Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The next few days were harder for Laura than she ever imagined. Every small moment in her routine seemed to remind her of Jonathan—his laughter, their inside jokes, the countless hours spent together. Now, she had to force herself to stay distant, to resist the urge to call or text him like she used to. It was a daily struggle, pretending to move on when all she wanted was to fall back into the comfort of their friendship, however broken it had become.

But for Jonathan, life seemed to return to normal effortlessly. The absence of Laura's constant presence didn't weigh on him the way it did on her. He was used to people coming and going, used to the attention of his playful, cheerful friend who always seemed to be chasing him around. Her sudden distance didn't matter much to him. If anything, his life slipped back into its usual rhythm—parties, women, indulging in whatever his heart desired. The void Laura left was barely noticeable, hidden beneath the layers of his carefree, self-indulgent lifestyle.

There were moments, though—moments when they'd accidentally cross paths on the street or at a coffee shop. Jonathan would wave at her like nothing had changed, flashing his usual easygoing smile. Laura, on the other hand, could only muster a polite smile in return, her heart aching with the memory of how things used to be. The way she used to run up to him, joke with him, throw her arms around him—it was all gone now. Replaced by the silent acceptance of what their relationship had become.

To Jonathan, it was just another wave. But for Laura, each encounter felt like a subtle reminder of all the love she had poured out—love that would never be returned.

"Good morning, Laurie!" Jonathan's cheerful voice rang out as he peeked over the concrete fence separating their houses, his grin wide and playful.

Laura, lightly startled, paused her gardening, glancing up at him. Her hands were still busy with the small shovel, but she managed to smile—light, sincere, but lacking the usual warmth he was used to. "Morning," she replied softly.

Jonathan noticed the subtle change in her demeanor and frowned slightly. "Oh, come on, Laura. Give your friend a wide smile. Please? Are you mad at me?" he teased, trying to coax some enthusiasm out of her with his playful tone.

Laura set the small shovel down, brushing the dirt from her hands. She sighed deeply, not out of anger but weariness. Standing up, she met his gaze, her smile still faint. "I'm not mad at you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

But it wasn't enough for Jonathan. He wasn't used to this reserved version of her. "Say it louder, Laurie," he insisted, the teasing in his voice not fully masking his concern. "Come on, don't make me work so hard here."

She hesitated but could feel his persistence weighing on her. With another resigned sigh, she finally gave in, repeating louder, "I'm not mad at you, Jonathan."

"Then smile," Jonathan demanded like a child while his playful tone was tinged with insistence. Before Laura could react, the front door to her house creaked open, revealing her father, Mr. Levine. He stood there gripping the door knob, his gaze fixed on Jonathan with an expression that carried more pressure than usual.

Jonathan was startled by the stern look but trying to remain composed, offered a polite nod. "Good morning, Mr. Levine," he greeted, his usual confidence faltering slightly.

Mr. Levine didn't respond, his eyes still locked on Jonathan. Instead, he called to his daughter, his voice stern. "Laura. Get inside. Your mother and I have something to tell you."

Laura glanced at Jonathan one last time with hesitation and reluctance. "Okay, dad," she murmured, giving a small nod before walking away, leaving Jonathan standing alone by the fence.

As Laura disappeared inside, Mr. Levine lingered at the door for a moment longer, his gaze unwavering. "Say hi to your father for me," he said in a tone that wasn't just a simple request. It carried an underlying weight, almost like a warning.

Jonathan blinked, caught off guard by the shift in Mr. Levine's demeanor. "I will, sir," he managed to reply as he backed away from the fence, unsettled.

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Jonathan standing there, confused. It was the first time Mr. Levine had ever looked at him like that—cold, almost bitter. Jonathan couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed, something he hadn't quite seen coming.

Meanwhile, Laura sat on the couch, facing her mother, who seemed unusually fidgety and uncomfortable. Mrs. Levine's eyes darted away before settling back on her daughter's concerned gaze.

"Mother?" Laura began while her voice was soft but filled with worry. "Is there something wrong?"

Mrs. Levine hesitated, clearly struggling with whatever was on her mind. 

Before Mrs. Levine could respond, her husband entered the wide living room, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Laura," he began, his tone firm and direct, "your mother and I talked, and we've come to the conclusion that it's time for you to get married. You're our only child, and your mother and I aren't getting any younger. We need you to take over the family business, with a husband to support you." His words came out as if everything was already decided, the final say resting with him as the head of the family.

Mrs. Levine shifted uneasily, her voice soft as she tried to ease the situation. "Darling, please... speak softly," she muttered, fully aware that Laura's heart still clung to Jonathan. The idea of an arranged marriage might push their daughter into outright rebellion, a reaction Mrs. Levine feared deeply.

But Laura's response stunned them both. Her expression remained calm, and the defiance Mrs. Levine expected never came. Instead, Laura looked at her father with a gentle smile. "You're right, Dad. You and Mom aren't getting any younger. I should've stepped up to help a long time ago. So if that's what you want, then I'm okay with it. I'll follow whatever you tell me to do."

Her father blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her willingness. He had braced himself for an argument, but this... this was unexpected. "Huh. I thought you'd rebel for a while," he muttered with a hint of disbelief in his voice. "But this is good. This is a good thing."

Mrs. Levine's heart clenched as she watched her daughter with her smile too measured, too practiced. She knew Laura's compliance wasn't real, but her husband was too caught up in the practicality of the moment to notice the deeper struggle playing out in their daughter's eyes.

"Well then, in two days' time, you'll meet the person we've chosen for you to marry," Mr. Levine stated firmly, his tone leaving little room for discussion. "He's a potential husband, and since you already know him, I suppose it won't be too difficult for you."

Laura's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained composed. She offered a faint smile, concealing the turmoil building inside her.

"Who is it?" she asked calmly.