silence wasn’t good and that’s what the doctor confirmed him as he met him in his office. “He is like this since he woke up two hours ago. He didn’t ask about anyone, not you. He didn’t ask where he was or what brought him to the hospital. He needs to say it out loud. He needs to speak or I am afraid he will be traumatized for his life. We don’t know what happened to him so far in the captivity and we need to sort it out as soon as we can or no one can guarantee his mental health”. Bolt looked at the doctor in alarm. “What do you mean by his mental health?” “Look Mr. Hawk, your husband was abducted and as you told the circumsta