Loving You Too Long

“Love is just a camouflage, G. In fact, love won’t last if we don’t give women what they need. The main source of love is money and power. Will your woman stick with you just because you shower her with words of love? Can she buy designer clothes or collect diamonds with love? No, she won’t be able to.”

“And also, what I felt for Crystal back then can’t be called love,” Nathan answered flatly. “Just consider it as an adrenaline trigger because I wanted to compete with Juan. Then I lost. And it’s all over.” Nathan spoke without expression.

“Is that so? So you consider your feelings for Crystal just some kind of intense competition? Whoever she chooses is the winner?”

“Yes, and I lost,” Nathan replied without a hint of sadness.

“So, what are you doing with Haisley now? Is this also your game? You act reluctant to accept her but take advantage of her innocence. You play with her feelings. Who’s challenging you this time? Steven? Dean?”

Nathan looked at Gilbert coldly. “I never played with her feelings. She’s the one who’s too foolish to persist in liking me even though she knows I can’t reciprocate her feelings.”

Gilbert chuckled, shaking his head. “I sometimes wonder. What is your heart made of, Nath? Where does all that ego come from? Your mouth can say you don’t like her, but not your body. Your gaze, your gestures, and everything. Everyone clearly knows that you like Haisley. You want her. But you deny it all and treat her harshly. Aren’t you afraid that one day you’ll regret it?”

“Regret is for those who have made mistakes. For those who have chosen wrong,” the man scoffed.

“Well, and you’ll be among those people. You’ve clearly made a big mistake, Nath,” Gilbert replied. “Why pretend not to like her when, in fact, you want her so much?” he asked again. “As a man, I know the passionate look in your eyes towards her. Why won’t you admit that as well?”

Nathan scoffed again. He shook the glass and took another sip of his drink. “A normal man will feel passion for any woman, and you don’t need to categorize that as love,” he said mockingly.

Gilbert raised the corner of his mouth. “Normal men would only be passionate when they see a woman naked or dressed provocatively. But a normal man who is passionate when he sees a woman dressed modestly and covered, that’s clearly because of love. Not solely because of his male desires. And you always look at Haisley with that kind of gaze. Different from your gaze at Loretta. Do you think I never noticed that?” Gilbert snorted and took another sip of his drink. “I may not be an honorable man, but I try to behave that way by treating women as well as I can. But you?” Gilbert looked at his brother with a mocking gaze. “Believe me, Nath, like you said earlier that regret is felt by someone who has made the wrong choice, don’t let yourself experience that.

If Haisley has closed her heart to you, you will be the one who ultimately loses because you can’t have someone who loves you so sincerely and deeply. Haisley is not a saint who can forgive forever. There will be a time when she gets tired and gives up. Especially with all your treatment towards her all this time.

You only have one more chance, Nath. When she has decided to be with Dean. That means she has decided to forget you. And I know Haisley and how stubborn she is.

Think again, who do you want to see in the remaining years of your life, Nath. Loretta or Haisley. Because your wealth, your handsomeness, your success won’t last forever. In the end, you will grow old and lonely. If it’s not your wife and children accompanying you, then there won’t be anyone willing to sit beside you in your moments of despair.”

Gilbert put down his glass roughly and then walked towards Haisley. He held the small girl in his arms with both hands.

And not even twenty-four hours after he said all that to Nathan, now Haisley seemed to have made her decision without hesitation.

Haisley stared at her apartment. All of her personal belongings were already packed in boxes that she would later send using cargo to America. After returning from Gilbert’s house yesterday, Haisley immediately visited the two places where she worked and informed them of her resignation. Both of her bosses promptly paid her a modest sum, but it was enough for Haisley to cover the cargo expenses. As for the return ticket, Haisley used her own money and also borrowed some from her brother-in-law, Juan. She pleaded with him not to say anything to her sister and their parents.

Reia expressed regret when Haisley mentioned that she would be returning to America in a matter of hours. Reia asked Haisley to restrain herself and continue her studies there. However, Haisley had convinced herself that it was all in vain. The girl also asked Haisley to at least endure until the next semester, but Haisley refused again. After all, in America, she would still have to retake her courses from the beginning, so why should she spend more time and money to stay there?

Now, after all her belongings were packed and she was ready to go to the airport, Haisley was surprised by the arrival of Gilbert and Aunt Monica.

“Aunt won’t let you go back to America alone, Haisley,” the woman said in response to Haisley’s unspoken question.

“Why? What about Uncle?” Haisley asked, surprised.

“Gilbert’s dad is old. He can go home by himself. Don’t worry about him,” the woman said, visibly annoyed. Haisley looked at her friend, and the man just shrugged.

They had arrived at the airport, each carrying their suitcase. Haisley’s suitcase was indeed larger than Aunt Monica’s because Haisley took advantage of the maximum airline baggage allowance to reduce the cost of transporting her belongings. Fortunately, Gilbert was there, and his presence and strength greatly helped her.

“Are your parents upset again?” Haisley whispered as Gilbert unloaded the luggage from the car.

“Why do you ask?” he replied.

“How come your uncle allowed Aunt to go back to the US alone?” she asked, still in a whisper. Meanwhile, Mrs. Monica seemed engrossed with her gadget.

“Dad is out of town. Mom escaped,” Gilbert said with a chuckle.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Haisley widened her eyes in surprise, but Gilbert seemed unfazed.

Haisley hugged Gilbert tightly as her flight was announced. “I’m going to miss you, G,” she said sadly.

Gilbert ruffled Haisley’s hair affectionately. “That’s why, tell whoever to go back to the US. You can stay here with me,” he offered as a final plea.

Haisley pursed her lips and shook her head. “Only fools don’t know when to stop,” she replied with a sad smile.

“I always pray for the best for you, Haisley,” he said, accompanied by a brief kiss on Haisley’s head. “Even though meeting your God is rare,” he chuckled, making Haisley laugh as well.