II. The Impact of Her

~ Fourteen ~

I rode to the shop as fast as I could.

As soon as I arrived, I jumped off of Lady and ran towards Ronald. He was fixing and sorting a few things in front of the bakery.

"Ronald," I called out as I approached him. He turned around and as soon as he caught sight of me, his face changed. "Is Laura inside?" I asked.

"Well, if it isn't Laura's wealthy suitor?" he remarked sarcastically. Clearly, he wasn't amused to see me.

"Have you seen Laura?" I repeated.

"If it isn't obvious, now is not the time to ask me questions. Especially, in regards to the whereabouts of my fellow workers," he replied sourly, focusing on what he was doing.

"I understand that your hands are full right now. And I don't want to waste your time. But if you can tell me where Laura is, I'll be on my way," I answered.

"I'm quite busy right now," he said, extremely annoyed.

"I know but–"

I was interrupted when he threw a piece of wood to the ground. He then faced me, seething with anger.

"I'm not the keeper of my workmates!" he yelled. He pointed at whatever he was doing and continued, "I'm currently in the middle of my chores. So, why don't you just turn around, get on your horse and leave?!"

I grabbed him by the collar and shoved him to the wall. I felt the stares of passers-by on my back.

"What is your problem?" he shouted. His voice was a little shaky. Shock and horror were painted all over his face.

"Look here, I have been patient with you," I growled as I moved closer to him. "I asked you respectfully, and I believe I deserve to be answered with the same level of respect."

He gulped, looking at me with widened eyes.

"I suggest that you answer me right now, or the next thing that you will be feeling on your back is shattered glass from that window," I threatened, glancing over to the window within my reach. I continued, "Let me repeat my question, where is Laura?" My wound pulsed as impatience ruled over my body. It felt like it reopened and it would continue to do so if Ronald was pinned to the wall for a longer time.

"I don't know where Laura is. She's not here," he said, terrified but there was still a hint of arrogance in his tone. "She was here a while ago but she fetched Leo and left without saying anything."

"Are you sure that you're telling me the truth?" I gritted, my eyes narrowed as I pinned him harder.

"I swear I don't know," he complained. "I'm only trying to finish all of my tasks today without being scolded by Grandpa Ben."

Seeing that there was no point in proceeding with this conversation, I slowly put him down. "Was that too hard to do?" I asked, sarcastically.

He gave me a sarcastic smile, chuckling as he continued with his task.

I took a deep breath, regaining some of the strength that I lost. However, I clasped onto my chest as I turned around. The stinge of pain intensified even more. The adrenaline from my anger has worn off and now, the only thing I felt was pain.

"What is going on here?" Grandpa Ben's voice came out of nowhere. I turned to his direction, immediately forgetting the fact that my wound was bleeding. As soon as Grandpa Ben saw my situation, he yelled at Ronald, "What has happened here?! Why is Robert bleeding?!"

Ronald quickly turned to my direction as Grandpa Ben rushed over to me.

"Grandpa Ben..." I struggled to breathe because of the pain. "This... is... nothing."