Loving You Too Long

“In that case,” the girl extended her fingers adorned with beautiful pink nail polish and glittering accessories. “I’d be more than happy to be your first friend in this city. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. As long as I can, I’ll always assist you.” Haisley’s smaller hand met Loretta’s. Loretta wasn’t her enemy, she wrote in her heart. She was just a pretty and sweet girl who held a special place in the heart of the man she loved.

And the man she referred to finally appeared. He was wearing a well-fitted black tuxedo with a neatly tied bow tie around his neck. The attire accentuated his broad shoulders and chest. His slim waist and long legs were clad in matching trousers. Haisley looked up, examining the man once more. His thick black hair was neatly combed, emphasizing his strong jawline. The stubble on his chin and thin mustache further accentuated his face. Thick, gracefully arched eyebrows framed his sharp eyes with dark blue irises.

He, Nathaniel, the man she had admired for ten years, appeared so gallant in his suit. More mature than the last time she saw him. Fine lines on his forehead indicated that he had been using his brain extensively.

There was no smile on his face. Just a cold expression with a sharp gaze. However, it didn’t weaken Haisley. It didn’t erase her love and turn it into hatred. That demeanor only showed Haisley that her presence here affected the man. It disturbed him. Though not because he was pleased or happy. She knew that her presence would only add to his wounds. Wounds because of her existence as an intruder who would disrupt his peaceful life. Wounds because her presence would only remind him of the woman he once loved. Or perhaps, did he still love her?

Just call her stubborn. She was masochistic. Enduring even though her heart was hurting. But one thing she had embedded in her heart now: she wouldn’t leave the man unless he said it with his own mouth.

“Hi, Nath. Long time no see,” Haisley greeted warmly, although her heart was in turmoil. Her desire to run and embrace him was overwhelming. But the grip on her shoulder seemed to remind her that it was something she couldn’t do.

“Yeah, how long has it been since we last met? Six years?” the man asked, raising an eyebrow. His arm lovingly wrapped around Loretta’s waist. A pang of jealousy squeezed Haisley’s chest. But she tried to hide her feelings behind her poker face. And Nathan was wrong about their last meeting. Wrong, Nathan. Our last meeting was three years ago when you confessed your feelings to my sister. But you never realized that.

“Yes, six years,” Haisley replied flatly, even though every day she received photos from Gilbert. But that was their little secret between her and Gilbert.

“I didn’t know Gilbert had such a beautiful girlfriend,” Loretta’s voice melted the cold atmosphere between them.

“Girlfriend?” Nathan frowned. His eyes darted between Gilbert and Haisley.

“Yes, almost. Or, to be precise, could be,” Haisley answered calmly.

“Could be? What does that mean?”

“Oh, come on, Nath. I’m still young. And I just got here. Who knows, out there, there might be a man who’s better, more handsome, and more stable than Gilbert,” she repeated what Gilbert had said earlier.

Gilbert tousled his hair with a smile. “Enjoy your youth, Princess,” he said softly, planting a kiss on Haisley’s forehead.

“Ohhh… So sweet,” Loretta exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. However, Nathan’s gaze on them wasn’t as enthusiastic as Loretta’s.

“We’re leaving before it’s too late,” Nathan reached for Loretta’s slender figure, passing by Gilbert and Haisley. Not once did he glance her way.

When the sound of the engine faded, that was when Haisley collapsed onto the nearest sofa. Her legs felt weak all of a sudden. Cold sweat somehow appeared on her forehead. Gilbert sighed softly, observing her. He didn’t hesitate to help her sit down on the couch and fetched her a glass of water.

Haisley gulped down the water in her hands until it was all gone. Gilbert sat on the closest single sofa to her. His hands were clasped over his knees, supporting his head. “Your battle has just begun, and look at your condition,” he said mockingly. Haisley gave him a sharp look. If her eyes could shoot lasers, Gilbert’s body would probably be in a completely different shape by now.

The man laughed happily. His body, now leaning against the sofa, moved in tune with his laughter. Haisley had a strong urge to throw the glass in his hand at Gilbert’s head. But after a moment’s thought, she abandoned the idea. She still needed Gilbert’s brain to assist her. If that brain got damaged, she would regret it on her own because there would be no one else to help her.

The laughter finally ceased. Gilbert wiped the corners of his watery eyes and stared intently at Haisley. “Get ready, Princess. Our battle has just begun. And if you get hurt in the middle of it, blame your heart. Who told you your feelings for him never changed?”

He patted his thighs and rose, walking away, leaving Haisley alone with the empty glass tightly clutched in her small hands.

Yes. Gilbert was right. However, she could only blame her heart.

Nathan clenched his jaw so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Somehow, anger had suddenly gripped him.

He knew the girl would come; Gilbert had mentioned her name often, even though he didn’t want to hear it. Haisley. That was her name. And many other things about Haisley that Nathan didn’t want to know but could easily recall and absorb.

He knew her arrival wasn’t just about the scholarship she had earned. He knew it very well. Her coming here was to disrupt his life. To disturb him with her baseless puppy love obsession.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Nathan thought her feelings wouldn’t last long. For God’s sake, she was only 12 years old when she confessed her feelings. She had just started wearing sanitary pads correctly before learning to be an adult woman. And her feelings irritated him to no end. Because of that foolish sentiment, he couldn’t have the woman he loved. Who else but Crystal Smith? His first love.