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Chapter 22
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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
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 24
The week went by in a blur without me getting any rest, but I managed to have potential candidates listed out for Jean-Pierre to meet up with after the weekend. I was knocked out cold by Friday night, unaware to the impending doom looming on me.My phone, both cell and landline, blared incessantly the next morning. There was banging on my door and it panicked me so much that I fell out of bed as I ran towards the door, wondering what on Earth was going on. To my groggy self, it felt like the world was ending and sirens were blaring.“Lyra?” I groaned and let her in, “Jesus, please pull all the curtains together. I can’t see.”“Have you seen the tabloids?” she demanded, rushing around to do as I asked. As the apartment grew dimmer, I got a better hold of my mind and plopped onto the couch to massage my head. The phones had stopped ringing finally and there was nothing but silence weighing down on me heavily.“I just woke up!” I informed her with as much sarcasm as I could muster.“Shou
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 25
I sat at my booth, smiling at people and taking quick interviews with them, pointing them to their respective tables with potential partners. They all seemed so excited. After an hour, when everyone was situated in their seats, the event began. While the people talked and switched partners at intervals, I was assigned three couples to counsel.“So, Josh and I are going to be married by next year, hopefully.” The brunette, Miranda, said cheerfully.I smiled at them, “Congratulations! How long have you been dating?”“It’s been a year,” Josh said, “but it was love at first sight.” He looked over at her with softness in his eyes, “I just knew I wanted her.”Lilith, do not gag, I warned myself.“So, I’ve got your profiles in front of me.” I said and brought out their files, “and I’ll be doing an on-the-spot analysis of your relationship. Bear in mind, I’m quite transparent with my opinions.”“We’re ready.” Miranda giggled and took Josh’s hand. I looked over their profile and worked out the
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 26
For some reason, I couldn’t make myself open the letter. I kept staring at the words on the back of the envelope.‘With Love,To Lilith Mendez, my protégé’Sighing, I held it to my chest and turned onto my side to cuddle it. Mrs. Beaumont really had been a mother figure to me, and I missed her so much. I knew she had a dinner party coming up and I’d be able to see her soon.Finally bringing myself out of my nostalgic days as her apprentice, I opened the letter and read through it.Dear Lilith,I hope you’re doing well. It made me so happy to see you at Barry Halls’ wedding. And I think you did such a wonderful job finding him a wife, she’s an absolute sweetheart, even if she’s not as rich as his parents would have liked. Her intellect brought so much more to the table than simply a pretty face would have (although a pretty face can be enough to get by with).A lot of parents have been coming to me, praising you in your skill of finding their children suitors that are tailored to their
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 27
My head was a blur as I drove down to Renée Helvig’s office in a frenzy with my head spinning. I seemed to be losing my sanity with each passing day, in all honesty. But I needed to get there quickly. The phone rang as I accepted it. “Lyra, are you sure it’s his car.” “Yes, a red mustang.” She said, “I thought you’d know what he drove.” “Guess it was irrelevant to me,” I breathed, “I’m sure that was the same car pulling away from my mom’s place that night.” “He drives his mom around,” Lyra offered, “so maybe yours wasn’t lying. Maybe Marcus’s mom did visit her.” “I trust no one.” “Fair enough. Make sure your recorder is on.” I screeched to a halt in Helvig’s parking spot, inciting concerned and surprised stares from people nearby. But I didn’t care. Getting out of the car and slamming my door shut, I marched into the building. The receptionist saw me and got up, but I held up a hand. “Stay there.” She stared at me, lost, and I walked past her into the elevator. I knew Marcus
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 28
There I was, sitting under the bright full moon. The light covered his face, the silver in his eyes hanging onto my heart. The thoughts in my head scattered all around, as if they’ve been forced within a tight box.What if I let him in? I thought, That’s what he wants right? Maybe I was being too much of a coward, what if- I felt my body get up off the bench, beginning to walk away.Was that really who I was? To walk away from a fight? I woke up to the sound of my blaring ringtone. It was Lyra “Planning on waking up anytime soon?” she sounded concerned, but careful. I could only grunt in response. The white light seeped between the opaque curtains, my eyelids felt like they were sinking in, dry and still asleep. Squinting as hard as I could, I looked over to my bedside table at the glaring clock.10:30, it read…10:30? It hit me like a pile of bricks that I was late, and I flung myself out of the covers. I’d never been late in my life! What was wrong with me?Hopping into the sho
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 29
The ballroom was majestic, to say the least. It was as if I’d stepped into a Disney movie. The delicate chandeliers hung over my head as if frozen into the air, throwing off dazzling warm light onto everyone. Polished biblical frescoes adorned the ceiling, guiding my eyes to the large windows stained with color into geometric designs. Gold accents on the walls only added to the dazzling richness of the place. The curved walls of the room were lined with round tables of appetizers and alcohol, and I knew I needed some liquid courage if I was to make a good impression. The jitters just wouldn’t calm down.“Do you guys see Blair anywhere?” I whisper. Aubrey immediately scans the room while Jenna rolls her eyes and grabs my arm.“Lilith, relax.” She sighed, “We won’t let anything happen to you.”“Exactly.” Aubrey hissed in determination as her vision narrowed down all the way across the hall. I followed her gaze. Lo and behold, Cristo and Blair within the shadows of the pillars, talking.
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 30
The party was only getting merrier with time, but I found myself still wanting to keep to the shadows. Mrs. Beaumont had left me at the top of the stairs to join her guests. The hallways to my bedroom was right behind me. I could take off and hopefully no one would notice. There was a ridiculously huge library back there that I could entertain myself in. It strangely felt like just talking to the Riccis had drained me of most my social energy.I headed towards the stone balustrade and placed my forearms on it, leaning forward a little to look down at the scene. It felt very Baroque, as if royalty of the past had come back to life and held a grand ball. Although, I’m sure their parties were a lot bigger.What would it be like to live in a world less complicated than this one? Although I was sure the world before had its own set of unique issues that I wouldn’t want to put up with either way.I needed open space, though. It felt like my ribs were slowly starting to constrict around my l
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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
