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

Flavia sat silently in the car driven by her private chauffeur. This morning, she had an appointment with Abigail at their new café to discuss the furniture they would buy before her friend got busy with her photography schedule.

It had been several days since the dinner event with Gladwin. As Flavia knew from their previous conversation, her uncle had started working actively at a renowned hospital not far from the new café. This meant that soon, after the café officially opened, she might meet her uncle again and even his colleagues.

But long before that happened, Flavia had to come up with a reason to avoid the party her step-grandmother was planning for her uncle. It would be a celebration for Gladwin’s return and his acceptance at one of the prestigious hospitals in their city.

It’s not that Flavia disliked her step-grandmother or felt uncomfortable in her stepmother’s family. On the contrary, she felt very comfortable. Even though she was Claire’s stepdaughter, Claire’s family always treated her well, especially because Flavia had a relationship with them long before her father married Claire.

However, what made her uncomfortable was her step-grandmother always discussing Gladwin and his potential suitors. Despite Flavia having no romantic involvement with Gladwin and keeping her feelings a secret, she couldn’t help but feel jealous.

Flavia wanted to shout loudly, “Choose me, Grandma. Make me your granddaughter-in-law!” every time the topic came up. But she knew she couldn’t do that. It was impossible, especially when everyone, particularly her step-grandmother, knew all about her flaws.

Flavia massaged her temples while blinking her eyes. Lately, after the fire incident, she had frequently experienced headaches. When it happened, her vision would blur.

She couldn’t tell her parents about her condition. They would undoubtedly insist-not just ask-she undergo a thorough examination at the hospital, something Flavia disliked. Spending time going back and forth to the hospital, receiving injections, and various examinations was already enough for her. Now, she didn’t want to do it anymore. Even the antiseptic smell often made her nauseous, although she should be used to it by now.

Flavia heard her phone ring, reaching into her bag and seeing her aunt’s number on the screen.

“Hello, Auntie,” Flavia greeted warmly.

“Hello. Via, are you busy?” Aunt Adaline replied in a friendly tone.

“No, Auntie. I’m on my way to the café. What’s up?” Flavia asked.

“First of all, Auntie apologizes for bothering you. And only if you have time,” Adaline started hesitantly. “It’s about Happy Home,” she mentioned the name of the orphanage their family sponsored.

“Why with the orphanage?”

“You know I’m due to give birth soon. Your uncle wants me to take a temporary break from managing the orphanage until the baby is old enough to be moved around. But I’m unsure whom to entrust the foundation’s affairs to.

“Mrs. Mary is still my trust, but she’s not ready to take over my position. So, if you have time, I want you to temporarily take charge of the foundation.

“I’m not underestimating your current busyness. I know you’re busy with the café and studies. But I’m confused about who to trust. You know I don’t have many acquaintances.

“Your mom is also pregnant, and Altezza says your dad won’t allow her to be busy with the Foundation. Joanna hasn’t returned from Italy yet. So, the only choice I have right now is you,” Adaline replied with a sense of guilt.

“I can do it, Auntie,” Flavia answered casually. “Besides, the café and school matters aren’t that hectic. I still have plenty of free time on weekends.” And Flavia stated the truth. Soon, the café affairs would be settled, and she wouldn’t have any other engagements to distract her from Gladwin.

“But what about Eijaz? Will he agree? I mean, won’t he mind if your weekends are monopolized by foundation matters?” Adaline asked, still feeling uncertain.

Flavia fell silent. She didn’t remember Eijaz at all, the man her grandfather and grandmother had chosen for her. Moreover, her busyness had no connection to Eijaz because they hadn’t established any relationship.

Flavia smiled and shook her head. “It’s okay, Auntie. Besides, my relationship with Eijaz isn’t that far yet to restrict each other’s movements.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Adaline repeated her question, and Flavia tried to reassure her aunt. “Thank you, dear. I promise, until your uncle declares the baby safe to be moved around, I’ll take back the foundation’s affairs.”

“Yes, Auntie. Don’t worry. Besides, I’m already used to going there. So, it’s comfortable. Just think of it as practice for having a child,” Flavia replied, although there was a slight pang in her heart at the mention of the word ‘child.’ And it seemed her aunt noticed it.

“Don’t give up before trying, dear. God is the Ultimate Grantor. Even if we consider it impossible, if He says it’s possible, then it will be possible. Doctors are only human. They don’t have full control over human life. They are just tools to assist humans in healing.

“While the Ultimate Healer, the Giver of Life, remains the Almighty,” Adaline encouraged Flavia with her optimistic tone. Their close age difference made Adaline feel more like an older sister than an aunt.

Flavia responded to her aunt’s enthusiasm with a nod. A smile appeared on her face, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Deep in her heart, Flavia continued to pray for a miracle someday. However, if her prayers weren’t answered, Flavia wouldn’t be disappointed because she had already steeled her heart from an early age.

