That night, Willy Wonka's head was filled with many thoughts. And yes, all of them regarded Hazel in one way or another. The next morning at breakfast, he was still sorting through his thoughts.

Why did I feel so strange around her? I never felt that way around anybody else I know, why her of all people? And if it's just her, why haven't I felt that way before around her? I've known her for years, why start these feelings now?

All eyes were on him, but he didn't care. Finally, Mr. Bucket spoke up. "Willy?"

"Hm? Yes?"

"You appear to be lost in thought, just like you were last night."

"Did you get any sleep last night?" Asked Mrs. Bucket.

"I'm sorry, but all questions must be submitted in writing" Willy replied, mostly to shake them off. He looked at the Bucket parents, such dismissive behavior wasn't working on them. Perhaps it was time for him to come clean to them. "Alright…I have been feeling pretty weird as of late."

"Do you need to see a doctor?" Worried Grandpa Joe.

"No, no, absolutely not. You see, remember Hazel, from yesterday? Thing is, I've known her for a long, long time, but now for some reason, I feel like I've…I've…"

"Like you've fallen in love?" asked Grandma Josephine.

Willy gasped at the mention of the last word. In fact, it took him by surprise so much he fell over. Charlie quickly scooped him up and sat him back upright. "You mean to tell me...?"

"Willy, isn't it obvious?" Mrs. Bucket asked, smiling. "You're falling in love with Hazel." A big smile spread across Charlie's face.

"Can't believe it took you until now to realize it." Grumbled Grandpa George.

"Perhaps I am" Willy sighed in defeat. "Problem is, what would she say if I told her? What if it were to ruin our friendship? What would the public say about Willy Wonka being in love with one of his former employees?

Charlie put his hand on Willy's back. "Don't think like that too much, Willy. Keep thinking positive, that's what keeps you going. Didn't you once say that?"

Charlie was right for the most part. He was thinking how Willy always said optimism may not solve your problems, but will help with your outlook and drive you to solve such problems.

"I'm going to take her out on the town this Friday, so I'm feeling a little nervous."

Having dated in their younger years themselves, Mr. & Mrs. Bucket gladly gave him their advice.

"Gift her something she likes" Mrs. Bucket suggested. "I remember that's what Charlie's father did for me on our first date."

"Maybe some flowers would be nice" said Mr. Bucket.

Willy shook his head. "Won't do. She's allergic to a number of flowers. And I cannot simply give her a box of chocolates. That would be too expected from the likes of me, and I want to surprise her."

"Even if you can't think of a date gift for her, just be yourself" assured Mrs. Bucket.

Willy took off his hat, examined it, and smiled. "Being me is what I excel at. I assume that'll be enough."

Later that week, promptly at 5PM on Friday, Willy was waiting right outside the library for Hazel. He had his best hat and jacket on. While similar to his standard ones he wears in public, this particular set he saved for special occasions like holidays and parties as it had more extravagant linings.

"Gotta look my best" he told himself. While he waited for her, more thoughts were racing through his mind.

'Am I the right person for her? What if she already has someone and doesn't want to hurt my feelings?'

'What if she isn't the right person for me? Maybe I'm destined for somebody else and don't know it?'

'As much as I'd like to settle down with someone, maybe I'm more fit to be married to my work. After all, the Wonka legacy is already in good hands via Charlie.'

Then he remembered something he had said to Charlie right before he gave him the factory.

"I had no family, and I'm a giant success!'

Indeed, he had great success building and maintaining a chocolate empire. Yet even with all that success, he couldn't help but feel like he was missing something.

After five minutes or so, Hazel emerged from the doors, looking surprisingly elegant as well. Perhaps she had the same idea as Willy and wanted to look her best too. A possible sign that they were meant for each other, or just a coincidence? The evening was young, so it was too early to tell.

"Hello, Willy" she greeted. Being the one with the hat, he took it off and bowed as the suave eccentric he was. Hazel couldn't help but blush and giggle at that.

"Ready for a night on the town?" He asked as he kissed her hand.

"Take me away, handsome" she replied. Then, she placed a hand over her mouth in embarrassment. Willy noticed, but didn't say a word.

