'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...'564Please respect copyright.PENANAtOXCBkVtDX
564Please respect copyright.PENANADSM5no7TrE
564Please respect copyright.PENANAQg2iqZxQ1c
564Please respect copyright.PENANATyR2URgEz6
"Eve?"564Please respect copyright.PENANAsCCWPcDWaM
564Please respect copyright.PENANA3VkvUSGKZj
564Please respect copyright.PENANAEmKKvx8m5L
564Please respect copyright.PENANALa6AyaKCTf
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAiYZ9NNFLvI
564Please respect copyright.PENANAhL27y69Qk7
564Please respect copyright.PENANACeRMGDmN0t
564Please respect copyright.PENANAjFEtHKwOJ6
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?"
564Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8u92gWmtF
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANASjijLcud1V
564Please respect copyright.PENANAVtyK0vtlGi
564Please respect copyright.PENANANDl4XthOYL
564Please respect copyright.PENANAfHUBoBKaD9
"I'm fine", she said, more to herself. She needed to assure herself that she was fine eventhough it was a lie. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAgqzDWIdgb2
564Please respect copyright.PENANA5b28pN818i
564Please respect copyright.PENANAuCQwoNGOxB
564Please respect copyright.PENANA7mpMSl1fYk
"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. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAOKzPZRH9yw
564Please respect copyright.PENANALTmgAyl28T
564Please respect copyright.PENANAy0FkyhHODU
564Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZS5xUIXeN
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANA3AmGRg0sut
564Please respect copyright.PENANAmiZQFz1L5j
564Please respect copyright.PENANAtzJXfpbsz9
564Please respect copyright.PENANAVdsoze5sWf
"At least you got something beneficial out of this engagement"564Please respect copyright.PENANAsHgUhDlK6E
564Please respect copyright.PENANARMO0LDyQUw
564Please respect copyright.PENANAozZS9nEYpd
564Please respect copyright.PENANAA9fNNGfUXv
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAmTWBmNVhdX
564Please respect copyright.PENANA1KbhJ7lE6Z
564Please respect copyright.PENANAMtCHlM50e1
564Please respect copyright.PENANAQZBcr2bW1m
She had dreamed of this very moment with him. A future that she built carefully,only for it to be shattered suddenly.564Please respect copyright.PENANAYyp5IxydQv
564Please respect copyright.PENANAA3TSGey1Qe
564Please respect copyright.PENANAkml12tb9y9
564Please respect copyright.PENANAFR6uOmRz53
Like glass.564Please respect copyright.PENANAO0CcXzYhkG
564Please respect copyright.PENANAyaHCW8JS6T
564Please respect copyright.PENANAffPF5p465w
564Please respect copyright.PENANA6XRVnRs115
"Genevieve?"564Please respect copyright.PENANARRF7XdzGt7
564Please respect copyright.PENANANIcOQBy3Ik
564Please respect copyright.PENANAM9lLeh26Fv
564Please respect copyright.PENANABVnntlBJyz
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. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAxly47LdUnT
564Please respect copyright.PENANAzMO1Wd3hqr
564Please respect copyright.PENANAoA94hhDTLj
564Please respect copyright.PENANAo87aFyeDQM
"Hey", Eve smiled at her. She had met Talia a few times when she was dating Daniel and she was a genuinely pleasant woman.564Please respect copyright.PENANAOSKslx0RlO
564Please respect copyright.PENANAokwJx3jG5Z
564Please respect copyright.PENANAQWU5ImSr5B
564Please respect copyright.PENANAqwWlwAdwFw
"I- I didn't knew he invited you"564Please respect copyright.PENANA4ySxM1OsWe
564Please respect copyright.PENANAeyVqCeVAue
564Please respect copyright.PENANAqDtap5rzli
564Please respect copyright.PENANATdshl4RkWI
She breathed out and soon, she was hugging Eve. Sam stood to the side, awkwardly drinking her white wine. 564Please respect copyright.PENANACSyZjPmp49
564Please respect copyright.PENANAjqSmjgn3wI
564Please respect copyright.PENANAT2wcdS6qLr
564Please respect copyright.PENANAPAEHvzq33h
"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"564Please respect copyright.PENANAh6UOK0NNGN
564Please respect copyright.PENANAGDXl9eSofZ
564Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ph6v8ie29
564Please respect copyright.PENANAtRxjImadcN
She didn't meant to but the last few words came out a bit harsh and Talia's eyes grew sad.564Please respect copyright.PENANAInPWgvDx68
