Loving You Too Long

After having a meal with his family, a decision was made to return. Nathan took Haisley back to the villa they had rented, of course, under the insistence of the parents who understood what the new couple wanted. While the parents planned to return to Manhattan after Haisley left, Flavia kindly asked everyone to stay in the villa and enjoy the vacation as long as they wanted. Haisley’s friend mentioned that she was happy because the villa was occupied, especially since Flavia really liked Haisley’s three-year-old niece, who was in her active and talkative phase.

Haisley felt embarrassed hearing the parents’ encouragement because, even though it was said jokingly, she knew there was a hidden meaning from them. Everyone knew what the new couple would face. It was just a matter of time before the bomb exploded. Both they and Haisley knew that she had to make the most of her time with Nathan before the real problems arose.

In the short journey from Flavia’s villa to Nathan’s rented place, the newlyweds never let go of each other’s hands. It wasn’t just because happiness enveloped their feelings, but also the apprehension of the inevitable separation they would have to face soon.

Nathan parked his car in front of the villa. He walked around the car and then opened the passenger side with a very clear intention. He was going to carry Haisley bridal-style to their room. Although hesitant due to embarrassment, Haisley eventually gave in to Nathan’s desire.

Haisley opened their unit’s door still in Nathan’s embrace. As the door opened and Nathan stepped into the villa, Haisley was once again enchanted. She didn’t know when or how he planned it all, but Haisley was clearly speechless when she saw a sprinkle of rose petals in front of her, deliberately arranged like a carpet leading her to the bedroom. Haisley glanced at Nathan, but he just shrugged with an indifferent expression.

Haisley walked carefully towards the bedroom, following the trail of flowers. The scarf she had worn earlier was now gone, so it wouldn’t disrupt the arrangement of roses. As it turned out, the petals didn’t just stop on the floor; they were also scattered on the bed, where a large bouquet of red roses sat alongside a set of beautiful jewelry.

“Sorry for not being able to give you the best,” Nathan whispered right behind Haisley. The man’s hands embraced Haisley from behind, holding her stomach, and resting his head on Haisley’s, which once again was free from her tiara. “But I promise to try to give you everything best in the future,” he earnestly pledged. Haisley immediately turned around and hugged Nathan tightly. Her head shook slowly while her eyes teared up, and her gaze never left Nathan’s eyes.

“This is already enough. More than enough,” Haisley replied with a choked voice. “I don’t expect anything from you except love and loyalty, Nath,” she said softly.

Nathan looked at Haisley with a gentle smile on his face. “From now on, until we grow old and are separated by God later, I will only love one Haisley and be faithful to her. If I make a mistake, remind me of this promise. And if I break my oath of loyalty, you can punish me as harshly as you want,” Nathan said earnestly, met with Haisley’s nod.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Nathan lowered his head and touched his lips to Haisley’s forehead, kissing her deeply and for a long time. “I love you,” he said softly. Then his lips descended to Haisley’s cheek. “Thank you for accepting me, who is imperfect and useless.” He continued on her right cheek before moving to her left. “Thank you for going through all the difficulties with me,” he said before lifting his head and looking back at Haisley. “Thank you for being patient and willing to wait for me after all this time, enduring and enduring all the wrongs I have done to you. I feel undeserving to have a Haisley. But on the other hand, I feel very happy. Incredibly happy,” he said sincerely.

Haisley looked at him intently, and a tear fell on her cheek. Nathan lifted his hand and wiped Haisley’s tears with his thumbs. “You have to repay all my sacrifices, Nath. I swear, I won’t let you go easily,” she swore, answered by Nathan’s chuckle. “I love you, Nathaniel Chayton,” Haisley said with a firm tone, as if it were an indisputable vow.

Nathan shook his head gently. “I love you more, Haisley Chayton,” he said just as firmly. “And I will love you more for the rest of our lives,” he added before lowering his head and sealing the vow with a gentle kiss on Haisley’s lips. The kiss slowly turned into a passionate one, leading them to end up on a bed filled with rose petals. The setting sun bore witness to their love affair.

Days passed, and Haisley truly felt like a blissful newlywed. Nathan treated her exceptionally well and with great care. On the first day as official husband and wife, after Nathan claimed his rights, Haisley felt like she was in a romantic drama with Nathan treating her as the main character.

He prepared breakfast for her and brought it to the bed. He arranged warm water in the bath so Haisley could soak and relieve the aches in her body from their repeated lovemaking. Even afterward, he skillfully massaged Haisley in a way she never expected, leading them to spend more time in bed.

They never left the room, not because they didn’t want to or because they were engrossed in their intimacy. It was more about avoiding people who might have been hired by Loretta to find and capture Nathan.

They spent time rediscovering each other, reminiscing about the brief moments they shared when they were younger. They shared stories about their lives during the times they were apart.

Both of them knew that the happiness they felt wouldn’t last long. It might not even reach the joyous times typical of newlyweds. They knew that this was the calm before the storm that awaited them.

And it proved true. On the third day after becoming husband and wife, one afternoon, the villa door was knocked, and four tall, local-faced men and two foreign-faced men stood before Nathan with cold and frightening expressions.

“Brother Nathaniel Chayton,” one of the policemen, I Wayan Pastika, said with a flat and deep tone. “We, from the Denpasar police station, have received a report that you are on the wanted list.” He continued, showing a police logo on a piece of paper and another paper in English with Nathaniel’s face underneath. “You are a suspect in the attempted murder case of Mr. Bryan Thompson and fraud against Ms. Loretta Osborne.”