Loving You Too Long

Now, only Haisley and Nathan remained. Haisley chose to sit in a chair by the pool, feeling the breeze in silence.

Nathan placed a thin blanket over his shoulders before sitting beside her and hugging her. He wrapped his arms around Haisley’s stomach and rested his chin on her shoulder.

“What are you thinking?” Nathan asked curiously.

Haisley remained silent for quite some time before answering. “A lot,” she whispered. She then lowered her head, covering her face with both hands, and soon Nathan felt the girl’s body shaking, her soft sobs heard between her fingers. Haisley was crying.

Nathan reached for her shoulder and shifted his position so that Haisley now sat sideways on his lap. One of his hands lifted, pushing Haisley’s head to lean on his shoulder before gently stroking her head. Meanwhile, his right hand caressed Haisley’s arm slowly.

“Shhhhh,” he whispered, trying to comfort her. “Everything will be okay,” he assured in a soft tone. Now his hand moved up and down her back in soothing motions. Instead of stopping her tears, Haisley hugged Nathan’s neck tightly and cried loudly on his shoulder.

“Why?” she asked softly in Nathan’s ear. “Why does it have to be like this?” she asked again. “You haven’t even made me happy yet, and you’re ready to leave me again? Then what, do I have to wait for you again?” she asked, displeased. “Are you going to let me grow old alone?”

Nathan chuckled at her words. He still gently rubbed Haisley’s back and hid his head in the small curve of Haisley’s shoulder.

“You don’t have to wait for me,” Nathan whispered softly. “You’re right, there are better, more handsome, and more prosperous men in this world than me. You can find them.”

“But I don’t love them,” Haisley objected harshly.

“In that case, you can be with Dean. You said he has treated you well all this time. And I’m sure he’ll treat you even better for the rest of his life. He will love you more than I do.”

“But I’m not sure I can love him,” Haisley replied again, still in tears.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Nathan chose not to speak any further. Both of them just stayed silent. The silence in the villa was filled with Haisley’s sobs and the distant sound of waves crashing.

After a while, Haisley lifted her head, wiping her tears roughly. Nathan handed her the tissue she used to dab her nose.

“Satisfied?” Nathan asked mockingly. Haisley scowled right at Nathan’s face.

“Don’t mock me.” Haisley hit Nathan’s arm hard enough to make a loud sound. But he didn’t complain and chose to lay his head on Haisley’s shoulder again.

“I’m scared, Haisley,” he said softly. Now it was Haisley’s turn to hug him and stroke his head, hoping the gentle movement could calm Nathan. “I know I’m a coward, but thinking about living in prison, I still feel scared,” he said. Although Nathan didn’t cry like she did, Haisley could feel his large body trembling. “But my biggest fear is losing you,” he said, lifting his head again and looking at Haisley with his melancholic gaze.

Haisley bit her lower lip, looking at Nathan with all sorts of thoughts in her head. But she knew everything in her mind was not more meaningful than the man in front of her.

“Marry me, Nath,” she said, making Nathan look at her with unbelieving eyes. “I don’t want to lose you either, Nath. I will wait,” she said confidently. Both her hands lifted, cupping Nathan’s face. “Whatever happens later. However severe the problems that entangle you later. However long the punishment they give you later, I believe I can endure. I can wait.

“I’ve waited for you and chased after you for ten years, so what’s the difference with waiting a bit longer? Although, I still hope everything can be resolved properly so you don’t have to be punished.” Her prayer was heartfelt.

Nathan still stared at Haisley without saying anything, causing Haisley’s face to blush with embarrassment.

“Nath, are you listening to me?” Haisley asked shyly.

He smiled and nodded. “I heard it, Darling. From the beginning to the end. I just didn’t expect you to say this,” he whispered.

Haisley shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, you already told me before that you want to marry me. What’s the difference? I’m just repeating your words.” She continued with a flat tone. “We can get married here, at the church by the beach. I heard it’s not difficult to get married and blessed here.”

Nathan shook his head, clearly rejecting the girl’s idea. “It’s not appropriate, Haisley. A simple wedding is not right for you.” He politely refused, causing Haisley to pout instantly. “I want you to have a proper wedding, attended by proper guests. Not a hasty marriage like this.”

“We can have a reception after all your business with that psycho is done,” Haisley suggested.

However, once again, Nathan shook his head. This clearly irritated Haisley. She rose from Nathan’s lap and glared at him angrily.

“Fine if that’s what you want,” she said with a cold tone that made Nathan wince. “You never loved me, and you never will. Everything you said to me before was just empty words,” she continued as she walked into the interior of the villa. “You never wanted me, that’s why you don’t want to marry me. Because if you truly love me and want to spend the rest of your life with me, then you would willingly marry me as soon as possible,” she added with a loud tone.

Nathan tried to chase her, grabbing Haisley’s arm and turning the girl around with a speed she didn’t expect, causing her to sway and fall into his arms.

“Don’t be foolish, Haisley!” he growled, frustrated. “How can you still not believe after all this?” he asked angrily. “I’m not unwilling to marry you soon. It’s not that I don’t love you. But I don’t want to marry you in an inappropriate way like this. I’ve discussed this before.”

“Yeah, I haven’t lost my memory to forget that. But that’s your wish. And my wish is the opposite. I want to marry you. Soon. Here,” Haisley stated firmly. “I don’t need a beautiful, luxurious, and expensive dress. I don’t need a grand party. Just you. Gilbert and Dean can be witnesses. Besides, Flavia and Abigail are here. They’re my best friends, and their presence is enough for me.”

“What about your parents? My parents? Don’t you want them to be there? Don’t you want your father to walk you down the aisle the way it should be?” he asked again.