Flavia was confused. The emotions in her chest were now mixed. Joy, happiness, touched, sadness, doubt, and fear came all at once. Once again, Flavia was unsure of herself. Not because of her feelings of love, as it was clear that those feelings still existed without Gladwin having to try hard to bring them out.
Other thoughts that came in succession made her afraid. Rejection, sharp gazes, the feeling of being isolated. All of that now haunted Flavia's mind. Especially the fear of not being able to fulfill the desires of her closest people. The fear that she couldn't make Gladwin happy in the end.
"I can't, Uncle."
"I can't promise that I will always bring you happiness because life is not always about happiness and laughter. I also know that my choice in the future won't be easily accepted by others. But I won't give up. It's not others who will create my happiness; I myself will create it," replied Gladwin confi
Abigail placed her bag on the bar table and walked towards the pantry, opening the fridge and drinking cold water straight from her bottle. "Let me know if Grandma invites Uncle for lunch or takes him out. Anywhere and anytime. I'll be like a leech sticking to Uncle," she declared loudly as she walked towards her room. "Good night, Uncle. Have a nice dream," she added with a smile before closing the door. Gladwin didn't respond to Abigail's statement. The man strolled into his room and opted for a warm shower, changing into fresh clothes afterward. He then lay on his bed and opened a video uploaded by Ignazio on his YouTube account. Didn't Flavia know that her eldest brother often posted videos of their daily activities? Gladwin opened the latest video titled "Rasa Cinta" (The Essence of Love) that Ignazio had uploaded. In the video, Abigail and Flavia were standing at the doorway. Ignazio played the guitar, and Akara sang a verse of a s
"Is that so?" Claire chimed in. "If this is the case, honestly, I'm ashamed to admit you as my older brother. You're thirty-five years old and still single? Antony already has Flavia at your age now." "I thought only Mom's mouth always spat out harsh words. Turns out yours is just as sharp," Gladwin glared at Claire. "Listen to me. I choose to remain single because I want to, not because I'm not sought after by women. I don't want to be labeled as a playboy like your ex-boyfriend who liked to bring women here and there but never committed to a relationship, let alone marriage." Gladwin's sharp retort was directed at Antony. This time, Antony choked on his food. Claire gently patted her husband's back. It was evident that Gladwin's accusation was aimed at Antony and his past before marrying Claire. "I'm afraid of karma. What if there's a guy who plays with my niece or my child in the future? It's one thing if it's j
Gladwin parked his car behind the large supermarket building. He courteously opened the passenger door, allowing Flavia to get out before locking it. His large hand reached for Flavia's hand, deliberately intertwining their fingers. Flavia resisted and attempted to free herself from her uncle's grip, but Gladwin instead stared back at her and tightened his hold. Gladwin walked ahead of Flavia as she tried to maintain a distance between them. The girl continuously lowered her head, prompting Gladwin to intentionally halt his steps just to make her head bump into his back or the side of his arm. "Are you really ashamed to walk with me?" Gladwin asked, with a condescending tone, for who knows how many times. Flavia looked up and shook her head. "Why? Am I ugly? Am I too old for you?" he asked again. Flavia shook her head once more. "Then why do you keep avoiding me?" "It's not like that, Uncle," Flavia replied softly.
"The guy at the bookstore. Why can you smile at him like that? Even without your smile, he's already interested in you. But you captivate him with your beautiful smile." Gladwin expressed it with a hint of annoyance he didn't try to hide. Gladwin was jealous? Of a stranger who introduced himself? Flavia didn't even share her phone number. But Gladwin reacted this way? "And that number eighteen." He continued. Flavia furrowed her brow even more. "Eighteen?" "Yeah. The skinny guy and his chubby friend." Her uncle reminded Flavia of the two men who greeted her in the restaurant, who happened to be her former schoolmates having lunch in the same place they did earlier. But why the number eighteen? Flavia wondered silently. "In my eyes, they look like the numbers one and eight," Gladwin replied, causing Flavia to bite her lip to hold back laughter. Her uncle had returned to
"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 gr
"I'm just asking for Grandma's opinion, Dad. Is that wrong?" "You can love Flavia, but it doesn't mean you can be disrespectful to your grandmother." "I just want Grandma not to look down on Flavia." Abigail replied again. "Abigail..." Julie Hampton looked at her granddaughter with a puzzled look. Why was Abigail reacting like this? Why were they discussing Flavia? "What really happened with Flavia? What's with five years ago? Can someone explain?" Gladwin looked at his sister, brother-in-law, mother, and also his niece. "Grandma just explained everything to Uncle a moment ago. No matter how much Uncle loves Flavia, your relationship will never get her approval. Flavia is a flawed woman. The likelihood of her giving offspring to Uncle is very small. That's the reason why Flavia rejected Uncle." Abigail's answer left the other three stunned. "What does this mean, Abigail?" Julie Hampton looked at her granddaughter and then at her son. "What do you mean by saying that your uncle l
"It seems like our hangout plan has to be canceled," Flavia whispered. "Can you take me home?" she asked softly. Eijaz looked at Flavia's pale face and assumed that she was still experiencing a headache. He just nodded in response, then guided Flavia to walk towards the parking lot. "Do you want to drop by somewhere first?" Flavia offered when they were getting close to Antony's house. Eijaz shook his head, politely declining. He felt that Flavia needed rest at the moment. If he visited, he would disturb the girl's resting time. "Get some rest. Take your medicine and don't stress too much," he said gently, stroking the top of Flavia's head. Flavia smiled, feeling more grateful because of Eijaz's understanding in rejecting her offer. After thanking him, Flavia got out of the car. Entering through the side door, Flavia found her stepmother breastfeeding her baby brother. Flavia approached, sat
"That will only happen temporarily. Your grandmother is not that wicked, even though it may seem like it now. "As a mother, she just wants the best for her child. Someday, you will understand that feeling. Because that's what I feel for you, for Ignazio, Francisca, and Meizar right now. I know you are the best for Gladwin, and vice versa. There is no greater happiness and comfort than living with someone who loves us and whom we love." "I am confident that even though your grandmother opposes your relationship now, eventually, she will soften. You must believe that God is the ultimate changer of hearts. God Almighty is in control of His creatures. Doctors may give any prognosis, but it is God who determines our fate. "If God wishes for something else, then what He wills shall happen." Claire embraced her daughter again, who was once more immersed in tears. Unbeknownst to Flavia, her father observed her silently.