Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Mr. Levine chuckled, "That would be a secret," he replied with a teasing smile before standing up. "Well then, I'm heading to the company. You get some rest, my love," he gently ordered his wife, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Mrs. Levine smiled softly in response, a gesture of affection that didn't go unnoticed by Laura.

Laura watched her parents and she couldn't help but smile. Because deep down, she wished for a love like theirs, to be treated with the same tenderness her father showed her mother. But then, her heart lingered on its true desire—Jonathan. The thought of him doing those things for her made her wince, realizing how much space he still occupied in her mind.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" Aurelia asked, concerned by the sudden shift in Laura's expression.

Laura quickly shrugged it off, forcing a smile. "Yes, Mom. I'm okay. I think I'll go back to the garden," she replied, standing up to escape the storm of emotions within her.

"What do you mean, go back to the garden? You should go to your room and rest. We have an appointment this afternoon," Aurelia said with a warm smile.

Laura tilted her head in confusion. "Appointment?" she repeated, unsure of what her mother meant.

"Yes," Aurelia replied, her tone light but firm. "You'll want to be well-rested for it. Go on, dear," she encouraged, gesturing toward the stairs.

Reluctantly, Laura nodded and stood up, heading upstairs to her room. But the moment her door closed, she heard Jonathan's voice echoing in her space. "You left your window open," he said with a grin, startling her.

Laura's eyes widened in shock, and she froze for a moment. "Why are you here?" she asked as a hint of panic creeped into her voice. She didn't want to revisit their last encounter, which had left her feeling so exposed.

"I told you, you left the window open," he replied casually.

"You know that's not what I'm asking," Laura interrupted sharply, her brow furrowing in irritation, which caught him off guard.

Jonathan sighed as his expression finally softening. "I just wanted to see you."

"We saw each other like a few minutes ago," Laura shot back.

"Yeah, but you've been distant with me lately," he countered, his gaze steady. "Why?"

"Do I need to answer that? Get out already." She shooed him away, pushing him toward the window, causing him to panic.

"Oof! Careful! I'm gonna fall!" Jonathan laughed, gripping the window frame tightly.

"Seriously. Out. Now," Laura sighed, feeling both of frustration and resignation. Jonathan paused, searching her eyes, and his tone shifted. "Do you hate me now?"

The sudden seriousness took her back to the sting of rejection. "No," she replied, her voice softer than intended. She gave him a gentle push down the ladder he had used to climb into her room.

"Alright then, see you tomorrow?" he smiled sincerely. "I'd like you to formally meet my girlfriend. You said you wanted to meet her, remember?"

His words made Laura stop, her breath hitching slightly. It hit her hard—he didn't even consider her feelings after her confession. Jonathan truly saw her as just a friend and nothing more. A bitter smile crossed her lips as she looked away. "Alright. Text me anytime," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

With that, she closed the window and rolled down the blinds, shutting him—and the painful reality—out of her sight.

Laura flopped onto her bed, as she buried her face in the pillow. She let the tears spill out as she tried to quiet her racing thoughts. The moments with Jonathan replayed in her mind, mingling with the painful realization of what he truly felt.

As she fought to fall asleep, she clung to the hope that the right man will come and save her broken heart.

~~~~~~

Laura gasped and jolted awake while her heart began to race. She quickly scanned her room as her gaze landed on the clock. "Oh no..." she mumbled, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Panic surged through her as she rushed to the window and rolled up the blinds. The darkness outside confirmed her fear—it was already night.

She immediately fumbled her way out of her room and nearly collided with Aurelia. "Oh! You're awake, dear!" her mother exclaimed in her usual light tone "Come have dinner with us."

Still dazed, Laura followed her mother down the stairs, confusion clouding her mind. "Mom... I thought we had an appointment?" she asked, noting the nonchalant expression on her mother's face.

"You slept like a baby! It was hard to wake you up," Aurelia chuckled, brushing off Laura's concern.

"I'm so sorry, Mom," Laura replied, guilt creeping in.

"Oh hush. No need to dwell on it," Aurelia said, her smile unwavering. "Besides, your father picked out a dress for you!"

Laura blinked in surprise, her mind still foggy. "A dress?" she echoed, trying to piece things together. As they entered the dining room, she caught sight of a beautifully wrapped package on the table.

"Yes! Your father thought it would be perfect for your meeting with your soon-to-be fiancé," Aurelia said, her excitement shining through. "I can't wait for you to try it on."

Laura felt nervous but curious at the same time as she approached the table. She carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a stunning dress—elegant yet youthful, its fabric shimmering softly under the dining room lights. "Wow," she murmured, touched by her father's thoughtfulness, even amidst her swirling emotions.

"See? Just a little something to help you lighten up your mood," Aurelia beamed, clearly proud. "Now, come sit down. Dinner is almost ready."

Laura nodded as a small smile formed on her lips despite the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. She settled into her chair as the scent of home-cooked food wafting through the air, momentarily distracting her from her worries. As her mother busied herself in the kitchen, Laura's fingers brushed over the fabric of the dress, wondering how she would feel wearing it for someone who might not hold her heart.

Then her father suddenly spoke, snapping her out of her reverie. "I want you to start acting like the deserving woman that you are, Laura. Stop chasing after your good-for-nothing friend who only knows how to party and bed women."

Laura was stunned by her father's words. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks, but she couldn't defend Jonathan. Deep down, she knew he wasn't the right man for her, even if he had moments of kindness that made her heart flutter.

"I—Dad, it's not---" she started, but the words caught in her throat.

"Laura, you deserve better," he continued, his tone firm but laced with concern. "You have a future to think about. I don't want to see my only child chasing after a man who does not know her worth."

Laura bit her lip as she looked down.

"I want you to have a last talk with Jonathan tomorrow. Settle everything before you meet the man you're marrying. Don't disappoint me, Laura." Her father's voice was stern, leaving no room for argument. "It's about time you let go."

She nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his words. The idea of facing Jonathan one last time, knowing it would be the end of something she cherished, made her chest tight. "Okay, dad. I'll talk to him," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.