Faking Fate [Book 1]

Chapter One: The Masks We Wear

| E M I L Y |

You ever have one of those days where you feel like you've got your life together—only to find last month's rent notice stuffed in your camera bag? Yeah, same.

Classic.

I crumpled the paper, shoving it into my purse as I tried to focus on my work. The café had that perfect late afternoon glow—where the light makes everything look like it belongs in an Instagram post, and for a second, you almost forget you've got real-world problems waiting for you back home. Like, you know, rent.

"There's a certain magic in capturing the perfect moment between blinks," I said, angling my camera to catch the light bouncing off the espresso machine. The soft golden hues hit the café's interior just right, making everything from the mismatched furniture to the vintage knick-knacks on the shelves feel cozy and picture-perfect.

Lily, the café owner, stood across from me with a bright smile as she wiped down the counter. She was exactly the kind of person you'd expect to run a place like this—cheerful, full of enthusiasm, and always ready to chat about the latest seasonal blend or her passion for community. With her green eyes practically sparkling, she glanced up at me, the smell of fresh coffee swirling in the air.

"How's it going over there, Emily? You getting some good shots?"

I nodded, adjusting the focus. "Oh, definitely. Just need a couple more to really capture the vibe."

She beamed, a small laugh escaping her lips. "I swear, if these photos turn out even half as good as the ones you did for the farmer's market, I'm going to be thrilled."

"No pressure then, huh?" I teased, snapping a few more shots of her behind the counter. The café, with its eclectic decor and warm energy, made it impossible not to feel a little at ease. I loved this part of my job—the ability to turn a simple coffee shop into a visual story, something that might make someone stop and linger longer, maybe even order that extra cappuccino.

After taking a few final shots, I lowered my camera, satisfied. "Alright, I think that's a wrap. I'll send you a preview once I've edited these."

Lily clasped her hands together, practically bouncing on her feet. "I can't wait! Thank you so much, Emily."

I smiled, packing up my gear as I glanced around one last time. The soft hum of conversation and the occasional clinking of cups created a comforting background noise. This was my kind of place—quiet, yet alive with subtle energy. A small escape from the chaos outside.

Stepping out into the crisp autumn air, I slung my camera bag over my shoulder and took a deep breath. The streets were buzzing, people weaving in and out of shops, taxis honking in the distance, and the faint scent of street food wafting through the air. My stomach growled, reminding me that a pretzel cart could solve 90% of my problems right now.

But first, home. The Victorian townhouse I rented was one of those ancient buildings with way too much "character"—which was a polite way of saying the windows rattled when the wind blew, and the floorboards creaked like they were auditioning for a horror movie.

Still, it was mine... for now.

The sun was already setting by the time I stepped inside, and the house greeted me with the same eerie silence I'd grown accustomed to. Living alone had its perks—no one to judge me for eating ramen for dinner three nights in a row—but sometimes, the quiet was deafening. My thoughts had a habit of getting too loud.

"Hey, sorry I'm late!"

Jenna's voice rang out from the front door just before she burst into the living room, umbrella in hand and dripping water everywhere. "Got caught in the mother of all downpours," she explained, shaking off her umbrella like a wet dog.