Love is like a river with no end.
It flows freely, pure and unrestrained, igniting and captivating the heart. It is a grasp of souls, a bond of minds—like an extract from grapes, offering various flavors and tastes. It can be sweet, bitter, sour, or sometimes bland. One does not exist without the other; these combinations make it intriguing.
The moonlit eyes shine in complement to the petal-pink lips. Brown hair is set in a loose bun, adorned with green jade pins, while a few unruly strands fall gracefully over the forehead. The hem of white pants hangs loosely over glowing feet, accompanied by dark heels that lend a few inches of height.
"I want a divorce from him," a woman says hesitantly, her lips moving, yet her hands clench tightly around her flowery dress.
The camera captures the subtle shifts in her posture—her legs cross and uncross nervously, her lashes flutter, and her fingers tremble against her thighs. June, the host of the famous show Bring Love to Life, observes these telltale signs of uncertainty.
At twenty-four, June has built a career in reuniting couples, but at this moment, she wonders if she has chosen the wrong field.
"Mrs. Davis, I understand your emotions," June begins smoothly. "It's not your fault that he spends hours working to provide you with a good life. Or that he stays late at work, trying to earn enough to satisfy your needs. The cars, the house, the luxury lifestyle—you never asked for them, right? Let's blame him. It's all his fault. After all, who appreciates men like that these days?"
Her words cut through like a blade, not directly accusing but laying out the truth, forcing Mrs. Davis to confront the weight of her own demands.
The issue is simple: after five years of marriage and no child, her husband's mother constantly taunts her. Frustrated and overwhelmed, she blames her husband for not always being there. Ironically, the same man she once threatened to leave unless he provided a lavish lifestyle had gone above and beyond to fulfill her desires. And now, here they are—on a live reality TV show, discussing a matter that could have been resolved at home.
Yet, June knows that people like them keep her show running. So long as everyone gets what they want in the end, she plays her part well.
"I love my wife and want to make this marriage work," Mr. Davis states earnestly. "I've never had an issue with her demands. As long as it makes her happy, I'm willing to do anything."
His heartfelt words earn gasps and sighs from the audience. Couples exchange glances, hands intertwine, shoulders lean against each other in silent understanding. Love is rekindled in the atmosphere.
Even for someone as hardened as June, his words stir something deep within her—if only she hadn't forced her heart into concealment, if only she hadn't given up on love. He's too perfect to be real.
A second glance at him reveals his long nose, flat jaw, and a tiny dimple on his left cheek. A small mole sits at the tip of his right brow, blending perfectly with his overworked skin. He isn't conventionally handsome, but he is striking responsible, kind, the kind of man who makes a woman feel safe.
These days, women want security over beauty.
"If you don't mind me asking, where did you two meet?" June pave in ,
She watches as Mrs. Davis straightens her posture, hands folded neatly on her lap.
"We met at a friend's party," she begins. "He was with his friends, chatting, when my friend introduced me to him. But even before that, I had already noticed him."
"That sounds beautiful." June leans forward. "You noticed him first. Can you explain how?"
A nostalgic look washes over Mrs. Davis's face. Her gaze shifts to her husband, and her voice softens.
"Among all his friends, he was the blunt one, always cracking bad jokes." A small smile tugs at her lips.
"He laughed at every joke, even when no one else did. He kept going, completely unfazed by the stares. That's what I loved about him—he was open and cheerful."
A deep sigh escapes her as she settles into the memory.
"You were so in love." June's voice is gentle, then sharpens. "So where did it all go wrong?"
The smile fades.
"He stopped spending time with me. He's always home late, sometimes not at all. How do I build a family with a man who's never around?" Her voice trembles as she fights back tears, staring at her husband with expectation.
"Mr. Davis, can you explain why you come home late?" June asks, though she already knows the answer.
"I love my wife," he says. "She knows that. But to give her the life she wanted, I had to work harder. I had to stay late, take extra shifts, push for promotions. I wanted to spend time with her—I still do—but I can't, not as much as she wants me to."
"And why can't you?" Mrs. Davis snaps.
"Do you know how bad it feels?" Her voice breaks, her fingers quickly wiping away the tears before anyone notices—anyone except June.
"I know you're doing it all for me, to give me the life I demanded. Yes, I wanted it so badly that I threatened to leave you. But now that I have it, I don't want it anymore. I miss you. I want you, John. I want my husband back. No amount of luxury can replace you."
Tears stream down her cheeks, and this time, she doesn't try to stop them.
John moves instantly, wrapping her in his arms, kissing away her tears.
The audience erupts in applause, rising to their feet at the emotional reunion. Camera flashes capture the moment—a success story, another victory for Bring Love to Life.
Pleased, June closes the show with soaring ratings and glowing reviews. The couple thanks her for reminding them of what truly matters.
