Chapter 1 REALITY COULD BE A NIGHTMARE

Her face lit up with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with joy as the corners of her mouth curved upwards, revealing a hint of mischief and genuine happiness. "Come on, darling, you know how I get when you do this." She mumbled with a blush. "I need to edit and upload this video urgently. I haven't posted in days, and starving my family is one thing I never like to do."

"Oh, my darling Maude! One would actually think you shared the same womb with these twenty thousand people you keep calling family," Mason uttered, gently unwrapping his arms from Maude's waist. "Well, I'll let you feed your family, dear wife, but only if you promise me some sugar right after." He whispered with a soft smile.

"Of course, Hun. I mean, that's the reason for the honeymoon, isn't it?" She replied, adjusting her ring light.

There's no way this was just a dream, Hazel thought to herself. She had sincerely wished Maude actually got married to Mason for real. Not because she and Maude were best friends or even acquaintances, but solely because she needed to ensure Maude didn't end up with Chayton. Hazel didn't want Maude to ruin her own chance with the one she loved, just as Maude had done to her.

Chayton was Hazel's miracle. Even though they had ended things, she still cherished more good memories of him than bad. He had completely shattered her negative perceptions of men, proving that not all were cruel and heartless. She saw him as an angel of light, touching every soul he met. His compassionate nature was admirable, but it also made her uncomfortable. She suspected it was the reason he had so many female friends, and why Maude refused to move on from him, even knowing he now had a girlfriend he loved dearly.

"Shit! It's past eight already. How did I get so lost in my thoughts? I'm going to be late for my interview," Hazel uttered, rushing to the bathroom.