Love makes yourself blind not your friends

Sunday, 16 March 2025- Camille's House

Sometimes during your lifetime, you are going to meet many people, meet many souls, I can tell, but one day you are going to meet someone that your heart beats for, someone who puts you in a trance, someone whose smile gives you not just energy but motivation to be a better person. I am a better person with him. I know he never would hurt me. Since I met him, I am glowing, I am feeling protected, feeling alive.

Monday, 22 December 2025- Priscilla's therapist section

"Do you miss him?" Priscilla says in a quiet voice

" I miss who I thought I was with him," Someone told her with a quieter one.

Months ago- where it started

Friday, 7 March 2025- Camille's House

Today is Friday, after a week of work, I must relax. I need a night with my girls, a good talk, and a good wine. Being self-independent is my biggest flex. I am 25 years old, I am young, and I believe it is the best time now to find someone. You know this guy Devon is so fine, a tall man with a good talk, super funny, I can tell. We met in a coffee shop a week ago, and since then, I can't get him out of my mind. I've always been a woman who had the mentality of if I can provide everything for myself by myself, what is the point of having a man?- period. But these days I am feeling kind of lonely, my best friends are getting engaged, my co-workers already have kids, and my mom is pushing me to blind dates at our family weddings.

bzz bzz bzz, my cellphone is ringing, my girls arrived, I planned a dinner for them, I want some advice, laughs, and some good talks tonight.

"Hey, girls," I opened the door with a big smile. I love when my girls are together; we laugh a lot. We are a small group, 4 girls, 4 storytellers. Sharon is my childhood best friend, my biggest supporter through these years. She married last year, a God-fearing man, Michael, someone she met at church in her mother's attempt to bring her close to God. She even started praying. She always tells us how handsome and gentle he is, so I am never concerned about her. I know him well, at least He always looks in love with her.

"Hey, gorgeous," Ally replies. I met Ally during a conference in LA She is the smartest and cutest person you will ever meet. Now she is in her fiancé era, she met Austin as smart and elegant as her. She rejected him twice, but Austin tried once again. I remember the day she came to my house to tell me the big news I was so happy about their dating. They have been dating for 4 years now, and now they are engaged.

"I brought your favorite pizza," said Tania in the back. Tania is the newest in the group. She is the crazy, drunk friend who always makes you laugh, but also is the mother presence in the group. She never dates but is always hanging out with the richest and most handsome man in town. I totally understand she is very beautiful and she works in a shopping mall, the best place to find beauties. The last man she was talking to was a married man; she didn't know that at the time. The man was Anthony, a tall, white, and rich man. They met in the elevator and started talking, and not just talking, for some weeks. In summary, the man disappeared, she went after him and there she discovered that he was married with two kids.

We started as usual, our karaoke set, no matter what polemic gossip we had to share, before we entered, that everyone must be relaxed. I love my girls, they are all for me, we have the rich auntie (me), but soon not anymore because I was in love with Devon, the married one, the lover, and Ally. Oh wow, Ally looks sad, not completely sad, but I can see in the back of all that glowing a line of sadness. Maybe she is worried about the wedding, she is getting 25 next year, maybe she is afraid of committing so early, but they already have 4 years dating, so it's nothing to worry about, they know each other very well.

Just as we were sharing pizza, Tania’s phone buzzed. She looked at it, froze, and whispered, “Oh no… It’s Anthony’s wife.” We all gasped. Sharon nearly dropped her glass. The wife had found out about Tania and was demanding a “meeting.” Tania, being Tania, laughed nervously and said, “Well, at least she didn’t send me divorce papers to sign.” We teased her, but deep down, we knew this wasn’t going to end quietly. Even with that mascara of I don't care that Tania had on every time, we all knew she was very sweet and afraid of that conversation.

" So this week ended with some problems, at least she said when?'

"Sunday afternoon, she wants to have a cup of tea, I guess."

" Girl, we must have a meeting on Monday. Please write down or send us a voice record. I want to know everything."

"Sure, now let's talk about my bestie diamond rock." Tania interrupted, pointing to Ally's hand."

