Loving You Too Long

“No.” Avoid it smooth. But Gilbert sneered.

“Get some rest, get rid of your jet lag. I’ll call you when dinner comes.” He said, to which Haisley only answered with a nod.

Gilbert came out of his room while closing the door. Haisley needed to find out where the man had gone. She followed his advice to rest and get rid of his jet lag. While lying on the queen-sized bed, her memories returned to the past. The time when her heart broke instantly because of a scene she never expected to see.

Flashback.

That was the umpteenth time Haisley wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Today’s weather is scorching. But that’s not the problem. The problem is that currently, she is also on the first day of her period, and her stomach feels uncomfortable. She wanted to get home quickly. But the faster she walked, the more the pain became.

Her bad mood turned into a big smile when she saw a car whose owner had not driven it for a long time perched sweetly in front of her house. “Nathan?” she muttered to herself. Her slow steps suddenly turned into fast steps. She even ignored the discomfort bothering her for a long time.

Just before arriving on the terrace, Haisley slowed her steps again. She even tried to calm her breathing, not to appear too enthusiastic about meeting his crush.

The door is not locked. Intending to surprise Nathan, she walked in silently, looking for a figure she hadn’t seen for three years. When she saw her father’s study door slightly ajar, Haisley crept up and approached.

“You can’t be like this, Nathan.” Haisley’s steps halted when she heard her sister’s voice speaking in a low voice. Haisley held back her steps. Her surprise instead turned on herself. “Haisley loves you. How could you be like this?” continued her sister with an annoyed hiss. Haisley frowned, trying to sharpen her hearing.

“But I don’t love her, Crys.” That answer immediately made Haisley feel like her heart dropped to the floor, “I only think of her as a younger sister. To me, she’s the same as Gilbert.” The man continued again. “You know that the woman I have loved all this time is you, not her!”

Bomb!

Haisley stared, stunned where she stood. Nathaniel’s voice sounded louder and firmer than her sister’s voice earlier. Her throat suddenly felt tight, and Haisley’s eyes suddenly heated up. Tears just welled up and fell without her realizing it. Is this what is called rejection? Is this what is called a broken heart? She asked himself.

“But you know that the man I love is not you,” answered her sister in a sad tone. “The one I love is Juan.” She continued firmly.

Of course. Haisley and her entire family know that. Her sister and Juan have even been in a relationship since they were in high school.

“That’s because you didn’t give me a chance to show my love for you, Crys.” Nathan refused in a forceful tone.

“Too late, Nath.” Haisley heard her sister’s voice again. “Juan and I have decided to get married. And it won’t be long now. So I beg you, open your heart to Haisley. She loves you.” Her sister said in a pitiful tone. “She will be a good wife and mother for you.” She continued firmly.

Sad? Of course, Haisley felt sad. Sad and offended. Did her sister have to sell her name to Nathan like that? As if she were merchandise that had to be promoted.

“No need to promote her to me, Crys.” Nathan firmly refused. And the rejection sounded more painful for Haisley than what her sister had just said. “How can I love her as a woman when she is a little girl?”

Was Nathan insulting her? Haisley asked herself.

“She’s not yet an adult, Nath.” Crystal rejected again in a softer tone. “But it will mature with time.” She continued firmly, “If you asked me to give you a chance to prove your love for me, why don’t you do the same for my sister?” offered Crystal. “Allow her to show her love for you. She has great affection and love to give you.”

This time, Haisley felt grateful for her sister’s words. Of course, Crystal knows best how much Haisley loves Nathan. And she feels grateful for the support.

“Enough, Crys!” Nathan snapped, which also surprised Haisley. “If you really can’t accept me, that’s okay.” The man hissed sharply, “It doesn’t matter to me. But allow me from loving you. Don’t force me into accepting your sister’s love. Don’t ever interfere with your sister’s obsession with me.

“I approve of your marriage to Juan. I pray that you are happy. But I’m sorry, I can’t be there on your happy day,” decided the man.

Haisley suddenly widened her eyes and quickly moved to hide behind the wall next to the door to her father’s study. At the same time, she could hear her sister calling Nathan.

Flashback off

No one knows about what Haisley heard at that time. Not Crystal, not even Nathan. Even when her sister finally married Juan, Nathan was not there even though the man sent a gift to her sister and brother-in-law.

And from then on, Haisley began to divert her attention from Nathan. But then, the words of her best friend, Abigail, rang in her head.

Flashback

“Silent or expressed, love is still love,” Abigail said, looking at Haisley and Flavia alternately. The conversation suddenly arose while they were having lunch in the canteen. “It’s up to you which one you want to choose. Silent but curious about the man’s feelings. Or you choose to speak up even though you end up disappointed because of rejection. As for me, I prefer to express it.”

“But it’s embarrassing. If we are rejected, doesn’t that mean we no longer have the face to see it?” Flavia looked at Abigail with a gentle gaze. Haisley just nodded in agreement. But Abigail, the girl with long, straight hair, shook her head.

“The thing that makes us tired the most is curiosity. Disappointed, there is a cure. But curious? The cure is just the answer.” She said what he said. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed. We also don’t intend to humble ourselves. But, now that we know what the man’s answer is, we can have a continuation of the story. Will the love story end here, and we change direction? Or our love story will continue into further episodes which may be sweet, but can also be painful.” She answered with poetic sentences.

Haisley and Flavia looked at each other for a moment before then looking back at Abigail. “Remember what happened to your father and my aunt,” Abigail looked at Flavia, reminding her. “They will never get married if they both continue to remain silent.” she continued.

Flashback Off

Stick to that advice. Haisley, who was initially pessimistic about getting Nathan, felt that she had regained the enthusiasm to pursue her love. Abigail was right. Whether she was rejected or accepted, that would be something she had to think about later. She had prepared herself if Nathan later rejected her. Embarrassed? That will be the number. But first. She had to know first how Nathan would react when he saw her.