Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Flavia blinked and realized that she was no longer in the living room. She tried to get up from the bed and noticed something strange with her right hand. When she turned, she could see an IV needle attached there.

What happened? Flavia tried to remember. Earlier, she was lying on the sofa, dreaming of meeting Gladwin.

Gladwin? Flavia furrowed her brow. Yes, even though it seemed real, Flavia knew it was just a dream. But what about the IV in her hand? Did Abigail call a doctor for her?

Flavia uncovered herself and slowly got out of bed. The marble floor beneath her felt cold on the soles of her feet. Although her body felt fresher than before, and her head no longer ached, she still felt weak.

Flavia turned off the IV and removed the needle slowly. Her hand felt a pinch as the plaster and needle came off. She opened the door and saw Abigail sitting at the bar table, busy with her tablet.

“Awake already?” she asked with a worried expression. Flavia just nodded. “Feeling better?” she asked again, offering a glass of water to Flavia.

“Hmm…” Flavia replied and drank the warm water until it was finished.

“Sorry, the convenience store was unexpectedly crowded earlier,” Abigail said again. She took a plate and handed a food box towards her. “Eat, it was reheated a bit.” Abigail opened the chicken package and placed it on the plate, pouring sauce for dipping.

“Thanks,” Flavia said, then took a big bite of the chicken and put it in her mouth. The spicy and savory taste of the sauce instantly revived her appetite. “What about our appointment with the shop owner?” Flavia asked between bites.

“It’s canceled. We can go tomorrow morning,” Abigail replied casually. Her eyes still focused on her tablet.

“What’s up? Any news?” Flavia inquired.

Abigail handed her tablet, showing beautiful landscape photos. “There’s a photography offer for a jacket product. Some locations in the west and central areas,” she said, showing several locations and product photos.

“Great. How about the contract?”

“The offer is good. The accommodation is also good. It’s just the timing that’s not ideal.”

“Why? Aren’t you working on any projects right now?”

“No, but we should focus on the cafe first.”

“Let it be, I’ll take care of the cafe. Besides, we’ll see the location tomorrow, and you’ve already agreed on the price, so it’s just a matter of tomorrow.”

“Yeah, but still…”

“Never mind, no ‘buts.’ I can handle everything. You don’t need to worry,” Flavia reassured. She took her plate and dirty glass to the sink.

“Why are you up? Didn’t you ask to be woken up during dinner?” Abigail asked the figure standing behind her.

“Enough already. Sleeping too long can ruin your eyes.” The voice made Flavia’s body stiffen momentarily. “Are you feeling better?” the voice asked her. Flavia still stood frozen in place, her mind reluctant to believe that the voice was real.

“Via, you okay?” Abigail’s voice sounded concerned. Flavia turned around and saw both of them standing so close to her. The strong hand touched her forehead with its back.

“Her body temperature is okay. Are you still dizzy?” The man asked with an investigative gaze. Flavia answered with a shake of her head. “Feeling weak?” Flavia nodded. “Make her some honey tea to raise her blood sugar.” The man ordered and walked away, leaving Flavia still stunned.

This is not a dream, right? Flavia wondered in her heart. She really woke up, and indeed, the man stood in front of her, touching her and checking her condition.

“Don’t daydream, or you might get possessed,” teased Abigail nearby. The soft whisper made Flavia’s face feel hot. Flavia glanced at her friend, who responded with a meaningful grin.

“Uncle, when did he arrive?” she asked after managing to steady her heartbeat.

“He landed early in the morning, waited for the baggage, then came straight here,” the man replied casually while turning on the TV with the remote already in his hand.

“Does Mom know that Uncle is back?” Flavia asked again, to which the man responded with a shake of his head.

“Later, if he’s had enough rest, then he can report. As if you don’t know what your mom is like. Her nagging is more deafening than a police siren.” Gladwin scoffed with a mocking tone, met by Flavia’s small smile.

In her heart, Flavia was grateful that the man focused more on the TV screen, allowing her to gaze at the man she hadn’t seen in a long time. Abigail nudged her and handed her a warm cup of honey tea with a mischievous glint. Flavia accepted the cup and mumbled a thank you before taking a sip.

