Chapter 133. Back in time

Chapter 133. Back in time
Laura smiled before nodding her head at the man's words. They both stayed in a calm silence and Laura could feel herself falling into the cool tranquility the evening time brought.

Then she turned her attention to Archibald who took a sip of the wine in the glass he held.

“Isn't alcohol slightly dangerous to your health, grandpa?” Laura asked and her question earned her a chuckle from the old man.

"A lot of things are dangerous for us humans. Yet we embark on them regardless.” He said as he placed the glass back on the glass table in between them. “I'm an old man. Death isn't so far behind like it used to so why not leave like it's your last.” With that, he turned to stare at her. “Don't you agree?”

“Well, it is a valid point, I'd say.” She pointed out. “But…I wouldn't still advise risking your health on that note. I mean, none of us are obviously ready to bury you right now.”

Archibald let out an airy laugh at her words. “ I'm certain this alcohol wouldn't kill me the way Leo would one day.” He said. “It's only a matter of time before that boy spikes my blood pressure.”

Laura smiled sheepishly at him. “Hasn't that already happened like a billion times?”

Archibald chuckled. “I'm still such a young man to get limited by blood pressures.” It said as he stared at the landscape ahead of him. “It's all part of being old.”

Laura nodded as she turned to stare ahead of her, taking in deep relaxing breaths and letting it all out.

“How do you feel, child?” Archibald suddenly asked and Laura turned her eyes back to him.

“Well…I guess I'd be fine until I catch sight of my two opposing characters.” He said with a chuckle, but it didn't make her feel much better. “Where are they anyways? The house was completely silent when I arrived.”

“I really don't fancy the idea of knowing the other girl's whereabouts.” He stated simply. “As for that brat, where else would he be if not running errands for his baby machine.” He said, the words sounding bitter as they left his lips. “All of this could have been avoided if he had been sensible from the beginning.” He muttered under his breath.

Laura heard him and she knew that he was referring to the divorce. But she decided not to say anything else in addition to that.

“Alright then,” Archibald began to get up from his chair. “It's almost time for dinner. Come, let me show you to your room so you can freshen up.”

Laura stood up alongside Archibald who used his cane to support him. “You really don't have to. One of the maids can just take me there.”

“There would be no need for that. I'm done drinking anyway.” Giving no more room for protest, Archibald opened the balcony door leading out and into the hallway. The walk back was quiet, neither of them saying anything else, most especially Laura. Getting out into the hallway, everywhere was still as quiet as when Laura had just arrived.

“Dinner should probably be ready in the next 30 minutes.” Archibald said as they ascended the stairs. “You can rest for a while before deciding to join us downstairs. Probably Leo would have been back by then.

Hearing Leo's name brought a sense of anxiety to tug at her chest. She wondered what Leo was going to say when he found out that she would be staying over. Would he be upset? happy? Anxious?  Laura had no idea. Of course she'd have to give a good reason why she had been dodging his calls for the past week now.

Basically, Laura didn't even think she needed to explain herself. Their argument that night was more than enough reason for her to not want to talk to him. But she doubted he would understand considering his mind would probably be crowded with nothing but his unborn child.

Laura took in deep breath as Archibald stopped in front of a door. Laura had not even realized they had gotten there until Leo's father stopped walking.

She had to get her mind in track these days.

“Here is where you would be staying while you're here.” He gestured at the door.

Laura on the other hand stared at the door like she had just been visited by a ghost. Even in her sleep, she would be able to recognize the door from anywhere. 

Archibald didn't say anything as he let her take her precious time before deciding to go in.

“Five years really doesn't do a lot, does it?” She said with a small small snicker while her eyes were still glued to the black colored door. She held the knob, taking a small exhale as if she was walking into somewhere deadly. Without wasting time, she twisted the knob and the already unlocked door was pushed open. 

The sweet smell of daisies welcomed Laura as she stepped into the nude colored bedroom, just like she could remember it. Every aspect of the room was set in another, just like she always did when the room still belonged to her five years ago.

“I thought it would be better if you stayed in an already familiar room rather than a guest room that would only feel foreign to you.”

Laura's head said as she took further steps in, catching sight of her suitcase that was placed in front of the neatly dressed blue covered bed.

“It feels like I just left for a few weeks.” She said, She walked towards the bed—not to sit on it. But instead, she stared deeply at it as memories upon memories rushed in. She remembered times when she had laughed on the bed and a lot of times she had cried on it. Memories she didn't even know she had made in this bedroom swarmed her head and a smile broke on her lips.

“Thank you.” She said sincerely. Then she turned around to stare at the old man who had been standing at the door ever since. “I really appreciate the thought of this.”

Archibald nodded. “No thanks needed, my dear. It's your room, isn't it?” With that, he turned around to leave. “So own up to it.” He walked away from there without saying anything more.

Laura just stood there with a smile before making her way towards the door and closed it before turning around to take a clearer look at the room.

She felt like she had been taken back in time to moments she thought she had long forgotten and didn't even remember existed until that very moment.

“I can't believe everything is still the same.” She muttered underneath her breath as she headed towards the bed and sat comfortably on the mattress which was just as soft as she remembered it to be.

“Does time not pass in this house or what?”

After taking in the comfort the room had surprisingly supplied her, she stood up to unpack her thighs and freshen up right after before heading back down.

She probably smelled like office and a pitiful pained girlfriend.

She scoffed before going ahead with what she had to do.

It seemed like everything she did reminded her of her time back when she was still her naive and love sick wife. With the robe tied around her, she came to a halt as she stared at herself in front of the mirror. Images of her past self flashed before her eyes compared to the person who stood in front of the mirror at that moment.

At least she could tell that five years had passed with her. Although maybe not a lot of things but the major things. Some which she was grateful about, and some she just had to leave with.

Deciding not to waste anymore time with that, she quickly searched for something comfortable she could put on fire that night. And also to confront Rachel with if the chance does present itself.  

Then her thoughts pulled her back to Leo once more. He was the main reason she was even here in the first place. She wasn't so sure how much of a positive side her effort was going to work. But it was worth a try. She thought.

Fully dressed, she made her way downstairs as her eyes scrolled through her phone on her way down. Suddenly, she bumped into someone and stumbled backwards.

“What the—” she lost her voice the moment her eyes locked with Leo's wilder ones.