'When everything else fails, when you feel like the darkness closing in on you, you will be able to see a sliver of light. It's called hope dear. Wherever you are, however you are, do not let go of that hope. Do not let go of that sliver of light and it will pull you out of your misery...'374Please respect copyright.PENANAfU0h6B6Dj4
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6IWGXoFQRG
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0MDam7XE1W
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6WzNid10qZ
"Eve?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAXkZIA6Ib6m
374Please respect copyright.PENANAG9BRNUNh0C
374Please respect copyright.PENANAdbiu7qTijU
374Please respect copyright.PENANA1G1hp1hbRk
Her eyes opened, staring at herself on the mirror. The little yellow bulbs along the top of the mirror glowed on her damp face. She leaned down again, cupping some water into her palms and washed her face.374Please respect copyright.PENANAGCaPeMvBwG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGimmrfEvT4
374Please respect copyright.PENANACRR1SfygMa
374Please respect copyright.PENANA3jKyW6Ffi2
Eve used her hankie to dry her face and sighed, tying her hair into a pony tail and adjusted her knee length vine red dress and palmed the small oval shaped fire opal locket of the gold chain around her neck.
"Are you alright?"
374Please respect copyright.PENANAzwcDJ8V0KM
She felt her best friend's hand in her bare shoulder. Eve appreciated her concern but she genuinely didn't want to burden her with her pathetic life.374Please respect copyright.PENANAjJuPOgdCeO
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmIggtpHuA6
374Please respect copyright.PENANAK4IMFlm4bR
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxzgyMLyZJp
"I'm fine", she said, more to herself. She needed to assure herself that she was fine eventhough it was a lie. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAukebg7zAcU
374Please respect copyright.PENANAlCkhP6BaJu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVUTKzwDYpb
374Please respect copyright.PENANAe5Xx3FoAmA
"Let's go", Eve smiled at her bestfriend and walked out of the washroom. She took the short hallway that led to the hall where the main event was going on. 374Please respect copyright.PENANApcQceyveTw
374Please respect copyright.PENANAsunaKmMPSR
374Please respect copyright.PENANA7JxPwCXxi2
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVwvsqchn5q
People greeted her, complimenting her about the beautiful cake that she made for the newly engaged couple. Most of the people present were businessmen since both the couples' parents are known businessmen. Some even requested for her business card.374Please respect copyright.PENANAW7PonTCGSI
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjIpDOdJDlp
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMnDQO8zekF
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4AapFY4jxA
"At least you got something beneficial out of this engagement"374Please respect copyright.PENANAugxzoQ1ngL
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjyqWdKJHRy
374Please respect copyright.PENANAewS3uCggxM
374Please respect copyright.PENANAgbJsL1KmVk
Sam muttered beside her, blue grey eyes shooting daggers at the couple who was dancing to the soft piano music. Rene was wearing an off shoulder navy blue mermaid dress that showed off her curves and Daniel wore a suit that matched Rene's. They looked so happy together and a pang of pain hit her chest like a knife.374Please respect copyright.PENANA6k3h8ie4Um
374Please respect copyright.PENANApPfn0JGxY5
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtdv5X8Mxyf
374Please respect copyright.PENANANjMxLCK3Gx
She had dreamed of this very moment with him. A future that she built carefully,only for it to be shattered suddenly.374Please respect copyright.PENANA2YlTiTsSMD
374Please respect copyright.PENANAlDyKXeEdjY
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtN5KHvKW9Q
374Please respect copyright.PENANAiG1Y5w3BLx
Like glass.374Please respect copyright.PENANAeNKDNNCFJA
374Please respect copyright.PENANA09kbeIRvsW
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjOCh0wF1ee
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2Fgz6rwvD4
"Genevieve?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAuT95fSC7Rx
374Please respect copyright.PENANAd8jrRcuUuC
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtyNu4ZJdnB
374Please respect copyright.PENANATfXRdg5wRl
Eve snapped out of her thoughts and looked to her side. Talia Evans was staring her with wide green eyes that Daniel inherited. She looked stunning in her purple floor length dress, her dark blonde hair pulled into a tight bun. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAraC5MVZMvA
