Chapter 110 - No One
They stop over in a board and lodging house called The Grandmother's Inn. Graven rented the entire second floor for him and his entourage.
The second floor has five rooms. One for the drivers and the rest of them got one room each.
There were a dining table and chairs as well.
Rebecca went downstairs and ordered the foods for dinner to be delivered on the second floor.
The rest of the men stayed on the balcony to watch the full moon and star-filled night outside, while the women were resting in their rooms.
One hour later.
The staff of the inn arrived on the second floor to set up the food on the table. There were six different dishes that Rebecca ordered for six people.
A few minutes later, the staff were done with the food arrangement on the table and retreated downstairs so that the clients can start eating dinner.
Horace knocked on the women's door and informed them that dinner is ready. "Ladies, dinner is ready!" he announced and went back to the table.
A minute later, the women exited their rooms and went to the table.
Laura sat beside Graven, while Rebecca sat beside Laura. Across the table were Horace and the drivers.
They began eating their dinner in comfortable silence.
One hour later, they finished eating dinner. The staff returned to take the dirty dishes away.
Laura, Rebecca, and Graven went to the balcony to admire the beautiful night outside the inn while Horace and the drivers retired early to their rooms.
Graven was sitting on the couch alone while the women were sitting on the other couch next to his.
A few minutes later, Graven looked at Rebecca and signaled her to leave the balcony.
Rebecca understood what he's trying to tell her. She rose to her feet. "I'll go to the toilet. I'll be back later..." she said and left.
After Rebecca left, Graven settled himself beside Laura.
"The night is beautiful, isn't it?" he commented, trying to strike a conversation with her.
"Yes, it's a lovely evening..." Laura agreed. She rose to her feet. "I'm leaving..." she said.
"Wait!" Graven grabbed her hand before she can move away from him. "Can you please stay with me here on the balcony for one full hour? I want to spend some time with you tonight. Besides, the night is still young. I want to spend my night gazing at the moon and stars with you by my side," he said. He uttered those words with tenderness.
"Okay fine." Laura sighed, she lowered herself back on the couch. She just can't say no to his simple and innocent request.
Together they sat on the couch and enjoyed the night with the company of each other.
Laura glanced at him. "Don't you have a girlfriend?" she asked all of a sudden.
Graven looked at her. "I have several relationships with women in the past, but nothing serious. There's always something missing in them. I can't completely be happy with their company. But when it comes to you, I feel happy and complete. I found my happiness in you, sad to say, you are my brother's woman. There'll be no~us~in this lifetime," he said sadly.
Laura stared at his face. He spoke the words with sincerity in his eyes. She took a deep breath. Graven was opening up his heart and soul to her. But what can she do? She already loves someone. She can't fall in love with two brothers at the same time. She can only give her love to one of the brothers, and that is Luke. Although, she had admitted to herself that she finds sexual intercourse with Graven satisfying. She was feeling guilty, that she enjoyed their physical intimacy.
"I'm sorry, Graven. I hope that you will meet the woman who is going to be your soulmate soon! I want you to be happy as well," she spoke sincerely.
Graven released a deep sigh. In the early days of Laura's arrival at the mansion, he tried his best to stay away from her, giving her a cold shoulder. But even if he gave her a cold treatment, she was never out of his mind even for a few seconds. His mind kept replaying their first lovemaking, which also includes that particular time when he rescued her from the bandits and kissed her lips inside the carriage. Yeah...his nights were filled with Laura's images.
How can he forget Laura? She's not like any other woman. He felt a deep connection with her as if they have known each other for a long time. As if they have a history together. As if he had known her all his life. There is something between him and Laura that he can't explain. All that he knows is that when he was with Laura, he feels happy, contented, and at peace with himself.
Now that his twin brother's resurrection is nearing completion, he already felt the impending loss. He already decided long ago not to give in to his feelings for Laura, but the moment he did, he found it hard to stay away from her. He was fighting the urge to stay by her side all the time. To him, she was like an addicting drug that once tasted always wanted. He can't get enough of her. A crazy feeling that he can't let go - no matter how hard he tries.
His feelings for her are getting stronger now than they have explored each other's body several times already. He doesn't know what he will do and how he will feel if his brother will finally come back to life and he will see them in their romantic moments. He would get madly jealous for sure.
He looked at her. "I will never find somebody like you in this lifetime. I will only settle with someone like you. No one can own my heart, only you. I'm hoping that maybe we can have some future together in the afterlife?" he said.
Laura raised a brow. "Graven, listen to me. You can't shut your heart to others. Try to open your heart to other women, don't wait for me. Okay?" she said.
"That's not for you to decide, babe," he whispered. "My heart knows what it wants, and it only wants you," he concluded.
Laura smiled a bit. "You're a stubborn man. You will soon meet the woman who can change everything you told me today. Then I will soon fade away from your memories and become a part of your past," she said.
"Nah, you are wrong! I am sure that no one can take your place in my heart," he said with finality in his voice.
Laura sighed deeply.
Silence descended upon them that lasted for a few minutes.