II. The Impact of Her

~ Ten ~

We finally returned to the bakery and the journey back was decent.

During our journey back, Laura told me different stories about Grandpa Ben's adventures. I remained silent throughout the journey because I started to feel the same emotion that I had the last time we spent time together.

I told her again that I enjoy her company, that I loved having her with me. But her response didn't signify that she felt the same way. I wasn't quite sure if I was overthinking and she did feel the same or she didn't. Whatever the answer was, I needed to know today.

I needed to have a straight answer.

After putting Leo at the back of the bakery, Laura returned to me. "Robert?" she called out, causing me to stand. "Thank you again for accompanying me. I'm glad that we're able to know more about each other."

I nodded with a firm smile to keep any kind of frustration within my mouth. Unpleasant words could have their way through one's heart in such a quick manner.

"Is there something wrong, Robert? You've been quiet," she asked.

I simply shook my head, faking a smile as hard as I could.

"If you say so. I have to get back to work," she replied. "I'll send Grandpa Ben outside to hand you that herbal medicine he mentioned a while ago."

She began to walk towards the bakery when I blurted out, "Do you even feel the same way as I do?"

My sudden question stopped her from walking. She slowly turned around, baffled. "What?"

"I've told you many times about how I feel whenever we're together," I replied, standing still. "The last time I was here, you simply giggled. Today, your answer... I couldn't tell if it was just vague or you don't feel the same about me."

"I thought my actions were answers already to what you said," she answered, her eyes widened with shock.

"Those 'answers' - that's what you call them - aren't enough," I complained, my hands on my waist. "I don't know why you giggled. I don't know if it's because you feel the same way or you just think that I'm foolish to feel that way."

"Robert," she started to walk back to me. When she finally reached me, she immediately looked me in the eye. "I reacted in such a manner... because I feel the same way as you do."

I was gutted. I felt all fuzzy inside, butterflies went crazy in my stomach. My heartbeat raised out of excitement and now, containing a smile is the challenge.

I cleared my throat before proceeding with a question, "Why couldn't you tell me directly?"

"Robert, I've met a lot of horrible people in the past and I can't just trust someone again. I was afraid when I felt that I was getting too comfortable with you," she explained. "I was too afraid and I'm still afraid to admit to myself that I feel the same."

I moved closer to her, our faces near to each other. I held her cheek and asked, "Why would you be afraid of something such as that?"

"Laura!" someone shouted from the bakery, interrupting our conversation. I looked to the door and saw Ronald coming out of the bakery. Ronald would always shout at Laura. Was he always like this?

"I'll be right behind you, Ronald. Give us a few more minutes to talk," she said, not bothering to turn around.

"I don't have a few minutes! I need you to get back to work now!" he shouted once again.

Laura rolled her eyes and finally turned around. "All I'm asking for is a few more minutes! Is that hard to do, Ronald?! If I were you, I'd return inside and mind my own business!" she snapped.