Chapter 1

Happiness POV

Age 17

“Oh baby, you look stunning." My mom, Daisy, gushed at me.

I scan down my outfit for today's event, and I'm quite satisfied with what I'm wearing. A halter neck styled Tosca dress that crosses over to the front, fitted waist, leg slit. This should be appropriate enough to attend one of the biggest events this year.

I glanced at my Dad, who is still grumbling about how big his munchkin has grown, as he got into the driver's seat of the car. He has been grumbling since he saw my dress, and mom had told him to look at how much of a woman I have become. We got into the car and we headed to the airport for the wedding.

The event has been attracting the media’s attention since the moment the Smiths first announced it. And that is their son's wedding.

Mason Smith's wedding. Today, at the age of 29, Mason would tie the knot with his future wife. That is why we are all here in the car heading to the most phenomenal wedding hall in Los Angeles.

On getting to the building, my heart was beating fast as I stared at the grand entrance. The place is packed with celebrities, too many faces I recognize from the TV– actresses, actors, politicians, socialites, supermodels, singers and business men and women.

When we arrived at the reception- a hall so huge and glamorous, filled with even more well groomed guests- my breath caught in my throat. There are reporters interviewing some guests and the media staff interviewing the event. This wedding will definitely be aired on television, though it might not be broadcasted live.

My mom strides towards Mira, Mason's mom, who's standing in one of the rows near the altar, looking beautiful in her silver, long sleeve gown,her hair styles in an elegant twisted bun. She waved when she saw mom, and we approached her. She greeted mom with a hug, and a light peck on her cheeks. She greeted my Dad with a hug too.

“Happiness." She beams, finally turning to me,her eyes sparkling with delight. “Look how big you've grown. So beautiful." We hugged each other, a warm smile on my lips.

“Thank you ma'am." I said, pulling from the hug.

“Come sit here." She gestures for us to sit with her. Mom sits beside her. Dad is next to her, and I am on her other side. I can't help but travel my eyes around the place. I have never been in a hall this big.

Mr Smith snr came over to our table to talk to his wife. He seemed overwhelmed, they both did. Of course their son is getting married, they must be feeling emotional. I looked around trying to find my uncle, Max, but he was nowhere to be found.

“I can't believe it's finally happening." Mom's voice brought me back, causing me to shift my attention to her. “Can you believe it? He's finally getting married to the love of his life. They're finally tying the knot after seven years of being together." She smiled lovingly.

“They wanted to do it earlier, but they had to wait until Sandra finished her PhD degrees in London." A woman behind us said. “Two years of long distance was nothing to them, in fact, it made their relationship even stronger. Once she came back, everything went so fast, and here we are now." She tells her partner.

“I heard Mason visited her almost every weekend. I'm so happy for them both. She is Mason's first love." Her partner said.

“Mom, I can't find Uncle Max. Can you text him to know where he is? I haven't seen him in ages." I said to my mom, tuning the women behind me out.

“Okay dear. Let's see." Mom said bringing out her phone and texting him. “He said he's upstairs, in the groom's room. Room 245." She told me, and I stood up to excuse myself.

“Don't stay long, the ceremony is about to start." My Dad advised.

“Okay Dad. I'll be right back." I told him as I walked towards the exit.

I asked the security around how I could get to the elevator and he directed me. After getting off the elevator, I strolled down the hallway, my footsteps light and eager on the soft carpet, I couldn’t help but glance at the doors along the way, each one holding the quiet promise of a different story. Finally, I spotted it—the door with the number 245. I paused for a moment, before pulling the doorknob.

There's someone in a suit and matching trousers facing the window, deep in thought. He didn't even realize he was not alone.

I tiptoed to his back, and I hugged him.

“Oh my darling Uncle. I missed you so much. Why didn't you come to visit?” I said while hugging him as he was backing me.

“Uncle?” A different voice asked and it seems to come from the person I'm hugging. He turned around with me in his arms and I stared into his eyes. Dark eyes. Uncle Max's eyes are blue, like mine.

I let go of him immediately like I had been burned and blushed furiously. “Uhm… sorry. I… I thought you… were my uncle." I told him facing down.

A chuckle brought my attention back to his handsome face. “Hello cutie, why do you think your uncle is here?” He said, his voice sending shivers down my body.

“My mom said he would be here, in the groom's room." Then I glanced at his tailored suit matching trousers, and gasped. “You're the groom." I whispered but he heard me anyway.

“Yes darling. I am." That voice again. He brought his hands to my chin raising my face to meet his, the movement sending electricity through my body and I gasped leaning towards him.

“Your—” He was cut short by the door opening and we pulled apart.

My uncle walked in with a frown but smiled upon seeing me.

“Happiness." He gushed hugging me, trying and failing to carry me. “You've become big. I can't even carry you like I used too." He frowned.

“When you've failed to visit to see how I am. How would you know?” I asked mockingly. “Of course you wouldn't know I have grown. I'm almost an adult uncle, don't carry me like that again." I rolled my eyes at him, and a chuckle reminded us that we were not alone anymore.

Uncle Max looked up to his friend, smiled, and clapped his shoulder. “Big man, I see you've met my not so little niece.” He was rewarded with another chuckle- one that sends shivers down my body- from the groom. “Happy, meet the man of the Day. Today's groom, Mason Smith”. He said, while gesturing to the groom. “Bro, this is my niece, Happiness.”

“Happiness, such a nice name for a beautiful lady. It's so nice to put a face to the name I've been hearing for a while now. It's nice to finally meet you.” Mason said, fixing his heated stare on me. He stretched his hand for a handshake and I took it. I can feel his gaze on every part of me, sending electrifying sensations as his eyes trailed, making me blush.

“The pleasure is mine ” I threw him a dashing smile, still holding onto his outstretched arm.

My uncle, oblivious to what's going on around him, said in exasperation. “Man, I had no idea how much went into planning this! I feel like I haven't had a moment to relax in over 48 hours." He said, lying down on the bed. “Thank God this is a once in a lifetime thing.”

“Oh yeah? Thank God then." Mason said, removing his hand from mine but still staring at me.

“Sorry uncle. You're sounding stressed. Would you rest instead of attending the wedding?” I asked, facing him.

“No. I'd see it through. I'd rest after they've gone on their honeymoon." He said, winking at Mason.

Mason opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by the door opening. His mom came in. “Darling, that's your cue." She and my brother escorted him out, and he turned back when he got to the exit and nodded at me.

I went back to join my family at their seats. “What took you so long, honey? The groom is about to walk out." Mom said, and I shrugged.

The groom walked out. His eyes are focused ahead, his face a mixture of nervous anticipation and quiet joy. The guests' murmurs fade into a hushed silence as he begins to walk down the aisle, each step deliberate yet filled with the weight of the moment. His posture is proud, but there's a softness in his gaze as he looks ahead toward the entrance, anticipating his bride's entrance.

The hall was filled with an air of anticipation, the soft hum of whispers buzzing through the seats as the guests eagerly awaited the bride’s grand entrance. The heavy doors swung open, revealing a lady looking skittish, as she walked toward the altar- to the groom.

“The bride is nowhere to be found." She breathed, but it was heard in the silent hall.