Ally showed us her engagement ring again, sparkling under the kitchen light. We started planning for he wedding, she was so happy and enthusiastic about married life. Sharon was commenting and giving her tips for her entrance and how to save money with the buffet. I was lost in my thoughts, thinking about what Devon thinks about marriage. Austin called her mid-dinner, and her smile faded. She was so in love. She excused herself, and I overheard him scolding her for not answering earlier. Ally brushed it off, but I noticed her hands trembling when she came back. This worried me. I never saw Ally like that. In these 5 years of friendship, I have never seen her sad, scared, or showing a weak look. She was different. Tania was always crying with me after our Friday meeting when the other girls were gone. She was worried that one day she would find someone who loves her, who would marry her, who would wait for her until her 40s to have a child, because she was afraid of losing her toned, skinny body. Or Saturday, where Sharon would call me to talk about her sick mother-in-law, who lives with her, that was always judging her for being a married woman with many single friends( us) and a problematic girl who destroys marriages (Tania). “She says I’m acting like I’m still single,” Sharon sighed. I laughed, but I could see the tension in her eyes. Sharon’s marriage wasn’t as flawless as it looked. I am afraid to ask her personal questions so I am just going to observe her.

Saturday 8 March 2025- Huafa's mall

Tania's POV

Unfortunetly I still have to work on the weekends, after my break up with Anthony a took a well deserved holiday, I spent a week in Italy, How to forget a handsome man, find one better. So I did, met many handsome mem but now I need to work at weekends in order to pay the money I loan for the luxurious travel I had. I was just organizing the new summer collection when Anthony’s wife showed up at the mall- What is Emilia doing here, our talk his tomorrow-I thought- yes, the talk, honestly I don't know what I am going to tell her. Oh I had some moments with your husband, I am deeply sorry. Emilia didn’t scream, didn’t throw hands — she simply started shopping in front of me,she gave me a fake huge smile and started buying expensive things, smirking, and saying loudly, “My husband paid for this.” It was petty revenge, but hilarious. Tania pretended not to care, but every time she saw the wife, she muttered, “This woman is playing chess while I’m stuck in checkers. I can't wait for the meeting tomorrow."

bzz bzz, a message notification entered, "People are having a worst day." The message on our group chat from Sharon, she sent a written message, but in somehow I could hear Sharon crying voices in my head. I started reading the messages, Sharon’s mother-in-law escalated things. She told Michael that Sharon was “too worldly” and “not submissive enough.” Sharon fought back, but Michael started siding with his mother. Sharon completed the text with “I thought marrying a God-fearing man meant peace, not surveillance.” It's been a while since this kind of episode. Sharon's mother-in-law wanted her son to marry Livia, a singer at church, but Michael loves Sharon and always saw Livia as a good friend. We always felt that Sharon's mother-in-law didn't like her much, and now that they are living together, it's worse.

" I can't stop seeing you girls, in my single journey I was with you, I am closer to God, I brought you as well close to him"- another message from Sharon came, that's right she started to share the gospel and go to many preachings, even i and Ally we started a promise of not having sex until our marriage. I think Sharon's mother-in-law just wants Livia as a daughter-in-law, and she is trying to see an excuse, complaining that Sharon is worldly and hangs out too much for a married woman. Sharon doesn't plan to ask for a divorce, she loves her marriage and how friends they are, but I know this climate of tension will follow her, maybe forever, or until the grandma dies- oh sorry.

Saturday, April 4- Pink bakery

Camille's POV

After some months I remenber to journalize again, I am here eating a almond croissant and having a cup of tea. After years of writing, being a writer, I feel that I am loosing my creativity, it's already been 6 books, 4 reporters. I don't know what I can write about, my relationship with Devon has ended and you are not going to believe what happened.

Wednesday, March 18- Camille's House

I was taking a shower when my phone started ringing. Tania was calling, which seemed strange; she hates calls. I answered and she started talking immediately, "Girl… I just saw Devon at the wine bar. He wasn’t alone. He was holding hands with someone.” My heart dropped. I just ended the call with a low thank you. I dialed Devon immediately.

** call**

“Where are you?” - I say, hoping that Tania was lying, but she would never do such a thing.

“Uh… just out with a friend.” Devon was hesitant, I know that tone from miles away.

“A friend? Sharon saw you. You weren’t just with a friend, Devon.”- I told him, I was older enough to understand what a just friend means

Silence. Then a sigh.

