Loving You Too Long

“Princess, shall we go home?” asked Gilbert when he saw that Haisley seemed to have lowered all the food in her throat into her stomach. Haisley nodded enthusiastically and accepted her best friend’s outstretched hand.

“How is life on campus?” she asked on the way to the car. “Comfortable?”

“Fun.” His answer was short, “Don’t worry, living abroad isn’t that scary. There are lots of people from our village here and they have also formed an association. I’ll introduce you to them later.” He said as he opened the passenger door for Haisley before walking around to the driver’s seat. “You will feel at home living here. There is me, and there will be many friends from the same country.” He continued with his eyes glancing at Haisley. “And this is also a chance for you to change your mind, H. Who knows, on campus, you might find a man who is better at everything than Nathan. He is not the only man in this world. Lots of handsome men hanging around. You know it?”

Haisley glared disapprovingly, then chuckled. “Don’t try to poison my mind into changing sides, G.”

Gilbert laughed at Haisley’s annoyed words. “Yes, just a suggestion, H. As someone who knows both of you, I just don’t want you to be hurt by him.” He said with a shrug of his shoulders. “Then, what plans do you have to get Nathan?” he asked again.

Now, Haisley was the one shaking her head in confusion. She turned her head, looking out the window. Choosing not to look at Gilbert directly. “None,” she answered. That surprised Gilbert, and he looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

They had entered the residential area where Gilbert lived. What Haisley believes is more than an ordinary housing complex with low prices.

Gilbert stopped his car in front of a white two-story house with large windows on the front of the house. The house has a grassy yard that is quite spacious and neatly arranged. He took Haisley’s suitcase out of the trunk and pulled it with his right hand while his left hand wrapped around Haisley’s shoulder.

“No need to be sad. We can think about a strategy to get Nathan later.” He said in an enthusiastic tone. “In other words, while diving, drinking water.” he continued. They walked hand in hand on the path leading them straight to the wide veranda at the front of the house. “Welcome to the Chayton residence.” He said as he spread his arms wide before lifting Haisley’s suitcase onto the veranda. “I hope you feel at home here.” He said sincerely.

Haisley smiled at that. She glanced to the right side of the veranda and saw a sturdy wooden swing perched there. Meanwhile, not far from the swing, there is a pair of lounge chairs separated by a round table made of the same wood.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The man then opened the double doors, which immediately opened a shoe cupboard connected directly to the living room and family room, whose furniture was dominated by cream and dark brown colors. There were no partitions in the room, so when she entered, Haisley could immediately see into the kitchen where a fat older woman with silver hair seemed busy with her knife.

“Let me introduce you; she is Aunt Jody. She’s been Papa’s confidant for a long time. Besides caring for the house, she is also responsible for feeding Nathan and me.” He said while smiling. “Aunt Jody only works from Monday to Friday, from eight to four in the afternoon. Saturday-Sunday, she is off. But if there’s something important, we can call. “The house is close, about five minutes from here by car.” He continued, to which Haisley only nodded. “Aunty, she’s Haisley.” Just saying that, the woman smiled as she waved her hand. Haisley also responded in the same way.

“That’s the door to Papa and Mama’s room,” Gilbert said, pointing to the door on the left. “Beside it is the door to the basement. The laundry is there.” Gilbert said as he walked past the sofa towards the stairs to the right of the wall. “That’s your favorite man’s room.” he pointed at a door under the stairs. “Inside, there is a connecting door that continues to the workplace. So then you can get out of there.” Point to a door near the stairs. “You can see the glass door next to the kitchen, right?” he asked Haisley, who nodded in return. “That’s the door to the backyard. There is a swimming pool there. Even though I know you won’t use the pool, just a little suggestion, maybe you can see the beautiful view there at night.” he chuckled. “So be careful.” He said warningly. Haisley just nodded, even though she didn’t understand. “And up there, that’s our room.” He said, lifting Haisley’s suitcase again to climb the stairs.

Gilbert stepped first while Haisley followed behind him. “I need to warn you again. Nathan is very indifferent, so if you haven’t met him. Then he will never be aware of your existence, H.” He said it as it is.

Hearing those words made Haisley smile. Of course, she knew what Nathan was like. Gilbert not only asked her once or twice to stop liking his brother. But no matter how much her best friend tries to resist, Haisley still has feelings for Nathan.

Whether he existed or not, Haisley knew that in the man’s eyes, she was never visible. In Nathan’s heart, her name never appeared. Haisley also doesn’t know that the feeling of love she currently has is unrequited love. He knew – knew that Nathaniel only saw him as a younger brother – that was probably just the public opinion. Meanwhile, deep in his heart, maybe Nathan thought of her as just a stranger.

And Haisley also knew – knew who the woman Nathan wanted was. But selfishly, she chose to deafen her ears and blind her eyes. She preferred to pretend she didn’t know.

Not that Haisley never tried. When she found out who the woman he loved was, she wanted to stop. Diverting everything to what she can do as busy as possible. Make learning an outlet. Spending time with friends her age when she has nothing to do. She tried everything. But when she returned to her life, Nathan’s return was the first word that came to her head.

Can do it because I used to. That’s a term Haisley often echoes in her head. She would be able to forget Nathan. But in the process, every time she tries to forget, she is haunted by longing for that man. The feeling that had been ingrained for so long was so difficult for her to get rid of. As a result, she could only pray that Nathan would finally be able to forget the woman he loved and look at Haisley. Realizing that all this time, she was there, who admired him and loved him.

“Daydream?” The sound brought him back to reality. She saw Gilbert, who was now standing with his arms folded in front of his chest. Haisley looked at her friend with a shy smile.