Loving You Too Long

Haisley arrived at her room after a considerable walk. She greeted the residents of other rooms whom she had started to recognize one by one. Haisley went to her room and chose to freshen up before changing into short cat-patterned pajamas. She emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her wet hair.

“Haisley, there’s a guest.” Someone knocked on her door just as she was about to put on her sheet mask. Haisley frowned. Who could it be at this hour? She wondered silently but still walked out of her room, with a towel on her head.

“Oh, Mas Adit?” Haisley looked at her boss with confusion. “What’s up?” she asked without any formalities. Aditya, her coach and boss, now stood in front of her looking awkward. It could be said that his appearance was more casual compared to when they were working. If Haisley usually saw him in a neat suit with his hair styled and some hair gel, this time she could see Aditya wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt with jeans, and his hair falling straight. Aditya looked younger than the mature impression he usually portrayed.

“I didn’t see you at the hotel; I thought you were sick.” The man said while showing a white plastic bag in his hand. “I wanted to visit you, and I brought some toast,” he said with a shy smile.

Haisley smiled as well, accepting the package and expressing her gratitude. “I’m not sick, Mas. Just swapped shifts. Fortunately, a friend of mine came to visit,” Haisley replied honestly. She invited Adit to sit on the rattan chair there because she couldn’t ask him to enter her room.

“Yeah, I heard they rented a bungalow at our hotel,” Adit replied. Haisley nodded.

“Maybe the day after tomorrow, they’ll also rent a ballroom or a restaurant or another place in the hotel because there’s a couple getting engaged.” Haisley shared more information.

“Wow…” Aditya exclaimed in admiration. “Jetset people?” He asked, and Haisley nodded. “And do you know them?” He asked again, amazed.

Haisley shrugged. “The younger sibling of the bride-to-be happens to be my best friend.” She replied, referring to her and Gilbert’s status. “The young entrepreneur guy, and the girl is the daughter of a renowned businessman in England.”

Aditya whistled again upon hearing it. “I thought we were on the same level, but hearing your acquaintances, it seems you’re beyond my expectations,” he said softly.

“What do you mean?” Haisley asked, confused.

Adit looked at her and shook his head. “No particular meaning,” he quickly replied. “Haisley, I…”

“Haisley!” Another shout from the entrance of the dormitory made Haisley and Adit turn. Two figures waved enthusiastically at her. Who else but Gilbert and Dean.

“Who are they?” Adit asked, not pleased.

Haisley frowned at the tone of his voice. “My friends,” she said. “The brother of the guy I mentioned earlier and his cousin.” Haisley then stood up, approaching the two because it seemed they weren’t walking through the gate to get closer. “What are you guys doing?” Instead of answering, they slipped their hands under Haisley’s armpits and lifted her easily, as if Haisley were just a bag of groceries. “Hey! Put me down!” she shouted, kicking at the empty air.

Instead of lowering Haisley, the two turned their bodies to face Adit, who was now standing. “We’re taking her away for a while. Don’t wait for her!” Gilbert shouted, and then they turned around and moved away from the dormitory.

“You guys are crazy! This is called kidnapping!”

“We’re hungry, we’ll talk later.” Dean replied casually.

They lowered Haisley’s body right next to the car. Dean opened the passenger door and told Haisley to get in, while Gilbert went to the back. After that, Dean spun around and sat behind the wheel.

“Whose car is this?” Haisley asked, confused.

“Rented,” Dean replied honestly. “I went out earlier to rent a car, intending to take you for a ride, but when I came back, you were already gone.”

Here’s the translation of the provided text into American English:

“I’ve already told G that I need a break. Tomorrow, I have to work, Dean.”

“We’ll drop you off later. Besides, we’re hungry. If we eat just the two of us, people might get the wrong idea,” Elak Gilbert said, causing Haisley to raise an eyebrow instantly.

“Do you guys not realize what I’m wearing? Pajamas! If you really want to take me out, at least let me change into something more appropriate.” She said irritably.

“And let that smitten guy see how sweet Haisley is? No way, this is good enough,” Dean refused, making Haisley roll her eyes, and Gilbert chuckled behind them.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Dean parked the car in a designated parking area for a seafood restaurant on the beach. Enthusiastically, Gilbert got out first while Dean was still trying to persuade Haisley to get out of the car.

Even though it was nighttime, people were clearly wearing more formal clothes, even though it looked casual. Unlike her, wearing pajamas.

“Embarrassing, Dean!” Haisley muttered irritably.

“Come on, just ignore the people, besides, Dean still adores Haisley.” He said playfully. Gilbert, who had walked a bit farther, now waved his hand, calling both of them. “Come on, Haisley, get down.” Dean requested again. “Don’t you feel sorry for that hungry monitor lizard? He just drank pond water, leaving half because he’s holding back hunger.” Dean joked, making Haisley reluctantly laugh. As a result, Haisley gave in and followed Dean’s wishes. She walked quickly, almost running towards Gilbert, who was already seriously looking for a place for them to eat.

When Haisley assumed they were only the three of them in that place, she was wrong. Because it turns out, Loretta and Nathan were already there earlier than them. Haisley knew that when she heard her name being called, and the beautiful girl wearing a chiffon dress with a Sabrina neckline was waving enthusiastically at her.

Haisley immediately glanced at Dean and Gilbert, accusing them of conspiring. But their faces showing confusion made Haisley sure that her suspicion was wrong.

“Okay, no matter what, this is a small island, so the chances of meeting the same people are very high,” Gilbert said while putting his arm around Haisley’s shoulder.