Chapter 61 - Oh, My Heart!

Laura wakes up the next day feeling excited to go to church. She was sure that Graven will come to his senses and appear in the church today to apologize to her for insulting her the other night.

She was looking forward to seeing him again!​​

She joined the father and son in the dining room for breakfast. She looked at her future father-in-law. "Father, can I go to church with Neeza today, after lunch?" she asked for his permission.

Nicholas glanced at her. "Yes, of course!" he replied with a smile. He looked at his son. "Cooper, why don't you go to church with Laura?" he asked him.

"Father, I have some other business to take care of today. I will accompany Laura to the church some other time," Cooper declined.

"Okay, I'll instruct the servant to ready the carriage..." Nicholas said.

"Thank you, Father," Laura said.

"Don't mention it," Nicholas murmured.

They finished breakfast half hour later.

Hours went by.

Lunchtime comes.

Cooper was already out of the house to attain to his business outside. It's only Laura and her father-in-law who eat lunch in the dining room.

Nicholas addressed his daughter-in-law. "Before you go, drop by at my study room, daughter. I'll give you some money so that you can buy some things for yourself," he said.

"No need, Father. Before my father left, he left me some money. I will ask for your help If I already spend all the money that he had left me," Laura replied.

"Okay," Nicholas responded. "By the way, does my son Cooper treated you right?" he asked.

Laura smiled. "Yes, he is treating me right, Father," she assured him.

"Good! I'm relieved. Let's eat!" Nicholas said.

They resumed eating their meals in comfortable silence.

After breakfast, Nicholas retired to the veranda to inhale fresh air while Laura went upstairs to dress for church.

A half-hour later.

She was done dressing. She heard a soft knocking on the door, when she opened it, it was just Neeza wearing her Sunday dress.

"Wow! You look fabulous in your dress, Miss!" Neeza said admiring the flowing cream lace silk dress that reached below Laura's knees.

"Thanks, Neeza, you look awesome in your dress as well! Let's go!" Laura said. She grabbed the shoulder bag containing her essentials and wallet, then she closed the door behind her.

The women strolled in the hallway going to the stairway, they reached the ground floor in no time. They walked towards the door and entered the carriage that was waiting in front of the house.

"To St. Peter Parish Church," Laura told the driver of the carriage.

"Yes, Miss!" the driver replied.

The carriage starts moving towards the tall gate. Ten minutes later, they're already on their way to the church, a fifteen minutes drive from the mansion.

A few moments later, they finally arrived at the church.

Laura and Neeza exited the carriage and entered the church. They arrived on time when the priest was about to begin the afternoon mass.

Before the priest begins the mass... Laura roamed her eyes quick around the church hoping to see Graven among the churchgoers, she found no trace of him inside, she felt disappointed.

The mass started that lasted for one hour.

After the mass ended, Laura and Neeza stayed inside the church. Neeza went to pray in front of the statue of God and Saints, while Laura remained seated on the church pew.

Laura was hoping that Graven would enter the church's entrance anytime.

Fifteen minutes later, still no sign of him, she was disappointed.

Laura stood up. "Let's go outside, Neeza," she told her companion.

"Okay," the maid answered.

They exited the church.

"Look, Miss Laura!" Neeza pointed to the stalls selling different items located fifty meters away from the church. "Wow! There's a bazaar in there! Let's check it out!" she exclaimed excitedly like a child.

Laura smiled, amused by the maid's enthusiasm. "Okay..." she complied.

They entered the carriage and Laura instructed the driver of the carriage to go to the bazaar just a few metes ahead.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the Bazaar. Hundred of stalls are lining up near the highway, selling miscellaneous goods ranging from kids' toys, kitchen wares, clothes, and many more.

Laura and Neeza exited the carriage.

They checked out the items and the different merchandise offered by the stall owners.

Neeza purchased some clothes and hair accessories.

While Laura contented herself by looking left and right, looking at the goods but has no plans to buy anything.

Then she saw a stall selling different types of ornamental plants. She looked at the maid busy checking out tons of hair accessories on display. "Neeza, after you are done here, come to find me in that stall selling ornamental plants over there," she pointed the stall a few yards away.

Neeza nods her head. "Okay, Miss!" she replied and went back to check out the accessories in front of her.

Laura walked towards the stall. She will try to buy a pot of beautiful ornamental plants for her mother and give it to her the next time they see each other.

She entered the stall...however...she froze in her tracks.

There inside was no other than Graven! He is not alone though, he has a companion, a pretty woman, about her age. The woman was holding Graven's right arm possessively. They were currently inspecting a plant in a tiny cute pot.

"This one is beautiful! My Mother will surely love it!" the woman said, giggling.

"Okay, let's buy it then!" Graven said. He looked at the stall owner. "We will take this one!" he said.

The stall owner accepted the money that Graven handed to her, then she put the pot inside the basket.

Laura was frozen on the spot unable to move. She bit her lip, wincing in pain, she feels her heart was being squeezed tightly again. It's so damn painful! So, this is the reason why he no longer cares about her. He already had a fiancee!

Graven and the woman were about to leave the stall but Laura happens to block their way.

"Sister-in-law! Nice seeing you here!" Graven said, finally noticing her.

The woman looked at Graven. "Is she your sister-in-law? Cooper's future wife?" she asked.

Graven nodded his head. "Yes," he answered. "Laura, please meet my fiancee, Rebecca. Rebecca this is Laura, my sister-in-law," he said, introducing the two women to each other.

The tears were about to fall from Laura's eyes but she tried her best not to break down in front of them.

Rebecca extended her hand to Laura for a handshake. "Nice meeting you, Laura!" she said with a smile.

Laura accepted Rebecca's handshake for a few seconds. "Nice meeting you!" she replied with a bland voice. "I'll take my leave...please excuse me," she said and departed from the area hastily.

She ran towards Neeza and told her that she wants to go home because she's not feeling well.

"Okay, Miss. Let's go," Neeza said, looking at her purchases, feeling pleased with herself.

They sauntered towards the carriage which was parked by the driver nearby along with other carriages.

They entered the carriage and a few minutes later, the carriage was already moving away from the bazaar.

Neeza noticed the sadness on Laura's face that was not there before. A frown appeared on her face. "Miss Laura, are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

Laura smiled a little. "I'm okay...I just need a rest, must be the wind," she assured her.

Neeza smiled and checked her purchases, a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

Laura closed her eyes, this way she can prevent the tears from falling on her face.

Fifteen minutes later, they finally arrived in the mansion.

Laura immediately exited the carriage and told the maid that she needs to hurry up to her room because she needs to use the toilet.

She climbs the stairs in a hurry and reached her bedroom in no time. She opened the door and entered the room. She rushed to the bed and began sobbing hysterically.

She cried for the rest of the afternoon and stopped sobbing two hours before dinner time.

When she went down, Cooper has not returned yet, so it's just her and her future father-in-law in the dining room.

They finished dinner in comfortable silence.

Laura went back to her room and continue grieving the whole night, lamenting for a love that was forever lost.