Loving You Too Long

“I can’t say you’re already an adult, but you’re not a child anymore who needs guidance and is confused in making decisions. Papa knows you’ve considered everything thoroughly, but does it really have to be like this?

“Papa can’t blame you; from the beginning, Papa didn’t agree with your intention to study in England just because you wanted to be with Nathan. Papa has also been young, fallen in love, and been obsessed with the feelings Papa had. But Papa doesn’t want to sacrifice Papa’s future for those uncertain feelings. Papa doesn’t want you to experience that.”

Haisley lowered her head and twiddled her fingers. She knew, very well, that her actions from the beginning could be considered impulsive. She was too confident. She was too sure that her past actions could stir Nathan’s heart. But the reality was different.

“Now, what do you want to do here?” Haisley lifted her head and looked at her father. “Haisley will work while studying to enter university next year,” she said earnestly. Yes, she had planned that before, right? She would work, save money, and study to pursue a scholarship at her desired campus next year.

“Sure? This time I want to go to college because you really want to study there, not for any other motivation?” Haisley answered her father’s question with a nod. “Where do you want to work? Not all high school graduates can get a good job with decent pay.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I can work in a café or restaurant, Dad. I don’t mind being a waiter; I’m used to working as one,” she said sincerely.

Her father could only nod. It didn’t mean that he couldn’t help her get a job in a comfortable place or use his connections. But he had always taught independence to his children. A child should be able to be themselves, find their identity, try to do everything on their own before giving up and asking for help from their parents. And that’s what Haisley had learned until now.

And Haisley’s statement became the final decision accepted by both her parents.

Haisley didn’t feel a difference in the atmosphere at home. She felt like she was back to the time before she decided to leave her family. And if asked about her feelings, Haisley felt happy at the moment, but there was an emptiness within her.

Of course, in her heart, she still missed Nathan. Longed for him. Her mind questioned whether he felt the same. Did he think about her? Miss her? But then Haisley’s inner self answered with a firm ‘No.’

Nathan never cared about her. That was a fact.

Haisley didn’t waste time. She immediately contacted some acquaintances and searched for information about job vacancies. Some of her school friends questioned why she was looking for a job or asked for whom the job was. Because, as far as they knew, Haisley shouldn’t be in America right now. But Haisley didn’t want to bother explaining. She just said that she needed a job for herself.

Fortunately, one of her friends offered her a job. Although, as she suspected, it was just as a restaurant waiter. Because, well, the diploma she had now was only a high school diploma. But before Haisley could send her application to the restaurant, she received a call from her sister-in-law.

“Do you want to work?” the man inquired. Haisley answered enthusiastically. “Is it okay if the job is just being a room service?” the man asked again. Haisley didn’t refuse; she would accept any job as long as it was lawful. “If you want, I’ll send you a ticket.”

“A ticket?” Haisley furrowed her brow in confusion.

“Yes, a ticket. Because the job opening is not in Kansas or Manhattan but in Miami,” the man said again. Haisley thought for a moment. Miami? What about the cost of living? Would the salary be sufficient? Could she still save for her future education?

“Accommodation and meals are provided by the hotel. You just need to be frugal if you want to save,” her sister, Crystal, chimed in. And if her sister said so, it was indeed the case.

Haisley then nodded enthusiastically, forgetting that she was on a phone call, not a video call. “Haisley wants it, Kak,” she said excitedly.

“Good, then prepare your suitcase. I’ll arrange the ticket here. I’ll also tell Mom and Dad about your job in Miami,” her sister-in-law said. Shortly after that, the call was disconnected.

Haisley, who was in her room, now flopped onto her bed. England, Miami, this year truly was a year of adventures for her, she thought to herself.

A message appeared on her phone. Haisley turned on the screen and saw Gilbert’s name on the notification board.

G:

Morning here, Bear.

How’s the US?

Haisley:

Always beautiful to behold. G, I’m working in Miami.

G:

What? Awesome! Are you going to charm some foreigners there?

Haisley:

No! I think this time I’ll look for someone local. No foreigners, no mixed race.

G:

Seriously?! Well, it’s okay, I support you. What about Dean then?

Haisley:

I don’t know. Let time answer that.

G:

Take your time.

