Loving You Too Long

“We need to talk. And I know you’re not in the mood to deal with the kids’ prattle. So just let them be,” Gilbert grabbed Haisley’s phone and tossed it carelessly onto the fridge. He glanced back at Loretta, who was still frozen in her spot. “Why are you still here?” he asked sharply. Confused, Loretta hurriedly grabbed her bag.

“Haisley, I’m going home,” she bid, her gaze fearful as she looked at Gilbert. Haisley only whispered an apology before the girl left.

“G, you don’t have to be like this,” Haisley said with annoyance after Loretta was gone.

“And what should I be like?!” Gilbert retorted sharply. “What is she really doing here? Since when has she been here? Has she been here since last night?” These questions poured out of Gilbert spontaneously.

Haisley walked to his balcony and chose to sit there, ignoring Gilbert, who was still emotional.

“Haisley?” Gilbert approached, calling the girl with a gentler tone.

Haisley glanced at his friend briefly before answering. “She came here after you called, G,” he said honestly. “She even kindly brought me food.” Haisley pointed to the package on his kitchen table.

“For what? A balm for a wounded heart?” he sneered.

“G,” Haisley warned again. “Don’t blame Loretta if she likes Nathan. And you can’t stop her if she wants to confide in me. Loretta doesn’t know that I have feelings for Nathan too. All she knows is that I’ve been in a relationship with you.”

“So because of that, she can just freely vent her problems to you?” he asked again skeptically.

Haisley looked away, choosing not to look at Gilbert. “She’s just lonely, and she needs a friend,” he said softly. “She considers me her friend, that’s why she confides in me.” Haisley still refused to look at Gilbert.

“Why don’t you ask her to stop talking then?” Gilbert softened further. He knew Haisley was the one hurting the most here. Gilbert sat closer and put his arm around Haisley’s shoulder. “Even if you can’t tell her you like Nathan, at least you can politely refuse her so she doesn’t talk about her private matters.”

Haisley chuckled, but his tears fell nonetheless. “Women’s conversations aren’t always about designer bags or the latest makeup products, G. You surely know that too.”

“But hearing her talk about her relationship with Nathan is slowly hurting you, Haisley.”

“Yeah. I won’t deny that. But listening to Loretta’s stories, at least I’m somewhat entertained. And I know that Nathan has finally been able to open up to other women. Slowly, he has moved on from Crystal in his heart.”

“Are you sure Nathan really likes Loretta?” Gilbert asked uncertainly.

Haisley straightened up and looked at Gilbert. “What do you mean?”

“It could be his tactic to make you jealous.”

“By involving his parents?” Haisley shook his head. “Nathan wouldn’t be that cruel, G. Besides, why would he make me jealous when he knows I’ve only liked him all this time?” Haisley laughed, rejecting Gilbert’s way of thinking. “Let it go. There’s nothing more we can do except to surrender and accept them. Nathan will never fall for me, G. I’m nothing compared to Crystal. So let it be. Let me enjoy my college life here. If I happen to meet a foreign guy, then it’s my luck.” Haisley spoke softly. He patted his thigh and then stood up. “Let’s go shopping. Whether the kids are here or not, I need to eat, G.”

Gilbert just watched the girl. There were no more words he could say. He would just go with the flow.

At Nathaniel’s residence, Nathan furrowed his brow upon hearing the doorbell ring. Who could be visiting on a weekend like this? Maybe it’s his friend Gilbert, he thought. He got up from his seat, placing the book he was reading down, and walked towards the door. There stood Loretta, wearing a bright floral-patterned long dress. She smiled and waved. “Hi,” she greeted. “Can I come in?”

Nathan shifted his body, allowing Loretta to enter his home. “What’s up?” Nathan asked, confused. Her presence was so sudden, without any prior notice, and it bothered Nathan. He really wanted to be alone at the moment.

“I’m from Haisley’s flat,” she replied, then sat gracefully on one of the sofas. “Gilbert came, and he said he wanted to be alone with Haisley. So he asked me to come here. He said you were alone and would probably appreciate my company.”

Nathan furrowed his brow. His brother? Alone with Haisley? “Why are they alone?” he asked unconsciously.

Loretta looked back at Nathan, puzzled. “Why do you think they want to be alone?” She chuckled, finding it amusing. Nathan only furrowed his brow further. “They’re a couple that really clicks. I like it,” she continued enthusiastically.

Loretta might like it, but Nathan didn’t. He didn’t like the idea of them being ‘alone’ at all.

Nathan grabbed his phone and called his brother. “Why did you tell Loretta to come here?” he asked irritably.

“Oh, has she arrived?” Gilbert asked back. “Thank goodness if she arrived safely.”

“Yeah, but why did you ask her to come here?” Nathan muttered again.

Gilbert just chuckled. “Everywhere, having your girlfriend visit makes your heart happy. Why are you so annoyed? I’m giving you guys some time to do your own thing.”

Nathan clearly heard the mocking tone in his voice. “By the way, Bro, are you serious about Loretta? Why didn’t you tell me? As your only sibling, I feel offended hearing this from someone else,” Gilbert said, still sounding mocking.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“What do you mean?”

“You want to introduce Loretta to the folks as your potential partner, right?” Gilbert asked again. “Congrats, Bro. Looks like I’ll be organizing a bachelor party for you soon.” Nathan still didn’t understand, his forehead creasing further.

“G, what’s going on here?” Haisley’s voice interrupted.

“The one on the left looks better, Darling,” Gilbert replied.

“Where are you guys?” Nathan asked, his tone displeased.

“Why? Want to join us here? Sorry, I’m not a fan of double dates,” Gilbert refused before Nathan could even speak.

Double date? So, they’re on a date? Didn’t Gilbert say he was going to Haisley’s place with her friends earlier? “Nath, let it go. I still have a lot to discuss with Haisley.” Without waiting for Nathan’s response, Gilbert hung up.

“Are there friends at Haisley’s place?” Nathan immediately looked at Loretta after ending the call. Loretta shook her head.