When I stopped believing in fairy tales, I ceased dreaming and fantasizing. Instead, I learned to work harder than everyone else so to achieve more, be better and reach the goals I set for myself - success, independence, and stability. Because I believed that control was the key to never being hurt again!

At age of 18, I left my hometown, my family, and everything safe and familiar to move to the big city. I was accepted to study journalism at the most prestigious university in the country - the University of Rathleigh, which was a great reward for all my efforts at school.

I got a scholarship for my excellent performance, but that was not enough. I needed money for accommodation and a normal existence. I needed a job.

However, finding a job in such a big city was much harder than I expected. I had applied for many different positions and had changed many different jobs before my third year at university, when the internships started.

And then everything changed.

***

I was looking out the side window of the car without actually seeing anything. My gaze was fixed on the past and my mind couldn't perceive the images before me because it was too busy reminiscing about the good moments in my life after coming here in Rathleigh, such as my meet with Angel Crawford, my boss and executive editor of Vision Magazine. And now a dear friend.

"It's funny how all started," I smiled to myself, and felt a wave of tranquility wash over me at the thought of Angel and all the good she brought into my life.

We were quite a few students in our course, and the internship positions were taken fast. I wasn't and hadn't ever been someone who vowed to the maxim "with procacity to progress," so I waited patiently. Most of my classmates chose the fashion magazines or the tabloids, which honestly didn't really appeal to me. So I got to choose between the literary magazines, newspapers, and Vision Magazine.

Vision Magazine caught my eye right away - it was something new and unknown for me, and it seemed arduous but in a thrilling way. It was a futuristic magazine that looked at the development of new technologies and innovations and the discovery of new and new ways to technologize people's lives.

Honestly, it sounded too difficult for someone who had never been into tech (like myself), and that's probably why no one else had picked it up, because why take a chance on something beyond your ability when you can just chill and write gossip or whatever. Yeah, but that wasn't me! Furthermore, difficult was equal to more efforts and it was thought-engaging which was perfect for me. And not to mention the pay, it was mind blowing!

The salary was pretty high for an internship, so I was really surprised that no one was interested in the position, even though it might be hard to do. I found it unbelievable how the others were missing this opportunity, because for me it was a golden chance, literally and figuratively, and I took it. And it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made!

I went for an interview and the next day I got a phone call. I was hired as an assistant to the editor-in-chief of Vision Magazine, Angel Crawford. She was rather intimidating at the beginning, but within short span of time, I realized that it was all a facade, so as not to be underestimated.

In fact, she was an angel, just as her name suggested.

***

Back then I thought it would be something temporary, but Mrs. Crawford introduced me to a whole new world that captivated me to such an extent that now, almost 5 years later, I was an editor myself.

At the beginning was quite challenging. I was so unexperienced and knew so little about the subjects discussed in the magazine, that frankly, I wasn't sure I belonged there. But I had grown to like the challenges too much to give up - they kept me focused and engaged in things that were exciting, interesting and they distracted me from my usual thoughts, which I truly appreciated.

My struggles with understanding the articles made me wonder why they used such a complex language to write them. And that thought didn't leave my mind until I did something about it.

Four months into my internship I dared to speak up and ask Mrs. Crawford why they didn't use a more accessible language for the articles.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well, you write about so many different and interesting subjects that could be of some interest to more people than those who buy your magazine," she nodded, giving me permission to continue talking, "But the language you use is full of terms, words and phrases that only enlightened people understand. And people like me who are interested in the information you provide in your magazine can't fully understand the articles and that can keep one from reading them hence buying the Vision as well."

She smiled slightly, "And what's your suggestion?"

"In my humble opinion," I started, "I believe that if you publish articles written in a way that most people can understand, your magazine can reach a wider audience."

"Hmm," she put her elbows on the desk, folded her hands in one another and pressed her chin on them. She narrowed her eyes and spaced out while considering my suggestion.

After awhile she looked at me, and an excited spark gleemed in her eyes.

"Okay. Let's try it!" She said with a smile. "For the next month you'll edit all of the articles, and turn them more... accessible for the wider audience," and added with a lifted index finger, "But still on a high level language, appropriate for our regular readers. Clear!?"

"Me!?" I was shocked, but quickly controled myself. It was an opportunity I wouldn't miss. "Yes. As you say, Mrs. Crawford."

"Oh," she corrected me, "and please, call me Angel."

"Yes, Mrs. Cr... Angel," I replied.

Her smile grew wider. I nodded with a grin and exited her office.

We tried my idea, and it worked out even better than I had anticipated.

