Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

The car stopped in front of a two-story luxurious house. A middle-aged couple who had been sitting on wooden chairs stood up as Phoebe opened the iron gate. Gladwin, following Phoebe, entered the front yard and greeted them while kissing the back of their hands as a gesture of courtesy.

“Doctor Gladwin,” Phoebe’s mother greeted. Gladwin nodded politely. “Darling, this is Doctor Gladwin, Julie’s son.” Phoebe’s mother informed her husband with enthusiasm that Gladwin found a bit excessive.

“Does Dr. Gladwin also work at the same hospital as Phoebe?” Phoebe’s father asked, and Gladwin shook his head in response.

“Phoebe will move to the hospital where Gladwin works after finishing her current contract, Pi,” Phoebe explained with her sweet smile. Gladwin felt a sense of discomfort when the woman beside him spoke. He knew Phoebe was making her move, and he was aware of it because he was an adult, not an inexperienced young boy.

“Come inside. I’ve prepared some snacks,” Phoebe’s mother offered while opening the door wide. However, Gladwin shook his head; he didn’t want to give any false hope to the three people standing in front of him. As much as possible, he had to maintain a distance from them.

“Maybe next time. Today, I have to leave,” Gladwin politely declined.

“Why in such a hurry? It’s still daytime,” Phoebe’s mother tried to detain him. Phoebe herself aggressively held onto his arm. Gladwin tried to gently lower her hand.

“I have to go to my sister’s house and take my niece. Excuse me,” he excused himself politely and nodded courteously.

Gladwin got back into the car and saw Flavia still engrossed in her phone. “Via, move to the front,” he requested quietly. Flavia looked up.

“Uncle, just go ahead. I’ll move to the front in fifty meters,” Flavia replied quietly.

“Why does it have to be in the front?”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“It’s awkward; later, Auntie Phoebe’s parents will see,” she replied, giving her reasons. Gladwin furrowed his brow. What did Flavia mean?

“I’m not a chauffeur, Via. Come on, move quickly now; why wait for me to advance first.” Gladwin didn’t want to be argued with. He wouldn’t start the car engine if Flavia hadn’t moved yet. Flavia looked hesitant but then got out and followed her uncle’s request.

“Later, if Aunt Phoebe’s family starts thinking negatively, uncle should explain that I am his niece,” she said just before fastening her seatbelt.

“Why should I bother explaining? Are they census takers?” Gladwin replied casually while starting the car engine.

Meanwhile, on Phoebe’s porch,

“Who is that? Why didn’t you both come home together?” Phoebe’s mother asked, looking at Phoebe with confusion. Meanwhile, her husband had already walked into the house, and she wasn’t sure when.

Before leaving Julie Hampton’s residence, Phoebe deliberately contacted her mother and informed her that Gladwin was accompanying her home, hoping that Gladwin would stop by and chat at their house so she could advance her approach. However, somehow, Gladwin ended up forcing Flavia to join them, even though the girl had clearly refused to be escorted. Phoebe was irritated, both with Gladwin and Flavia. Moreover, throughout the journey, he blatantly ignored her.

“He is Claire’s stepson, Gladwin’s younger sister,” Phoebe answered curtly as she walked into the house.

“Julie’s step-granddaughter?” Phoebe’s mother asked, to which Phoebe nodded. “What’s wrong with your mind? How could you let them be together? Remember, they’re not blood-related. If there’s any connection between them, how?” Phoebe’s mother asked in panic.

“That’s impossible,” Phoebe said skeptically. “Whether Gladwin or his mother, they’re the kind of people who care about others’ opinions. So it’s impossible for Gladwin to date his own step-niece.” Phoebe was confident. “Besides, can’t Mom see how much Julie likes me? My chance to get Gladwin is very significant.” She replied confidently, but her heart felt uneasy, especially after the way Gladwin kept glancing at Flavia throughout the journey.

“Are you sure?” Phoebe’s mother asked again. Phoebe nodded firmly. “Anyway, I don’t care. However you do it, you must be able to get Gladwin. I don’t want to be embarrassed again for the second time.” Phoebe’s mother looked at her daughter sharply.

“Yes, I know. Mom, just relax. This time, we will succeed.” Phoebe replied, equally sharp. “Enough, I’m tired and want to rest.” Phoebe then walked towards her room, with no intention of checking other rooms to show her concern.

In Gladwin’s car,

“What time are you leaving for the orphanage tomorrow?” Gladwin started the conversation.

