I removed her hand, looking at her with an irritated expression. “Why would you prolong her agony? She’s completely uncomfortable in front of us,” I said.

“I was going to get the memory adjusting powder I bought,” Mallory replied, playing with her fingers. “You said you don’t want anyone to know about our relationship. So, I figured I could get some kind of concoction to erase her memory of this meeting.”

My nostrils flared as I turned my back in an attempt to calm myself. So, all this pain, all of these frustrations will go to waste because she already planned to wipe away every trace of this agonizing meeting at the end? She could’ve just not decided to do a stupid decision.

Mallory walked towards me and stood in front of me. “There’s no need to worry, Robert. I’ll simply visit her tomorrow and take care of everything,” she added, clearly in a panic.

“Just leave her alone, Mallory,” I spatted, no longer having control over my temper. “Hasn’t she suffered enough already?”

My response took her by surprise. She took a few steps back, keeping a wide space away from me. “What do you mean?”

I scoffed and headed to Lady’s stable. After removing the lock, I swung the gate door open, allowing Lady to roam free.

“Robert, where are you going?” Mallory asked as soon as I jumped on Lady. There’s no time to prepare Lady’s saddle. I need to catch up with Laura as soon as possible.

“Why are you acting like this?” she asked as she followed me out of the stables. When I still didn’t look at her, she stood in my path. “What is this? Why are you like this?”

“Because I’m ending this joke of a relationship that we have!” I shouted.

Tears immediately ran down her face. “What?” her voice, fainted as it started to crack.

“I’m sorry, Mallory… but it’s for your good,” I answered. “This arrangement will only destroy you.” And with that, I went on my way.

“Robert…” Mallory called, her voice failing her. “Robert? Robert!” she suddenly started shouting, running after me. She continued to scream after me until I reached the gate.

“Don’t let Mallory outside!” I ordered as I passed the gate. As I was a few paces away from the gate, I heard the metal bars closed, locking loudly.

“Robert!” Mallory shouted for the last time as I disappeared from her sight.

The only person that matters to me right now… is Laura. And the only thing I’m praying for is that I hope it’s not too late.

♔♔♔

I rode to the shop as fast as I could. As soon as I arrived, I jumped off Lady and ran towards Ronald who was fixing and sorting a few things in front of the shop.

“Ronald,” I called as I approached him. He turned around and as soon as he caught sight of me, his face changed from baffled to absolutely annoyed. “Is Laura inside?”

“Well, if it isn’t Laura’s wealthy suitor,” he remarked sarcastically, clearly not amused to see me.

“Have you seen Laura?” I repeated.

“If it isn’t obvious enough, now is not the time to ask me questions, especially regarding the whereabouts of my fellow workers,” he replied sourly, focusing on what he’s doing.

“I understand that your hands are full right now and I don’t want to waste your time,” I answered. “But if you could tell me where Laura is, I’ll be on my way.”

“I’m quite busy right now,” he answered, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“I know but--”

My sentence was cut short when he threw a piece of wood to the ground, facing me with a face full of anger.

“I am not the keeper of my fellow workers!” he shouted. He pointed quickly to whatever he is doing and continued, “I am currently in the middle of something so why don’t you turn around, get on your horse and leave?!”

Without warning, I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and shoved him to the wall. Behind me, I could feel some people have started to crowd and stare.

“What is your problem?” he shouted, his voice started to shake, shock and horror painted across his face.

“Look, here, I’ve been patient with you,” I growled as I moved closer to him. “I’ve been respectfully asking you and I think I deserve to be answered with the same kind of respect.”

He gulped, looking at me with wide-open eyes.

“I suggest you answer me right now or the next thing you’ll be feeling on your back is shattered glass from that window,” I threatened, giving a glance at the window within arms’ reach. I continued, “Let me repeat my question: where is Laura?” My wound began to pulse as impatience ruled over my body. It felt as if it reopened and will continue to reopen if I continue to pin Ronald on the wall.

“I don’t know where Laura is. She’s not here,” he said, terrified but still, a hint of arrogance can be heard. “She was here a while ago but she simply fetched Leo and left again.”

“Are you sure 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 just trying to finish my job for the day without being scolded by Grandpa Ben.”

Seeing that there’s no point in continuing this conversation, I slowly put him down. “Was that too hard?” I asked, sarcastically.

He gave me a sarcastic smile, chuckling as he continued whatever it is that he’s doing.

I took a deep breath in as I turned around, clasping my chest as the stinge of pain started to intensify. The adrenaline from my anger has died down and now, the only thing I can feel is pain.

“What’s going on here?” Grandpa Ben’s voice came out of nowhere. I turned around, forgetting the fact that my wound started bleeding. As soon as Grandpa Ben saw my situation, he screamed at Ronald, “What did you do?! Why is Robert bleeding?!"