Two years of insanely high sales of Vision Magazine and a growing interest in it later, Angel Crawford promoted me as an editor.

Editor of a successful magazine before I turned 25, I never thought of such a thing, but here I was and I owed everything to my boss. And I'm immensely grateful to her!

Angel Crawford took me under her wing. She gave me a chance, taught me everything I needed to know about this new-to-me high-tech world and changed my life, turning me into the person I was now - a successful, balanced and confident woman.

But the best thing was that Angel and I got closer and she became my friend and like a second mother to me. And the day she made me editor, she shared that she sees me as a friend, but mostly as the daughter she never had, showing me that the affection between us is mutual. At that moment, I was more happy about her words than the promotion itself. Actually, I was happier than I had been for years because I was finally starting to feel a bit more like home in Rathleigh and it felt good, really, really good!

***

A little before my promotion, we were consulting for a project with the law firm Carter and Harris, where Greg was a junior lawyer. He was 6 years older than me. And he was gaining experience and connections to open his own law firm.

We met, we liked each other - young, ambitious, aware of what we want to achieve, where we want to get in life and working hard for our goals. I found part of my present self in him, and it felt nice and appropriate to get together. We seemed like a good match for each other so we didn't need time to consider it further. One day he invited me to a special dinner, the dinner turned into breakfast and so on.

We shared our plans with each other, motivated each other to work harder and harder, and celebrated our triumphs together. Our relationship developed and turned into a perfect patnership. We were a suitable couple and we learned how to function together, took care of each other, and most especially, we valued each other's strengths and ambition. What more could one ask for in a partner, right!?

Then I was promoted and soon after that he opened his own law firm, and intoxicated by success we got to point when Greg offered me to marry him, and I said yes.

True, it turned out a bit cliché - on Valentine's Day, with a ring in a glass of champagne, but anyways. I accepted his proposal. After all, it was a convenient growth in our relationship.

And in November 2021, while we were planning and thinking how to coordinate our schedules for December and the Christmas holidays, Greg decided that it would be quite practical if we got married sooner. We thought about the best date for a wedding and it occurred to him to be February 14, 2022.

"It's more convenient to celebrate an engagement and a wedding in one day, right," Greg remarked, and I agreed.

With the connections he had, he took care of the main things like hall, restaurant and band. So the rest was up to me. It didn't look that much. But the invitations, the dress, the decoration, the cake, the aesthetics, the photographer (well, he might've been the only easy thing to check off the list because he's a friend and colleague from Vision), etc. - turned out to be not as easy to organize as I expected. I had definitely overestimated myself, but hadn't I been doing this since high school - I set high standards, high goals and then I did my best to achieve them. Ultimately, that kept me focused on the right things.

I smiled to myself. I was really pleased with my achievements, and how could I not be, I gained everything I had fought for so hard - success, independence and stability.

And when the wedding with Greg would be finally behind us, I could go back to my old work routine, which didn't include ribbons, bouquets, cakes, hors d'oeuvres and all sorts of unnecessary nonsense.

I smiled in amusement.

Frankly, I didn't think we were preparing a wedding, but a show for Greg's relatives and associates, and my parents and friends. Maybe it would be better if we opted out of the restaurant then we could move the ceremony and the wedding reception directly in some theater. And our vows would be the only lines we'd need to memorize for this spectacle.

"That would be more appropriate", I muttered and cackled.

"What did you say, ma'am?" The taxi driver asked.

I waved with a hand, "No, nothing, I just thought of something and it was quite funny, that's all," I responded, and I bit my lower lip so not to burst into laughter.

I kept staring out the window, but this time I could actually see the people on the streets and the cars moving by, because the thoughts of my successes had comforted me and brought me back to the present moment.

But then I saw the bank, which was four blocks from the building where Greg's law office was, and my calmness began to slowly fade.

"How did it even occur to them that Greg could cancel the reservation for our wedding reception?! Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!" I thought.

Anger welled up in me and wiped my smile right off.

My stomach twisted in a knot, though I wasn't sure why. Everything was fine, or at least it was going to be once Greg and I worked out this misunderstanding.

But then... why I felt like something was about to mess up royally.

I shook my head.

No, it's probably nothing or maybe just an unpleasant aftertaste of the panic attack earlier. Anxiety always made me feel like something bad was about to happen when actually everything was good, well, everything but my muddled emotions. But anyway!

I sighed.

"Everything will be fine, Greg and I will solve the problem!" I thought as the cab stopped in front of the building where Greg's office was.

I paid the driver and got out of the car, more than ready to get rid of the knot in my stomach and the heaviness in my chest.