“I don’t know, maybe I’ll leave early in the morning,” Flavia replied flatly. Her eyes felt so heavy. She was truly exhausted and incredibly sleepy. She kept rubbing her eyes, but the drowsiness didn’t seem to go away and even intensified.

“Are you sleepy? Just sleep; I’ll wake you up when we get home,” Gladwin suggested. Flavia turned to him and shook her head.

“It’s okay. Besides, we’ll arrive shortly.” Flavia declined.

Gladwin glanced at Flavia from the side mirror. The girl opened a third of the window and stretched out her hand, as if trying to catch some air. There was something different about Flavia. Gladwin couldn’t deny that five years is not a short time to change someone, especially the transformation from a teenager to an adult. However, he didn’t expect the change in Flavia to be this drastic.

Gladwin knew Flavia much like he knew Abigail, though not as intimately as he knew Abigail. Abigail, in these five years, didn’t change much. Physically, yes. She matured and looked more sophisticated. In terms of thinking, Abigail was already mature beyond her years since she was a teenager, even though Flavia was far more mature than Abigail. But regarding character, behavior, not much had changed.

Abigail still liked to speak candidly and be playful. She wasn’t arrogant, even though professionally, she really maintained her image. But when with family, she was still the same old Abigail.

Meanwhile, Flavia?

Too much had changed in these five years. Physically, she grew into a more mature woman. She looked very beautiful with her subtle makeup. Her long hair looked so lovely and tempting to touch. But it wasn’t just that. The Flavia he knew, even though not as talkative as Abigail, was a girl who smiled a lot and enjoyed laughter. But now? It seemed very difficult to see her laugh. Even to get a smile from her, the girl seemed very reserved.

Was it just his perception, or did she really become quieter? And even seemed to keep her distance from him?

Gladwin looked at Flavia again. The girl now had her eyes closed, seemingly really asleep. And that was also one of the differences Gladwin could see. Because in the past, the Flavia he knew was an energetic girl. But now?

Should Gladwin contact Claire personally to discuss Flavia’s issues? But if Claire asks why he wants to know, what should he say? Gladwin wrestled with his own thoughts. And fifteen minutes later, he had arrived at his twin sister’s residence.

The security opened the gate for him. Gladwin entered and chose to park in front of the main door. He unbuckled his seatbelt and Flavia’s belt slowly, not wanting to wake her up. Very carefully and almost soundlessly, Gladwin opened the driver’s door, walked around, opened the passenger door in the same manner, and tried to carry Flavia as gently as possible so she wouldn’t wake up.

He pushed the front door with his hip and walked in. The sound of the television in the living room was still audible, indicating that the homeowners were still awake.

“Gladwin? Is Flavia asleep?” Claire’s greeting welcomed him. His heavily pregnant twin sister looked at Gladwin with a bowl of food in her hands. The fact that his sister became more voracious during pregnancy always made Gladwin shake his head.

Gladwin walked towards the stairs that would lead him to Flavia’s room. Yes, he knew the layout of this house, including Flavia’s and his siblings’ rooms, but he had never entered Flavia’s room before.

Claire, seeing him enter with Flavia, followed him, helping him open Flavia’s bedroom door and lifting the bedspread. Gladwin laid her down gently, then stepped back and left when Claire arranged the blanket for her daughter and adjusted the room temperature.

Gladwin descended and returned to the car, carrying Flavia’s shopping bags and placing them on the sofa. “Did you escort Flavia home, bro?” This time the question came from his fifteen years older brother-in-law. Somehow, whenever Antony called him ‘Bro,’ he felt like his brother-in-law was teasing him.

“Yeah. Why did you guys come home without saying anything? Aren’t you worried if Flavia takes a taxi and ends up with an unlucky, nasty driver?” Gladwin scolded. He acted as if he were Flavia’s father, not Antony’s brother-in-law.

“If you talk, be careful with your words,” Claire scolded, returning to the ground floor.

“I’m not talking carelessly, just feeling annoyed. The fact is that crime is rampant nowadays. It can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone, as long as there’s an opportunity,” Gladwin replied, still in a curt tone.

“Yes, we apologize. I asked to leave early because I thought Flavia would stay over since Abigail was there,” Claire replied with a guilty expression that made Gladwin stop any lecture that was about to come out of his mouth.

“Alright, I’ll head home now.” Gladwin said, tousling Claire’s hair as he usually did before bowing down and briefly rubbing his sister’s stomach. “Uncle is going home, sweetheart. Say hi to your siblings for me.” He said right in front of Claire’s belly. He straightened up, kissed the side of Claire’s head, and headed home.