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmg1sfxH3ZS
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtULWiZzslU
374Please respect copyright.PENANAf7yC13EKPc
"Hey", Eve smiled at her. She had met Talia a few times when she was dating Daniel and she was a genuinely pleasant woman.374Please respect copyright.PENANAP8gXas7Moy
374Please respect copyright.PENANAreqOn2OYaF
374Please respect copyright.PENANAy6UwWd4sBm
374Please respect copyright.PENANAiDNtGMiNW8
"I- I didn't knew he invited you"374Please respect copyright.PENANAg4hEYLzDzA
374Please respect copyright.PENANAfwoCCzRYLR
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVYJ74wXWwn
374Please respect copyright.PENANAD7LDZ0jF1g
She breathed out and soon, she was hugging Eve. Sam stood to the side, awkwardly drinking her white wine. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAKXIG6OUYjQ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAbbQivzoTQw
374Please respect copyright.PENANAx0UxIqeJjz
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAuOMEsUhx9
"Oh he didn't. Rene is a close friend of mine", Sam snickered beside her and Eve ignored it. "She requested me to do a cake for the auspicious occasion"374Please respect copyright.PENANA4yCzAZfxuU
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWHsHydZBQ5
374Please respect copyright.PENANAG7poR1WpqT
374Please respect copyright.PENANAijcy4sXUHB
She didn't meant to but the last few words came out a bit harsh and Talia's eyes grew sad.374Please respect copyright.PENANAFU629NXn4y
374Please respect copyright.PENANAonHRAwdLHX
374Please respect copyright.PENANAT5VlOynBn2
374Please respect copyright.PENANA5xo4l1w3gq
"Genevieve if I knew what his father was planning-"374Please respect copyright.PENANAF8pY1i2LFX
374Please respect copyright.PENANATmpw63c53d
374Please respect copyright.PENANA7Wij37ucDM
374Please respect copyright.PENANAsq1LqpSU8Z
"It's fine Talia. It's not like your son isn't happy with his father's decision"374Please respect copyright.PENANAFsUXHES6yM
374Please respect copyright.PENANArnhfURtf1i
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxwITyDnnuj
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJhxMkrnVpP
Her eyes floated over to where Daniel and Rene was sharing a kiss. Of course, he looked genuinely happy to be with someone more beautiful and a high social status. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAUSqMe5hkiF
374Please respect copyright.PENANAhnsyZZ5QBF
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6SF4mBLdQz
374Please respect copyright.PENANAB4ip0FWiRP
Eve looked back at the woman. Her green eyes were glossy and Eve felt bad. Before Eve could say something, another enthusiastic voice called out to her.374Please respect copyright.PENANAn8jW41om7F
374Please respect copyright.PENANAujsf67p8qn
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJdumEPRuww
374Please respect copyright.PENANAncB03CUFgv
"Just great", Sam groaned and quickly emptied her glass of wine and escaped the scene saying something about refilling her glass. Eve restrained herself from strangling her best friend and smiled warmly at Rene who was walking towards her with a huge smile, Daniel in tow.374Please respect copyright.PENANAFRL7Ejf7d8
374Please respect copyright.PENANAx3Lsk4dK9a
374Please respect copyright.PENANAOLPpuDkpxL
374Please respect copyright.PENANAq2egYzvr1V
"My goodness Eve! The cake was ah-mazing!"374Please respect copyright.PENANAOuIxOtrTEQ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGyueRIYz6Z
374Please respect copyright.PENANAR85AfXb1ZN
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZC3kzNN1gj
She squealed, hooking her arm around Daniel's. He tried to smile at her but dropped it the moment he saw the cold fire in her cerulean eyes. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAPJJLeosark
374Please respect copyright.PENANAweEltX2UBu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKHvqDnLkOH
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6pXhfC84tT
"I'm glad to hear you loved the cake, Rene", she smiled and glanced at Daniel. "And congratulations too"374Please respect copyright.PENANAy3zoZ6QpnE
374Please respect copyright.PENANAt0AnrmOSkA
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0NFgAqJPCj
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUhIoTVcnN6
He remained silent while Rene giggled, thanking her and reached over to plant a kiss on his cheek. Talia shifted uncomfortably by her side. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAlubdw2Ze25