“Camille, it’s not what you think,” Devon said after 5 minutes of silence

“Don’t you dare say that cliché. I gave you my trust, Devon. I believed you were different.” yes, I wan an idiot to trust you Devon but it was idiot of you to think I would just break up and go, I am not that emotional. Camille grabbed her coat and stormed out, heading straight to the wine bar.

At the Wine Bar

Camille walked in, and there he was — Devon, sitting close to another woman, laughing, his hand resting on hers. The sight was enough.

“So this is your ‘friend’? You made me glow, Devon. You made me believe. And now you’ve turned me into a fool.” Camille said, the voice was trembling but sharp. The woman pulled her hand back awkwardly. Devon stood, reaching for Camille.

“Camille, please.” Devon was trying to calm her

“No. You don’t get to ‘please’ me anymore. You cheated. And I don’t beg for crumbs of love.” Camille shouted. She turned and walked out, her heels clicking like punctuation marks to the end of their story. Even though she was always running from the blinds dates, the friend of my friend has a crush on you, Camille wanted to experience true love. After accomplishing her individual goals, she bought an apartment and a car. She wanted someone to give her support and love, not that she doesn't have it, but she wanted it from someone else.

Saturday, April 4- Pink bakery

While I was in the computer, I spotted Leo, the bakery boy, delivering bread rolls for the reception. He waved shyly, flour still on his shirt. I couldn’t help but smile — in a room full of diamonds and tuxedos, he was the only one who felt real. I blushed with the idea, imagine a famous and well-worth man with a bakery attendant, I saw Leo a couple times at church, but I never saw him as hot as I am now, I think the yeast his making me increase something. I will try to talk to Michael next time about him, since they are friends. I just picked up my things and went out. I didn't want to talk to him, at least not now. During these days, I am worried about my girls. It's been almost a month since we saw in person. Ally is super busy with the wedding is on June, Tania is the bridesmaid, and she is trying her best to deliver the best dress ever. Sharon is finally living her honeymoon, and the mother-in-law is now with Michael's older sister, now they can have more time for themselves, with no interruptions. The following weeks started to become strange. Austin became more controlling. He started showing up unannounced, checking Ally's phone, and guilt-tripping her about rejecting him three times before. Ally confessed to me, “I don’t think he loves me. I think he just wants to own me.” The wedding day was approaching, Ally was thinking he might be nervous or stressed about all these groom's duties. I told her that even if there are many things to do, he doesn't need to be like that. She needed to think carefully about that wedding.

June 15 2025 – The Plot Twist

Here’s where everything shifted. I thought the story was mine — my glow with Devon, my bakery boy Leo, my independence. But suddenly, it wasn’t. At Ally’s wedding rehearsal, Austin snapped at her in front of everyone not so hard but still. He accused her of “embarrassing him” in a "joking sense" because she laughed too loudly with us. Ally’s face went pale. We were shocked.

Saturday, 20 June Ally’s Wedding

The hall was decorated with white roses and golden ribbons, the kind of setup that screams “perfect love story.” But beneath the sparkle, cracks were showing. Tania arrived already tipsy, carrying a flask in her clutch. During the vows rehearsal, she whispered loudly, “If anyone objects, I’ll object just for fun.” Everyone laughed nervously, but the tension was real. Later, Anthony’s wife showed up uninvited, dressed in black like she was attending a funeral. She sat in the back row, arms crossed, glaring at Tania. The drama was so thick you could slice it with the wedding cake knife. After she went to the shop that Saturday, Tania didn't go for that meeting; it was proved that all she wanted was to make sure Tania knew that her husband would never leave her.

Sharon’s mother-in-law: Sharon looked stunning, but her mother-in-law kept side-eyeing her. At dinner, she muttered, “Married women shouldn’t be drinking champagne with single ladies.” Sharon rolled her eyes and whispered to me, “If she keeps this up, I’ll toast to her misery.” Things didn't change much. Michael was there, a famous lawyer, Sharon's amazing husband, whom she didn't know, but after the ceremony, Sharon would tell him that she was pregnant. Sharon just discovered this week, when she called us, we were shocked but not surprised. I told you they were on their honeymoon. She didn't want to get pregnant this soon, but babies are blessings, as my mom says, mentioning my mom, she is at the wedding too, Tania told her about Leo, a boy that found the keys for my heart, and now she is trying to persuade Tania to tell her where he works, his surname. My mom doesn't care about status at all, but from what I know, of course, she will ask him how many children he wants to have with me in their first conversation. The bell started to sing, we stood up and looked back

Ally walked down the aisle, radiant but trembling. Austin’s eyes followed her, not with love, but with possession. Since our last meeting, I understood his point, maybe because Ally rejected him twice, he created an obsession to have her, and after revenge him self. Tania advised her to late the wedding until she is sure that she wants to be with him, since he beat her. Ally said it was the first and last time, I really hope so.

