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Chapter 15
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The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 16
I couldn’t get myself to move much for the hours that led up to the wedding. And suddenly, I only had three hours left to get there. Of course, I was required to be an extra hour late to not raise suspicions with Barry Hall’s sister. She couldn’t know what I was there for but I doubt she’d even know who I was.She wasn’t the one I was worried about. Just thinking about seeing Cristo there made me want to throw up with absolute dread. Obviously, he’d be there. I knew Alexakis and Caron would be there so their son would have to tag along.Just what was it that pulled me to him the way it did that night?! A frustrated, low groan bubbled behind my throat as I covered my face helplessly.“To fucking hell with you, Cristo.” I breathed. And I hated the way the air felt on my lips when I said his name. The way it rolled onto my tongue. The way my mouth remembered his skin and wanted hi–ENOUGH! I yelled inside my head and threw myself off the bed, rushing into the bathroom for a quick, cold s
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 17
My skin quite literally sizzled under his touch, goosebumps rising on my skin as I remembered the night we’d shared back in Korea. His hold on me was delicate, and I knew I had the option to pull away.I didn’t want to though.We didn’t go too far from the dance floor. Finding ourselves right behind a pillar out of earshot, I crossed my arms and looked around the golf course to avoid his direct gaze. He wasn’t looking at me either, but leaned back against the pillar and kept his eyes on the golf carts some distance away. The spot on my arm he’d held felt cold in the absence of his touch.“What did you want to say?” I asked softly.“Well, for one, you look absolutely wonderful.” came his deep and raspy voice. I hated the way my heart thudded with warmth at that. Crossing my arms tighter, I was almost about to speak until he began again, “I…wanted to apologize for that night.”Ouch…I breathed deeply as my gut wrenched. That felt really hurtful.“I shouldn’t have allowed that to happen,
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 18
Two mornings later, I sat with my head pounding as an incessantly shrill ring bounced off the walls of my office. It had been going on for a while and I wondered where on earth Lyra was.I groaned and was just about to pick it up from her desk myself when she came running and picked it up.Finally, I sighed internally and rolled my eyes.“Hello?” her voice echoed softly outside, “Yes? Yes, of course. She’s in today, I can ask if she has time for an audience. Of course. Just a moment.”Sitting up straighter, I started to fix my papers and set them away. I’d have to get some coffee with Marcus when I was done with this. Some water would do until then, and so I poured myself out a glass to sip on.“Lilith…” she sounded tentative by the door, and it made me anxious.“Yes?”“Um…” she pulled her lips in tightly, “I’m not sure how to word it right in light of your…health, but…Mr. Boulevard–”I dropped my glass at the sound of his name, and it shattered against the ground. Shards of glass ric
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 19
The evening was calm as I walked home. The calmest I’d ever felt in such a long time. It was strange that the father (or so he thinks) to my abuser was the one who believed me. That he was the one to validate my pain and tell me what Mark did was wrong. That I should’ve never suffered like that and Emily deserves jail time.For the first time, someone I told about it believed me.If I wasn’t wearing my heels, I would’ve gone for a skip in the park. I felt like skipping, and I deserved it. I couldn’t explain how much lighter my chest and shoulders felt after carrying my pain around like a dirty secret.But, alas, my happiness was not to last as I was spun around to face no one other than Marcus Blight himself.Should I brush him off and pretend he didn’t exist? I felt like it.“Where were you?” he demanded, eyes narrowed in contained rage that, once upon a time, would’ve intimidated me in a man.Squaring my shoulders, I lifted my chin and answered firmly, “I had lunch with someone who
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 20
Waking up to the familiar feeling of manhandling in the sheets wasn’t how I wanted to start my day. Opening my eyes, I saw the familiar ceiling of the Korean hotel I’d stayed in, the chandelier turning slowly as the broken beams of light twirled with it, I turned my head to the window with a bright full moon pouring in quite literally. I turned back to the ceiling but last I remembered, there was no chandelier there. And then I finally remembered where it was from. Barry Hall’s wedding.I was rudely sucked through the sheets without warning, and my eyes fell shut instinctively. When I opened them again, I found myself on my stomach on a leather surface and nimble hands massaging my shoulders. Luckily I remembered that I was at the spa before I panicked. Memories of waking up, getting ready for work, spending a day at the office uninterrupted by men, and then heading to the spa rushed back to me.“Your muscles are very tense.” Hani, the masseuse said softly. I could only sigh in agreem
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 21
When I got home that night, I felt something I thought I’d moved on from already. The waves of emptiness, siphoning from within the walls and into the voids of my apartment.Alone. I was alone, once again.No Marcus. No Cristo. No Aubrey, either. Her and Jenna were on a European tour together. Alex? I preferred her sober for such occasions.I really had no one, did I?With a sigh, I fell face first into the couch and let my heels fall to the floor. Familiar. This was all so familiar. Holly barked lightly next to me, so I reached out to pet her soft fur. So familiar, but not in a good way.The phone rang, but I ignored it.Not now, I told myself, Too tired.It took a moment before it went to voicemail.“Hi, Lilith…” came her soft voice and I froze, “It’s me. I thought leaving you alone might…help? I don’t know. Please come home. Not to stay, I won’t ask that of you. But to talk. I believe we have to talk.”I rolled my eyes in annoyance, reminded of the peace I had when mom wasn’t inter