374Please respect copyright.PENANAaoE8l8WPR9
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVKCEWQocfp
374Please respect copyright.PENANAr04iyy7ttS
"I know Eve. And congratulations to you too. I swear everyone thought you were crazy to abruptly drop out of collage", she laughed. "But look where that brought you? A successful woman owning a bakehouse"374Please respect copyright.PENANAHhYMry6Xho
374Please respect copyright.PENANALRLxoajHea
374Please respect copyright.PENANAOpAC91P0cY
374Please respect copyright.PENANArEYTT2kx7q
Eve didn't bother to correct her. The bakehouse was still not fully hers. The owner of the building was an old hag who just wouldn't budge. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAz5aMhj1Hnv
374Please respect copyright.PENANAYrEX7vVyqN
374Please respect copyright.PENANAo5GFcNzm3a
374Please respect copyright.PENANAonN7y8iZk6
"Yeah", she mumbled and checked her wrist watch. Half past nine. The usual time to close the bake house/ coffee shop was at 10 and it would take her roughly half an hour to reach there. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAr2ZT9CjLB2
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtCE9TIWZ36
374Please respect copyright.PENANAnM3M9s0gKe
374Please respect copyright.PENANANOwQ1OWSRm
"I will take my leave now", she smiled at them, deliberately avoiding Daniel and turned on her heels. Sam was no where to be found and Eve pressed her lips into a thin line. She forgot to take her phone and Dana was her ride back home.374Please respect copyright.PENANANLQATEz87Z
374Please respect copyright.PENANAeePbkzq3zt
374Please respect copyright.PENANAfXStKsrYci
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxlCKn3qik5
"That woman", she muttered under her breath pushing open the double doors that led out of the main hall. She walked through the narrow dimly lit hallway, muttering obscenities under her breath, most of them aimed at Sam and a few at Daniel and turned a corner, walking straight into someone's chest.374Please respect copyright.PENANAloELwgLcE0
374Please respect copyright.PENANAe7C2xmtOuw
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxyPtFthT24
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGxqU5b8CAT
Eve stumbled back, not realizing that her locket had somehow got stuck on the guy's jacket. Her movements were abrupt. It snapped.374Please respect copyright.PENANA0p9faZEi1H
374Please respect copyright.PENANA73AlyYgjhs
374Please respect copyright.PENANApTuw4RHAC7
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4AeneURBop
Breath got knocked out of her chest when she fell on her butt unceremoniously. She ignored the dull ache on her backside and gaped at the chain that was now dangling from his jacket.374Please respect copyright.PENANASOzkMynsiw
374Please respect copyright.PENANAdliCGBuET7
374Please respect copyright.PENANAwkqjrqkVYN
374Please respect copyright.PENANAqWwOqafGrl
The guy whose dirty blonde hair was in a messy top knot, frowned at the thin chain and locket dangling from his black jacket. Eve struggled to push back the tears that burned her eyes and climbed back to her feet.374Please respect copyright.PENANA23b37wzdud
374Please respect copyright.PENANAYSlFS0l9IG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAHHMeb9hs5v
374Please respect copyright.PENANAN2RciLAoz5
He took the chain off gently and stared down at the fire opal locket that now rest upon his palm, then his eyes flicked over to her face. His frown deepened, a confused look crossing his brown eyes. His neatly trimmed beard made him look older, but he looked around thirty and she had no idea who this guy was. A business man maybe?374Please respect copyright.PENANAgolaaFCiaW
374Please respect copyright.PENANA70eE0DsFJQ
374Please respect copyright.PENANA5teg2fCUDm
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6ezQdvOfcb
"Um-", she started but stopped herself when a hard look replaced the confusion on his face. He thrust his hand forward. "It snapped", he muttered under his breath, lips pulled down. 374Please respect copyright.PENANASyGAaf95d3
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6cnBCIZVyr
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUZOFq4TneE
374Please respect copyright.PENANAh9vYz1aHaX
Eve swallowed and grabbed the chain. Once again her eyes burned. It was not seriously damaged yet...374Please respect copyright.PENANAyQzNpnTbBa
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWfNy8i95di
374Please respect copyright.PENANAeoBbpjxzvF
374Please respect copyright.PENANASQyOReKMGx