564Please respect copyright.PENANAZnCnnvJMzQ
564Please respect copyright.PENANAaVFKS3qAm7
564Please respect copyright.PENANAeFikE1IBql
"Genevieve if I knew what his father was planning-"564Please respect copyright.PENANAB3X1AqNyKk
564Please respect copyright.PENANALnEPgT9Ioc
564Please respect copyright.PENANAG0lXeHlWc4
564Please respect copyright.PENANAJrwZun0Jon
"It's fine Talia. It's not like your son isn't happy with his father's decision"564Please respect copyright.PENANAYZQyvIGc4k
564Please respect copyright.PENANAJnUJOHTX0z
564Please respect copyright.PENANA9IWyZ77ZcG
564Please respect copyright.PENANAJO6t4RezEc
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. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAfvuBqefEvW
564Please respect copyright.PENANAnu1xGfNgwu
564Please respect copyright.PENANAloFICkzQvk
564Please respect copyright.PENANAn8OpkzEWEu
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANALjFibbLSSR
564Please respect copyright.PENANAem6S2Y4FgC
564Please respect copyright.PENANA3TJzO74HwJ
564Please respect copyright.PENANApjxd9aZeNz
"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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAaHNTc78Htq
564Please respect copyright.PENANAkke3IesLLU
564Please respect copyright.PENANAD2QfPwNCzo
564Please respect copyright.PENANAPs3Q8IrJl9
"My goodness Eve! The cake was ah-mazing!"564Please respect copyright.PENANA6bF7hOTBXb
564Please respect copyright.PENANAqpNjBdPb2L
564Please respect copyright.PENANAw1ULfUvjYe
564Please respect copyright.PENANAq1WMl4kTZw
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. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAhLA8GuMorY
564Please respect copyright.PENANAneBH6yQk94
564Please respect copyright.PENANASS4ZMawdK5
564Please respect copyright.PENANAMfFI2wH0kM
"I'm glad to hear you loved the cake, Rene", she smiled and glanced at Daniel. "And congratulations too"564Please respect copyright.PENANAJIDE4elLxX
564Please respect copyright.PENANA1zsNBhV5ll
564Please respect copyright.PENANAUtcYr1nR0G
564Please respect copyright.PENANABPgNHyuZjT
He remained silent while Rene giggled, thanking her and reached over to plant a kiss on his cheek. Talia shifted uncomfortably by her side. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAKNGbX4YO2e
564Please respect copyright.PENANAa2cvnZBgmO
564Please respect copyright.PENANAQlpBbY3zIO
564Please respect copyright.PENANAliiQAtEI4p
"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"564Please respect copyright.PENANA8a71sZtwgS
564Please respect copyright.PENANAyN8gKOb6UY
564Please respect copyright.PENANAua66Pr6W8J
564Please respect copyright.PENANA0J8etwR7ou
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. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAyk6DvKItI1
564Please respect copyright.PENANA7nGhYQjIxD
564Please respect copyright.PENANAO5pWAAd5PK
564Please respect copyright.PENANA9lqDFNKfZM
"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. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAXlX4C7dYtV
564Please respect copyright.PENANAZyYGoxeyd6
564Please respect copyright.PENANAnWCAOe3UeL
564Please respect copyright.PENANANO1Dcj0GzU
"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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAIF7vO4xWk5
564Please respect copyright.PENANAioJO8Gxth5
564Please respect copyright.PENANA0yUDFdaqzC
564Please respect copyright.PENANAGetSZGzbot
"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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAf6piqfYZeq
564Please respect copyright.PENANAHNRnmFyFdm
564Please respect copyright.PENANAo9CdWuo29L
564Please respect copyright.PENANA5dTnxPaH4K
Eve stumbled back, not realizing that her locket had somehow got stuck on the guy's jacket. Her movements were abrupt. It snapped.564Please respect copyright.PENANA3cJAKaeRTf
564Please respect copyright.PENANAm1Q1jMlJGD
564Please respect copyright.PENANA0O9iV7zrM6
564Please respect copyright.PENANAz2XhtxXVfh
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAaKfkDOhiY5
564Please respect copyright.PENANAk1rNyrVp4c
564Please respect copyright.PENANAPoFwmDdtI3
564Please respect copyright.PENANAXIdog5VLk6