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 22
I’d left quietly, early the next morning, with all the documents in hand. Back into the city, I stopped at a diner for breakfast before continuing the ride. It was weird, coming home in broad daylight. I hadn’t done that in forever.The walls seemed lonelier than ever. I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating or grieving, but it looked like the paintings were melting off the walls, looking for an escape from the unbearable emptiness of the air. I didn’t understand why it felt like that. I was home, there was furniture, there was food. Did I need a smaller place?Maybe I needed a smaller place.Holly came bounding towards me in excitement and I opened my arms for her to jump into. Holding her tight as she licked me, I realized I hadn’t taken her on a walk myself in ages. I grabbed my phone and called her dogwalker to tell her to take the day off.“Let’s go for a walk after breakfast, yeah?” I whispered to her, “I can’t take it being cooped up in here anymore.”I changed into my athletic ge
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 23
No more of the norm I’d gotten so used to in the few weeks I’d had it. Cristo’s presence, unexpected antics, his eyes so intense that I’d never realized how desperate they really were.“Greece, huh.” I pondered aloud as I sat in a loveseat, overlooking Gangnam’s still crowded street. The occasional cyclist would squeeze against streams of dark cotton and leather that were heading down towards the clubs. Koreans held their alcohol.I’d hear the occasional police siren in the distance. My lone lightbulb overhead flickered sadly as it drew slow and dying moths to it.“Greece?” Blair asked, confused.I snapped out of my reverie immediately, realizing I wasn’t in the hotel room.“Oh, sorry.” I blinked quickly and shook my head with an apologetic smile, “I was somewhere else in my head. Some holiday.”“I took a while, I believe…” she nodded, eyeing me with concern. She was perched on the edge of her desk, hands placed elegantly on the edge to hold herself as she leaned forward. A red stilet
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The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 68
One year laterThe bi-annual matchmaker’s party was in full swing as the newest members of the club mingled about with the olders ones. Most were interns looking for mentorship oppurtunities, and some had just broken into the world of the elite looking for guidance. There were also some wedding planners roaming about, getting their exposure and making connections.The Billionaire’s Matchmaking Club was an instant success, more so than Hugo and I had ever anticipated. The two of us stood at the balcony of the HQ’s mansion, looking down into the garden with rose champagne in our hands.“Does any of this seem real to you?” I breathed.Hugo shook his head, smiling from ear to ear, “Not at all. Did you see our charts? Our profits are through the roof!”“I’m assuming your attempts to break into the middle class market went well?”“We’re trying for an app now,” he announced excitedly. “Just an idea, but it will get some traction once you attend the next meeting.”“It would definitely free up
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 67
Cristo and I were now a few hours away from New York on the road. The car was parked beside a familiar house in the early morning. The frost from the night drive turned into dew against the warmth of the slowly rising sun that was just peeking from behind the clouds.I didn’t want to leave the warmth of Cristo’s hand in mine. My mother’s house would always tug at a cold spot in my heart, and even the summers couldn’t soothe it. There was no comfort there. NOo love, no joy, and certainly no redemption.Second thoughts. Why was I taking on the burden of making things right? Why did she never try?Of course, she would never acknowledge her own wrong-doings. What parent ever did? I wasn’t sure if it would matter, me going in there and trying to fix things to be amicable. I knew my mother would manipulate her way into my life one way or another.She was the kind of person I wouldn’t want around my own child. Certainly not the kid I would’ve had if Mark and his mother hadn’t killed them.“L
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 66
The last few days in Paris with Cristo made me a different person, although not completely. I felt a lot calmer than I usually was, which was almost none at all. My head was much clearer and I didn’t feel like a nervous wreck waiting for something bad to happen all the time.Most of all, I was ready to really face Hugo. I was anticipating the difficulty of it, but I knew that I was quick enough to find a way around it all.The balcony had been reserved for lunch, and I sat in wait for him. There was only one table and two seats, so there was plenty of privacy to ensure a comfortable talk, but I still wore my usual professional gear so he didn’t get the wrong impression. I knew that if I was going to make headway with Hugo, I needed to acknowledge the things that happened in the past.Hugo and I had some kind of history regardless of how far we had or hadn’t gone. I couldn’t pretend it had never happened.It wasn’t long before he walked through the balcony doors. He looked quite surpri
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 65