When the priest asked if anyone objected, the silence was heavy. Tania hiccupped, Sharon squeezed my hand, and Anthony’s wife smirked.Austin held Ally’s hand too tightly. When she hesitated to say “I do,” he whispered harshly, “Don’t embarrass me.” The guests didn’t hear it, but I did. Ally’s smile faltered. It's done, I can just pray for my friend. Everyone but us-her friend- started saying congratulations, even my mom was giving me a side eye of you're next, see how marriage is cute. Cute? for what I know Ally she just keeped this relationship and said yes now because her familly his here, she never disappoint them, was her parents dream to see her getting married before the die, they got sick and weaker and weaker, they say they are fine but everyone noticed today that they lost so much weight and how slowly they are talking.

The music played, people danced, but Ally sat quietly at the head table. She looked at me with glassy eyes and whispered:

“Camille, I don’t think he loves me. He just wants to own me.”And in that moment, I realized — this wasn’t my story. It wasn’t about Devon, or Leo, or my independence. It was Ally’s story. The obsession, the control, the toxic love disguised as romance. Her wedding was supposed to be the happy ending. Instead, it was the beginning of her cage.

Camille, with a voice trembling, started talking.

“Ally… these days I’m suffering a lot. Austin isn’t that kind, Christian, sweet man he used to be. He started questioning my friendship with you girls, saying I spend too much time with you. And last night… he pushed me against the wall. I couldn’t even recognize him. It’s like the man I thought I loved is gone.” - It was the very first time she opened that way to me, I kept silence I wanted to understand every point - “I’m terrified. Do you know what scares me the most? Not just him, but the idea of being labeled the divorced girl at 25. Imagine how scandalous that would be. Everyone would talk. And I’m a businesswoman — before I saw this side of Austin, I already signed the papers to share my company with him. Now half of it belongs to him. I feel trapped,” said Ally while wiping her eyes

Camille (grabbing her hand):

“Ally, you’re not trapped. You’re strong. You built that company, you built yourself. Don’t let fear of gossip chain you to someone who hurts you.” I told her, grabbing her hand. I was so shocked, she was keeping many things from us.

“I was so in love, Camille. I didn’t notice the signals. The way he insisted, the way he controlled little things. I thought it was persistence, I thought it was passion. But it was an obsession. Please, promise me something — be careful with your future marriage. Never settle. Always keep God in your heart. Talk about the difficult things before it’s too late. Don’t let love blind you as it blinded me.”

“I promise, Ally. I won’t settle. And I won’t let you drown in this alone. You’re not just a businesswoman, you’re my sister. If Austin thinks he owns you, he’s wrong. You belong to yourself, and to God.”- I am her friend, I would never tell anyone her secrets, but I would never let her ruin her life because of it. Camille stormed through the wedding hall, heels clicking like gunshots. She muttered under her breath, “If he ever touches Ally again, I swear I’ll kill him. Couples fight, they say no one intervenes… but this time, I have to.”

She pushed past the crowd, scanning for Austin.On her way, she bumped into Tania, who was pacing.

Tania: “I saw Ally crying, but girl… I didn’t want to go in there. Too much drama.”

Then Michael and Sharon appeared, carrying empty trays.

Michael: “The wine and juices are finished. Someone’s gotta go buy more. Two hundred people, Camille, two hundred, They invited too many people”

Camille: “Michael, focus. Where’s Austin?” They stopped and looked at each other there have not seen him for an hour. Where is the groom?They searched the hall, the garden, the bar… until Camille pushed open a small door near the kitchen.

There he was. Austin. And beside him — Anthony’s wife, Emilia, dressed in black. The room went silent.

Tania (bursting into laughter): “Wait, wait, wait. So you accused me of ruining marriages, made my life hell, and now you’re sleeping with my bestie’s husband’s wife? Oh, this is rich! “This is better than Netflix.” Tania lunged at Emilia, grabbing her hair and shoving her against the wall. Emilia shrieked, Austin tried to pull Tania off — but when he raised his hand, Sharon stepped in.

