Eternal Echoes

𝟬𝟰 | 𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑒

𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀ಿৎ

𝐓𝐇𝐄 morning sun bathed the bakery in a golden glow, highlighting the freshly baked pastries and breads that filled the air with their warm, comforting scents.

But today, my attention was solely on the towering creation before us — a wedding cake that Rose, Annabelle, and I had spent days crafting.

It was a three—tiered masterpiece, each layer adorned with cascading sugar flowers in delicate shades of pink and cream, and intricate lace-like patterns that we had painstakingly piped by hand.

"Perfection," Rose declared, stepping back to admire the cake with a satisfied grin.

Annabelle, ever the composed one, gave a small nod of approval. "It's everything we imagined it to be."

I smiled, a wave of pride washing over me. The cake was indeed a thing of beauty, a testament to our hard work and dedication. It felt good to see our vision come to life, especially for such an important event.

"Let's get this beauty to the venue," I said, my voice steady and confident. Everything was going according to plan, and I couldn't wait to see the cake in its final setting.

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 drive to the venue was short, filled with light chatter and excitement. When we arrived and the estate came into view, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

The venue was absolutely stunning — an expansive estate with lush gardens and a grand mansion at its heart. It was the kind of place that made you feel like you were stepping into a fairytale.

"This place is incredible," Rose breathed as we pulled up to the entrance.

"I'd never have guessed something like this was just outside town," Annabelle added, her eyes wide with admiration.

I nodded in agreement, but my focus quickly shifted back to the task at hand. We had a job to do, and I was eager to see the cake in its rightful place.

A team of staff members greeted us at the door, helping us carefully unload the cake and transport it to the mansion's grand ballroom.

The room was even more magnificent than I had imagined — high ceilings with ornate moldings, glittering crystal chandeliers, and large windows that let in streams of natural light. The whole space was buzzing with activity as florists arranged flowers and event staff set up tables and chairs.

We wheeled the cake to its designated spot in the center of the ballroom, on a beautifully draped table that had been set aside just for it.

As we positioned it, making sure everything was exactly as it should be, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. The cake looked perfect, more than ready to be the centerpiece of the wedding reception.

"That should do it," Annabelle said, stepping back to admire our work. "It looks perfect."

"Agreed," Rose chimed in. "We've done our part. Now it's up to them to enjoy it."

"You two should take a break," I suggested, wanting a few minutes to myself to ensure every last detail was flawless. "I'll stay here and double—check everything."

Rose and Annabelle exchanged a glance but didn't argue. They knew me well enough to understand my need to make sure everything was just right. With a smile, they left me alone with the cake, and I turned back to it, making a few final adjustments.

As I was making a final tweak to the top tier, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. Expecting one of the staff members, I didn't immediately turn around. But then a voice called out my name, catching me by surprise.