An old lady who wore the outfit of the workers was at the door upon my arrival at the bakery. She greeted all customers with a warm smile as they entered. 
“Good morning, good sir,” she said as I approached her. “What can I help you with today?” 
“I’m looking for Laura. Is she inside?” I asked as I tried forcing a smile out of me. 
“Oh, the little darling of ours!” she squealed. “You must be her friend,” she took my hand and shook it. “Allow me to call her for you.” She then entered the bakery. 
I walked to the wooden bench to stay out of other people’s way. Right when I was about to sit down, Laura’s name came from the door. I turned to look and she approached me whilst wiping her hands with her apron. 
“Robert,” she walked towards me with her ever-dazzling smile. “How are--” her smile faded as she stood in front of me. Slowly, she held onto my arm and asked, “Robert, what happened? Your face is red and your eyes are swollen.” 
“She… she didn’t wake up,” I choked as I stopped myself from crying. I sobbed too much back at home. I don’t want to do it here, especially in front of all these people. 
She held my hand and led me to the bench. We took a seat and she asked another, “Who didn’t wake up?” She continued to hold my hand, not lifting her gaze from me. 
“Lady. She didn’t wake up,” I answered as I finally broke down. 
Without a moment to lose, she pulled me in and protected me with her arms. My tears landed on her shoulders as she rubbed my back. “It’s all right, Robert,” she whispered. “Everything is going to be all right.” 
As she allowed me to cry, I suddenly felt everything. The numbness disappeared and the excruciating pain of Lady’s death has finally made itself known. It was unbearable. I felt like another part of me died along with her. The pain continued to grow and I’m left with no words to describe it. 
“Keep yourself intact, Robert,” she added. “Everything will be all right.” 
My tears continued to soak her shirt. But even if I was being drowned in a sea of sadness, her warmth shone through as she comforted me. I was in the middle of a storm, surrounded by dark clouds and ferocious winds. However, she was the calming atmosphere within the storm. 
I’ve cried for what it seemed to be a while. But she never told me to stop. She remained silent and rubbed my back for as long as I needed it. She did just that for a few more minutes before she sat me upright. “Wait here.” She ran back inside the bakery. On her return, a cup was in her hand. “Here you are,” she offered the cup, filled with water. “Have something to drink.”
I drank everything in one sitting. I continued to sniffle as I put the empty cup down. “I just don’t understand it, Laura,” words have finally come out my mouth. “Why did it have to be her? Why did she have to die?” 
I turned her for an answer. But she was just quiet as she looked at me. 
I continued my rant, gritting my teeth, “Whoever did this had no heart. No soul. They don’t deserve to live in any realm.” My hands gripped on my knees. My blood began to boil once more. All I felt now was sadness and fury. The loss of a beloved friend has rendered me such emotions where I can succumb to tears easily and curse whoever’s responsible for her death. 
“Robert,” Laura put her hand on mine, “calm yourself. I understand that Lady’s death came as a shock. And it was horrendous and unfair. But your anger must not take over. You must have a clear mind in order to solve this case.” She added, “There must be a reason as to why Lady had to leave your life.” 
“I don’t think there’s a reason - not even an excuse - for Lady’s death,” I replied, shaking my head. I refused to believe that this has some holy message for me to learn. Lady was selfishly murdered, all because of someone’s anger towards me. She shouldn’t be broiled into that. She did nothing wrong. 
After she remained silent for quite some time, she responded, “Everything in this universe has a reason. Perhaps, something is about to enter your life and Lady had to give way.” 
Baffled, my brows furrowed as I looked at her. I never thought of it in that way. “But Lady didn’t have to be taken from me,” I replied. “If something new is to come into my life, Lady should be a part of it. She’s been a part of almost everything in my life.” 
She gently held both of my hands and looked up at me. “Sometimes, certain things need to give way for the new to come. Today was a heartbreaking loss,” she said. “Nothing can ever replace Lady’s place in your heart. She will always remain there,” she pointed to my heart. “But whatever it is that’s coming your way may somehow return your happiness. The happiness that went with Lady.” 
I grew even more confused. “Are you implying that I should be thankful for her departure?” 
“The meaning of Lady’s death, whether it be a blessing or curse, will entirely be up to you,” she continued. “It’s in your hands to control the outcome of this situation. And I assure you that I’ll be by your side through it all,” she smiled. 
A monstrous event has happened today. I could tell that even she was devastated by Lady’s sudden death. Lady liked her and Laura felt the same for Lady. Her eyes were a mixture of sadness and light happiness. This slight happiness inside her, she has been trying to shine on me ever since I arrived. Yes, she’s also sad about what happened. But she had to be strong to allow me to be weak.