Haisley just smiled as she read the messages.

Meanwhile, at Gilbert’s residence.

Gilbert placed his phone on the table, ignoring the two men who still looked at him disapprovingly. His mother still couldn’t be reached until now. And the people at home refused to provide any information to his father. Meanwhile, his father couldn’t leave his work to follow his mother to America. As for Nathan?

Gilbert himself didn’t know what made his brother act coldly toward him.

Haisley?

It could be about Haisley. But why did Gilbert have to be the scapegoat for his brother’s inconsistent behavior? Did Gilbert ask Nathan to ignore Haisley? Did Gilbert ask Nathan to treat Haisley so badly that she decided to leave them?

“It’s Nathan’s fault and his decision. So why should Gilbert be treated unpleasantly by him now?”

The ringtone on Gilbert’s phone prompted his father to forcibly grab Gilbert’s phone. The old man assumed that the call was from his mother; unfortunately, his assumption was wrong. The call was from his cousin, none other than Nathan’s rival, Dean.

“Yes, Bro?” Gilbert greeted with an enthusiastic tone, ignoring his annoyed father who chose to leave the dining table. Meanwhile, Nathan remained seated there, glaring at Gilbert with his sharp gaze.

“Is it true that Haisley is back in the US?” Dean asked from the other side.

Gilbert unconsciously nodded. “Yeah, she just came back with her mom to the US. Why, how do you know? Did Haisley contact you?” Gilbert asked curiously.

“No, Juan told me,” Dean answered irritably. “Haisley is so nice to let you know. I was shocked here when I suddenly heard that she’s going back to the US. What else did she say to you?” Gilbert asked again, ignoring Nathan’s raised eyebrow and his sarcastic gaze.

“Is Nath there?” Dean asked confusedly. But without waiting for Gilbert’s answer, he continued, “Juan said that Haisley will be working in Miami.”

“Yeah, she just told me that she’s going to spend her vacation time in Miami,” Gilbert said, sidelining the fact that Haisley was actually going there to work. But he deliberately said so to gauge his brother’s reaction.

“She’s working there on Juan’s recommendation. Juan said Haisley will postpone her studies until next year. I don’t know if she’s moving to the US, but I don’t want to waste my education here. What do you think I should do?” Dean asked.

“Just follow her to Miami when you come back. If necessary, stay there with her. Propose to her, maybe even marry her as soon as possible, so when you go back to studying, you’ve already left her in a safe position,” Gilbert suggested.

“Will she really be interested?”

“Yeah, she will. She just chatted with me. She said she’s looking for a local guy. Doesn’t want a foreigner, especially mixed-race. If you don’t believe it, I’ll screenshot it for you.”

“Haisley is really heartbroken because of Nathan, huh?” Dean asked despondently.

Gilbert felt he had heated up his brother enough. He then stood up with the phone still on his ear and walked away from the dining table towards the backyard of his house.

“She wouldn’t make that decision if she felt fine, would she?” Gilbert answered bluntly.

“Do I still have a chance to get close to her?” Dean asked again with his desperation showing.

“No one knows what we’ll face in the future, Dean. If you really want to fight to win her, then fight. Don’t do it halfway. Haisley will also know about your struggle, and who knows, she might soften eventually,” Gilbert encouraged. From the corner of his eye, Gilbert could see Nathan approaching. And deliberately, he spoke again, “By the way, when are you coming back? When you’ve prepared your ticket to the US, let me know. I want to go there too. I don’t want to miss the moment of your proposal to Haisley.”

“You jerk, I haven’t even gotten close to her, how can I propose!” Dean said, but then he understood why Gilbert said that. “When I have the return schedule, I’ll let you know.”

“Okay. Don’t forget, don’t go overboard. I want to find a cheap flight ticket to save on expenses,” Gilbert replied with a chuckle. After a brief small talk, Gilbert then hung up the phone.

“Dean getting engaged to Haisley?” Nathan asked curiously.

Gilbert looked at his brother and squinted. “Were you eavesdropping?” he asked curtly.

“Just answer, G,” Nathan said annoyed.

Gilbert only responded to his brother’s question with a shrug. “Find out for yourself,” he said as he walked into the house, leaving his visibly irritated brother behind.