Loving You Too Long

“I don’t want to hear you say ‘it’s none of your business’ again, Princess,” Nathan’s voice sent shivers down her spine.

“Because it really isn’t your concern!” Haisley replied and turned around abruptly. She glared sharply at Nathan, unable to hide her anger. “Anyone who is close to me, whatever I do with them, or whatever I learn from them, is not your concern! If you feel responsible for my presence here, just focus on my well-being! Not meddle in my personal affairs. Because my personal matters are not within your realm of responsibility!” She spoke with explosive anger.

“Besides, why suddenly care about who I associate with? While all this time, you seemed reluctant to meet me?” She stared at Nathan accusingly. “You can go back to being the homeowner who ignores his guests, Nathan. Don’t confuse me with your sudden, unwarranted concern. Gilbert is already enough to protect me. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“And my affairs with Steven or any man I might date in the future, and whatever I do with them, whatever I learn from them, I emphasize once again that it’s none of your business. You are nothing to me other than the owner of this house, my father’s friend’s son, and my friend’s brother!” Haisley took a deep breath, trying to neutralize her emotions. These were the longest sentences she had ever uttered to Nathan throughout her acquaintance with him. And judging by his sharp gaze and hardened jaw, whatever she said clearly struck a chord with him.

Whatever! She didn’t care. After all, he hadn’t hurt her. In fact, he had hurt her more than she realized. Haisley walked away from Nathan. She didn’t want to fuel her emotions further and end up uttering more harsh words. Quickly, she walked towards the stairs, saying, “You better get dressed before you catch a cold!” Then she ran up the stairs.

Haisley closed her bedroom door quite forcefully and locked it from the inside. Her body slumped to the floor instantly. The anger that had erupted moments ago now turned into quiet sobs. Nathaniel. Why did that man always mess with her feelings? Whether intentionally or not. Aware or not. That man had hurt her countless times.

And what about her heart? Why couldn’t it just move on and love someone else?

Steven? Yes. What she said to Nathan about Steven wasn’t entirely wrong. Gilbert did say that Steven liked her. And Steven was handsome and kind. But for some reason, could she not like him more than a friend? Or had she not tried hard enough?

Gilbert hadn’t taught her to play games with Steven. No. Gilbert wasn’t that cruel, and she owed him an apology for falsely accusing him. Gilbert had actually encouraged her to give Steven a chance and learn to open her heart because Gilbert knew Steven was a good man. A very good one.

Still with tears streaming down her cheeks, Haisley crawled onto her bed and chose to close her eyes until she fell into a deep sleep without thinking about anything.

***

Haisley sat under the shade of a lush tree in the campus courtyard. A large book rested on her lap while a cold chocolate drink was held in her left hand.

The open book on her lap suddenly disappeared, replaced by a head with a handsome face and a sweet smile looking at her. “What did you do to my sister that made her so angry with me?” Gilbert asked, his eyes full of suspicion. Haisley furrowed her brow in confusion. She hadn’t seen Gilbert for two days. And Nathan? The last time she saw him was when he was angry two days ago.

“What did he say?” She asked back.

Flashback On

Gilbert was focused on the documents in front of him when Nathan suddenly entered and stood in front of him, arms folded across his chest. “Who is Steven?” he asked, without preamble.

Gilbert raised his head and met Nathan’s sharp gaze. His brother’s face was 80% their father’s, except for the eyes. While Gilbert had 80% of their mother’s face, except for lips that resembled their father’s more. Nathan had the arrogant face of an English aristocrat, whereas Gilbert had a handsome appearance more akin to his mother’s. If people didn’t know them intimately, they wouldn’t guess they were siblings with an 8-year age gap.

“Do you know who Steven is, Nath? Why are you asking me?” Gilbert replied flatly, attempting to refocus on his documents.

“No. I’ll rephrase my question,” he said quickly. “Are you trying to set up Haisley with Steven?”

This time, Gilbert’s brow furrowed in genuine confusion. But it seemed like there was a game Haisley was playing, and he just needed to follow along.

