Loving You Too Long

Laurent, the owner of the café, was Gilbert’s acquaintance. Gilbert was the one who got the job for Haisley from this forty-year-old man. Haisley didn’t know what Gilbert said to him, but one thing was clear-Gilbert approached him with a face full of pleas, hands clasped in front of his face.

Laurent then looked at Haisley and approached her. “Gilbert said he needed you. Is that true?” he asked. Haisley nodded her head. “He’s not going to kidnap you, is he, Haisley?” he asked again with a probing look. Haisley chuckled, seeing Gilbert roll his eyes behind the man. But then, she nodded her head.

“No, Sir. My parents are coming, and I need to greet them,” Haisley replied politely. She still felt stiff around him even though he had told her to address him by his first name, as Gilbert and other employees usually did.

“Go ahead. I won’t deduct your pay because you’ve been working very diligently all this time,” he said, which was met with an enthusiastic nod from Haisley. She bid farewell and went to the back of the café to change into her own clothes while Gilbert waited for her, chatting with Laurent.

They must be discussing photography. Yes, what Gilbert had told her earlier was that Laurent often asked for his help in photographing the café and the menu items, either for social media promotion or for printing in catalogs.

Haisley emerged ten minutes later, wearing jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt. There was something different about Haisley; she had cut her long hair short, now falling to her shoulders. And now, she let her hair hang loose. Not to forget, a mini shoulder bag adorned her small shoulders. Seeing her, Haisley looked more like a high school teenager than a girl who would soon turn twenty.

“Thanks, bro. See you later,” Gilbert said his goodbyes, acknowledged by a nod from Laurent.

They walked towards the parking lot where Gilbert’s SUV was parked. He graciously opened the passenger door for Haisley before turning and getting into the driver’s seat.

“Are you nervous?” Haisley asked with a smile on her face.

Gilbert squinted. “Don’t tease me,” he muttered. “You should bring a change of clothes, Haisley,” he said then.

“Why?” she asked, confused. “Aren’t we going to explain everything to Aunt directly about my move?” she asked again.

“Tonight?” Gilbert asked incredulously. He then shook his head. “No. Mom will dominate you, and you’ll forget the fact that you ‘have’ to tell her about your move. So, you won’t be able to escape until Mom decides to sleep, and you’ll be too tired to return to your flat. So, yes. You need to bring a change of clothes,” Gilbert said, more like an order than advice.

Haisley fell silent. Staying over at Gilbert’s meant she had to get up early and meet Nathan for breakfast. But for the past month, she had tried not to see him, whether on social media or in her phone gallery. What would happen to her and her heart if they met in person again?

But what Gilbert said wasn’t wrong either. Aunt Monica was a talkative woman who liked to ask questions. The car had already stopped at Haisley’s residence. Without Haisley asking, Gilbert got out first and opened the door for her. He led Haisley upstairs as if it were his own home, not Haisley’s.

It didn’t take long for Haisley to pack her sleepwear and change of clothes for the next day. While she was packing, Gilbert was busy checking the fridge and cabinets in the kitchen. It was as if he were an inspector responsible for keeping Haisley’s kitchen stocked. Haisley could only shake her head.

“I thought you were cooking diligently now?” he asked, his face content. Indeed, Haisley’s fridge was full of fresh and frozen food. She had just shopped the day before.

“I don’t want to go hungry. Or at least, I have something to serve if there’s a sudden guest,” Haisley remarked, which was met with a nod from Gilbert.

“Is that all?” he asked, pointing to Haisley’s bag. Haisley nodded, and Gilbert grabbed the bag from her hand. “Let’s go,” he said. He then exited the unit first, allowing Haisley to turn on the lights and lock the door. Afterward, they headed to the airport.

Gilbert might seem unruly compared to Nathan. But he was a man who was very polite and respected women.

He was a man who loved his mother deeply.

Not out of fear, but Gilbert was a son who didn’t want to hurt the woman who gave birth to him. Everything his mother wanted, which Nathan couldn’t fulfill, Gilbert always did without question. If Aunt Monica were an authoritarian figure, Gilbert wouldn’t have grown up as happy and as free as he was now. Fortunately, Aunt Monica was a highly democratic woman who had immense trust in her children’s decisions.

As for Haisley, considering she had no daughters, Aunt Monica always treated her like her own child.

Aunt Monica was also very supportive of Haisley’s relationship with Nathan. The woman, nearly fifty years old, knew how deeply Haisley loved Nathan and often referred to her as a daughter, whether in front of their families or when she met her friends. Little did she know or care that her son absolutely didn’t want Haisley and often acted harshly towards her.

“They spent their travel time chatting as usual. Yes, as a conversation partner, Gilbert was a figure with extensive knowledge. One thing with him could lead to another. And Haisley enjoyed being with that man. They could talk about books, movies, music, and even gossip about their professors and campus mates together. For Haisley, Gilbert was a friend and also a good brother. Sometimes she wondered why God didn’t make her love Gilbert. Why did she have to fall in love with Nathan?

They arrived at the airport at five minutes to seven. Time seemed to move slowly due to the traffic jam. “Hungry?” Gilbert asked as they headed to the airport lounge.

“Very,” Haisley replied with a grin on her face.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Do you remember the first time you came here? You ate a large burger,” Merya laughed again at that memory. How surprised Gilbert was at his own eating portion. And to this day, Haisley’s portion was indeed large. No matter how many problems she faced, she could still eat until full.

“G, Haisley, you’re here too?” That cheerful voice made them turn instantly. Loretta and Nathan. They looked like prince and princess from a fairy tale. Beautiful and graceful, as well as handsome and handsome.

“What are you guys doing here?” Gilbert directed the question to Nathan. Loretta seemed to ignore the somewhat sharp-toned question and immediately approached Haisley. She hugged her small body tightly and enthusiastically.