Aperture

ApertureSteffanie Blais Copyright © 2023 Steffanie BlaisAll rights reservedASIN BOBW3G9QZYThe characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.Cover design by: Jake Hartmann, Hartmann StudiosLibrary of Congress Control Number: 2018675309Printed in the United States of America This book is dedicated to my family, who never stop believing in my dreams. Contents Title PageCopyrightDedicationEpigraphApertureAperture PlaylistPrologueChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18Chapter 19Chapter 20Chapter 21Chapter 22Chapter 23Chapter 24Chapter 25Chapter 26Chapter 27Chapter 28Chapter 29Chapter 30Chapter 31Chapter 32Chapter 33Chapter 34Chapter 35EpilogueExtended EpilogueAfterwordMy Gratitude page About The Author EpigraphNot all love stories come in a perfect, tidy package with a pristine bow on top. Some are born from places so black that only the love itself escapes the darkness unscathed.This is our story. Apertureap*er*ture- a space through which light passes in an optical or photography instrument, especially the variable opening by which light enters a camera, controlling the depth of field and image sharpness. Aperture Playlist by Steffanie805 on SpotifyDown with the Sickness - DisturbedParadise - Cold PlayMr. Brightside - The KillersSuper Bass -Nicki MinajHigh Hopes - Panic! at the DiscoStill Into You - ParamoreRip Tide - TWOPILOTSThrough Glass - Stone SourWillow - Taylor SwiftA Thousand Miles - Vanessa CarltonI Feel Like I’m Drowning - Two FeetLandslide - Fleetwood MacThe Diary of Jane - Breaking BenjaminI Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney HoustonBe Kind - Marshmello (with Halsey)Low - Flo Rida, T-PainHanging by a Moment - LifehouseNever Say Never - The FrayIrish Pub Song - The High KingsScars - Papa RoachBad At Love - HalseyLet It Go - Idina MenzelWhat’s My Age Again - Blink-182Stupify - DisturbedIris - The Goo Goo DollsLove Song - TeslaOne Thing - Finger ElevenIf I Die Young - The Band PerryThe Dance - Garth Brooks PrologueHer head lulls from side to side as she mumbles unintelligibly. Sweat glistens from her temples down to the nape of her neck and in between her cleavage. I have never seen anything so beautiful.She is just starting to wake up.This is the part I have been waiting for.Soon she will realize she is strapped to a table, and I am in complete control. I roll up my sleeves and sit in the chair next to her. Fire Chapter 1I stare at my phone calling to me from the bedside table. I always text my best friend, Gwen, after dates. It’s a policy we have so that we know no one has been kidnapped or killed by a crazy person. It’s a good system, considering most of my dating life consists of going out with men I’ve met online. As a photographer, I don’t meet people at work.Well, that’s not exactly true.I meet lovely newly engaged