Loving You Too Long

Mrs. Monica deliberately let Haisley sit on her right, and her husband sat on her left. Unwilling to let Haisley sit close to Nathan, Gilbert ended up sitting on Haisley’s right, so Loretta sat on Gilbert’s right and Nathan sat on his ‘future wife’s’ right.

“The waiter gave each person a menu. Mr. Samuel seemed engrossed in his own menu choice. So did Gilbert. ‘Haisley, dear. What would you like to eat?’ Mrs. Monica asked, lowering the menu from her face.

“Haisley looked at the menu confused. She then looked at Gilbert for advice, which didn’t escape Nathan’s notice; he then made a decision that made people turn to look at him. Gilbert ignored his sister and pointed to a menu item for Haisley, which she nodded at. Everyone had stated their orders, only Loretta hadn’t.

“‘I’m on a diet,’ the girl said shyly. ‘I’ll just have a salad,’ she said, closing the menu and handing it back to the waiter.

“‘Dessert?’ the waiter asked. The girl shook her head again.

“‘You know, your youth should be spent enjoying delicious food while you can. While there’s still a chance,’ Mrs. Monica said, sounding mocking.

“‘Oh, I enjoy good food. It’s just that for the past week, I’ve had to watch my body for my friend’s wedding. I don’t want the clothes they’ve made not to fit me,’ the girl said shyly. Mrs. Monica just nodded without intending to speak further.

“‘So, how’s your college, Haisley? Do you like your new friends?’ The woman turned to Haisley again and spoke in Miami language. It was evident that she didn’t want Loretta included in their conversation.

“Haisley smiled and nodded. ‘I love it. G introduced me to her friends on campus. She has so many friends, Tan,’ Haisley replied.

“‘To the point where you’re torn between studying and casting your charm,’ Nathan said sarcastically. Mrs. Monica looked at her son with a raised eyebrow.

“‘What’s wrong if Haisley charms people?’ the woman said, displeased. ‘She’s a beautiful girl, she’s single, and unattached. It’s only natural at her young age to have many acquaintances. In fact, it’s even better if she dates. And Aunt advises you, Haisley. Don’t just date one boy. That will only make you bored. Date three to five people at once, so your life isn’t too dull,’ she said with a mischievous smile.

“‘What kind of advice is that?’ Nathan mocked his mother.

“‘It’s advice that Haisley should listen to and follow,’ his mother replied challengingly to Nathan.

“‘Is Mommy planning to teach her something bad?’ Nathan asked, displeased.

Mrs. Monica shrugged. ‘Life is too boring if you only love one person, Nath. You should only love one person when you’ve married them. If not, then you’re free to like and love many people.

“‘Others might call it being a player, but for Mommy , it’s some kind of adventure. You have to find the best among the good. And let go of the bad among the good,’ she continued, glaring at Haisley. ‘Don’t waste your time adoring a man who might not be your destiny, Haisley,’ she warned.”

“Gilbert nodded his head in agreement with his mother’s words. And Haisley suspected that Gilbert’s reason for not dating much was somewhat influenced by his mother.

‘Besides, Haisley dating many men, what’s your problem? She’s single, and beyond that, she’s beautiful. Surely many men like you, don’t they?’ she asked Haisley, who responded with wide-eyed confusion. Meanwhile, Nathan answered his mother’s question with a snort. Mrs. Monica then lovingly stroked Haisley’s hair. ‘Trust Auntie, dating experiences teach you a lot about men, dear. And G,’ Mrs. Monica looked at her youngest son. ‘Are there no suitable friends for Haisley among your circle?’

Gilbert nodded his head like a puppet. ‘Many have asked her out. It’s her who always acts too busy,’ he replied indifferently.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Mrs. Monica shook her head. ‘Don’t be like that, dear. Even if you’re not dating them, if they ask you out, just accept. You know, it’s like hitting the double jackpot. Don’t spend your money; let them sacrifice for us. No need to commit; we can just call those relationships ‘friends with benefits’ or ‘friends with mischief.’ And if you enjoy it, that’s fine.’

Mrs. Monica continued as the waiter arrived with a food trolley and placed their ordered dishes on the table. They thanked him as the food was served in front of them.

‘You know, dating also teaches you many things that will benefit you later on,’ Merya turned to look at her friend’s mother. ‘Apart from knowing various types of men, you’ll also learn about sulking, persuading, and more importantly, you’ll learn how to seduce. If you hone your skills now, when you get married, you’ll be a skilled woman. At the very least, you’ll be a good kisser,’ the woman said without attempting to whisper or lower her voice. It made Haisley blush instantly.

‘Ma, don’t teach someone else’s child to be cheap,’ Nathan said, disliking her tone.

Mrs. Monica shrugged again. ‘Cheap? For Mommy , cheap is subjective, Nath. It depends on how you look at it.

‘You see a woman dressed in a mini skirt and call her cheap, but after you get to know her, she turns out to be devout to God and her parents. Then you worship a woman who behaves politely and seems nice, but behind her modest dress, she’s a tycoon’s mistress. In your opinion, who’s cheaper?

‘Just because a woman dates many men, you call her cheap. But what about men who sleep with many women? You don’t call them cheap, just bastards. In Mommy ‘s ears, that word is much more polite. Moreover, what’s wrong with being cheap? After all, it’s not you who is losing out.

‘Loretta,’ Mrs. Monica looked at Loretta, who had been silent since she only understood a little of the Miami language. ‘In your opinion, which is better, a woman who dates many single men, or a woman who steals another woman’s man?’ Mrs. Monica asked her in her native language.

‘If they genuinely like each other in the relationships they’re in, I think it’s better to date many men,’ the woman said, confused. ‘But maybe if a woman steals someone else’s partner, we could find out why. Maybe the man doesn’t love the woman.’

‘Bored, you mean?’ Mrs. Monica asked. Loretta nodded. ‘If he’s bored, why doesn’t he leave the woman? After all, men have the right and power to do so.’

‘There might be a reason that holds the man back from leaving the woman?’ Loretta asked hesitantly.