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANATSQTziihC6
564Please respect copyright.PENANAlscjar9KsU
564Please respect copyright.PENANAlyLnfUxWTw
564Please respect copyright.PENANA8UCXq2EiVr
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?564Please respect copyright.PENANAwWBngDWbwz
564Please respect copyright.PENANAeKkd4E3MpA
564Please respect copyright.PENANAHBh6FZdW0i
564Please respect copyright.PENANAX0Ar1V0J9z
"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. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAEfMBvkrxau
564Please respect copyright.PENANAvQfeiWTHoi
564Please respect copyright.PENANAFPso8DuFsL
564Please respect copyright.PENANAqDeKAmhdsj
Eve swallowed and grabbed the chain. Once again her eyes burned. It was not seriously damaged yet...564Please respect copyright.PENANAe1gH8GLZqn
564Please respect copyright.PENANAC1tDC5cCVu
564Please respect copyright.PENANAu304wdNRCL
564Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2RU2T4w6G
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAx3tvyVXw4D
564Please respect copyright.PENANA6yB9rzXO0L
564Please respect copyright.PENANAY6bqFhU9hz
564Please respect copyright.PENANAsrO0QeyFbD
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANA8DYyJskvSE
564Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZQzBH4IkL
564Please respect copyright.PENANAC1ebkMNxKn
564Please respect copyright.PENANAEzURR9PQSh
"Eve!"564Please respect copyright.PENANAORFbDbfPS1
564Please respect copyright.PENANAOJQbE4vgPo
564Please respect copyright.PENANA2ewgpeyWVh
564Please respect copyright.PENANAmsgEquE0g8
Her head whipped to the side and breathed out in relief.564Please respect copyright.PENANANzUl9bW0nC
564Please respect copyright.PENANA0cnWAYorPO
564Please respect copyright.PENANABUqJZnDIOl
564Please respect copyright.PENANALnrd35l9YA
"Where were you?!"564Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2OWwoJF1h
564Please respect copyright.PENANAgk5iuP7w4c
564Please respect copyright.PENANA78eHHnD3Ir
564Please respect copyright.PENANApINX9wvfKe
Sam gave her a sheepish smile. "Got distracted"564Please respect copyright.PENANARVGpyflWty
564Please respect copyright.PENANA5bCKkOEiq5
564Please respect copyright.PENANAqkPoH4eFK8
564Please respect copyright.PENANAfNGgG4VYPR
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?"564Please respect copyright.PENANAybsJdJcQZt
564Please respect copyright.PENANAmbQWIeTQMa
564Please respect copyright.PENANAsA6oORLZoj
564Please respect copyright.PENANAEH4fEVDnWX
She took the chain into her hands, gently checking out the snapped clasp. Eve shrugged and explained how she ran into a guy.564Please respect copyright.PENANAfZcodspPT5
564Please respect copyright.PENANApP0Ouk46SB
564Please respect copyright.PENANAXeqotwVxvx
564Please respect copyright.PENANASXUICHISaw
Sam grinned, returning Eve's chain. "Was he hot?"564Please respect copyright.PENANA8bbmkq3bGi
564Please respect copyright.PENANAcbP8yGCvvP
564Please respect copyright.PENANAfM3QP4s3jl
564Please respect copyright.PENANAybfgxPxVx4
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAOq20ei8e2W
564Please respect copyright.PENANAS6mEJHSjSH
564Please respect copyright.PENANA85YMBitL0c
564Please respect copyright.PENANAcVsQDXrzRu
Sam rolled her eyes, climbing into the driver's seat. "Last time I checked, you were not blind"564Please respect copyright.PENANAOoyckd3Jdx
564Please respect copyright.PENANAOmSbsvbZDs
564Please respect copyright.PENANAGiOkQJ4hcv
564Please respect copyright.PENANAsGdCEr7Bkq
"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-"564Please respect copyright.PENANAoA0o671n0f
564Please respect copyright.PENANAi8LQjEcHEI
564Please respect copyright.PENANAEUgCaxnAcK
564Please respect copyright.PENANA7KnEaQNs9o
"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.564Please respect copyright.PENANA9tkVfKQxal
564Please respect copyright.PENANAzcOiB1Zgti
564Please respect copyright.PENANASnQJ94AWYG
564Please respect copyright.PENANAa0aNlCveA6
Eve shook her head. "I don't know. I didn't notice"564Please respect copyright.PENANA2tGKGu50Qs
564Please respect copyright.PENANAqINIEv7ys2
564Please respect copyright.PENANA8AR6vAcWPO
564Please respect copyright.PENANAOFKTTqANVQ
