Loving You Too Long

Haisley returned to the pool area without even glancing at Nathan. Loretta seemed absorbed in the pool water, while Dean and Gilbert, hearing the footsteps, looked at Haisley with raised eyebrows.

Haisley intentionally chose to sit next to Dean, hoping Nathan would notice. Even if Nathan showed his arrogance again, Haisley just needed to show him that she was fine without him.

“Something bothering you?” Dean whispered, his hand resting on Haisley’s shoulder.

Haisley shrugged and chose to lean her body against the back of the poolside chair, using Dean’s arm as a makeshift pillow. She even intentionally rested her arm on Dean’s stomach.

From the corner of her eye, she could see Nathan passing by their chairs and sitting in another chair next to Gilbert.

“Is he the one getting on your nerves?” Dean whispered above Haisley’s head.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“What do you think?” Haisley mumbled with her usual blunt tone. Dean chuckled, causing Haisley, who was hugging him, to shake slightly. “I’ve ordered food; they’ll be here soon. But since I’m sleepy, can I take a nap?” Haisley asked in a playful tone. Dean stroked her head and nodded.

“I know my hug is comfortable; no wonder you’re sleepy. Don’t worry; I’ll watch over you,” he said, kissing the top of Haisley’s head.

Haisley pinched Dean’s stomach in annoyance. “You always take advantage in every situation,” she complained, making Dean laugh again.

True to his words, not long after, Haisley fell asleep in Dean’s embrace. She didn’t even notice when her friends, who worked in the hotel restaurant, came and brought the food.

As the afternoon faded into evening, Haisley found herself moved to the bed. She stretched and groaned, feeling comfortable as if she hadn’t experienced sound sleep for a long time. Even though, in reality, since returning to America, she sometimes suffered from insomnia due to often thinking about Nathan. But this time, her dreamless sleep felt refreshing.

Was it because she slept in Dean’s embrace, and the warmth of his hug made her comfortable?

Or was it because she had poured out her emotions to Nathan, giving her a sense of relief? Haisley didn’t know the reason.

Haisley searched for her small bag, looking for her phone to see if there were any messages for her or not.

“Where is everyone?” she wondered, not hearing the voices of Dean or Gilbert.

Haisley walked out towards the pool and saw Gilbert enjoying the sunset in the pool. “Where’s Dean?” she asked her friend.

Gilbert turned and smirked. “Maybe he’s on the run,” he replied casually.

Haisley furrowed her brows in confusion. “On the run from whom?” she asked, curious.

“Dari kamu, dari siapa lagi?” Gilbert responded curtly, shifting his gaze away again. Haisley sat in the chair that Gilbert had occupied earlier and joined in looking at the beautiful sunset in the distance.

“You mentioned your friends. Is she here?” Gilbert inquired.

Haisley glanced briefly at her friend’s back. She knew whom Gilbert was asking about and replied with a short “Hmm.” “She’s not doing well,” Haisley answered quietly. Gilbert instantly turned his body and looked at Haisley in confusion. “I only found out about her condition yesterday when we accidentally met,” she honestly admitted. “Abigail said she had a serious accident. Until now, she can’t walk normally. And don’t be surprised if you see her appearance later,” Haisley said with a smile on her face.

“Why with her appearance?” Gilbert asked, curious.

“She’s more mature now. She looks even more beautiful than the last time I saw her,” she replied. Haisley stared at Gilbert intently. “And that only shows even more that you two can never be together,” Haisley said sadly.

Gilbert pulled the corner of his mouth again. It had to be admitted that Haisley’s words were true. He and Flavia-the girl he had liked for a long time-could never be together. Because of matters of faith. Gilbert couldn’t abandon his beliefs, and the same goes for Flavia. But beyond that, Gilbert knew that Flavia already liked another man, a man she had loved for a long time.

“Can’t we fall in love with someone who loves us, whether it’s a man or a woman?” Haisley spontaneously remarked, causing Gilbert to mimic his body again. This time he folded both his hands on the cold and wet pool floor. The sun had completely set, leaving a bit of orange that would soon turn into darkness.

“If only our hearts could choose where to anchor,” Gilbert replied with a touch of melancholy.

Haisley responded to his remark with a smile. She then patted Gilbert’s thigh and stood up. “If that’s something we can do, I guess we wouldn’t be stranded here as lonely souls,” she replied. “I’ll head to my room for a bit. Don’t miss me too much,” Haisley bid farewell to her friend.

“Wait, what? Aren’t we going to have dinner together?” Gilbert asked, puzzled.

Haisley glanced at her friend briefly and then shrugged. “If dinner means being with the lovey-dovey couple, I don’t think so. I prefer to have dinner alone,” Haisley shook her head. “Just not feeling it today.”

Gilbert furrowed his brows again. “Shouldn’t you be having dinner with them instead? It’s like indirectly showing that you’re okay with their relationship. Nathan will get even more conceited if he knows you’re avoiding him,” Gilbert’s reasoning made sense.

Haisley fell silent but shook her head again. “Not today, maybe tomorrow,” she said, excusing herself.

Haisley sent a message to Dean that she was heading back to her room and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow night due to her early work schedule. Dean didn’t read or reply to her message, but Haisley was confident he would read it later.

As she stepped out of the bungalow rented by Dean and Gilbert, she passed by Nathan’s rented bungalow because it was the only way to get to the main building. Loretta, on the other hand, stayed in the bungalow located at the far end, right next to Dean and Gilbert’s. As she walked by, Haisley hoped she wouldn’t have to see Nathan and ruin the improved mood. Fortunately, that didn’t happen.