III. The Impact of Her
~ Twenty ~

“We have arrived.”

My eyes widened at our itinerary.

Winston’s Bakery.

“What are we doing here, Benjamin?” I asked as we got down from the horses.

“This is where I met the apple of my eye,” he replied as we walked closer to the bakery. He continued, “And if I remember correctly, you said you also met someone that worked in a bakery.”

“Yes,” I nodded, “She works here as well.”

“Is that so?” his eyes widened, shocked but delighted. He continued, “Well, that is a good thing for the both of us. Most of the people here are warm and welcoming. We couldn’t have found the best place to replace someone special. Do remember to introduce me to your lady, dear brother.”

“Of course,” I smiled.

Benjamin looked into the window, probably checking if his lady was still in middle of work. “She seems to be working right now. And the bakery is filled with so many people,” he remarked as he stepped away from the window. He returned to me and continued, “I will look around the stalls for a gift. Do you want to come with me?”

I shook my head. “I can wait here. Besides, my lady may come out and I want to be here when she does,” I replied.

“As you wish,” he put a hand on my shoulder. “I will be right back.” He gently tapped my shoulder and walked away towards the stalls.

I chuckled to myself as Benjamin’s actions amused me. If the ladies of their court saw his actions today, they would be so envious of the woman that caught Benjamin’s heart. I could only imagine the chaos that would ensue if that happened.

Moments later, Laura came out from the bakery, carrying a wooden basket filled with empty bottles. She settled it down by the window, wiping her sweaty forehead after.

Suddenly, she turned in my direction. In an instant, her eyes lit up and she smiled. “Robert?”

I returned a smile as I opened my arms.

Without hesitation, she ran to me and we shared a tight embrace. “What are you doing here?” she asked before we pulled away from each other. “And what is that on your head?” Laura snickered as she pointed at the flower crown on my head.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. I explained, “I came here to accompany a friend. He is here to win the heart of a woman that works in your bakery.”

Her eyes widened. “Well, what a coincidence for the two of you. Do you know who the lady is? I can bring her out here.”

“Unfortunately, the identity of the woman remains a mystery to me. This is the first time that I will be seeing the lady who made my friend fall in love,” I replied.

She nodded her head. “And what about that flower crown?” she asked once more, clearly trying to hold back a giggle.

“This,” I begrudgingly pointed to the flower crown, “This monstrosity is apparently called the crown of friendship and gratitude. My friend had a bouquet made and this came along with it,” I said.

“You do know that it makes you look like a fool, right?” Laura asked.

“Yes, yes, I am all aware that this pathetic flower crown is nothing but a way to embarrass me,” I answered, agitated. I continued, “I want to take this off and to destroy it once and for all. However, it is my friend’s request to wear it at this time. So, I must oblige to him as the only way to show my support for his current endeavour.”

“Ah, Robert,” I turned my head to the right as Benjamin approached us with a smile. “Everything is just perfect,” he remarked as he reached us.

“Do you know this man?” Laura asked as I turned to her.

“This is the friend that I told you about. Benjamin,” I returned to him, “Do you have everything you need for your mission?” I asked.

“Thankfully, yes,” Benjamin replied as he smiled at me.

“Well, then, shall we proceed?” I asked.

He nodded.

I stepped back as I expected that he would head for the bakery entrance. But to my shock and horror, it didn’t happen.

Benjamin stepped in front of me and slowly knelt in front of Laura. He took his hand, looked directly at her and said, “There is not a more perfect time than right now.”

Everything suddenly came together. A haunting image slowly formed itself into something that I never wanted to see. Something that I never thought I would witness.

Benjamin was the man Laura spoke about. The man who had a prince-like attitude who was trying to earn her affections. As for Benjamin, he once mentioned that should he fall in love with someone, he would never care for a person’ status.

But even with that sorted out, there were questions that I wanted to ask. But there were a few that stood out.

What was I supposed to do?

I didn’t know who met Laura first. I wasn’t sure who loved her first. I didn’t expect that my closest friend, one of the few people whom I trusted - the man I called my brother - was also in love with her.

Who should I side with? Whose feelings should I consider the most?

His? Or hers?

As I struggled to sort everything in my own head, Benjamin said, “Laura, I know that we have only known each other for a short while. And I know that with my actions at the moment, it may seem that I am moving too fast. But nothing matters to me anymore. Only you matter the most to me.”

He continued, his eyes never left her one bit, “From the moment I saw you, from the moment I spent time with you, I knew. There was no question that you are the one I am looking for. And today, I wish for my dreaded search for love to come at an end.”

“Benjamin,” Laura spoke sternly as she looked directly at him, “I know I should have told you sooner. But my heart belongs to someone else. And nothing you will say or do can change what is in my heart.”

“I am aware of that fact, Laura. Your actions speak for you,” Benjamin answered. He tightened his hold on her hand as his desperation was taking over him. He was not going to let her go without a fight. He continued, “But you must realise that the gods crossed our paths for a reason. And I firmly believe that they did that so we can be together. And I can prove that to you.”

Her brows furrowed. Her eyes followed Benjamin’s head as he looked at me.