Haisley was startled, but she managed to suppress her scream every time the horror movie's music effects caught her off guard. Yes, despite not being brave, Haisley still enjoyed watching horror films.Because she was too focused on the character in the movie, she didn't notice the ripples in the pool. Until the creepy character appeared on her phone screen at the same time Nathan emerged from the swimming pool. Inevitably, the scream she held in burst out.Nathan, hearing it, immediately turned and saw Haisley looking at him with a shocked and frightened expression."FOR GOD'S SAKE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE? ARE YOU TRYING TO SCARE ME?!" he shouted loudly, gasping for breath, his fists clenched against his chest.Nathan wiped his face, trying to get rid of the dripping water but didn't take his eyes off the girl.What was he doing? Obviously, he was swimming. And scaring the girl? He didn't even think about it. He wasn't even aware of her presence."I'm swimming, in case you didn't k
However, Haisley's response was drowned out by a groan that grew louder over time. Haisley turned and realized that the horror movie she had been watching was still playing. Because of their proximity to her phone, the sound, which had been turned up to the maximum, automatically reached their ears. Nathan's longer reach and quicker reflexes allowed him to grab Haisley's phone first. He looked at the screen with a raised eyebrow and a mocking smile. "So this, is what you meant by 'adult activities'? Is this what you've learned about pool parties in your version? Men and naked women, all piled up?" His voice was low, icy, and dripping with sarcasm. "Give me back my phone!" she snapped, reaching for Nathan's hand held high. Haisley could only reach up to his elbow. "Give it back to me, Nathan!" she said, her voice growing louder. Haisley was angry because she felt embarrassed. Why did that scene play out when Nathan was there? Why not when they were still standing near the swimming
"I don't want to hear you say 'it's none of your business' again, Princess," Nathan's voice sent shivers down her spine."Because it really isn't your concern!" Haisley replied and turned around abruptly. She glared sharply at Nathan, unable to hide her anger. "Anyone who is close to me, whatever I do with them, or whatever I learn from them, is not your concern! If you feel responsible for my presence here, just focus on my well-being! Not meddle in my personal affairs. Because my personal matters are not within your realm of responsibility!" She spoke with explosive anger."Besides, why suddenly care about who I associate with? While all this time, you seemed reluctant to meet me?" She stared at Nathan accusingly. "You can go back to being the homeowner who ignores his guests, Nathan. Don't confuse me with your sudden, unwarranted concern. Gilbert is already enough to protect me. You don't need to worry about that.""And my affairs with Steven or any man I might date in the future,
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
Haisley stretched, moving her head from side to side to relieve the stiffness. Studying was not something she enjoyed, but what could she do? After all, she was a student, right?Her business professor had already left the class, leaving them with a pile of assignments to be submitted in the next two meetings. Haisley could only sigh in resignation. Well, at least tomorrow was the weekend, so she could forget about her college tasks for a while."Hey, H," greeted a tall, slender guy with a friendly smile on his face."Hi, Dem. What's up?" Haisley asked politely."Do you still have classes?" Haisley shook her head. This was her last class. "Want to go out with me?""Where to?""Anywhere, a movie, food, maybe? Or just hanging out is fine too," he replied enthusiastically."With who?""Just the two of us.""Alright. But you have to drop me home later.""Sure!"Haisley put all her books into her backpack. They walked side by side toward the corridor where Haisley's locker was located. She
Nathan returned from his business trip after three days. His throat felt sore, and his head throbbed, blurring his vision. He asked the office driver to take him back home, leaving his car at the central office.The house was quiet when he unlocked the door. Aunt Jody was probably out shopping, he thought. Nathan chose to enter his room, too tired to bother changing his clothes, and fell onto the bed, instantly drifting off to sleep.Haisley had just come back from campus when she noticed the front door slightly ajar, with Nathan's keys still hanging from the lock. It was unmistakably Nathan's, yet she didn't see his car in the garage. With a soft shake of her head, Haisley pulled the keys and locked the door from inside, as she usually did. All of them—she, Nathan, Gilbert, and Aunt Jody—had copies of the keys, making it convenient for everyone to come and go.Speaking of Aunt Jody, the middle-aged woman had called her earlier, asking for permission to return home because one of her
Nathan opened his eyes; his headache had started to fade, although his body still felt uncomfortable. His throat still hurt when he swallowed, although not as intensely as before. Perhaps it was thanks to Dr. Willy's medicine, or it could be because of the porridge and soup that Haisley made.Thinking about her name, Nathan smiled to himself. He remembered the girl's face blushing when she helped him change his clothes and wiped his body with a warm towel. It was abundantly clear that she had never been that close to a man before. Nathan tried to slowly get up from his bed. He didn't want to wake her up; she was sleeping on the floor, propped up by her arms with her head resting on the side of the bed. Regardless of how sharp her words were and how cynical her gaze was, her attention to him was greater than anything else.Nathan couldn't help but wonder: what did this girl really want to prove to him? And more than that, he was curious about her feelings for him. Did she still have fe
Haisley felt her bed shake."Earthquake?" she asked, startled. Her eyes widened in panic. But as she tried to get up, intending to save herself, she felt her body being held by something hard but warm. Yes, Nathan's arms were wrapped around her tightly, almost crushing her. His body heat penetrated the thin clothes Haisley was wearing.It wasn't an earthquake; it was the vibrations caused by Nathan shivering in his sleep.Both their bodies were still covered by the thick blanket, almost up to their chins. And what surprised Haisley afterward was realizing that Nathan had now undressed, and his hair looked damp. But clearly, the dampness was not due to sweat. "Did Nathan take a shower while I was asleep?" she wondered silently.Very slowly, Haisley moved Nathan's arm away from her abdomen and got up from the bed. Her knees felt weak. After the pleasant dream she had just experienced, for some reason, her body felt tired, and she also felt sore in a few places.Haisley slapped her cheek