A week had passed since Haisley's conversation with Gilbert in the car. She still hadn't told her family about her plan to return to America because Haisley herself was now on the brink of confusion. Should she go back to her hometown and waste the golden opportunity to continue her education at a prestigious university just because of a broken heart? Or should she endure in a foreign land, far from the family she loved, with the possibility of getting hurt again someday?Haisley wanted to be wiser and more mature. She didn't want to rush into decisions and end up with regrets. She had worked for three years to get to this position. Just because of Nathaniel, she felt like the world's biggest fool.Haisley took a deep breath. She was now sitting in the campus courtyard with friends she had recently met. Studying abroad turned out to be not as terrifying as she had imagined. Because, as it turned out, she had made good friends. Although sometimes they had different opinions, their high
Steven remained silent. He chose to stand, leaning his shoulder against the wall, observing the changes Reia made on her. And voila, in less than fifteen minutes, Haisley transformed from casual Haisley to a more feminine version. "We're leaving now," Reia said, not allowing Haisley to see her own reflection in her bedroom mirror. A dozen minutes later, they arrived in the Chayton residential area. Haisley recognized several cars parked along the road leading to the large house. She could also see Gilbert's car intentionally parked on the side of the road, not inside the garage as usual. The Chayton family home was not decorated as lavishly as parties usually were. There were only a few additional lights as decorations and to enhance the view. The rest was just filled with tables laden with food and drinks. Reia didn't release her hold on Haisley's right arm, while Steven stood by her side, looking like a guard. They entered the Chayton residence. Mrs. Monica and Gilbert were ther
Nathan was quite surprised. Seeing Haisley's smile directed at Loretta somehow made his heart beat faster. The girl looked beautiful, although her appearance couldn't be considered extraordinary. But Haisley clearly looked beautiful. Even the bangs that were usually teased now made her appearance more graceful than ever. Nathan enjoyed the beautiful sight in front of him. Beautifully arched eyebrows, a small and sharp nose, Haisley's rosy cheeks were now etched in his eyes. Not to mention her lips, which were reddish and seemed sweet enough to kiss. Unconsciously, Nathan licked his lips. "I thought you wouldn't come," he said coldly, trying to hide his other desires that seemed to rebel against his body. "Gilbert invited me specifically. I wouldn't disrespect that," her cold reply, directed straight at him, made Nathan grind his teeth. Nathan was about to respond, but then his sister and her dance partner appeared. "Haisley, give it a try, you'll like it," Reia said, panting. Of
"Nath, are you okay?" Loretta grabbed his shoulder. Nathan chose not to answer. He glanced back at his mother, who shrugged and walked away from the bar table with a bowl of snacks in her hand. Nathan then turned when he saw Haisley being led by Gilbert. Suddenly, he reached for Loretta's waist, surprising her, and then tilted his head to the left, so from Haisley's perspective, it looked like Nathan was kissing Loretta. Annoyed, jealous, angry—while intoxicated, he felt all of it, but he tried to ignore it. He chose to grip Gilbert's arm tighter and simply followed his friend's steps, who helped him upstairs. What was really in that drink that made the floor feel like it was twisting like a snake? He wondered to himself. The drink tasted sweet and refreshing, but its effects made him feel weak and miserable. Gilbert opened the door to his old room and led him inside. Slowly, he seated Haisley on the bed. "Lie down, the dizziness will go away," he said gently. Haisley looked up,
Haisley raised her hand and then gently rubbed Nathan's face with her fingers. The girl's index and middle fingers touched Nathan's forehead, tracing down his nose to the tip. "You're handsome, very handsome," she whispered. Her eyes blinked slowly, as if holding back sleep. Nathan knew the girl sitting on his lap was now intoxicated, and he chose to let her be. "You have a nice nose. Well-shaped," she chuckled. Then her fingers touched Nathan's closed eyes. "You also have long and curly eyelashes. You know, I'm always jealous when I see them," she continued. Nathan opened his eyes again and saw Haisley looking at him with her half-closed eyes. "But unfortunately, your eyes always stare at me sharply. Sarcastic. You always look at me with accusing eyes," she said with a sad smile on her face. "And yet, I always want you to look at me, Nath," she sighed softly. The girl's eyes then moved towards Nathan's lips. Her fingers touched his thin lips and lowered his bottom lip. "I'm always c
"Dean?" the man asked with a soft chuckle. Haisley nodded. "Yes, Dean," she said, still smiling. "You don't love him," Nathan said coldly. "A woman can't do that unless it's with a man she loves," he continued with a mocking smile. Haisley shrugged, her face still smiling. "You said if it's not done with love, it's called sex. So, Dean and I can do that because even if I don't love him, he loves me," she continued. "You also do it without feeling love for me, Nath. So, I'm sure I can do it too," she added. Haisley then chuckled. "If I had known the pleasure from earlier, I would have gladly accepted Dean's proposal from the other day." She laughed again. "What does that mean?" Nathaniel asked with narrowed eyes. Haisley shrugged. "It doesn't mean anything. Dean just said he loves me. And he wants to be with me. You know, he said he could be your replacement," she said again. "And although I reluctantly admit it, Dean is the best option I have right now." Nathan stood up instantly
The throbbing sensation returned to Haisley's head. She opened her eyes and blinked to ward off the light emanating from the ceiling above her.. Where is this? The question immediately popped into her head. Slowly, Haisley got up and sat. Her eyes scanned the surroundings. Isn't this her old room? Why is she here? Haisley stood up and felt a queasiness in her stomach, then the girl ran to the bathroom and emptied whatever was writhing in her throat. Nausea, heat in her stomach, and a burning sensation in her throat made Haisley shed tears, the effects of everything she felt. Haisley rinsed her mouth and then sat on the closed toilet. The dizziness pierced her head more and her vision seemed to shimmer because of it. What happened? The question without an answer once again filled her head. She tried to remember what happened last night. She danced with Steven and afterward, she drank the juice on the bar table, then she felt dizzy. And after that? She forgot. Her mind was complete
A few hours earlier. The party had ended, some of Gilbert's friends had already returned to their respective homes, and Gilbert himself was tired and eager to drop his body onto the bed. The tall and big-bodied man then went up to his room, but his steps stopped when he passed Haisley's room. Gilbert was surprised because the door to the room was open. As far as he remembered, he had closed it before going back downstairs. Gilbert walked closer and peeked inside. The room's lights were still off, and he opened the door wider. Haisley, the girl he had left behind, was not there. Quickly, Gilbert headed to the bathroom whose door was closed and knocked. He felt afraid that, because of her drunken state, Haisley might be drowning herself in the bathtub. "Haisley!" Gilbert pounded on the door while calling her name. Silence. No answer, no sound of water. "Haisley, are you in there?!" He asked louder, but still, Gilbert didn't get any response. "Haisley?!" Gilbert grabbed the doorknob,