Loving You Too Long

They arrived at the hotel where Haisley worked. Haisley greeted the receptionist cheerfully, and the twenty-five-year-old girl responded with a friendly greeting. Yes, she was Astrid, Haisley’s roommate in the staff dorms.

“So, have your guests arrived?” the woman asked warmly.

Haisley nodded enthusiastically. She had already informed Astrid that her friends would be coming and vacationing in Miami. Not to show off, just to let the woman know that maybe for a while she wouldn’t be staying at the club, or perhaps she might arrive after closing time.

She also recounted her meeting with Flavia and Abigail yesterday just so the woman would understand. And honestly, Haisley really liked Astrid; she considered Astrid as her own sister, given that the woman’s age was almost the same as her sister Crystal’s.

“My friends want to book a room here, Ma’am,” Haisley said, making the woman nod.

“What kind of room would you like?” she asked politely, then handed over a book containing a list of room types, facilities, and rental prices.

“We’d like to book a bungalow,” Gilbert pointed to a page he thought had good facilities for them. Astrid nodded and then typed something on her computer.

“Under whose name is the room reservation? May I have personal information and a phone number?” Astrid said professionally.

Gilbert took out his identification card and then stated his phone number. Following the applicable rules, Astrid requested a deposit. After the transaction was completed, Haisley Miami grabbed the arms of both men and announced loudly.

“I’ll take you to your room, gentlemen,” she said, answered by laughter from Gilbert, Dean, and Astrid.

Haisley didn’t care about the couple standing behind them and chose to urge the two men to enter deeper into the hotel area.

The bungalow booked by Dean and Gilbert had luxurious facilities. The front of the bungalow looked ordinary, facing other bungalows with a distance of about ten meters between each building. Meanwhile, its interior facilities could be categorized as luxurious. It had a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and a super-large bed. There was another door inside the bungalow made entirely of glass. If opened, they would immediately enter a private pool area with a view of the ocean. The sides of the pool were fenced with tall yellow bamboo trees, providing privacy for the occupants.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Satisfied?” Haisley asked both of them. Dean and Gilbert nodded. Haisley smirked, “Of course, you get what you pay for,” she said mockingly.

Dean chose to sit on the bed, while Gilbert stepped outside towards a chair by the edge of the pool. Haisley, standing at the glass door, positioned herself between the two.

“Do you like working here?” Dean inquired. Haisley smiled and nodded.

“The weather here, even though it’s hot, makes me comfortable,” Haisley answered truthfully. “Did you see how friendly Ms. Astrid was just now? She’s my roommate in the staff dorms. She’s very kind and attentive. I feel like I’m living with Ms. Crystal here,” she honestly admitted.

Gilbert chuckled, but Dean chose to silently observe her.

“Don’t you want to ask me?” Gilbert questioned with an accusing tone. Haisley squinted at her friend. “About how Loretta and Nathan ended up here?”

Haisley continued to gaze at her friend in silence. She looked at Dean, and Dean shrugged. That meant Dean didn’t know anything about the reasons Nathan and Loretta were here and who brought them.

“I told Loretta that I was coming to America. And she held Nathan to his promise to bring her on vacation here. I just wanted to give you one more chance, Haisley,” he said, directing his gaze at her. “Not for you. I know that you’re ready to let go of Nathan. But for Nathan,” he continued coldly. “I want to know if he still sticks to his decision to be with Loretta, or if he’ll realize his feelings and choose you.”

Haisley shifted her gaze, now looking at Dean. He looked back at her with a gentle smile.

“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll bind you in an engagement,” he said in a soft tone audible to Haisley, causing her eyes and mouth to widen as she looked at Dean and Gilbert with a gaze she found terrifying.

“Don’t be crazy, Dean!” Haisley said with a rather loud tone. However, Dean, who was being scolded, responded with a chuckle.

“Why not? Come on, Haisley, just go along with the game,” Dean replied sweetly. “I understand that making you fall in love isn’t like an online transaction where you just check out and pay. Although I do hope that your mind changes and you accept my love easily,” the man said with a pleading tone. “But our engagement-even if it’s pretend-I hope it opens Nathan’s eyes and makes him realize that he wants you,” Dean added.

“But what if it doesn’t have any effect on Nathan? I’d just be embarrassing myself if that’s the reality,” Haisley objected.

Dean shook his head. “If that doesn’t have an effect on Nathan, then I hope it has an effect on you. At least, you can open your eyes and look at me. So you also know that there’s someone who truly loves you,” Dean said softly. Haisley sighed in resignation.

“Come here,” Dean requested, patting the seat next to him. Haisley walked over wearily and then sat beside him. Dean put his arm around Haisley’s waist and laid his head playfully on her shoulder, and Haisley didn’t resist at all. Dean’s playful attitude, to Haisley, was similar to Gilbert’s affection towards her-no effect or sensation whatsoever.

Haisley raised her right hand and then playfully tapped Dean’s hand, and at the same time, they saw Loretta and Nathan emerge from inside the room.

“Why didn’t you wait for us?” Loretta’s words made Haisley raise her head. Gilbert, lying in the poolside chair, glanced briefly but returned to his indifferent posture. Meanwhile, Dean, the man, tightened his hold on Haisley’s waist and chose to place his right hand on the back of Haisley’s hand, keeping her hand on his face.

“Do you like your room?” Haisley asked casually. She chose not to look at Nathan and ignored the man.

Loretta nodded enthusiastically. “No wonder they always mention Miami whenever they go on vacation. It’s my first time here, and everything looks absolutely beautiful to me,” the girl exclaimed with admiration. Haisley just lifted the corner of her mouth and smiled. “I heard you work here too, Haisley?” the girl asked, and Haisley responded with a nod. “When’s your day off? I thought you could be my tour guide while I’m on vacation here,” Loretta said again, still with her enthusiastic tone.