Loving You Too Long

When she woke up, her room smelled of food, awakening her appetite. She saw Dean wearing an apron, cooking something in her kitchen. And there was another figure sitting there casually. “Already awake, Snow White?” Gilbert teased with a smile.

“Did I sleep for long?” She asked, wiping something sticky off her forehead. A wet towel was now in her hand. She saw a basin of water beside the nightstand and finally realized someone had been compressing her.

“No rice, so I made this instead.” Dean arrived with a tray of wheat porridge emitting an onion aroma. The smell made Haisley’s stomach growl louder. She smiled, accepting the spoon Dean handed her and started eating.

The textured wheat and minced chicken instantly increased her appetite.

“Drink your tea while it’s hot.” Gilbert also handed her a cup of lemon-scented tea. Haisley could only mumble a thank you to both men.

Not long after the bowl and the tea were finished, Dean took the dirty bowl and cup to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Gilbert sat next to her bed and stared at her intently.

“What was he doing?” He asked without preamble.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Who?” Haisley asked, confused. She really didn’t understand Gilbert’s line of questioning.

“Nathan. What was he doing? Did he attack you?”

Haisley laughed at Gilbert’s choice of words. “Attack me? Oh my God, G. Your choice of words. He came here looking for you, actually.” She replied honestly.

“Looking for me?” Gilbert asked incredulously. Haisley nodded slightly.

“He knocked on the door and searched for you. He even lifted the blankets, checked the bathroom, and even the wardrobe. He probably thought he could hide his giant body in there.” Haisley laughed again.

Gilbert furrowed his brow further. He leaned back in his chair, folding both his arms across his chest and crossing his legs. “I really don’t understand what goes on inside that guy’s head,” he said more to himself. Haisley just stared at Gilbert. Meanwhile, Dean came over and touched her forehead.

“Your fever has gone down. Are you feeling better?” He asked. Haisley just nodded. “Want me to prepare some warm water? Taking a bath would be good for your body.”

“With pleasure, Doctor,” Haisley said with a grateful smile on her face. Dean rose again and walked towards the bathroom.

“Dean!” Gilbert shouted, startling Haisley.

“Yes?” Dean replied from the direction of the bathroom.

“Do you still like Haisley?” Gilbert asked again, as if Haisley wasn’t the topic of their conversation. Dean’s head emerged from inside the bathroom.

“Why?”

“Just answer.” Gilbert’s tone was quieter this time.

“I do, of course. My love is only for you, Haisley. Accept it already; I can’t keep being rejected.” He then went back into the bathroom. As if his request was not something important waiting for an answer.

“In that case, just date him!” Gilbert shouted again. This time, Dean truly came back from the bathroom, wiping his wet hands.

“I’m totally fine with that. I’m willing. It’s up to her if she wants to. Besides, Haisley, what’s so great about Nathan compared to me? I’m rich, handsome, even more handsome than him. Plus, I’m a future successful doctor. Nathan? He might go bankrupt tomorrow, you know?” He teased.

Gilbert threw a chair cushion at him. Dean didn’t have time to dodge, and Haisley laughed at the scene.

“Are you wishing your own cousin to go bankrupt?” Gilbert growled.

“It’s his own fault; he’s not a good guy. So I wish bad things on him too. Right, H?” Dean winked, seeking approval. Haisley just laughed. “Come on, the water will turn cold again soon,” he said, and Haisley got up to go to the bathroom.

***

Nathan’s house felt empty with just him there. No Gilbert, and certainly no Haisley. Maybe, if Haisley were still around, the house would be livelier because Dean, the troublemaker, would probably choose to stay there.

Their relationship was like a love triangle. There was Haisley, always chasing after Nathan, and then there was Dean, always pursuing Haisley. But before, this didn’t bother Nathan. However, this time, he couldn’t understand why Dean’s presence had suddenly irritated him so much.

Nathan grabbed his phone and dialed a number overseas, disregarding the time difference. He needed to know what was happening.

“Dean is here,” Nathan said before the person on the other end could even say hello.

“Are you calling me in the middle of the night just to make an announcement?” The groggy voice on the other side was clearly someone who had just woken up.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Van?” Nathan asked, his voice cold. The person he called was Ivander, Dean’s older brother and Nathan’s cousin.

“What do you mean? Is he causing trouble?” There was a yawn in the background. There was no answer from Nathan. “I didn’t know he was there right now, Nath. He said he had an exchange program there. But that’s for next semester. Maybe he’s just traveling there for fun. Fed up with Germany, I guess.”

“So, you knew he would be here?”

“When he found out Haisley was studying there, he immediately looked for a way to transfer too.” Ivander’s voice was nonchalant. Then the sound of dragging footsteps was heard. “Well, you can just accommodate him at your place for a while. It’s good, right? With him around, you won’t be bothered by Haisley anymore. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

Nathan snorted in response. “Haisley doesn’t live here anymore.” There was a spray of words from the other end.

“What do you mean? Isn’t she keeping an eye on you anymore?”

“What do you mean?”

Ivander chuckled. “It’s pretty obvious why she wanted to study there, right? If not to be close to you, then what? But it’s good for you now. If she’s not watching you anymore, you can be free. So, does she have a new boyfriend now?” Ivander asked eagerly.

Haisley’s one-sided love story seemed to be common knowledge now. Everyone seemed to know how much Haisley adored Nathan and how much Nathan despised her.

But now? Was karma finally at play? Why was Nathan now so bothered when Haisley decided to distance herself? Especially since he was the one who had taken steps to keep away from her all this time.

Had he truly fallen under her spell now and forgotten his role as her brother? Nathan ran his hand through his hair roughly.