  &quot;Is there something wrong, Robert? You've been quiet,&quot; she asked.
  I simply shook my head, faking a smile as hard as I could.
  &quot;If you say so. I have to get back to work,&quot; she replied. &quot;I'll send Grandpa Ben outside to hand you that herbal medicine he mentioned a while ago.&quot;
  She began to walk towards the bakery when I blurted out, &quot;Do you even feel the same way as I do?&quot;
  My sudden question stopped her from walking. She slowly turned around, baffled. &quot;What?&quot;
  &quot;I've told you many times about how I feel whenever we're together,&quot; I replied, standing still. &quot;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.&quot;
  &quot;I thought my actions were answers already to what you said,&quot; she answered, her eyes widened with shock.
 

  I couldn't be happier with what just happened today. Finally, a confirmation that I wasn't the only one feeling a certain way whenever I'm with Laura. All this time, I've been battling with my demons, thinking that for her to feel the same way is impossible. Now, I don't have to worry too much over it, knowing we have mutual feelings.
  In honor of my achievement today, I've decided to celebrate my happiness over tea while enjoying some peace in the garden. However, the silence was interrupted when someone spoke from behind me, &quot;Robert.&quot;
  I turned around and saw James walking towards me. I don't want anything to ruin my peace any further so I'm keeping all of my thoughts inside me and have an attempt at a decent conversation with him.
  &quot;James,&quot; I greeted, standing up as I put my cup down on the table beside me.
  &quot;Please, sit down. There's no need for formal 

  Her smile slowly turned into a bit of a frown. &quot;He didn't want to leave but circumstances made him leave. When his master died, he said the children changed. They didn't know how to handle the immense grief caused by their father's passing so they decided to step away from all kinds of emotional bonds,&quot; she explained, sadness came out very clearly in her voice. &quot;When that happened, he knew his presence wasn't needed anymore.&quot;
  &quot;What about the woman he fell in love with?&quot; I asked.
  &quot;They left together and had a life after that. However, Grandpa Ben said she worked for a different family while he pursued to have a business of his own,&quot; she answered. &quot;It's such a bittersweet ending for them but Grandpa Ben said they made some sort of promise. They promised that should their paths cross once more, they will never part until they take their las

&quot;Is there something wrong, Robert? You've been quiet,&quot; she asked.
  I simply shook my head, faking a smile as hard as I could.
  &quot;If you say so. I have to get back to work,&quot; she replied. &quot;I'll send Grandpa Ben outside to hand you that herbal medicine he mentioned a while ago.&quot;
  She began to walk towards the bakery when I blurted out, &quot;Do you even feel the same way as I do?&quot;
  My sudden question stopped her from walking. She slowly turned around, baffled. &quot;What?&quot;
  &quot;I've told you many times about how I feel whenever we're together,&quot; I replied, standing still. &quot;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.&quot;
  &quot;I thought my actions were answers already to what you said,&quot; she answered, her eyes widened with shock.
  &quot;Those 'answers' - that's what you call them - aren't enough,&quot; I complained, my hand

Chapter 12 Reunited (d)