Sharon (slapping his back hard): “Touch her and I’ll break you, Austin!” Austin staggered, furious, and turned to Sharon. He grabbed her arms, twisting them with brute strength.

Michael (charging forward): “You dumb fool! You cheated on your wife, and now you’re trying to beat mine?!”

The room erupted — shouting, hair-pulling, slaps, spilled champagne. Guests peeked in, gasping, some filming on their phones.

Sharon: Micael to, calm down. The wise man doesn't fight. We have church tomorrow, and your mom is here. Let's be calm.

Camille: Don't stop Micael this sheets beat Ally; she is coverd buy agretion marks.

Sharon: Your son of b*tch - Sharon started with all her strength to beat Austin, but her mother-in-law came in.

Mother-in-Law: What inappropriate word to say, cursing in front of your elders and your husband, what a dirty mouth

Sharon: That is enough, I has enough of you. Yes, I was a worldly girl with many sins that came to your perfect son's life. But Guess what? Noone besides God is perfect; he is the perfection we need, the most perfect side we have in us belongs to him; it's everything about him. he changed me, can't you see that? Don't you have faith to recognize the miracles of God in me?

"What is going on here?" Ally came; it was already a big circle, Austin covered with blood, and Emilia semi-naked. She understood everything, just gave me(Camille) a look, and she took out her wedding ring. The pastor was still there, and she ran with a smile. Not only because she was free but because she didn't need to feel guilty because it was his fault that things didn't work, her friends followed her, and we laughed a lot. "They say weddings are about love. But tonight? It’s about lies, wine, and bad husbands.” Tania murmured, and we agreed.

Months Later

" Do you miss him?" Priscilla says in a quiet voice

" I miss who I thought I was with him," Camille told her with a quieter one." That is exactly what she told me when I asked about everything she went through; she is not a princess, she is a King." I concluded

"Well, I think you already have many details to start writing your new book,"- Priscilla told me. She is Sharon co worker. I need a therapist's opinion before writing my new book about the problems that people face in relationship, toxic relationship or the super possessive ones. Sometimes, because you find the most gentle man, but he can be using a mascara, pay attention to the signs, how he talks to you when he is drunk, what things he does that make you feel loved, and how he talks about your friends.

“Many women stay in failed relationships because fear of loneliness or judgment feels heavier than pain. They invest years, homes, even businesses, and walking away seems like throwing their life into the fire. Hope blinds them — they keep waiting for the sweet man they first met to return. Society whispers that leaving makes them scandalous, so they cling to appearances instead of truth. But Camille, real strength is choosing yourself, never settling, and keeping God at the center of your heart.”- Priscilla said

“Camille, helping someone in that situation starts with reminding them they’re not alone. The first step is breaking the silence — encouraging them to talk about what’s happening without fear of judgment. Then, it’s about building support: friends, family, faith, or professionals who can give strength when they feel weak. Leaving a harmful relationship takes planning — emotional courage, financial independence, and sometimes legal protection. And for ourselves, the lesson is clear: we must set boundaries early, trust the signals we see, and never be afraid to walk away when love turns into harm.” She concludes. Wow, I have so much to write in my new book. But now I must go, Sharon is hosting a dinner to reveal the gender of the baby.

December 22 - Sharon's house.

"Thanks to everyone who is here ...." Michael was talking, I could see the glow in Sharon's skin and in her hair, she was happy and being well cared. Next to me was Tania, even though Anthony came after her after divorcing Emilia, she is still considering, she loves him so much, but 2 kids are a big responsability she is trying to work in her mind. On my left is Leo, yes, I gave him a chance, we are in our 5th month of dating, we are going to church, and having a couple mentorship together. My mom loved Leo. Leo is italian so He made my mom lasagna when we had the special dinner to present him. My mom loved the lasagna. Once a week, we go to my mom's house to eat Leo's Lasagna. Ally? I think she liked the lasagna too, one of the weekends leo brought his cousin, new in town, as fine as my boyfriend, Ally and him been talking sinse November, step by step, nothing of rush, she just got divorced with a man she stayed with 4 years, her company is all hers, we negociate with Austn to give his shares away or we would report him and he did so. I think we have a happy ending I can't wait to write my new book. See you!