We never know what is dear to us until it's gone.
As she walks through the studio, the clicking of her heels echoes off the reflective tiles.
"Congratulations, ma'am. That was splendid!" a rookie gushes.
June offers a wary smile and strides past.
"She thinks too highly of herself," someone mutters bitterly.
Perhaps it's true. Or perhaps they're simply mistaken. Either way, one thing is certain—June is like no other.
Like her name, she is the middle of the season, adaptable to all circumstances. A master of creating drama, blunt yet magnetic, she is the star of the show. She knows her worth and isn't afraid to claim what's hers.
She has fought hard to be where she stands—serving under others, getting her ideas stolen, running errands like an assistant. But she endured, hardened by the process.
To the world, she is calm, lovable, a beacon of hope for struggling couples. But she knows the truth—her fame and ratings are built on carefully crafted illusions.
And she intends to keep it that way
June walked through the brightly lit hallway, the rhythmic click of her heels against the polished tiles echoing like a metronome. The show had been a success, another marriage saved, another set of emotional confessions captured for the world to see.
She should be used to it by now. The carefully staged moments, the emotional highs, the gripping reality of it all. But today, something about Mrs. Davis's confession had lingered longer than usual.
She exhaled, brushing away the thought as a young assistant jogged toward her, slightly breathless.
"Linda wants to see you."
June's steps slowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. Her mind was already drained, but she bit back any sharp remarks and nodded.
Linda didn't summon people for nothing.
June pushed open the office door, immediately greeted by the low hum of a treadmill. Linda, the formidable woman in her fifties who somehow still looked thirty, was in her usual workout gear, casually wiping sweat from her forehead.
"Linda," June greeted, masking her curiosity with an easy smile.
Linda barely spared her a glance, stepping off the treadmill and draping a towel around her neck. "You can drop the act. There are no cameras here."
June smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "Force of habit."
Linda finally turned to her, arms crossed, expression unreadable. "I've thought over my decision."
June straightened. The past few weeks had been nerve-wracking. Four hosts, including her had pitched projects to boost ratings, and the competition had been cutthroat. June knew her idea was strong, but there was always the lingering doubt.
Linda let the silence stretch, as if testing her patience, before finally saying, "I'm going with your project."
A small chuckle escaped June before she caught herself. She masked her relief, keeping her tone measured. "I appreciate that."
Linda eyed her knowingly. "Save the formalities. Your idea won the board's votes, not because I like you."
June's lips twitched in amusement. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
She knew Linda wasn't one for sentimentality. The woman was all about business, brilliant, ruthless, and always thinking two steps ahead. June respected that.
As she turned to leave, Linda's voice stopped her.
"I remember your first day here."
June glanced back, curiosity flickering
"You were a damn nightmare."
A smirk tugged at June's lips. "Still am."
Linda shook her head, but there was a hint of approval in her expression. "You've worked your way up, but don't get comfortable. In this business, the higher you climb, the easier it is to fall."
June met her gaze, the weight of those words settling in. "Then I guess I'll just have to keep climbing."
Linda huffed a laugh. "That's what I thought."
As June stepped out of Linda's office, the memories came rushing back.
She had never planned to be a talk show host.
Her passion had always been photography and acting. In college, she had been known for her ability to capture raw emotions through the lens, telling stories through images rather than words.
But life had a funny way of twisting plans.
Back then, she had also been a "love guru" on campus—not because she believed in love, but because she was good at understanding people. She wrote love letters for students in exchange for money, helped the heartbroken craft dramatic breakup messages, and even started a small counseling club.
It had been a way to make extra cash, nothing more.
Yet, that small hustle had shaped her career more than she ever expected.
When she first stepped into the media industry, she had been at the bottom of the food chain. She served coffee, ran errands, and had her ideas stolen more times than she could count. She learned to play the game—how to be tough, how to be strategic, how to never let them see her sweat.
Her reputation had formed over time: blunt, ruthless, unshaken. Some called her arrogant. Others called her a genius.
Now, she stood at the top.
But success came with enemies.
And one of them was waiting for her.
Just as June reached the main corridor, a voice cut through the air, sharp, furious.
"How dare you?"
June didn't need to look to know who it was.
May.
She turned leisurely, taking in the sight of her rival.
May stood tall, dressed to perfection, her brown hair cascading with wine-colored highlights. Her blue eyes stormed with rage, her manicured nails curling into fists.
June sighed dramatically. "What now, May?"
"You stole my project."
June raised a brow, feigning surprise. "Did I? Funny, I recall Linda saying my project won the board's votes. Maybe yours just wasn't good enough."
May's face twisted in frustration. "You manipulated them!"
June let out a soft chuckle. "I didn't have to. My idea spoke for itself.
May's nostrils flared. "You think you're untouchable?"
June took a step closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "No, sweetheart. I know I am."