The man pocketed his hands into his dress pants and side stepped her, walking off. Eve stood still until the heavy echoes of his footsteps faded into nothing and resumed her journey.374Please respect copyright.PENANAS6TtQfuMMj
374Please respect copyright.PENANANEHyqH6I3u
374Please respect copyright.PENANABzfrH10MkB
374Please respect copyright.PENANASqahj3BdIz
She clutched the locket inside her palm as she made out of lobby through the automatic door. Chilly October air whipped against her face and she shivered.374Please respect copyright.PENANAvhjJrxi2aX
374Please respect copyright.PENANANUmo4UfC6h
374Please respect copyright.PENANA7LXNvmqV1M
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKuN2HRwg8y
"Eve!"374Please respect copyright.PENANAWQm6LwAx75
374Please respect copyright.PENANARs6gcq8ghH
374Please respect copyright.PENANANDmNJvUIs7
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGtegC13VkY
Her head whipped to the side and breathed out in relief.374Please respect copyright.PENANAWiCqkLWhcF
374Please respect copyright.PENANA35Tog8sogl
374Please respect copyright.PENANAFmqIMDHgtd
374Please respect copyright.PENANAihdAEPBNZx
"Where were you?!"374Please respect copyright.PENANAMqSAVn77Vf
374Please respect copyright.PENANAQyrJdIa8gQ
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6ArAjhbFk1
374Please respect copyright.PENANAyKvXHPoI2c
Sam gave her a sheepish smile. "Got distracted"374Please respect copyright.PENANAlIsOukTuF2
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6FPvR94d3r
374Please respect copyright.PENANASYNFSZNgXF
374Please respect copyright.PENANAc2OYy8qAyS
And Eve didn't wished to hear what the distraction was and uncurled her fingers. Sam's eyes widened at the snapped clasp of the chain. "What happened?"374Please respect copyright.PENANA5czU8GF8H9
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjJVprUMksK
374Please respect copyright.PENANAlVZHbOnFUV
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWgIvQZWAbf
She took the chain into her hands, gently checking out the snapped clasp. Eve shrugged and explained how she ran into a guy.374Please respect copyright.PENANAbXWZnC7d98
374Please respect copyright.PENANAkfeEXn2OfI
374Please respect copyright.PENANAX0xPsB6i1C
374Please respect copyright.PENANAi1781Iv2xD
Sam grinned, returning Eve's chain. "Was he hot?"374Please respect copyright.PENANADQvPkWUSxd
374Please respect copyright.PENANA9eY5mvNJAv
374Please respect copyright.PENANAoSU0olir9I
374Please respect copyright.PENANAiiOEh556PM
Eve smacked her shoulder with a glare. "How would I know?" She frowned, making her way towards the parking lot where Sam's black SUV was parked. She threw a fit when Eve told her to take her SUV and not her favorite mustang because bringing a four tier cake in a mustang while Sam was driving? Nope.374Please respect copyright.PENANA12sHG9hnBV
374Please respect copyright.PENANAI9GMUiicP4
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUYPmc9BlKD
374Please respect copyright.PENANAEUN2o5d7TE
Sam rolled her eyes, climbing into the driver's seat. "Last time I checked, you were not blind"374Please respect copyright.PENANAolj1pcqxQd
374Please respect copyright.PENANALxbBWPEDFq
374Please respect copyright.PENANAX1vi0d94B0
374Please respect copyright.PENANAlZD3Gwxn2U
"I don't know...", Eve trailed off leaning back against the beige seat. "He had a man bun and beard and brown eyes? He looked like a serious business executive and-"374Please respect copyright.PENANAuVYFVfmUxG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAipUK1TYe7n
374Please respect copyright.PENANArOhDhTm4yu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAqNqeB9dzKP
"Wait wait wait! Did he had a scar right here?" Sam used her free hand to trace a line on her left cheek, close to her nose.374Please respect copyright.PENANAh7fO6lmSQ9
374Please respect copyright.PENANAEqeMqEzKln
374Please respect copyright.PENANAkDDZrprBzl
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6aGQVtRb4B
Eve shook her head. "I don't know. I didn't notice"374Please respect copyright.PENANAbCm5AWOxet
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0sMxBPkEsG
374Please respect copyright.PENANATq9KBKYqb9
374Please respect copyright.PENANAfiEzxXWsPQ
Sam squealed, pressing her foot down on the breaks suddenly. Eve cursed as they lurched forward and the seat belt dug into her skin painfully.374Please respect copyright.PENANAFbDOwuDAuP
374Please respect copyright.PENANAPL5qeu5bVm
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0BTIW0tf9E
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUAzURoXTwr
"Samantha!"374Please respect copyright.PENANAF6TVTwj3zr
374Please respect copyright.PENANAyCj8yZUIqc
374Please respect copyright.PENANANsL8KQNjk9