I woke up enveloped in warmth. There were spaces between our limbs where the cool air slid in between, but nothing too bothersome. My body insitinctively closed in against Cristo’s, his large frame blocking out the sunlight behind him. It was very convenient, and I was glad the sun wasn’t glaring into my face for once.His chest rose and fell against mine slowly, lulling me back into oblivion. A strong arm lay under my head that he wrapped around to my shoulder, hand resting lightly on my arm. He sleepily stroked my skin, indicating he was stirring into wakefulness.I lifted my head slightly, pushing myself onto the pillow to let his poor arm breathe a little. He hadn’t moved all night to keep me from waking, and I was a ridiculously light sleeper. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I squinted at him and the way the soft light wrapped around him like a halo. I couldn’t believe he’d stayed, and that last night had really happened. He would usually try to disappear before I woke up.Key
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 64
My eyes were glued to my phone, confused and nervous on what to do. I had rarely ever called or texted Cristo before on my own, it felt too weird. Perhaps I was worried about coming off desperate, which was strange seeing as how it was obvious that we both wanted each other. Cristo must be getting tired of always initiating any kind of contact with me.It was time I took the leap.My thumb hovered over his caller ID, held back by the pride in my throat. But it really shouldn’t matter anymore. I missed him, and I wanted to see him. I just wanted to see him, maybe hear his voice, nothing more.He might be busy, my mind suggested.He would let me know.What if he’s tired?Again, he could let me know.In case he’s in the middle of an important mee–I let my thumb fall over the call button and watched as my phone buzzed in my hand, ringing him up. My heart sped up in my chest, thinking of how he would sound when he finally picked up. I put the screen to my ear, thinking what if he didn’t p
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 63
Estelle’s place was a quaint little villa in a picturesque little town just outside of the urban landscape. Set on a hill, she was surrounded by a river, fields of crops and flowers, and little cottages and houses at the foot.“It’s a nice place for spring break for the college kids,” Estelle explained excitedly with a flick of her brown hair as I stepped into her abode. A homey place with tones of green, mustard, and brown. Stone and wood accents, very personalized furniture, and wacky pieces of art that fit right into the atmosphere. “It gets so pleasant here, and I get a good view on the people to observe their chemistry with each other.”“Wait, isn’t that stalking?” I asked, a little shocked.“Something their parents pay me for,” she shrugged, large blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “I don’t report back to them on anything, I only observe who works well with who and see if it’s sustainable long term.”“Ever been a situation where the person’s brought in an outsider?”“French peop
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 62
I wish I could’ve been more present in that moment as I sat before Raya Ansari, but all I could think about was Cristo and how much I missed him. I wanted to be back home in his arms just so I could get a peaceful breath in my body.All I felt in that moment was anxiety and dread. It had only heightened after my talk with John yesterday because my time with Cristo felt so much more limited now. It didn’t help that Cristo himself was so busy with his own business and family matters, but I knew what was happening now. It as obvious after his cousin, Jenna, called me up to ask if things were okay between him and I.“Things are fine,” I’d said as I looked at my watch to check how soon my flight would be. “Is everything okay on your end?”“Yeah, it’s just that Cristo is having a talk with my parents…” she sounded confused.“He’s in Paris?”“He didn’t tell you?”“Not like he owes me any explanation at the moment, to be honest,” I said, but it sounded more like I was trying to convince mysel
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 61
My office was cleaner than it had ever been since the years I’d started working there. No papers, no ink, I only had to scroll around on my computer and tap a few buttons.It was too relaxing. Not something I was used to.I’d gone through the profiles of the matchmakers that Lyra had prepared for me, trying to memorize their names and faces. I had some weeks before the welcoming party took place, and I wondered if it would be appropriate to meet them in person before it took place to at least be better acquainted with them to avoid awkwardness.Planning ahead again as always, I reprimanded myself and shook my head. But it couldn’t hurt. There was barely anything to do.The glass table buzzed under my elbows and I patted around for my phone, answering it promptly. I should’ve checked who it was, though. The voice took me by surprise.“Is this Lilith Mendez?”“Yes?” I answered uncertainly.There was a short huff of breath before the man on the other end responded shakily, “I’m John Caro
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 60
Blair and I sat across from each other, surrounded by fancy people in a fancy restaurant with food before us that didn’t look appetizing enough to try. It was still the only place I could confront her without her possibly killing me. Would be an accident? Couldn’t be sure with Blair.She acted pretty oblivious, but it was possible she was just happy with the current turn of events. Her fingers scrolled across the screen of her tablet, eyes skimming with glee over the news.“Does this count as a blow to your career?” she feigned curiosity with a glance at me. I gave her a sarcastic smile, scrunching my nose in contempt and stabbing a fork into the ravioli on my plate. Of course, it didn’t, failed engagements didn’t count. She raised her brows at me and went back to reading the article, no doubt about Cristo’s and Suzan’s failed engagement. Her eyes narrowed onto something so violently that it even piqued my interest. “Has his family lost his mind?”My hand froze before the ravioli coul