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANArQRnVHbp4x
564Please respect copyright.PENANADjITF0q61T
564Please respect copyright.PENANAWqWD618tU0
564Please respect copyright.PENANADzt3mOrIEZ
"Samantha!"564Please respect copyright.PENANAnTMapnJcvc
564Please respect copyright.PENANAKGOPwKgAmU
564Please respect copyright.PENANAJF1Qe7zPPJ
564Please respect copyright.PENANAAl1WeqD7yw
She hissed, rubbing the sore skin. They were lucky the road was currently deserted.564Please respect copyright.PENANAdqcgoP3HPr
564Please respect copyright.PENANA1ryu6xmPzp
564Please respect copyright.PENANAOMLWjyJref
564Please respect copyright.PENANAdTQGBrZiwP
But Samantha was on her phone, furiously typing away and let out a triumphant aha! before shoving the phone screen into Eve's face.564Please respect copyright.PENANA156jy3eVIP
564Please respect copyright.PENANA5As40KNmq1
564Please respect copyright.PENANAzgRBIPxxwF
564Please respect copyright.PENANA9akAu7loGz
"Is this the guy you ran into?"564Please respect copyright.PENANAAgkYj1SR27
564Please respect copyright.PENANAwwCfeAenoQ
564Please respect copyright.PENANA8eVZI6FREC
564Please respect copyright.PENANAW29sLv0hg6
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAqN7TnpqlRw
564Please respect copyright.PENANAt9OhNyZFtK
564Please respect copyright.PENANA6nYfh67s7Q
564Please respect copyright.PENANAOXgcuFCH0i
The name under his photo caught her eyes. Adam Ratchford.564Please respect copyright.PENANACO5KMylVOf
564Please respect copyright.PENANAl8RxeqDWVR
564Please respect copyright.PENANAUZR7VhqAAZ
564Please respect copyright.PENANAcyroFTHzSb
"Oh?" 564Please respect copyright.PENANAjHgwC86eG8
564Please respect copyright.PENANA8KZTPxOhki
564Please respect copyright.PENANAvvGgzFBpLe
564Please respect copyright.PENANATp7SysNekX
Her eyes grew wide.564Please respect copyright.PENANAM97SAy18bX
564Please respect copyright.PENANApDqKpkTlaE
564Please respect copyright.PENANAlePW7h5hSC
564Please respect copyright.PENANA5Khr3b2xUc
"Oh indeed" Sam giggled, snatching her phone back and started the car again. 564Please respect copyright.PENANAlTFmaybW3R
564Please respect copyright.PENANANv4ie8aeDU
564Please respect copyright.PENANA8dk5U6vFUX
564Please respect copyright.PENANAfd6FGGdsn4
Eve rolled her eyes. Great White Shark. He couldn't be that bad right?564Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZOWDzRUHd
564Please respect copyright.PENANA55ixakfPGk
564Please respect copyright.PENANApoTe5WVZkI
564Please respect copyright.PENANACNpCE4L6KP
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.564Please respect copyright.PENANAhkkE4X764w
564Please respect copyright.PENANADma0pD21Cj
564Please respect copyright.PENANAtgcqqmCopd
564Please respect copyright.PENANAkEvCfe338e
Eve turned her out, relaxing back on the seat, already planning to take the chain to a repair shop first thing in the morning.564Please respect copyright.PENANAMfsCkHHRPv
564Please respect copyright.PENANAnDb83lWKuh
564Please respect copyright.PENANA3QpvY2AyyR
564Please respect copyright.PENANAbjE1bGktDn
Her mum.564Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3nhRJqCzY
564Please respect copyright.PENANA4slNZWBchH
564Please respect copyright.PENANAI73WfdhjGH
564Please respect copyright.PENANAPU2moPTvqu
564Please respect copyright.PENANAyfIcj2H0Px
564Please respect copyright.PENANAfEKCfJu2t3
564Please respect copyright.PENANAFZFxhd5Jfc
564Please respect copyright.PENANAryvvmTI820
564Please respect copyright.PENANAx5xRGMGchO
564Please respect copyright.PENANAPeqGqiZ00g
564Please respect copyright.PENANAzWQsvltJQ9
564Please respect copyright.PENANAZBQNs30Ekc
564Please respect copyright.PENANAKiDnPpRJDL
564Please respect copyright.PENANAgvOwq98xat
564Please respect copyright.PENANAjRScjUagtj
564Please respect copyright.PENANANt4LE0eEde
564Please respect copyright.PENANAPfVTT7hkuQ
564Please respect copyright.PENANAx4Pm0LffQ0
564Please respect copyright.PENANATS4BhDHKx1
564Please respect copyright.PENANAtAQoxGD2oE
564Please respect copyright.PENANARKqBLxL39Z
564Please respect copyright.PENANAnX9BvMvQ99
564Please respect copyright.PENANASOPB7LBVxC
564Please respect copyright.PENANATgIlZC6EZQ
564Please respect copyright.PENANAJlX7W7VuJh
564Please respect copyright.PENANA861Ce4gVGE