Loving You Too Long

The weekend arrived uninvited. This was the first weekend where she saw Nathaniel at home. Without disappearing. Although his presence wasn’t always visible to the eye. Maybe he was holed up in his study, or perhaps he spent his time in his room.

Today was also Aunt Judy’s day off. So like their usual weekends, she and Gilbert would go shopping for their needs. Or indulge in body treatments together.

“Are we going to eat out?” she asked with her mouth full. That morning, Gilbert made sweet pancakes for her.

“I’m so sorry, Princess. I have an extra class today, so I can’t accompany you. If everything goes as planned, I’ll be back by two,” he said.

Haisley sighed softly. But what could she say? When it came to education, she couldn’t interfere. “Alright, I guess I’ll spend my Saturday at home. But after I get back from campus, we’ll go out, okay?” she pleaded with a pleading expression. Gilbert ruffled her hair affectionately and nodded. “Fine,” he replied shortly, then fed her another bite of pancake.

After finishing breakfast, Haisley decided to watch TV in the living room. While Gilbert got ready to go to campus. And Nathan was still busy in his study. Whether it was too quiet or because she was bored, Haisley ended up falling asleep on the sofa.

Nathan, about to fill his glass of water, froze when he saw the television on. He shook his head at the petite figure curled up on the couch like a fetus. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, one hand serving as a pillow for her head, and the other clutching the remote control.

Nathan approached, reaching for the remote in the girl’s hand and placing it on the table beside the sofa, knowing Haisley wouldn’t wake up easily. He then shifted his position to lie down. Afterward, he placed his left arm under Haisley’s head and the other hand under her knees, effortlessly lifting her small body, carrying her bridal style.

Haisley comfortably rested her head on his chest, oblivious to her owner’s increasingly rapid heartbeat. With casual steps, Nathan carried her back to her room on the second floor.

Nathan opened the slightly ajar bedroom door with a push of his hip. Haisley’s bed, originally positioned near the door, had now been moved to another corner close to the window and balcony. Nathan didn’t know since when, as it was his first time entering her room. Clearly, the room’s decor had changed since the last time he and Gilbert arranged it.

The room was no longer as plain as before; now, there were personal items scattered in different places. The study desk, which previously only held a monitor, was now adorned with various stationery boxes, photo figures, and other knick-knacks. The bookshelf was starting to fill up with Haisley’s textbooks and her collection of novels.

The entire room was no longer recognizable to him. But one thing was certain, the room felt more masculine than feminine. Three-quarters of the items in there were neutral in color, the rest were girly.

Nathan gently laid Haisley down. But a moment later, Haisley shifted, her body turning towards Nathan who was crouched beside her. So, instead of leaving, Nathan found himself sitting still in his place.

The morning sunlight streaming through the glass door made Haisley’s face and body appear even paler. Unconsciously, Nathan’s hand reached out and adjusted the strands of hair falling on one side of Haisley’s face. But his fingers found it insufficient to only touch her hair.

Slowly, the back of his hand started to caress Haisley’s face, starting from her forehead, cheekbones, jaw, and neck. Finally, his palm came to a stop between Haisley’s jaw and cheek, stroking the rosy cheeks with fine golden hairs, lit by the sunlight.

It was the first time Nathan noticed that the girl had soft hairs around her jaw, spreading back towards her ears. Nathan found it incredibly sexy.

His thumb slowly moved and stroked Haisley’s lower lip. It was plump and soft. Like jelly. Appearing sweet, soft, and refreshing. Nathan leaned his body forward and brought his face closer.

Just a little, he thought. He just wanted to taste it.

Nathan pressed his lips to the girl’s lips. And what he felt turned out to be more than what he thought. Those lips were so soft and warm. Nathan’s intentions suddenly changed. He no longer just kissed Haisley’s lips but crushed and sucked them.

Haisley had a dream. Someone gently stroked his cheek. The man’s thumb rubbed her jaw in a circular motion. Then he moved to touch her lips, and a moment later, Haisley felt another touch on her lips. Something warm and chewy. She could feel the thumb pulling her chin, causing her lips to part slowly. And then a soft suck tugged at her bottom lip. Haisley groaned softly.

The suction then turned into a crush. A warm tongue licked her lower lip before it moved to her upper lip and made the same movement again. Oh my God, why does this dream feel so real? She was even reluctant to open her eyes and wanted more than that. But suddenly, the kiss stopped. And Haisley felt those soft lips kissing her forehead for quite a long time before finally disappearing.

