22 COMFORT IN THE DARKNESS

Richard's excuse, like a dry leaf on the wind, failed to hide the truth from Emily. He said, "It's nothing," but she knew this wasn't true.

Richard continued, "A friend asked me to return it," but Emily's mind screamed "liar!" But she was helpless in that moment, unable to challenge his deceit without knowing the whole truth.

She could only nod in response, making her suspicions with a facade of acceptance.

With a final embrace, Richard bid his farewells, planting a parting kiss on Emily's forehead before retreating towards the door.

Emily words were but a whisper, "Bye," as she saw him off, a nagging dread hanging in the air like a chill. Once he was gone, she retreated to the couch.

A quiver ran through Emily as the thought pierced her heart. "Was he going to propose?" She murmured, the words escaping her lips like a fragile breath.

The tears, brimming on the edge of her lashes, seemed to tremble with uncertainty.

In her hand, the box that Richard had given her, its contents once hidden, now lay open to reveal a white envelope. Emily's fingers shook as she tore into the paper, eager for answers as she read it.

"Dear Emily,

You are the sunlight that chases away shadows in my life. Your presence has brought light and warmth into my world, and I am eternally grateful for your kindness and generosity.

The fabric is nothing but a humble token of my appreciation, a mere trifle compared to the gift of your companionship and friendship. You have made me a better person and for that, I am enternally in your dept.

A billion dollars cannot compare to you, you are worth more than any possession, more than any treasure, you'll always hold a special place in my heart. Emily, no matter your response, just know it won't change anything between us.

And finally, "I love you," and have loved you since the first moment we met. I will cherish you always, in my heart. I love you."

With that the letter ended, and Emily's heart cracked open, her tears like gentle rain, baptizing her in the truth of Richard's words.

"I'm ruined," she sobbed, her tears spilling like rivers down her cheeks.

"You'll don't deserve to be happy because you took away my happiness," she cried, the bitterness of her words cutting deep into the already wounded flesh of her heart.

When her storm of emotions finally passed, Emily took a ragged breath and reached for the phone, her fingers shaking as she dialed Camilla's number.

"Come to my house," she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion, before hanging up without waiting for a response.

Camilla's sudden arrival was like a gust of wind, sweeping through the room and drawing Emily from her sorrowful reverie. Her eyes, like bruised clouds, betrayed the emotional tempest that had raged within her.

Camilla, sensing the storm of emotion swirling around her friend, sat close and touched Emily's shoulder, her face etched with concern.

"Are you okay, Emily? What happened? Where is Richard?" She asked, her words heavy with worry.

"I'm fine," Emily replied, her voice faltering, but Camilla was not convinced.

"You don't look fine, tell me what happened?" Camilla answered worried.

Emily looked at Camilla and asked, "I've got good news and bad news, which would you like to hear first?"

Camilla, ever the optimist, replied, "Always the good news, please."

"You know that fabric I've already wanted?" Emily began.

"The Golden silk fabric, yes, I remember," Camilla responded.

"Well, Richard got it for me," Emily said, showing her the fabric.

Camilla's jaw dropped, her disbelief clear in her wide-eyed gaze as she laid eyes upon the shimmering fabric.

"I can't believe this, it's really expansive!" She gasped, her breath catching in her throat.

"Yeah, about five million dollars," Emily answered.

"What? Richard must have loved you so much to do this," she said, her words infused with a mix of awe and wonder.

"Yeah," Emily responded.

Camilla, her gaze still transfixed upon the fabric, spoke in a voice soft with wonder, "Well, this is a dream come true."

Emily, her thoughts filled with emotion, replied with a simple "yeah," her heart heavy.

"If this is the good news, what could possibly be the bad?" She asked, her voice laced with concern.

Emily revealed her suspicions, "I think he came here to propose to me."

A shocked gasp escaped Camilla's lip as the truth of Richard's visit unfurled before her.

As Emily recounted the events that had transpired between them, Camilla's eyes widened in disbelief, her hands reaching for the letter that Emily now held out to her.

As Camilla finished reading the letter, her gaze rose to meet Emily's, her expression a tapestry of empathy and concern. Camilla's words were a whisper of empathy in the face of Emily's anguish.

"This is a disaster, Emily," she said, her voice soft with sorrow. "I never expected this. I'm so sorry you have to go through this."

Emily, her tears dried by the heat of her grief, responded with a bitter resignation, "You don't need to apologise. It's not your fault."

"I'm so sorry, Emily," she whispered, her voice a wave of compassion washing over Emily's despair.

Emily, her spirit weary with grief, spoke her reply, "The damage is done. There's no turning back now."

Camilla, her arms enveloping Emily in a warm embrace, trying to console and encourage her.

"There is no pain more intense than that which comes from being separated from the one you love, but I know you, Emily. I know you are strong, and you will go through this storm," Camilla said, her voice soft with compassion.

Emily, her spirit lifted by Camilla's words, nodded, her face a mask of stoic resolve.

The embrace between Emily and Camilla dissolved into the air, their bodies parting but their hearts still intertwined with empathy.

Camilla continued, "It may take time for the wounds to heal, but remember to face the future with a spirit of hope and optimism. No matter what pain you feel now, tomorrow will bring new possibilities."

"There's no point in crying over this," Emily said, her voice firm despite the ache in her heart. "I'm just worried for Richard, he's going to be devastated. But I hope somehow, we'll both find a way through this."

Camilla, her face creased with concern, replied, "I know it won't be easy, but you both will be alright."

"Yes, I hope so," she murmured.

Camilla, her voice a steady anchor in the storm of emotions, spoke with calm determination, "You need to focus on your work now, Emily forget about all these marriage stuff and everything happening now. Your future is waiting for you with Nicole Novak and the fashion show. You can do it."

Emily, her mind still swirling with the echoes of Richard's confession, replied, "It won't be easy, but I'll try."

Camilla, her expression one of unwavering belief replied, "I know you can, Emily."

A spark of determination flared to life in Emily's heart as she replied, "You're right, I need to focus on my future, to make myself proud. I'll put my mind to it."

Camilla, sensing the shift in her friend's mood, offered a smile as she said, "That's more like it! Now let's shake off these blues and head out for some fun. When we return, we'll dive into the design process."

"Look at the time, it's getting late, perhaps I should head to bed," Emily said.

Camilla's eyes bright with mischief, countered, "No and no, we're going out, and that's Final!"

With a playful grin, Camilla's fingers danced across Emily's sides, eliciting a chorus of giggles and squeals.

"Alright, alright!" Emily cried, her resolve melting in the face of Camilla's light-hearted teasing.