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

“Should we celebrate it?” Abigail finally broke the silence.

“N-no!” Flavia quickly responded. “There’s nothing to celebrate. What Uncle said is a lie. We have no connection whatsoever.” Flavia then released Gladwin’s hand from her waist.

“But, Via?” Gladwin looked at Flavia, puzzled. They had already expressed their feelings for each other, and Flavia had stated that she had no relationship with Eijaz. So why was she still refusing?

“I-I have to go. I have things to do on campus,” Flavia said nervously.

Abigail and Gladwin both knew that Flavia was lying. It was clear she was avoiding Gladwin.

“I’ll drive you,” Gladwin said, searching for his car keys, but Flavia shook her head vigorously.

“No need, Uncle. I can go on my own,” Flavia declined softly.

“But…”

“Be careful on the road,” Gladwin and Abigail said simultaneously. Gladwin looked angrily at Abigail because his niece was hindering his efforts, but Abigail ignored his gaze.

Flavia smiled at her friends, silently expressing gratitude, then put on her flat shoes, bid farewell, and left the apartment.

“Why did you let her go alone?” Gladwin asked abruptly. Clearly, he felt both frustrated and angry at the same time. He wanted to resolve everything with Flavia, but Abigail was intentionally thwarting his efforts.

“For now, let her be alone, Uncle. She needs time,” Abigail said casually as she walked to the fridge and took cold water.

“What more time? Before you came, she already said she had no relationship with Eijaz. We’ve both admitted our feelings. But she still refuses when I mention that we are officially dating now. I need an explanation for her rejection this time,” Gladwin became emotional again. His impatience was evident. He continued to stare at Abigail, who remained calm when he wanted to explode.

“Is that so?” Abigail seemed surprised, but Gladwin knew it was just an act. “Your progress has been fast too. But Uncle promised me that he would follow my way. Uncle must not pressure Flavia. Period,” Abigail concluded without giving Gladwin a chance to negotiate.

“But…”

“Uncle!” Abigail looked at her uncle sharply, demanding his full attention. “Flavia is acting like that for a reason.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Well then, explain! What’s the reason for rejecting Uncle now when our feelings are mutual? Or is it just a made-up excuse?” Gladwin stared at Abigail suspiciously.

Abigail ignored him. “We’re having dinner at Grandma’s house.” Abigail stated firmly, with no intention of answering her uncle’s questions. Gladwin looked at his niece in confusion, but Abigail seemed reluctant to be contradicted.

Fine, Gladwin would play along. After all, he had agreed to it earlier.

“It’s unusual for you to come without Flavia,” his father commented as Abigail entered his parents’ house through the kitchen door, as she usually did. “You and her are like Siamese twins. Always together wherever you go,” he continued in a mocking tone.

“Flavia has work. Why, Dad, jealous because I prefer to spend time with her rather than with you?” Abigail looked at her father with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

“Should have adopted her back then. Then you wouldn’t have turned into a naughty child. You, just a moment without Flavia, start acting strange.” His father replied cynically. “See, she leaves you to go to college, and you immediately start acting up and become a model.” It was no secret that her father strongly opposed Abigail and the world of modeling.

“I’ve already said this is just a phase. I’ll stop when I’m no longer in demand. Or when I get married, then I’ll focus on my family.”

“Yes, but when?” Now his mother asked. “Until now, you haven’t introduced any man to us.”

“Well, I’m still looking, Ma. I’ll make sure, after Flavia gets married, I’ll get married too,” she concluded.

“Then how long are you going to wait? Flavia’s relationship with Eijaz hasn’t made any progress. Do you want to wait for me to die before getting married?” Julie Hampton interjected. Gladwin sensed a sarcastic tone in his mother’s voice, but he didn’t know the reason.

“Well, Grandma, just pray for Flavia to get married soon. That way, I can also meet my match soon.”

“But I’m also curious about Flavia and Eijaz. They’ve known each other for quite a while and seem to like each other, but why is there no sign of marriage from either of them? Who’s not ready to get married? Flavia or Eijaz?”

“Maybe it’s her family,” Julie Hampton interjected. Abigail let her grandmother speak as this was her intention in bringing Gladwin. She wanted to make Gladwin aware of Julie Hampton’s views on Flavia.

“What’s wrong with her family?” Gladwin asked afterward, as there was no response from anyone at the dining table after his mother spoke. “Do they not like Flavia?” There was a hopeful tone in Gladwin’s voice.

‘Isn’t that good? If Eijaz’s family doesn’t like Flavia, it means Gladwin doesn’t have to confront Eijaz’s parents.’ Gladwin thought, feeling pleased.

“Which parents would willingly allow their son to marry a girl like Flavia,” Julie Hampton replied calmly but made Gladwin instantly furrow his brow in confusion.

Abigail’s parents looked at Gladwin, Abigail, and Julie Hampton in turn.

“You don’t know?” Julie Hampton stared at Gladwin with a deep furrow in her brow. Gladwin reciprocated with an equally puzzled look. “Your uncle truly doesn’t know?” Julie looked at Abigail, who answered his question by pursing her lips and shaking her head. “How is that possible? It’s been five years already.” Julie looked at Gladwin in disbelief.

“What’s wrong with Flavia?” Gladwin now looked at the people around the table in turn. “Flavia is beautiful, she’s kind. And she comes from a respected and decent family.” Gladwin’s comment was straightforward. “What do Eijaz’s parents have that makes him reject Flavia? Are they richer than Antony?” He asked, curious and with an uncontrollable anger.

“Well, all of that is true. Flavia has it all. Beautiful face, good character, and a respectable family. But that’s not enough to make her the dreamed-of daughter-in-law, Gladwin. A woman should be able to provide offspring.” His mother’s response stung Gladwin. His heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. Gladwin looked at Abigail, his niece seemed to be clenching her fists and staring sharply at her grandmother.

“Flavia is not barren, Grandma,” she uttered with a low growl. “Her uterus is intact.”

“Yes. You are right. But the chances of her having children are small. And as parents, Eijaz’s parents must consider that. It’s better to avoid something uncertain than to regret it later,” Julie continued, seemingly unaware of the chilling atmosphere around her.

“How can you speak like that, Grandma? Flavia is also your granddaughter,” Abigail retorted.

“Yes. Flavia is also my granddaughter. But I’m talking about facts, Abby. If I were in Eijaz’s parents’ position, I would also reconsider making her my daughter-in-law. I expect my son to have offspring, and she can’t guarantee that.”

“Do you know that your words are harsh?” Abigail’s tone escalated. Her father looked at Abigail sharply. Solidarity with a friend might not be an issue, but being disrespectful to elders was clearly something her parents could no longer tolerate.

“I’m just stating facts, Abby. If Gladwin were to ask Flavia to be his wife, I would be in the forefront to refuse. Even though your uncle’s age is not young anymore, marrying someone like Flavia is clearly not an option.”

“I’m not defying God’s will. But I’m just thinking realistically. She’s your friend, she’s also my granddaughter, but still…”

“Is it because she’s your step-granddaughter, that you’re acting like this?” Abigail looked at her grandmother in disbelief. She knew this response would come from her grandmother, but she didn’t expect to feel such sadness for her friend. “What if the roles were reversed? What if it happened to me? Would you say the same thing? That I’m not a woman worthy of marriage?”

“Abigail!” Her father began to speak up.