“Did we get any souvenirs?” Abigail asked casually as she sat next to her uncle.

“No. It’s a waste for me to give you souvenirs. Just throwing away money,” Gladwin replied expressionlessly.

Flavia continued to smile. In reality, almost five years had passed, and nothing had changed about her Gladwin.

Her Gladwin? Since when did her uncle become her Gladwin? How could she declare ownership of her uncle when he himself had never considered her as a woman all this time?

Flavia’s phone rang loudly, even though it was in her handbag. Abigail, who was sitting not far from where Flavia’s bag was, immediately reached into Flavia’s bag and checked the caller.

“Eijaz,” Abigail handed the phone to Flavia. Flavia took it and walked away to the area where clothes were drying.

“Yeah?”

“Where are you?”

“At Abigail’s apartment. Where are you?”

“Just got off work. Should I pick you up? We can have dinner outside together.” The man offered in his usual gentle tone.

“I just ate. Where do you want to eat? Let me accompany you.”

“Ohh… you’ve eaten. Well, it’s okay then. Are you okay? You sound a bit unwell.”

“A little under the weather. I just woke up. Still feeling weak,” she honestly replied.

“Oh, okay then. Rest some more. Can I bring you something?”

“No need. Don’t bother. You rest too. No need to force yourself to come here. I’ll go home with Abby later.”

“Is that so? Well, be careful on the way.”

“Yeah, you too.” Flavia replied in her usual flat tone. Then the call ended.

Flavia returned to the living room where Abigail and Gladwin were still sitting in their original places.

“Is Eijaz coming here?” Abigail asked, to which Flavia shook her head.

“No. I told him to go home,” she replied softly as she put her phone back into her bag. She slung her small bag over her shoulder and adjusted her slightly messy hair.

“Where are you going? You said Eijaz isn’t coming,” Abigail asked, puzzled.

“I’m going home. Resting,” she answered after her appearance looked neat. “Uncle doesn’t need to worry. I won’t tell Mom that you’re back.” She said with a meaningful smile. “As long as the payment is right.” She added briefly. Then her phone rang again. “My taxi is here. Going home now, see you.” She said goodbye as she left.

Gladwin stared at Abigail, his expression full of questions. “What?” Abigail asked, raising both eyebrows.

“Who is Eijaz?” he inquired.

“Eijaz? He’s Flavia’s boyfriend,” Abigail replied flatly.

“Boyfriend? Flavia has a boyfriend?” Gladwin asked incredulously.

“Hello, Uncle. Flavia is a normal woman. Of course, she has a boyfriend. What, do you expect her to be single forever?”

“It’s not like that. I just feel unsure.”

“Unsure about what? What’s wrong with Flavia? She’s beautiful, smart, has her own business, and is wealthy to boot. On top of that, she’s a faithful woman. What’s lacking in her? Luckily, Flavia is willing to accept Eijaz. Out there, many men are better than Eijaz-handsome, well-off, everything. It’s a pity that Flavia chose Eijaz.”

“If you don’t like Eijaz, why don’t you stop her?”

“Don’t exaggerate. It’s Flavia’s business whom she falls in love with. She’s the one who will marry and live in the relationship. I just give advice. If she accepts, that’s great. If not, it’s fine too. Besides, Eijaz is Granny and Granpa’s choice. So, his family background is clear.”

“So, they were arranged? Why did she agree?”

Abigail shrugged. “Rather than waiting for something uncertain, it’s better to accept what’s in front of you. Instead of waiting for a love response, it’s better to accept someone who clearly loves us. Many people say that ‘love is there because we get used to it.'”

“What do you mean, Uncle doesn’t understand.”

Instead of answering Gladwin’s question, Abigail just shrugged with a disdainful expression. He rose from his seat and went into his room, leaving his uncle engrossed in his thoughts.

Abigail knew her uncle wasn’t foolish. What was happening was that he was trying to fool himself by continuously avoiding and rejecting the feelings he had. It was clear that her uncle also had feelings for Flavia. However, for reasons unknown to Abigail, he chose to avoid the reality of his emotions.