Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Flavia was copying the records into the computer when Abigail entered with her beaming smile. Earlier, after lunch, Abigail had returned the favor by driving Gladwin, Phoebe, and Jonas to the hospital, citing responsibility as the reason. However, Eijaz had generously invited the three guests to return to the hospital with him.

“Why are you back? I thought you were heading home,” Flavia asked, and Abigail responded with a shrug before sitting on the long sofa across from Flavia. “Don’t you have other work?”

“None. I’m free. Just finished reloading my ammo,” Abigail replied casually, choosing to focus on the CCTV.

“Gilbert?” Flavia asked again. The mention of ‘ammo’ indirectly reminded her of their previous conversation about Gilbert, who was a photographer working with Abigail.

Abigail paused for a moment before turning to look at Flavia with a puzzled expression. “Why bring up Gilbert?”

“You mentioned reloading ammo. Automatically, my mind goes back to Gilbert,” Flavia answered nonchalantly, continuing to input data into her computer.

“Ignore Gilbert. Toss that guy into the sea,” Abigail said again with a sarcastic tone.

Flavia smiled. “Alright, alright. I’ll tell him to throw himself into the open sea if he ever meets you.” Flavia joked. “So, what ammo are you talking about?” she asked, curious once again.

Abigail turned to her friend. She had a plan in her mind, but of course, it wasn’t a secret if she revealed it to Flavia.

“There is something. Something that definitely concerns my future, your future, and our future. Just pray that everything goes smoothly for me,” she requested sincerely.

Flavia smiled again. They were friends and now considered each other as cousins. Of course, Flavia would always pray for her happiness, even without Abigail asking.

“How about the reports from the two restaurant branches that you took earlier?” Flavia finally chose to shift the conversation. She knew that if Abigail had a secret, she would keep it until she was ready to share it.

Abigail opened her sizable handbag and handed over two differently colored folders containing the financial reports to Flavia. Yes, their tasks for their cafe were divided. Flavia was assigned to handle financial matters and bookkeeping, while Abigail took on the fieldwork, monitoring the cafe, collecting reports, and handling any issues between employees and customers, although the third point rarely occurred. In terms of roles, Flavia acted as the administrator, while Abigail played the role of public relations.

“What about social media advertising and promotions?” Flavia asked again.

“Smooth. The launch of the new menu is ready to be circulated this weekend. Currently in the editing process,” Abigail replied casually.

Yes, another task for Abigail. As a social media influencer and model, her job allowed her to promote their cafe on her social media platforms. She also became the icon of their cafe. Whether she liked it or not, it had to be acknowledged that she played a crucial role in attracting customers to their cafe, although Flavia was mostly the brain behind many aspects.

A few hours later, Tobby’s driven car entered Antony’s parking area. Actually, Flavia herself owned a private house that she bought with the earnings from her business over the last five years. Initially, she bought a piece of land at the suggestion of her uncle, Altezza, who worked as an architect. Her uncle said that investments in real estate, especially land and houses, would become more valuable over time. So, when Flavia saw a land for sale announcement, she consulted her uncle for advice on pricing and location. When her uncle personally inspected the area, negotiated the price, they ended up with Flavia purchasing the one-hectare land.

If you’re wondering where Flavia got her money, it came from her father. Not by asking, but since the third grade, when she was only nine years old, Flavia had been diligently saving. While her mom’s wealth came from inheritance, business, and her intelligence in investments, Flavia started by saving the monthly allowance her father sent through her grandmother and the pocket money she received from her uncles, all of which she managed with the help of her grandmother.

Then, when Flavia got to know Claire, she started learning about business by making simple local cakes that she could sell at the school canteen. No one knew about this except her family and Abigail. And when her father found out, despite initially forbidding her due to concerns about Flavia getting tired and neglecting her schoolwork, he eventually gave in after being promised that she could handle it.

Academically, Flavia may not be as brilliant as Abigail or Haisley. Among them, Flavia ranked third, with Abigail at the top. Nevertheless, her grades were not disappointing, and she managed to secure a scholarship when applying to one of the prestigious universities in California.

Back to the issue of the house. After Flavia decided to buy the land, she continued to save, even though at that time, she had enough money to build a modest home. However, Flavia and Abigail had plans to start their business. A year after they graduated, and after Flavia was declared able to move freely following an accident, she and Abigail started their culinary business, which is now thriving. The capital they invested returned even in their first year of operation.

All thanks to the support of their parents and Abigail, who chose to continue her career in the modeling world, expanding their market share.

A year ago, before Flavia decided to pursue her Master’s degree, she had another discussion with her uncle and eventually created the design for a modern two-story house that is now a comfortable residence. The spacious backyard became her private garden, surrounded by high stone walls encompassing all of Flavia’s property. As for the interior design, Flavia herself arranged it according to her passion.

Her uncle had actually offered Flavia a position in his architectural company. However, Flavia’s father didn’t allow it. He wanted Flavia to eventually take over his position at Coskun Company. Whether working with her uncle or her father, it was the same for Flavia. After all, both were in the construction industry.

Flavia got out of her car and recognized another vehicle. She entered from the back yard as usual and noticed the area was empty, so the car’s owner and her mother were probably inside.

She headed straight to the kitchen, where she found her mother, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy, standing with her big belly alongside her grandmother, Julie Hampton.

“Just got back, dear?” Claire Hampton, now Claire Quirino after marrying Flavia’s father, Antony Quirino, greeted her. Flavia nodded, approached, and hugged her stepmother before kissing both of the woman’s cheeks, then turning to her step-grandmother.

“When did Grandma arrive?” She asked politely. Her father’s house and her grandmother’s house weren’t too far apart. It only took about five minutes by car to get there. That’s why they referred to themselves as neighbors. However, because Flavia’s parents had chosen to live in Manhattan before, her grandmother rarely visited.

Now that her parents had returned to Kansas, her grandmother visited more often, and that was one of the reasons why Flavia preferred to stay in her own house rather than her father’s. She only stayed there if her mother, father, and younger siblings were present.

“Not long ago, dear. Were you at the cafe?” Her grandmother asked, and Flavia nodded. “With Abigail?” Flavia nodded again. “That child. Gladwin keeps complaining to me, asking him to convince her to come back home and not stay in the apartment all the time. But she always has reasons.”

“Why does it matter if Abigail stays in the apartment? As long as Gladwin doesn’t live there, Abigail helps him manage the place.” Claire said, puzzled.

“The problem is, Gladwin says he’s uncomfortable. They’re both adults now, maybe he’s reluctant to bring his girlfriend home if Abigail is there. But your nephew is just stubborn.” Her grandmother grumbled, and Flavia responded with a smile. “Gladwin too, until now he hasn’t introduced his girlfriend to me.” Her grandmother continued to grumble, and Flavia, who was sipping her drink, froze.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Well, maybe he doesn’t have one yet,” Claire replied, trying to calm the situation.