“I’m not trying to set her up with Haisley, Nath. Haisley isn’t that easy to pair off with someone she doesn’t like.” Gilbert muttered in his mind. “What’s up with Steven, anyway?” He sought some clarity, trying to understand what role he should play.

“Haisley said you introduced Steven to her and taught her to play hard to get until Steven falls head over heels for her. Are you trying to turn her into a playgirl?”

Gilbert tried to suppress his laughter. “Well, Steven does like Haisley, and it seems like Haisley feels the same way. I’m not teaching Haisley to be a playgirl, Nath. I just want Haisley to be sure if Steven is really the one she likes and is right for her. That’s not wrong, is it?”

“Are you sure this Steven guy is a good guy?”

“Oh, come on, Nath. What do you mean by a good guy? There isn’t a single man in this world without some dirty thoughts in his head. Good in what way?”

“Don’t push Haisley toward a playboy, G.”

“Relax, I won’t turn her into a victim of some wicked man. And Steven isn’t a player, Nath. He genuinely likes Haisley.” And that was the truth. Even though Haisley hadn’t opened her heart yet and given Steven a chance to get close to her. “Besides, I can’t impose my will on who and what kind of man Haisley likes. And I can’t stop her from getting close to anyone. Her being close, falling in love, or getting hurt, that’s her business. We just ensure she feels comfortable here. Ensure her well-being is taken care of and her safety is preserved. Not to restrict her from socializing with anyone she likes, but we don’t.”

“But if she associates with the wrong crowd and gets hurt, it will be our mistake. She’s under our responsibility.”

“No, Nath. That’s not our concern. That’s her parents’ concern. And Haisley’s parents have faith in their daughter. So whatever choices she makes, right or wrong, it’s Haisley’s responsibility. Besides, what kind of bad influence are you talking about?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“What if she hangs out with the wrong people and chooses to engage in casual sex?”

Gilbert snorted. “That’s her choice, Nath. We don’t need to police her. It’s her private matter. We don’t have to handle it. You don’t have to handle it.” He emphasized. In his heart, he laughed in triumph. Nathan was starting to care about Haisley. He was afraid she would get hurt, afraid she would go down the wrong path. It seemed Nathan was beginning to see Haisley like any man would see a woman. “Besides, she doesn’t pry into your personal matters either. She doesn’t care about who you date and spend the night with. She’s not a child anymore, Nath. Clearly, she knows about the relationship between adult ‘men and women,’ even though she might not know what really happens behind closed doors.”

“You just calm down, Nath. I will try to keep him away from you,” his words made his older brother furrow his brow. “I know you don’t like his presence. I know he disturbs your peace. That’s why I’m helping you. I’m trying to get him closer to Steven so that you know he’s moved on from you. And Steven, he’s a good guy. He will love Haisley wholeheartedly. He really admires Haisley. I can assure you of that. And perhaps Steven can teach Haisley about the ‘games’ that grown men and women play. Steven is experienced.” He emphasized his words.

“Don’t you dare teach anything bad to Haisley, G!” His voice was heavy with threat.

“I won’t teach her anything, Nath. But if she wants to learn, I can’t stop her. She’s not a child anymore. She’s a teenager growing into an adult with great curiosity. So, yes…” Gilbert shrugged nonchalantly. “You and I both know what we wanted to know at her age. Or if you’re not comfortable with her learning from Steven, maybe you can be her teacher. I don’t know if she wants it or not. But I do know you could be a good teacher for her. Considering your experience in satisfying women.” There was a veiled compliment in his sarcasm. Nathan just stared at him, disbelieving, before leaving Gilbert with a pile of work that needed to be done.

Flashback off.

“He’s really interested in your relationship with Steven. I think bringing up Steven in front of him might provoke his true feelings,” Gilbert looked at Haisley with a meaningful smile.

“What’s on your mind?”

Gilbert shrugged. “Just a plan,” he replied flatly.