Loving You Too Long

Gilbert reached out his right hand and gently stroked Haisley’s head. “Is that what’s bothering you?” Gilbert inquired.

Haisley nodded her head. “How could he be so stupid to say something outrageous like that, G?” she asked, her anger exploding instantly.

“Because he loves you, H.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean he should hurt himself like that. Are there no other girls out there he could like? Many women would fall in love with him. He’s handsome, he has a clear future, and more than that, he’s a gentle and kind-hearted man. So why does he have to do all this, G?” she asked passionately.

“The same question goes for you, H,” Gilbert replied softly, not accusingly. “Why are you still holding on to Nathan when you know he likes your sister, he never notices you, and often behaves rudely, hurting you?”

“Because I’m stupid and blind,” Haisley replied softly.

“Same goes for Dean, he’s stupid and blind too. He’s clueless,” Gilbert replied mockingly this time.

“But I’m trying to avoid and forget Nathan, G. So why can’t Dean do that?”

Gilbert shrugged. “Well, because he’s foolish, right?” he said with a mocking laugh. Then Gilbert glanced at Haisley and spoke more seriously. “Give Dean a chance, Haisley,” he said firmly. “If you know how it feels to love someone who doesn’t love you back. Why don’t you try to make Dean get a love that isn’t unrequited?” Gilbert asked. “I mean, there are two good things you’ll get from Dean, H. The first is you’ll make him happy. Isn’t making others happy a good thing? And being with you, that’s the greatest happiness for Dean.”

“But…”

“Are you just making him a substitute?” Gilbert glanced at Haisley just to see the girl nodding her head. “But Dean accepts that. His feelings have accepted that, and he even anticipates himself with all the pain he will endure in the future.

“But if you really don’t want to hurt him further, you’re the one who has to try harder. Don’t make Dean a substitute, don’t make Dean just a replacement for Nathan. But see him as Dean. The man who has loved you for the past six years. Who clearly can give you his world, give you everything as long as you accept him for who he is.

“And the second good thing, you are loved, H. Isn’t being loved better than loving but getting hurt?” Gilbert asked for Haisley’s opinion by looking at her. But Haisley remained silent. “Try to open your eyes, Haisley. Don’t be as foolish as Nathan, who is reluctant to replace Crystal’s position in his heart. Try to make yourself happy by accepting all the love and affection someone is willing to give you. Don’t just beg for Nathan’s love and attention.

“If in the end, your relationship with Dean doesn’t work out. At least you both have tried to give your best to each other. So there will be no regrets later.

“As a jerk in the Chayton family, I suggest you take advantage of everything Dean offers. Accept everything Dean gives you. I’m sure you will be happy with him.

“Forget Nathan, consider all the stories you’ve been through as puppy love. Even if you’re destined, God will arrange for you to be together at some point in the future. And even if not, at least you’ve tried your best.”

***

Time passed. Haisley still pondered Dean’s words about the man’s willingness to be a replacement. Tempted? Not at all. She simply contemplated Gilbert’s statement about ‘trying.’

Haisley didn’t want to hurt Dean, but she knew what it felt like to hope and wait even when the person you hope for shows no signs of reciprocation. Haisley cried almost every night. Longing for Nathan, desiring him. She also cried because of the questions in her mind about ‘why’ Nathan treated her that way.

She lied to Gilbert the next day when he saw her puffy eyes on campus and said she had overslept. In reality, far from the late hours, she could only drown in dreamless sleep.

A week after Dean’s departure, Haisley decided to keep herself busy with a heap of work. She filled her free time with part-time jobs. What initially started as working at one place now turned into two simultaneous jobs. And when there was still spare time and one of her friends invited her for another sideline job, she joined in.

Reia even shook her head at Haisley’s greed for work. The girl suspected Haisley worked to earn money to support herself while in a foreign land and was reluctant to burden her parents in America. But in reality, Haisley’s needs were entirely met. Even Gilbert’s parents didn’t lack in giving her attention. It’s just that she truly wanted her time to be occupied. Working not only made her physically tired but also mentally drained. And when she returned to her flat, she had no energy left to think about Nathan and cry over her love for him.

Haisley’s biggest mistake was postponing honesty. She still hadn’t told her family and Nathan’s family that she had moved. Initially, she waited for the right time and the right words to say. But because she was too busy thinking about Nathan and keeping herself occupied with work, she completely forgot to tell them all.

And now, when Gilbert stood in front of the café door where she worked with a puzzled expression, Haisley was also confused.

“What, G?” Haisley asked, puzzled.

“Mom and Dad, they’re on their way here, H,” Gilbert said, flustered. Haisley instantly widened her eyes in surprise.

“Are you sure?” Haisley inquired. Gilbert nodded his head, convinced. “What about you, G, I forgot to tell Mom and Dad, Uncle, and Aunt,” Haisley replied eventually. The girl bit her lower lip in confusion.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

The problem was, they feared Gilbert’s mother’s anger. She would definitely scold Gilbert severely if she knew that Haisley-who had been entrusted by both her parents to live with the siblings-had ultimately chosen to stay elsewhere, far from their supervision.

As for Haisley’s own parents, she was calmer because usually, her parents trusted her choices.

“If you come to pick them up from the airport, how about that?” he asked, pleading.

“When?”

“Tonight,” Gilbert replied, rubbing his neck. “Their plane will land at seven tonight.” Haisley glanced at her watch. It was five in the evening, and she had been working since two in the afternoon. That meant she had just spent three hours at the café.

“I’ll talk to Laurent; he’ll surely allow you to leave,” Gilbert said without waiting for Haisley’s approval and walked inside the café.