Loving You Too Long

Haisley then reached for the pillow she had used earlier. She pulled out a flat object from it and showed it to Nathan.

“G gave me this before they left,” Haisley said with a smile on her face. “He said I should hide it from you and contact him if I need help,” she explained, shrugging.

“What do you mean?” Nathan asked, not understanding.

“Well, he would run away with me if I wanted. Dean also said that if you did anything, anything I didn’t like, he would come back here and take me away from you,” she said, causing Nathan to instantly tense up.

“Don’t do anything foolish. I definitely won’t allow it,” Nathan growled.

Haisley nodded. “That’s what I told him too. But Dean said he could report you to the police for kidnapping. That way, he could also send you back to England to face charges along with Loretta’s affairs,” she continued, making Nathan even more furious. “Dean really cares about me more than he does about you,” Haisley insisted, making Nathan raise an eyebrow in confusion.

“You like that, huh?” he asked irritably. “You like being fought over by me and my own cousin?” Nathan asked, tickling Haisley.

Haisley laughed and nodded. “Finally, I feel like a valuable woman because I can be fought over by two men at the same time,” Haisley replied with laughter as Nathan continued to tickle her. “Nath, stop! It’s ticklish!” she ordered him.

Nathan knew that his tickling was hurting the girl. Too much laughter didn’t make someone happy; it made the stomach ache from strained muscles. Nathan then lay on top of Haisley. His elbows supported his weight to avoid pressing too much on the petite girl. His hands gently stroked Haisley’s hair and face.

“Forgive me,” he whispered in front of Haisley’s face. “For wasting too much time neglecting and hurting you.” Nathan apologized, and this wasn’t the first time he had said those words to Haisley. Emotion wasn’t something strange that Haisley felt hearing it. She felt happy, very happy because, in the end, Nathan could realize his own feelings.

She was happy because the man no longer rejected her presence and instead ended up fighting for it and their relationship. Haisley felt incredibly fortunate. The years she spent loving him were now paying off.

“I love you, Haisley. Even though right now, I still feel scared.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Haisley reached out her hand and gently stroked Nathan’s face. “What are you afraid of?” Haisley asked with a furrowed brow.

Nathan took Haisley’s left hand with his right and kissed the girl’s palm gently.

“Many things,” he answered softly. His hand continued to caress Haisley’s face gently. “I’m afraid I can’t be the person you expect. I’m afraid I can’t make you happy. I’m afraid of being someone who always brings you pain. And I’m afraid I can’t give you a clear future,” he said, rolling his body and bringing Haisley back into his embrace.

“I don’t expect anything other than love and loyalty,” Haisley replied on the man’s chest. “When I feel pain, it’s not because of you, but because I put too much hope in you. I dreamed too high. If only I was aware and understood you, tried to be in your shoes, knew that you didn’t like me and stepped back, I’m sure I wouldn’t feel anything.”

“But I do like you,” Nathan retorted.

“And you need a wake-up call for that,” Haisley reminded.

Now it was her turn to roll over and lie on Nathan’s body. Her hands were folded in front of Nathan’s chest, her chin resting on her hands so Haisley could fully gaze at Nathan’s face.

“Happiness isn’t exclusive to one person,” Haisley said again, touching her index finger to Nathan’s cheek, then his cheek, and finally, his lips. “And the future, even though we plan and hope everything goes according to what we want, it won’t always be the same. Because we never involve unexpected challenges in there.”

“Alright, the conclusion is this: we go through all of this together. You can’t keep everything to yourself anymore. Stop being the perfect Nathan in everyone’s eyes. Is it wrong if you make mistakes? You’re human, not an angel,” she said with narrowed eyes. “Moreover, as far as I know, your parents never demanded you to be a perfect person. It’s just your desire, always wanting to be the best at everything,” she sneered. “You know, Aunt Monic told me that you’re more suited to be a museum display than her child. And I admit, Gilbert is more fitting to be your parents’ child than you. Sometimes, I wonder if you’re really Aunt Monic’s biological child or if you’re adopted.”

Nathan widened his eyes at Haisley’s baseless accusation. “What did you say? Are you accusing me of not being my parents’ second child?” he asked irritably.

Haisley nodded without hesitation. “You think about it yourself. Look at Gilbert, Dean, Juan, and Ivander. They have friendly and warm attitudes. They’re easygoing and never shy away from showing their feelings. You’re the only one among your siblings with a different attitude. No wonder I suspected that you were an adopted child.”

Nathan laughed. He playfully rolled Haisley over and pinned her down. “You’re such a naughty little girl,” he said as he tickled Haisley again until she begged for mercy. “But isn’t it because I’m different from the others that you like me?” Nathan asked confidently.

Haisley looked at him with traces of laughter still on her face. The girl then nodded her head slowly. “Unfortunately, that’s the truth,” she said before Nathan rewarded her with a kiss.

The next day, Haisley was surprised by the arrival of her parents, brother, and sister-in-law. Of course, all four of them were accompanied by Dean. Meanwhile, Gilbert, that man, would come later because he had to wait for his father’s arrival and needed to explain something to his mother.

Haisley was bombarded with various questions about her sudden wedding plans. Without any preamble, her brother accused Haisley of being pregnant, using it as a reason to expedite the wedding.

“I’m not pregnant, Crys. Seriously,” and this statement, who knows how many times Haisley had declared loudly. “I’m still a virgin. If you don’t believe it, we can go to a gynecologist,” she challenged.

While Haisley was bombarded by the women, Nathan was bombarded by the men.

Juan, Mr. Smith, and also Dean invited him to talk in a more private place-although that place actually didn’t exist. They spoke in a quieter pool area compared to the bustling interior of the villa where the women were.

Dean, representing Nathan, recounted the mistakes Nathan had made and also talked about Loretta. Neither Mr. Smith nor Juan responded, letting Dean finish his entire story.

“I sincerely apologize, Uncle,” that was Nathan’s first sentence to Mr. Smith. “I know I’ve been cowardly. And I also know I’ve been shameless in wanting Haisley. But I truly love Haisley and want to be with her,” Nathan said with a regretful and hopeful look at Haisley’s father.

“I can’t do anything,” the middle-aged man said softly. “Haisley may have a small stature. But when it comes to desires, she’s not someone to be opposed. Just look at all her efforts and hard work all this time. After she makes a decision, she always fights to the best of her ability.”

“I can’t blame you either. This has become the decree of the Almighty. I hope you can find the best way. I hope you can resolve all your problems quickly,” the middle-aged man said wisely.

“I promise I will try to make Haisley happy. I will try not to disappoint her. And if someday I break my promise, Uncle and Aunt have the right to punish me. I’ll accept it all,” he said sincerely, causing the middle-aged man’s eyes to well up. Both of his hands stretched out, asking Nathaniel to come into his embrace.

“All fathers will always feel sad when their daughters get married. Because in our eyes, as parents, you will always be children. I can only pray that you will always be under God’s protection,” he said, wiping Nathan’s chest.