374Please respect copyright.PENANApwPg15rHRr
She hissed, rubbing the sore skin. They were lucky the road was currently deserted.374Please respect copyright.PENANAhMQ5NFo0rm
374Please respect copyright.PENANAHts3Zmw7vN
374Please respect copyright.PENANAzCYLkDgbpC
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtYwHZbFzfu
But Samantha was on her phone, furiously typing away and let out a triumphant aha! before shoving the phone screen into Eve's face.374Please respect copyright.PENANABEfCEsgk98
374Please respect copyright.PENANAPTpP1ERMLu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAQBWkVGNSdp
374Please respect copyright.PENANA8SKbfeh95a
"Is this the guy you ran into?"374Please respect copyright.PENANANDZdyZgPlT
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmVHbn7bPnZ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAcgWv1V3hAf
374Please respect copyright.PENANAq3E8rXyKPx
Eve scowled, pushing her hand away to a considerable distance before staring at the bright screen. Indeed, the guy she ran into was on the picture, in a black suit and adjusting the cuff of his shirt's sleeve while the photo was taken.374Please respect copyright.PENANAla1DMAcFMD
374Please respect copyright.PENANAOr22Rhv0Vz
374Please respect copyright.PENANAOcJ5emSyHZ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGjFBtlpOlb
The name under his photo caught her eyes. Adam Ratchford.374Please respect copyright.PENANAXJxoawppag
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKFgj0qmfnK
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUiRlNsbyJu
374Please respect copyright.PENANADHpmH8dLlM
"Oh?" 374Please respect copyright.PENANAamLprvWEyY
374Please respect copyright.PENANAoRN380B9mw
374Please respect copyright.PENANAXfNJeZYkDz
374Please respect copyright.PENANAfj3ZG8nXfH
Her eyes grew wide.374Please respect copyright.PENANAGHmmQq9ri5
374Please respect copyright.PENANAb0G7kk40l1
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKu3GJDy05f
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAIJDcHDIIp
"Oh indeed" Sam giggled, snatching her phone back and started the car again. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAFDf87gk2Uk
374Please respect copyright.PENANAhsbMnzb5mp
374Please respect copyright.PENANAqw0btr0vX6
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUBVYSsTG16
Eve rolled her eyes. Great White Shark. He couldn't be that bad right?374Please respect copyright.PENANAn6KRje61I1
374Please respect copyright.PENANAhWzZa7RVys
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxnHthPCaPN
374Please respect copyright.PENANAdS4eVifOFR
She caressed the pendant with her thump. Sam was rambling about Adam. How everyone else were wary about him and that she was surprised that Rene's dad invited him for the engagement.374Please respect copyright.PENANA7VspLE66aN
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0GZdcp6ccb
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMiSWPp8SJ1
374Please respect copyright.PENANA1veKsbTaic
Eve turned her out, relaxing back on the seat, already planning to take the chain to a repair shop first thing in the morning.374Please respect copyright.PENANA6qUf2Ssp6c
374Please respect copyright.PENANAk7hBEvahBf
374Please respect copyright.PENANAf3NNudmi9J
374Please respect copyright.PENANAOi7lmth4c3
Her mum.374Please respect copyright.PENANAZb4bxiLcUP
374Please respect copyright.PENANAc4mKqqCHZZ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAduIXeUZZeM
374Please respect copyright.PENANAICmwqpHcUG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAcYYuBo8wfD
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJk02kmlFtx
374Please respect copyright.PENANAuirGL4gaLe
374Please respect copyright.PENANAz0sHZXhMcT
374Please respect copyright.PENANAby0AIMpX5L
374Please respect copyright.PENANAl9yl67LY5v
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtxjP3INLEj
374Please respect copyright.PENANAw0Lbx54RRe
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7vvOzqCca
374Please respect copyright.PENANACTS9v32E8p
374Please respect copyright.PENANASBNE4ps4SJ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjoSR99OFvT
374Please respect copyright.PENANAXseRXCrL07
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0nNgG0WNfr
374Please respect copyright.PENANAThE2M00ABl
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6zVZ2yKCTj
374Please respect copyright.PENANAR8xfDn7mQJ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0lfrEP0tP
374Please respect copyright.PENANApTX0vfcOnw
374Please respect copyright.PENANAOKPGH7V7pe
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4sb73YBpBq
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxzhiDm3CYH