'Did she just call me…?' He thought. Another possible sign?

They decided to go to a fancy restaurant. Back in the day, Willy was the one who covered all expenses. But now, since Hazel had an income, she offered to at least foot the tip. Once more, Willy couldn't be more proud of her, having come so far.

"To think" he said, "you couldn't afford a thing when we first met. Should your past self meet you as you are now, you'd be paying for her."

"Certainly so" Hazel agreed. "Were you ever in the red like I used to be?"

"Not necessarily. I grew up with my father. He was a dentist so we had plenty of money." Hazel couldn't believe what she heard. "A dentist!?" She questioned.

"I know, funny, isn't it? My father fixes teeth, while my creations rot them. He certainly wasn't amused when I told him I wanted to be a chocolatier. He disowned me, and I lived on the streets trying to make end's meet…just like someone else I know." He said with a wink.

Hazel's eyes widened. "And that's why you took me in! You were once in my position!"

"Absolutely, dear Hazel. But with optimism and hard work, I pulled through, and look where I am now. I wanted to do the same for you."

"I hope you're not still on bitter terms with your father."

"Oh, no. We recently reconciled, and it's all thanks to Charlie."

Hazel decided this was a good time to talk about her parents, too. "My parents were bakers. They ran one of the best bakeries in town. Everybody wanted their goods. Father baked cakes and pies while mother made bread and pretzels. Their love for baking rubbed off on me. Maybe someday I could show you some of my goodies."

"Oh, I'd love to see that." Willy said with a warm smile.

They were silent for a moment. And then, Hazel spoke up.

"Did you ever feel lonely in your factory?"

"Lonely? Lonely? Of course not! I had my beloved employees…and you."

"What about after you closed the factory down?"

"Well, after the closure, I traveled the world a bit. That's where I met the Oompa Loompas. They have been very good company since then; honest, reliable, comforting even. A lot like…"

He was about to finish when he looked at Hazel. He didn't want to sound like the Oompa Loompas replaced her. Willy looked into her eyes. A warm smile was spreading across Hazel's face. Maybe this was the moment he would confess to her! His heart began to race.

"You missed having me around, didn't you?" Hazel said.

"…yes, I did miss having you around. You were always a comforting soul to be around. Then again, I bet I was as well for you."

"You were." she agreed. "And I'm so glad Charlie Bucket brought us back together again."

Willy pulled out his pocket handkerchief and wiped a tear from his eye. Truly, fate wanted them together. Was Charlie Bucket the glue to all this?

"Something the matter?" Hazel asked.

"Oh? Nothing at all, really. I was simply brainstorming some new candy ideas."

For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He knew her for several years, yet he never saw her as anything more than a friend and employee. Why should that change now? No, Willy snapped out of it and looked at his watch.

"Goodness, gumdrops, and gobstoppers! We should really pay the check and leave, the movie starts in 45 minutes."

"Oh yes! Personally, I've been dying to see this movie for a while."

"Dying? Well, we wouldn't want that to happen, shall we? Let's go. Got the money for the bill."

"Same with me for the tip!" Hazel replied.

After the movie, Willy and Hazel ran into a familiar face outside the theatre…a face Hazel did NOT want to see.

"Hazel, fancy running into you here." Seamus greeted. "And looking-"

"Excuse me!" Willy interrupted. "What is your problem, sir?"

Hazel began to panic. Here she and Willy were, with the thuggish burden known as Seamus.

"Wait a minute, you know this foolish man?" Said figured asked.

"Yes she does, my good sir. Believe it or not, she used to work for me." Willy adjusted his hat. "And I will thank you not to refer to me as goofy. This outfit cost me a pretty penny. Hardly anything this expensive should be called foolish."

Seamus was getting ornery. "Why I oughtta…"

"Seamus, please!"

"You know this fellow too?" Willy asked.

"She sure does!" Seamus responded with a sense of nostalgia "I was quite the regular at her last job, she was one of the best looking ones who worked there, too."

"How one looks should not be more important than their work ethic, my brutish acquaintance" Willy leered. This, of course, made Seamus all the more hostile and ready to charge at him like a bull. Hazel knew this couldn't end well in the slightest. So before Seamus could even lay a finger on Willy, she stepped in front and intervened.