“I’ll try to visit the orphanage this Friday and talk to Mrs. Mary, Auntie. Don’t worry. If I need help, I’ll bring Abigail there,” she said, met with her aunt’s chuckle. After a bit of small talk, the phone call ended.

***

On Friday afternoon, Flavia had gathered all the reports about the ‘Happy Home’ orphanage managed by her aunt. After finishing her evening routine, Flavia chose to sit at her study desk, sipping her hot chocolate while scrolling the mouse in her left hand.

“Hmm… routine check-ups for the kids.” Flavia mumbled. Alright, hopefully, with this list of activities, she could stop thinking about someone who had been bothering her mind lately.

After memorizing all the routine activities of the orphanage and noting them in her phone calendar, Flavia decided to go downstairs and get ready for dinner.

“Adaline said you agreed to manage the orphanage. Is that true?” Antony Quirino’s voice opened their dinner conversation.

“Yes, Dad. Auntie said Uncle Altezza didn’t give her permission to manage the Foundation until their baby is old enough.”

“I understand. But you have to remember your condition. You shouldn’t tire yourself out too much,” her father reminded. Flavia just nodded.

“Dad, don’t worry, I’ve prepared everything. I also had my check-up yesterday, and everything is fine,” she reassured, her father nodding.

“If you need help, contact me,” her father instructed gently.

“Iya, Dad,” Via replied with a smile. Sometimes, she found her father’s possessive attitude amusing. But she knew he did it out of love.

On Saturday morning, Flavia was ready in a light pink skirt and a sky-blue casual shirt, soft colors she always liked. Her private driver was waiting, warming up the car. The forty-five-year-old man had become her bodyguard and driver whenever Flavia needed him.

“Ready, Miss?” he asked when Flavia finished putting on her shoes.

“Ready. Have you had breakfast?” Flavia asked. The stocky man nodded. “Alright then, let’s go.” Tobby, the driver, opened the front passenger door, as usual. Flavia always refused if he tried to open the back door because she felt sitting on the driver’s side would bring them closer.

As the car drove, they talked about light topics, from Tobby’s family to the cafe Flavia managed. They even discussed gossip and news on TV. Instead of being uncomfortable, Flavia liked it because it made them closer, and she felt like she had a friend to talk to.

The car arrived at the gate of ‘Happy Home.’ As Tobby had driven Flavia and her family there multiple times, he knew where to park for the orphanage staff.

Flavia was ready with her relatively large backpack. Although Tobby offered to carry it, Flavia politely declined. Flavia entered the orphanage’s secretariat area, where a woman approximately the same age as Mr. Iwan greeted her with a friendly smile. “Miss, you’ve arrived,” she welcomed.

Flavia kissed the woman’s hand, as was her usual custom. To her, women like Mrs. Mary deserved respect. Besides her high social spirit, the woman had sacrificed a lot for the progress of the orphanage and the development of the children.

Little did Flavia know about Mrs. Mary; the middle-aged woman no longer had a family as all her family members-husband and child-had died in an accident. Without any interest in remarriage, she chose to dedicate herself to the orphanage.

“Today’s schedule includes health check-ups for the children, right, Mrs.?” Flavia asked as she placed her bag on the table.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Yes, Miss. But I just received a notification that Dr. Freddie can’t make it. His daughter suddenly fell ill,” Mrs. Mary explained, making Flavia pause. “Don’t worry, Miss, Dr. Freddie has asked his colleague to replace him. He said it’s his college friend.”

Flavia knew who Dr. Freddie was. He was a general practitioner who had been working with the Quirino family for quite a while and was now her father’s personal doctor. Despite being relatively young, Dr. Freddie was a promising doctor. As for his college friend, Flavia briefly imagined a name but quickly erased it from her mind.

No. She rejected it in her heart. It couldn’t be ‘him,’ right?

“Good morning…” A knock shattered the silence in Flavia’s mind. Flavia turned, and her greatest fear materialized before her. What she had rejected in her thoughts now stood in front of her. Neat and handsome, with his characteristic sweet smile. “I’m Gladwin, Dr. Freddie asked me to replace him today,” he greeted as he entered further.

“Ah, Dr. Gladwin, right? Please come in. I’m Mrs. Mary, the caretaker of the foundation.” Mrs. Mary extended her hand to greet Gladwin. Gladwin responded with a handshake, maintaining his smile. “This is Miss Flavia. She’s here as a substitute foundation manager,” she continued.

Gladwin smiled. “Hi, Princess,” he greeted, waving his hand and winking mischievously.

Mrs. Teti raised her eyebrows, surprised by the attitude and the address of the man in front of her towards the owner’s daughter. “Does the doctor know Miss Flavia?” she asked curiously.

“It just so happens, ma’am. She’s my niece,” Gladwin replied.

“Niece?” Mrs. Teti asked in disbelief. Given Gladwin’s apparent age in his thirties and Flavia herself in her twenties, it was unlikely that people would believe they were uncle and niece.

“The story is long, ma’am,” Gladwin said casually. “So, when shall we start the examination?” Gladwin redirected the conversation. After that, they busied themselves with examining the children.