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

Joanna, Gian Quirino’s wife, welcomed Flavia, Gladwin, and Abigail warmly at her luxurious boutique. Joanna, Claire-Flavia’s stepmother-and Adaline, Flavia’s aunt who is also Altezza Quirino’s wife, were all the same age, which meant the three women were also the same age as Gladwin. So, even though they weren’t familiar with each other, it wasn’t difficult for them to communicate.

Joanna used to be a model in America. Although she didn’t become an international model, her achievements in America were remarkable. Joanna never created sensations or scandalous gossip to boost her market value, but due to an incident, Joanna eventually chose to retire from the modeling world and pursue her dreams in the fashion design industry.

Abigail continuously marveled at the clothes made by her aunt Flavia. It should be noted that one of the reasons Abigail entered the modeling world was because of Joanna.

After Joanna married Gian Quirino, Abigail and Joanna’s relationship became even more intense, and Abigail considered Joanna as her mentor and role model because Joanna had a way of thinking that amazed Abigail. For Joanna, being a model didn’t mean being a cheap woman as people assumed. Being famous didn’t have to come through sensationalism or attracting wealthy men to sponsor. In the past, before choosing to settle in Italy, Joanna was also the coach and mentor for Abigail until Abigail, the tomboy, managed to wear high heels and walk on the catwalk.

They were sitting on an L-shaped sofa. Gladwin sat on Flavia’s right side, with his arm around his wife’s petite shoulders. Meanwhile, Joanna sat on the other corner of the sofa, observing Abigail while sipping her tea.

“How’s your job going? Smooth sailing?” Joanna asked Abigail.

“Everything’s going smoothly. I’ve just signed a new contract with Chayton Design,” Abigail replied as her hands continued to search for the clothing she wanted to grab.

“Does that mean you’ll be working with Gilbert Chayton?” Joanna asked to confirm.

Abigail froze, momentarily shifting her attention from the clothes to Joanna’s face. “Do you know him?” she asked, pretending to remain neutral.

Joanna chuckled. “Who doesn’t know him? Right now, he’s a renowned photographer among models and fashion entrepreneurs.”

Abigail smirked slightly, then refocused her attention on the neatly arranged clothes on the hangers.

Flavia glanced at Abigail with a slightly strange look before turning to her aunt. “If only you had come yesterday, I would have taken you to his brand’s launch event. He opened a store here, in Istinye Park. Right near Zara. Isn’t he amazing?” Joanna praised, causing Abigail to freeze once again. But only for a split second, so no one noticed. “I just found out that he’s also involved in every product photoshoot, so you’ll be meeting him often.”

“Hmm…” was Abigail’s only response.

Then she picked up a sleeveless silk dress with a low V-neckline and a belt under the bust. “Can I take this dress?” she asked. Joanna nodded, and Abigail went into the fitting room.

“Their relationship hasn’t made any progress yet?” Joanna turned to Flavia. Flavia understood what her aunt was asking and shook her head.

“There are too many factors making it difficult for them to be together,” Flavia whispered. Joanna nodded in understanding.

Gladwin, who had been sitting beside Flavia all this time, looked at the two women bewildered. He couldn’t grasp the direction of the conversation between his wife and aunt. However, he didn’t want to ask, but maybe later he would ask Flavia privately.

After spending the whole afternoon in the boutique, in the evening Gian arrived with an SUV. Gian invited Abigail, Gladwin, and Flavia to his house, and they agreed.

They spent the dinner enjoying young goat cooked in Turkish spices along with bread and various other dishes. After the meal, they bid farewell to return to the hotel.

Gladwin desired privacy, so he chose to stay at the hotel instead of accepting Gian’s offer to stay at his residence. Abigail opted to continue shadowing her uncle and his friend, even though she would have to sleep alone later.

“How about your job?” Flavia asked after they arrived at the hotel. They hadn’t had a chance to discuss it yet.

“I’ve requested a two-week leave, forcefully and through email,” he continued, noticing Flavia’s raised eyebrow. “I haven’t fully utilized my annual leave, so I still have plenty of days off left,” he replied casually.

Gladwin was now wearing a white T-shirt and shorts they had bought at a traditional market.

“Are you sure there won’t be any problems later?” Flavia asked, concerned. Gladwin nodded casually as he moved to the other side of the bed, getting closer to his wife’s body and embracing her petite shoulders again before kissing Flavia’s forehead. “What about Abigail?”

“I don’t know yet. Let’s ask her tomorrow. For now, let’s sleep. It’s late, our baby might get tired.” His right hand gently caressed Flavia’s stomach in a circular motion.

“If you plan to stay here for that long, tomorrow we can visit my grandparents. Coincidentally, they are also in this country. Would you like that?”

Flavia was referring to her father’s parents, Arthur and Brianna Quirino.

Gladwin smiled and accepted his wife’s offer with a nod.

“I’ll ask Uncle Gian to lend one of his drivers to take us there. Granny and Grandpa don’t know you and Abigail are here. They’ll be thrilled to welcome you and Abby,” Flavia said enthusiastically, and once again, Gladwin nodded.

“But what about your pregnancy?” Gladwin asked, concerned.

“The doctor said my pregnancy is strong. But still, I’m not allowed to travel far,” she informed. “Granny’s house is only a two-hour drive away, so it won’t take much time.”

“Alright, tomorrow morning we’ll go there. For now, our baby’s mother needs to sleep,” he persuaded. Flavia nodded, entering her husband’s embrace and beginning to close her eyes.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

The next morning, Gian’s driver arrived. Gladwin decided to check out because Abigail also agreed to join the adventure with Gladwin and Flavia. During the two-hour journey to Bursa, they were treated to views of the densely populated city. Though not as congested as Manhattan.

“Grandpa has another house in the city of Antalya, but the journey there is quite long. It takes about eight hours to get there. Maybe next time if we have the opportunity, we can go there.”

“Grandpa’s house there is near the pier, and the Quirino family has their own speedboat, so we can sail freely,” Flavia explained enthusiastically. Gladwin smiled and nodded, listening to his wife’s chatter.

They had left the densely populated area and passed through roads lined with tall trees on both sides, then turned into an open area with sprawling green grass and towering trees as fences.