"You've gotta be kidding me" huffed Seamus. "Why must you defend this guy? Has your taste in men gone south since you left the tavern?"

"I would be saying that had she chosen you" Willy said coldly.

Seamus began to charge at him. "Is that a challenge?"

Willy wisely stepped out of his way. "Honestly, is this any way to act around the likes of Willy Wonka?"

Seamus raised an eyebrow. "Willy Wonka, the chocolate guy?"

"Chocolate guy?" Willy scoffed. "My dear fellow, I am more than just a 'chocolate guy'. I'm a chocolate entrepreneur!"

"Whatever. I've seen your bars in stores. Big deal. You're still a nobody trying to steal Hazel away from me."

"Seamus, PLEASE!" Hazel had enough. "Just, go home or wherever you're keeping yourself these days."

Seamus snorted and turned away to leave, but as he walked off he turned his head and warned: "Mark my words, Hazel, your hand WILL be mine in marriage! And if you refuse, you'll be sorry!"

When Seamus returned to his living quarters later that night, he saw nothing but red. "DENNIS!" he shouted.

Dennis emerged from the kitchen, sticking a finger in his ear.

"Honestly, Seamus, I'm not deaf."

Seamus began to ease a little. "Eh, fine. Just had a rough night and I'm on edge."

"Whenever are you not on edge? And I mean that in a non-insulting way."

"It's just...I ran into Hazel..."

"Hazel? How is she?"

"I saw her with another man! That's how she is!" Just the memory of seeing her with Willy forced him to ram a fist at the wall. Dennis came to the spot he punched and examined it.

"You're lucky you didn't crack the wall here, I'd have you pay for it and I do not recall you having a well-paying job."

Seamus relented, knowing Dennis was actually right, and slumped into a recliner. "Who does Hazel Blackwood think she is, turning down a trophy like me for a lunatic?"

Dennis jumped and did a double-take. That was a name he hadn't heard in a while. "W-what did you say her last name was?"

"Blackwood. Why?"

"I believe my father once tried to do business with a family by the name of Blackwood. Let me call him up."

Dennis ran to the phone and dialed a number. After a few seconds, the other end answered.

"Yes?" said the recipient.

"Father, it's Dennis. Does the name Blackwood ring any bells to you?"

"There's a name I haven't heard in years. Why do you ask, son?"

"My friend Seamus is trying to secure a bride in a woman named Hazel Blackwood. I was wondering if she could have been related to whichever Blackwoods you recall."

Dennis' father took a few seconds to think. "I do recall the Blackwoods having a daughter."

"Well, father, who were they?"

"Aiden and Jennifer Blackwood owned a successful bakery back in the day. Jennifer was known for bread and pretzels, while Aiden did cakes, cookies, and pies. Seeing how popular their goods were, myself and two other people offered to buy the bakery from them, but they refused to sell to any of us, no matter how high the price was."

"What happened then?" asked Dennis.

"To teach them a lesson, we hired a hitman who specialized in pyrotechnics. The fellow burned their house down, and furthermore with them inside. The daughter survived, however, and tried to get help, but by the time help arrived it was too late."

"Two other people? Do you mean those two people you have worked with as part of a 'chocolate cartel'?"

"Yes. We were regrettably put in our place by that no-good snake of a chocolatier, Willy Wonka."

"WILLY WONKA?" gasped Seamus. "That's the man Hazel was seen with!" He said it loud enough for the father to hear.

"So Willy Wonka is with a woman your friend pines for, eh? Perhaps this could be the opportunity for me to extract revenge on that fraud for the sake of the Chocolate Cartel!"

Dennis thanked his father and hung up. "Well then, I guess it's settled. Seamus, my father is going to help you get Hazel. And in return, our family will finally reclaim its honor."

"I don't care about your honor" replied Seamus, "all I care about is having Hazel to myself. I just hope it's soon enough, too."

Seamus decided to turn in for the night. As he was walking off, he muttered under his breath.

"And I do hope that Wonka guy gets his just desserts. I never liked chocolate that much anyway."