Chapter 4

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