Loving You Too Long

However, Haisley’s response was drowned out by a groan that grew louder over time. Haisley turned and realized that the horror movie she had been watching was still playing. Because of their proximity to her phone, the sound, which had been turned up to the maximum, automatically reached their ears.

Nathan’s longer reach and quicker reflexes allowed him to grab Haisley’s phone first. He looked at the screen with a raised eyebrow and a mocking smile.

“So this, is what you meant by ‘adult activities’? Is this what you’ve learned about pool parties in your version? Men and naked women, all piled up?” His voice was low, icy, and dripping with sarcasm.

“Give me back my phone!” she snapped, reaching for Nathan’s hand held high. Haisley could only reach up to his elbow. “Give it back to me, Nathan!” she said, her voice growing louder.

Haisley was angry because she felt embarrassed. Why did that scene play out when Nathan was there? Why not when they were still standing near the swimming pool?

“Is this what you’ve learned?” Nathan repeated his question.

“It’s none of your business! Whatever I’ve learned, it’s none of your business! Now give me back my phone!” Haisley tried to reach for her phone again. Even though she tiptoed and jumped, she still couldn’t reach it. Her body was too short, or maybe Nathan’s body was just too tall.

Nathan wrapped his arms around Haisley’s waist and pulled her petite body against his in a swift motion, leaving Haisley stunned.

“Is this what you’ve learned, Princess?” Nathan’s voice grew even colder. Meanwhile, the strange tingling sensation she felt made her body heat up.

“If that’s the case, what do you want?” A moment later, Haisley bit her lower lip. She didn’t mean to confront Nathan, especially not to make him think poorly of her. However, the man’s words seemed to trigger her anger for some reason.

“Who?” he asked in a low whisper. Haisley stared at him, confused. “Who did you learn it from?” he repeated, as if understanding Haisley’s confusion.

“Whoever they are, it’s none of your business!”

Nathan’s grip on Haisley’s waist tightened. “It is my business, Princess. You live under my roof, and I made a promise to your parents to take care of you. So tell me, who is this person?” His command was harsh.

So, all of this was about responsibility? His anger towards her words wasn’t driven by jealousy but by duty? Haisley laughed inwardly. How foolish of her to think that Nathan was jealous of her being close to another man.

“I’m waiting for your answer, Princess,” he murmured again.

Haisley stared at him sharply. “There is no one,” she replied softly. The man froze. “There’s no one. I haven’t learned it from anyone.” She answered, her voice growing louder. She grabbed her phone as quickly as she could and slipped it into her pocket. “Or at least not yet,” she added with a sweet smile that curled her lips.

She couldn’t let Nathan win like this. She couldn’t let her dignity be trampled upon. She couldn’t let Nathan think that she couldn’t do it. That she still couldn’t forget him.

She couldn’t let his ego soar by believing that she still loved him, that she still hoped for him. And so, that mischievous thought surfaced in her mind.

She walked away from him. “Gilbert just introduced me to his bowling buddy. His name is Steven. Maybe you know him,” Haisley said, lifting the tray containing her leftovers and drink. She straightened her back and looked back at Nathan, who was still standing where he was. “He’s handsome, and he’s sweet too. I like him. And Gilbert also said that Steven likes me. So, I thought, why not give it a try. But Gilbert said I should play hard to get, so I’m just trying it out.” Without waiting for Nathan’s response, Haisley walked into the house.

She placed her dirty glass in the sink and stored the leftovers in the refrigerator. She could warm them up again tomorrow, she thought. Then she went back to the sink and washed her glass. When she turned around, she screamed in surprise upon seeing Nathan casually leaning on the bar table.

“What can that kid teach you? His experience isn’t any better than yours. You can’t expect his help,” his words were clearly laced with mockery.

Haisley shrugged. “Gilbert knows Steven, he knows what Steven likes and dislikes. I just have to follow his instructions.”

“So you’re going to change yourself to get his attention?” he walked toward her and grabbed the glass from Haisley’s hand, walking to the refrigerator and pouring cold water into it.

“Of course not! Why should I become someone else? If I want someone to like me, they should like me for who I am, not make me into what they like,” she replied coldly.

Haisley watched as Nathan drank the cold water, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

Seeing that, Haisley chose to turn her back on him, afraid of being tempted to hug him from behind. Instead, she gripped the edge of the table tightly to restrain herself. But unexpectedly, he stood behind her, enclosing her between his strong arms. Haisley tried to hold her breath, praying that her racing heartbeat wouldn’t reach the man’s ears.

“So, after he likes you, what will you do?” The warmth of his breath sent strange shivers down Haisley’s spine. She could feel his body bending as his head was now beside her right ear. “Are you going to practice what you saw with Steven? Delve deeper into it and satisfy your curiosity?” His lips were dangerously close to her ear as he whispered the question.

Haisley continued to try to steady her racing heart and the sudden rush of her breath, but Nathan’s proximity made it difficult for her to stay composed.

“I told you, it’s none of your business,” she growled harshly. She wanted to pull away, but Nathan’s arms on both sides of her body gripped the table so tightly that Haisley saw her own fingers turning white.