Ah, why do sweet dreams only happen for a short time? She cursed in her heart.

Nathan immediately left Haisley’s room with his heart pounding. Oh Lord. he almost raped the girl in her sleep. When Nathan sucked her lips, the girl’s moans aroused her passion even deeper. He wanted to put his hand under the girl’s shirt and squeeze the warm mound. But fortunately, Nathan has good self-control. He managed to escape from his extraordinary desires.

Nathan kissed the girl’s forehead before finally leaving her room. He had to take another cold shower, he cursed under his breath, half-running towards his own room on the first floor.

***

As he promised, Gilbert returned at two o’clock, holding two large pizza boxes in his hands. But he wasn’t alone. Behind him was Steven, carrying a large cup of fried chicken from a well-known fast-food outlet. Haisley, who was incredibly hungry, cheered joyfully at their arrival.

“I told you, just give her plenty of good food, and she’ll welcome you happily,” Gilbert said openly.

They chose to eat in the backyard gazebo. Soft and thick Persian carpets were spread on the floor. Haisley came prepared with a box of tissues and two bottles of cold mineral water. Gilbert waved his hand towards Nathan, who was standing on the balcony of his office. “When is Loretta coming?” Gilbert asked when Haisley approached.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Haisley squinted, seeing the figure with a beautiful body wearing a knee-length blue dress. Her shoulder-length bob hair flowed gracefully in the wind, resembling a summer dress advertisement. She looked elegant and beautiful as always. Not like herself, who was only wearing Gilbert’s oversized knee-length jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt.

“Probably when I’m asleep,” she replied casually. Haisley took a big bite of her chicken and moaned in delight. Steven and Gilbert just smiled at her.

“Can I join?” Loretta greeted them warmly.

Steven, Gilbert, and Haisley nodded in agreement. “Wait a moment,” Haisley said. She walked back to the kitchen with the chicken still in her grasp and returned shortly after. She handed a napkin and a plate to Loretta. “It would be a shame if your clothes got dirty,” she said, noticing Loretta’s furrowed brows. The girl was now sitting gracefully next to Nathan.

“You really didn’t have to go through the trouble,” Loretta replied shyly. “But thank you,” she added, spreading the napkin on her lap.

They ate amid light conversation, ranging from campus issues, work, trends in their city, and more about America.

“Join us on our vacation later,” Gilbert suggested to Loretta. Now that the food was gone, Haisley, Nathan, and Steven chose to lean against the gazebo wall, with their legs stretched out. Meanwhile, Loretta still sat gracefully in her position. Gilbert, on the other hand, preferred lying on Haisley’s lap. As if it were a routine, Haisley ran her fingers through Gilbert’s hair with her delicate fingers. Steven seemed intrigued, while Nathan felt uneasy watching.

“When are you going back?” Loretta asked, curious.

“This semester break, right, H?” Gilbert looked up and received a nod in response. “The four of us can go together. Haisley and I will be your guides.”

“Four?” Loretta asked, confused.

“Don’t expect Nathan to come. He only goes back if it’s necessary,” Gilbert replied again. Nathan remained silent. “Besides, going on a vacation with Nathan wouldn’t be enjoyable. Let’s just be the four of us, let it be a couple’s trip. You, Haisley, Steven, and me. We can have fun together.”

“Yeah, I’ll take you guys to some street food that tastes like five-star cuisine,” Haisley continued enthusiastically. “I’ll also introduce you to my friends.” Haisley could feel Gilbert stiffen in her lap. “You still remember my friend of Italian descent, right, G?” she teased Gilbert.

“Oh, you have Italian friends too?” Loretta’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm.

“Yes, I went to an international school. You remember them, don’t you, G? Flavia and Abigail?” Haisley tried to hold back her laughter as Gilbert chose to rise from his slumber and sat stiffly next to her.

“Yes, I know. Your friends who really like older men,” he replied softly. Haisley smacked his arm quite hard.

“Not like older men. But Gilang is older. And you remember Abigail too, don’t you?”

“Yes. The girl who’s a clone of her aunt.”

“Now they’re managing the business that used to be Aunt Ana’s.” She redirected her attention back to Loretta. “I’ll introduce you to them. You’ll definitely like them.”

“If Loretta likes you, she’ll surely like that duo too,” Gilbert muttered without hiding his annoyance.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Loretta said enthusiastically, not noticing Gilbert’s irritated and bored expression. As for Steven, he felt that this vacation could be a more intense bonding experience for them.

“Me too,” Haisley replied with equal enthusiasm.