Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever

Chapter 286 - Friendship At Stake?

More than two hours had passed since Joshua had left Oliver with his daughters and now he very badly to look to see how the situation was. He wanted to know if everything was fine and more importantly, if Ivy was angry with him or not. He wanted to make sure that the news had not devastated her as he could not bear seeing her sad. His soul had escaped his body when he had noticed Ivy's dejected face on seeing Aria's state. How could he bear to see her depressed?

Joshua's patience was wearing thin and Ian could see how desperate his friend was with the way he kept shaking his legs continuously. "Relax, everything will be alright."

Joshua gave him one look that clearly told him to shut up. "Easy for you to say. You are not the one stuck in this problem."

Ian glared at his friend for his mindless comment. "I knew Aria before you and Noah even got to know the sisters. Don't you think our friendship at stake now? There are high chances of you losing your women as much as I am going to lose a friend."

Only then did Joshua understand that even Ian was worried. He had completely forgotten about his friendship with Aria in his problems felt bad for lashing out at him unnecessarily. "I am sorry."

"It's okay. I understand your plight. You are just worr..." Ian stopped speaking when he noticed Ivy coming towards them with a livid expression on her face. Ian did not have to guess that the matters were going to get worse now. The sisters were angry and he was sure, this time it was not a small problem. Before he could even say a thing, Ivy flung herself into Joshua's arms, surprising both men. Her reaction was beyond their imagination and they could not help but stare at her wide-eyed. And her next words dumbfounded them to another level.

"Thank you very much for saving my father." With that Ivy started to tear up and hugged the man tight. 

"I think I'll leave you two alone," Ian said as he tried to make a move silently. But Ivy held his hand stopping him in his place.

"I need to thank you too. Thank you very much." Ivy said, her other hand still hugging Joshua.

Joshua was at a loss of words. So, he did not even open his mouth to speak. Seeing his friend's stupid expression, Ian sighed and scolded him silently. This man's tongue ran loose when not necessary and it was important for him to speak, he stood like a dumb man. How insane!!

"I am sorry Ivy. I really am. I know it is our fault for hiding the truth from you, but we were helpless."

"I understand. You do not have to apologize. I am angry at you, all of you. But I know why you did that too. So, don't worry I will not make it difficult for you."

"Thank you so much, Ivy. You are the best."

"I know," Ivy smirked though there were still tears in her eyes. Her eyes then went back to her man who was standing like a statue. "What happened to him?"

"He is just stunned. Pinch him and he will be back to normal." Ivy followed Ian's advice and immediately pinched him hard on his arm and Joshua started yelling in pain.

"Ouch, that hurts." Joshua's words made Ian and Ivy to chuckle. Joshua sometimes behaved like a cute kid, but what could Ivy do? She liked this man, more than she had even imagined.

Joshua rubbed his arm while his eyes were fixed on Ivy. "So, you not angry at me, right? You will not leave me after this right?"

"I am angry at you." Her words deflated Joshua's hopes but her next words made him bloom like a flower. "But I am not going to leave you. I will take revenge and make you suffer for life for lying to me."

Joshua smiled and he hugged her in joy. His woman was not going to leave him, his Ivy was not going to leave him. What more did he want? Joshua made up his mind the next instant. Ivy could do anything to him until her anger subdued and he would not let out even one word of protest.

"Phew. Now, we can finally relax. You guys have no idea how worried we were thinking about your reaction. Thank you for being this understanding." Ian said, his body finally relaxing.

"That," Ivy scratched her head in awkwardness and wondered how to reveal the truth to the two men. "The matter has not ended."

"What do you mean?" Joshua stared at her confusion.

"I am sure Aria will not be this understanding."

"What?"

"Yes. The one thing my sister hates the most is lies and you guys have done just that. She hates liars to the point that she detests them."

"But you understood us right? Why can't she?" Ian questioned again, his heart beating like a drum in fear. He had thought everything to have been over. But he was wrong, his friendship was still at stake.

"Ian, I am a journalist. I have seen all kinds of people and have heard all possible web of lies. I know why you lied to us, to her. My Dad's life was what mattered and you just wanted to keep him safe. But Aria is naive in this matter. She hates it when people lie to her and even I do not dare to do it. She might understand you for saving my father but she won't forgive you for hiding about him even after you guys found about us being his daughters."

"Is it going to be bad?" Joshua asked, his brows furrowing in thoughts.

"Very bad, especially for Ian and Noah."

"Why don't you try explaining our stance before her? She might listen to you." Joshua advised after a lot of pondering.

"Joshua, me not scolding you right now does not mean I am not angry at you guys. Just imagine how you would feel if I lied about something very trivial to you and hid the truth. What would you do? Put yourself in our shoes. Would you not be angry?"

Joshua now understood what Ivy wanted to say. If he was in her place he would have shot down anybody who dared to lie to him. He should be happy that Ivy is even speaking to him and thinking of not breaking up with him. She was being magnanimous here while Aria's reaction was completely normal.

When she noticed that the two men had got her point, she continued to speak. "I am still furious at you, but I know you had good intentions at heart. The possibility of risks and problems once we found out about our father was more. So, I don't blame you much."

"Thank you so much." Joshua kissed her forehead but his mind was somewhere else. He was worried for his friend now, deeply worried.

"Where is Aria?"

"She is in the living room and I advise you to leave her be for some time until she cools off. She might say something hurtful when she is angry and I don't want you both to regret once she blows off the steam. Let her collect her thoughts first." Ivy warned Ian who was about to go have a chat with his friend.

Five minutes later, even Oliver joined them in the kitchen. 

"Dad, what are doing here? Where is Aria?"

"She is in the living room. I left her to arrange her thoughts. She needed some time alone and don't worry, I have warned Noah not to go to her right now, not when there are chances of her erupting like a volcano on seeing him. And I am here to prepare food for my daughters. They must be missing my cooking."

"Dad, you are gonna cook? Great. I have been yearning for your food since you went missing." Oliver smiled at his daughter and patted her head.

"Thank you, Mr. West," Ian said, when suddenly the kitchen had become silent.

"Ah, you must be the guy my Ivy likes right?" Oliver held Ian's hands and smiled at him as he took a thorough look. On noticing that Ian was about to object, Oliver gave him an evil smile which neither Ivy or Joshua could see. Ian understood that the old man wanted to pull the couple's legs. So, he acted along.

"Dad, I.." Ivy started trying to clear the confusion here. However, Ian interrupted her.

"I am the one your daughter likes," Ian replied of a sudden and his answer shocked the couple thoroughly.

"Ian, what are you saying? Why are you lying? I am the one Ivy likes and she is my woman." Joshua rebuked him, his eyes questioning him in confusion.

"Now the cat is out of the bag. Excellent. How long were you two thinking about hiding this from me?"

Only now did the two realize that Oliver had tricked them and the two people could not help but lower their heads in embarrassment. 

"Why are you averting you gazes? I am not scolding you or forbidding you two from being together. In fact, I am happy that you two are together. I Just hope Aria does not take this matter to heart and break up with Noah. The poor guy loves her very much."

 Everybody become quiet when they heard Oliver and hoped that Aria would it make it too hard for Noah.

"Oh no. I forgot something important in this chaos. Ivy, how is Susan? Is she alright? She must be waiting for me, right? I want to meet her."

That was all it took for the three people to stiffen in their places.