"Isn't this better? I mean, I really wish you'd be more open with others. Your attitude is truly stifling, Jonathan, it's not good," Madelin said irritably.
"Do you feel uncomfortable with my nature, Madelin?" Jonathan asked awkwardly.
"Of course. Any woman would say the same. You should know how to control your possessive side. Get rid of that trait because no woman will like it," Nike interjected suddenly.
Upon hearing Nike's words, Jonathan looked somewhat remorseful.
He felt attacked from two directions at once. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions before finally replying, "Forgive me if my behavior makes you uncomfortable. I don't mean to control you, Madelin. It's just that I care about you."
Madelin let out a slow breath, trying to calm her anger. She understood that Jonathan had good intentions, but his possessive nature sometimes made her feel constrained. "Jonathan, I know you're kind-hearted. But you also need to understand that love isn't about ownership. We should trust each other and give each other freedom."
Nike nodded in agreement, "Madelin is right, Jonathan. You need to learn to let go of your possessiveness. That's not true love. True love gives freedom and space to grow. Don't let your possessive nature destroy your relationship with Madelin."
Jonathan fell silent, he glanced discreetly at Madelin and found her still staring at him with a sharp gaze.
Nike cleared his throat. "I think we should just end our gathering here. Wouldn't it be better if the three of us went home? I'm sure Madelin must be tired after work. Jonathan, could you please take Madelin home?" Nike stood up from his chair. "I'll leave first. There are still things I need to do after this," he said, excusing himself.
After Nike left, Madelin also stood up. Meanwhile, Jonathan remained silent in his seat. "Are you still planning to linger here? Don't you want to go home?" Madelin asked.
"I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable with me. That's why I dare not accompany you home," Jonathan replied softly. Who would have thought that this tiger of a man could turn into a kitten in front of Madelin?
Madelin almost burst out laughing, if only she didn't remember they were in public. Suppressing her laughter, she then persuaded Jonathan to take her home.
"Are you still affected by what happened earlier? I didn't expect a man like you could have such feelings. Don't worry, for now, I don't want to argue or sulk in front of you. Please, take me home Jonathan, if you don't mind," Madelin requested calmly.
Jonathan was surprised to hear Madelin asking him to take her home. He thought she would just ignore him and leave immediately. Apparently, Madelin herself seemed to still give him a chance.
"Alright, I'll do it if you don't mind," Jonathan said, then quickly got up from his seat and followed Madelin who had already walked ahead.
***
That evening, Jonathan was seen standing in front of his bedroom window. That night, he let the night breeze gently caress his face. Allowing the cold night air to gently stroke his cheeks. In the silence of that night, he began to think about the events that had happened at the café earlier. He remembered how Madelin's and Nike's words kept filling his mind. It felt like those words were disturbing his thoughts and preventing him from thinking clearly.
A battle was raging in his mind, wreaking havoc on his world.
Am I so selfish that I've hurt her? he wondered.
Jonathan began to think about his actions towards Madelin. He had never really thought deeply about them. To him, the ways he had shown his affection for Madelin seemed right. He hadn't realized that his actions, which he thought were fine, actually felt aggressive and made Madelin uncomfortable.
For a moment he tried to think deeper and deeper... to understand himself more. And oh... it was true that he was selfish. He began to realize that his possessive nature made Madelin uncomfortable around him. Although a slight feeling of self-improvement emerged, words of denial suddenly surfaced in his heart.
Why? Why should she feel uncomfortable? Isn't this my way to protect her? If I don't care and protect her, doesn't that mean I don't love her at all? She's not just a passing breeze in my life, she's the breath of my life that I must protect with all my heart. That's why, being overly protective of her is the best way for Jonathan to show his love for Madelin.
The jealousy and possessiveness, which he often couldn't control, were not entirely his will. He often did it unconsciously. Where the feelings of jealousy and possessiveness arose because he had seen with his own eyes that Madelin had never found true love. To him, Madelin was a beautiful woman who was unlucky in love. She was truly unfortunate... Jonathan himself wanted to lavish the love that spread widely in his heart only for her.
The almost obsessive love intensified when Madelin ended up with Sam. The most despicable man Jonathan had ever met in his life. Jonathan felt more and more jealous and worried when Madelin chose Sam. Jonathan knew that Madelin and Sam would never be together, to him their relationship was just like a temporary stop that wouldn't last long. Jonathan believed they were destined to meet but not to be together because Madelin was destined to be with him.
Even so, Jonathan still felt very afraid that one day, Madelin would leave him again. Just like when she chose to marry Sam instead of him. And... Jonathan would never allow that to happen again in his life. His intention was so firm to reduce the possessive nature in his heart. He was willing to do so to prevent Madelin from leaving him again for the second time.
He didn't want to feel like a failure again in maintaining Madelin who was standing not far in front of him. He felt guilty for making Madelin uncomfortable with his nature. He didn't want his relationship with Madelin to end up in vain.
He had to be willing to change his bad nature. Although he realized that he had to fight the selfish desires in his heart. But a little bit of his open-minded thinking told him that Madelin wasn't just a beautiful bird in a cage that he could keep forever. The bird wouldn't be happy even if he offered many luxuries in that magnificent cage. The bird would feel much happier when he, willingly let it fly high and live freely out there.