Loving You Too Long

Nathan didn’t comment at all. No nod, no shake of the head.

Dean’s fingers tightened around Haisley’s. She raised her face and smiled. Although the smile didn’t reach her eyes, it was enough for Dean to know that the heart of the girl he loved was now hurting.

Gilbert, who had been silent all along, also reached out his hand. He placed his palm on the back of Haisley’s hand, which was previously held by Loretta, and squeezed it gently. In his silence, he gave his support to Haisley.

If the three of them were together at that moment, Haisley might have cried from the pain. But she tried to hold back her tears. There would be a time when she was alone and could let out all the remaining tears she had been trying to hold back.

They had arrived at the Chinese restaurant Gilbert had mentioned. Haisley really wanted hotpot. Although Dean had initially forbidden her due to her unwell condition, he later allowed it. At least he hoped the food would cheer Haisley up.

Haisley smiled brightly, making Dean feel fond of her, prompting him to pinch her cheek, which in turn made Nathan simmer with jealousy just by looking at them.

“So, H, when are we planning to go to America?” Loretta’s question returned to their initial discussion. Perhaps there was nothing else to talk about.

“After the exams,” Gilbert answered on their behalf. Haisley and Dean nodded simultaneously.

“Then, where are we going to stay?” Loretta asked again.

Haisley was about to speak, but Dean cut in. “You can choose where to stay,” he said quickly. “If you want, you can stay at my place or Haisley’s place.” He continued, but then he shook his head. “But considering Nathan’s character, I think my offer won’t apply. Nathan will confine you to his private apartment. Given that Nathan is a severe jealous type, I don’t think he’d like to see you meeting Ivander. My brother,” Dean continued.

“You have a brother?” Loretta asked again, genuinely enthusiastic to get to know her friends’ families. Dean nodded.

“I, G, and Nathan are cousins on our mother’s side. Nathan and my brother are the same age as me and G,” Dean replied. “My brother is Nathan’s rival. So don’t be surprised if he teases you to make Nathan jealous,” Dean added.

Loretta looked at Nathan with enthusiasm. “Tell me more about your families. Nathan is very secretive. He never even talked about his family in America to me,” Loretta pouted. Shortly after she spoke, the waiter served their orders.

Dean shrugged with a sneer on his face. “There’s not much to tell,” he said flatly, pouring food into Haisley’s bowl. Nathan noticed this action.

“Thank you,” Haisley murmured.

Dean smiled, adjusting Haisley’s hair so it wouldn’t fall into the bowl in front of her.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“Our close family consists of just me, G, Nathan, and my brother Ivander,” Dean returned to the original topic. “We spent a lot of time together since childhood. We know each other’s secrets to some extent,” Dean replied.

Gilbert, who had started to eat, nodded in agreement.

“Secrets? What kind of secrets?” Loretta asked eagerly. Dean looked at Loretta, then shifted his gaze to Nathan. His mouth lifted into a smirk.

“Secrets about women, of course,” he said ambiguously.

Loretta frowned. “What do you mean?”

“We all know who likes whom,” Dean replied again.

“Really?” Loretta asked again. Dean nodded. “Has Nathan ever been rejected by a woman?” she asked again. Dean nodded again, his face wearing a mocking expression. “Who? Who has rejected Nathan?” she asked enthusiastically.

“His first love,” Dean replied.

Nathan glared at Dean furiously. Meanwhile, Dean just shrugged, indifferent, with a mocking grin on his face.

“May I know who she is?” Loretta looked toward Haisley.

Haisley widened her eyes, looking surprised. She shook her head quickly. “No, no. You’re mistaken. It’s not me,” she replied. A smile appeared on her face. “Everyone knows I’m not Nathan’s type,” she said with determination. Behind her, both Gilbert and Dean’s hands patted her gently.

“Before meeting you, Nathan used to love my sister. Crystal,” Haisley replied then.

Loretta looked shocked. “Really?” she asked, unbelieving. Haisley nodded. “Is she as beautiful as you?” she asked again.

Haisley shook her head. “What am I compared to my sister?” she said shyly. “My sister and I are clearly very different.” She continued. “My sister is a very beautiful woman. She’s also kind, friendly, and intelligent.” Haisley praised sincerely. Instantly, a cloud appeared on Loretta’s face. Haisley quickly added, “But don’t worry. My sister is married and has children.” Haisley chuckled. Even though she was heartbroken, she didn’t want to make Loretta feel the same way she was feeling now.

“So, Nathan was rejected just like that?” Loretta asked again. Haisley could only smile. Loretta seemed to exhale a long breath. She appeared relieved now.

“Don’t worry,” Gilbert finally spoke up. “Nathan is a loyal type of guy. If he has decided to marry you, then he will.” He said with a reassuring tone.

He looked at Loretta with a gaze that was hard to interpret. While Loretta took his words as encouragement, behind Haisley’s back, the man gently stroked the fragile girl’s back with soothing, gentle movements.

The conversation shifted to more general topics about America that Loretta was eager to know. After feeling full, Haisley excused herself to go to the bathroom. In less than five minutes, she was out of the bathroom, but looked surprised when she saw someone standing there, leaning against the wall with both hands folded in front of his chest.

“So now Haisley has become good at lying, it seems,” the man mocked.

Haisley tried to ignore him, choosing to walk away. But Nathan quickly grabbed her arm.

“I’m talking to you,” he said roughly. His grip on Haisley’s arm was so strong that it was painful.

“I don’t want to talk to you, Nath,” Haisley tried to free her arm, but in vain. “Let go of me,” she pleaded softly, hoping Nathan would be kind enough to release her. But he didn’t. Instead, he pulled her out of the back door of the restaurant into a narrow alley lit only by the dim streetlights. “Nathan, let go!” Haisley still struggled, but Nathan didn’t release her.

Once they were truly alone, Nathan let go of her. Haisley looked around fearfully. There was no one there; if Nathan did something terrible, Haisley was sure no one would help her.