FRESH START

CHAPTER 10

_________A NEW BEGINNING_________

EIGHT YEARS LATER

Eight years had passed and her life felt like a magic to her.

From stones to turns.

But now, everything felt more... different. Why? Because she now had a reason to live.

With her brightest smile, she turned to the paying customer with a box of cupcakes and handed it over to her.

"Thanks for coming. I hope you enjoy." She smiled politely.

The woman laughed as she brought out her purse and lended the money to her before pulling her son closer.

"Oh, my son really loves your bakery. He assumes everything in here to be delicious." The woman pleasantly commented.

Her eyes flicked in between the woman and her son.

"That's because it really is delicious mom, even more than your baking when you said anyone could bake twice as good. I will make Dad come get it for me everyday if you can't." The little boy squicked.

"Don't mind him. Silly boy. We would get going now. Thank you." The mother smiled awkwardly before dragging her son out.

Alyssa watched through the transparent glass outside as the woman scolded her son before pulling him away. She pout.

The vibration from her phone caught her attention. She picked it up and a smile formed on her lips once she saw Eva's name flashing on the screen.

"Seriously you are so unbelievable Ally! I've been calling you all morning and you just decided to pick up!!"

Eva's annoyed tone boomed as soon as the call was answered.

She laughed.

"Why are you laughing? Is me being so annoyed that funny to you? Cause I really am right now!" Now she sounded more pissed.

"It's just that you are so cute whenever you get mad. I would really love to see your cute face right now." Alyssa tissed still laughing out and suddenly, Eva went silent. Alyssa noticed and asked.

"What's wrong?"

"You know, you really can make that possible." She replied. Her voice now serious.

Alyssa needed no further explanation to understand her words.

It's been years and she had refused to look back at her past. Let it go and face the future no matter it's cost. She had decided to turn a new chapter and a fresh start in a distant place. Far away from everyone she had ever known. From Eva, her aunt, uncle, and most especially, her home town.

"I don't understand why you've refused to come back and live with us since all these years. You hardly even come to visit anymore." She complained.

Her obvious reason for never wanting to step a foot back in her home town, where she had grown up, that was valid. But she has wanted to stay alone, to be independent and not a burden to anyone no matter how much Eva had persist. They were rich and stable enough to take care of her but she doesn't want to relay.

"Eva! We all knew the best thing was for me to build a fresh start and I think it's better as am doing it all by myself. Besides, you've already done enough by lending me more than enough money to start a business." She varried.

"You meant with the bakery shop?" Her voice sounded with distain.

"Yes, the bakery shop. And I am doing fine with it. And I also promised to pay you back as soon as I can." She signed.

"Oh please, you know I don't want the money so don't behave so perfetic. I had told you to come home and work in my dad's company. That would have earned you more but you had insisted. So now tell me, how many customers are there right now?" Her voice wasn't teasing but she didn't have to look around to know they was none. She felt like a mockery of myself.

"You know I would never make a mockery of you, neither did I call to bug you. But it's felt like ages since you've last visited and I've really missed you. So I need you to clear all your schedules and make it up with my engagement. You need to be there." Eva implied.

"Eva I-"

"No excuses." She cut in.

"You are always doing this. Looking for one excuse or the other. I mean, you've missed a lot. My birthday for the fifth time. My graduation and a lot more important celebrations. But I won't let this slide. No buts. It's my engagement for Christ sake so be there. Either you come or I will come get you myself." She insisted.

"Eva! You know those kinds of celebrations, I don't think it's meant for me. It's best if I stay back-"

"Nonsense. You are coming and that's period. Am sending you the f*e now." The ended the call before she could say another word. It soon followed with a beeping sound. Alyssa checked and wasn't surprised to see she had already made the transaction.

"You are really unbelievable Eva." She shook her head with smiles.

__________________________________

After done for the day at the bakery, she took a box of doughnuts and headed home.

She got to her little apartment and was about opening the door when she found it slightly opened. She frowned.

A little boy ran to her and tugged on her trouser, looking up at her with his little eyes. She smiled and handed over to him two pieces of doughnuts.

"Is that enough?" She asked. The boy nodded in satisfaction bringing a smile on her face. She was about taking a step forward before he stopped her.

"Aunty, Sam is inside already."

She frowned. That at least explains why the door is been left open.

"Isn't supposed to be at your place?"

The boy nodded at her questions but then shook his head.

"Got upset and ran in. Didn't want to talk to anyone." He pout. Alyssa pat his head and smiled.

"Thank you. You may leave now."

The little boy ran off. She signed, looking at the door before walking in and shutting the door behind. The lights were off making it quite difficult to see.

"Sam!"

She called out but didn't get any response. With one hand still holding the box, She moved the other round the wall and immediately turned on the switch once found.

"Sam, where are you? I've got your favorite doughnuts." She placed down the box on a table and decided to look around.

"Sam I know you are inhere. So you better-"

A tumbling crash coming from the kitchen cut her off guard.

"Sa-Sam-!!"

She ran off to the direction and quickly switched on the kitchen light.

The sight she found got her heart ripping out of her chest. The little girl was seated on the floor with a lighter in her hand. Her slight golden hair scattered like a mess all over her face but the fire from the lighter was able to shown through her light grey eyes.

"Samantha!!" The little girl gasped at the shocking yell of her name. Her head snapped to the direction it came from and she instantly threw away the lighter, crawling up to her kneel, her lips pout.

Alyssa rushed to her in panic, kicking the lighter far aside. The little girl was sweaty and panting. Her eyes red and puffy like someone who had been in tiers. Tiers rolled down Alyssa's eyes as she saw a burn around her arm.

"What have you done?"