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Chapter 39
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The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 40
It was an all too familiar a feeling, being numb. So why was I so scared of it?Maybe I should consider therapy.I was quick to shrug off the thought. It wasn’t a good look for the Riccis. GOD! I still cared about what people thought! But it couldn’t be helped, right? That’s just what my job was. I needed to stay in the spotlight. There was no escaping it.My eyes slowly focused better on the article before me as my mind registered the news. I could feel my heart sinking, knowing once again that there was no convincing Cristo of the mischief that he’d been strung to, being made to dance between the puppeteer and myself like his life was some sort of a game.There really was no escaping it…RENOWNED MATCH-MAKER CAUGHT PLAYING HOOKY WITH MAFIA’S NEXT HEIRI shook my head, “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” My temple throbbed with annoyance, but at least that was something I could feel. Better than nothing at all.New York City’s biggest match-maker, Lilith Mendez, was spotted getting away from More
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 41
The Ricci’s insisted I spend another week just to cool off from the work, but I really needed to leave Italy. I was tired of the memories there and explained that I should probably check myself into a bit of counseling for what had happened regarding Rio. That seemed to quell them immediately, and I was so taken aback by their understanding and kindness. It must’ve given them the wrong impression when I announced I was heading back right after my talk with Guasparre, and they’d convinced me to have dinner at the Moretti’s place before accompanying me to the airport.“You have a place here with us, Lilith,” Mrs. Ricci said, holding my hands in her warm grasp as the speakers announced the boarding for my flight, “Once Guasparre is ready again, please come back.”“I certainly will,” I gripped her hands in reassurance. She moved away to let Bellona engulf me in a hug. She still looked apologetic. I patted her arm, “Thank you for taking care of me. I’m so glad I got to be here. I’ll be bac
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 42
My ears had gone silent, but it all happened so fast yet…so slow. Blair buckling under the pressure and begging Cristo to not say anything. Hands waving and red eyes tearing up, asking him why he would ever do such a thing. Her telling him she loved him.Please, her mouth moved, I love you. Don’t do this to me.People do strange things when they love someone. Mark’s mother. Blair. Cristo’s parents. And it was then that I understood it all so clearly. My fears, my feelings…my trauma.To be loved was a burden.Cristo sat beside me in the car, the air around us sullen and sour as our questions seeped into the air. Unspoken, untrusting, and unending.So many questions and I had the voice to ask none of them. Was it even my business?To be honest…I think it was.“You need to tell me what’s going on, Cristo.” I said softly. “I…I want to trust you but…what I saw in there–”“It wasn’t me.”“I wasn’t finished.” I snapped. He exhaled deeply through his nose, eyes softening in something close to
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 43
I sat in front of the reporter, trying to pull up an easygoing smile. This was going to be broadcasted live on TV so I needed to at least try having a good appearance.“And you’ve been in the industry for how long now?”“Eight years, although I’ve had my own business for six.”“Yet your reviews are stellar!”“All in a day’s work, I guess,” I responded humbly and the audience clapped in the seat across the set. It was such a strange thing to be on TV. I knew things needed to be rehearsed and that things were planned and shot ahead of time, but it felt all the more unnatural.One episode a week. This wasn’t something they shot months in advance. They wanted the viewers to interact with the show actively. I didn’t really understand most of it, to be honest. Then again, I’d never been on TV before.“You must have heard of your competition, though.” The man interviewing me said cheekily. “Hugo Evans.”“I glanced at his Instagram profile on the way here.” I shrugged jokingly with nonchalanc
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 44
Dr Kathryn was an unnerving woman. In her fifties, long and thin with magnificent bronze and pepper hair pulled loosely into a bun. She took her mother’s first name as her last name right after graduating high school. Wearing a slightly oversized grey sweater with black slim jeans and sneakers, she held a stony pale face and eyes so dark they were black. Her face was youthful but mature, and it didn’t look like someone could mess with her if they tried.I liked that.“I’m sure you’re a smart woman, Lilith Mendez.” She started off firmly, but gentle. With a tablet in hand and fingers poised to type, she gave me a long and calculating look. “You’re here because you’re ready to be helped, yes?”“It took me a lot of thinking and coaxing.” I admitted. “It’s possible I might backtrack every now and then since I’m not used to…to like…being helped. It’s rare.”“To be helped?”“In the emotional sense, yes.”“All right.” She nodded. “Well, I need you to know that helping you is my primary goal
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 45
Lyra and I sat expectantly on my couch, watching the new episode for the week. I was too tired to watch it the night it was aired so we opted to watch the recording in the moring. The tabloids had come in waves about Hugo and I’s mysterious conversation.“Jesus, it didn’t even look that bad,” I huffed.“You looked annoyed.”“That’s what the tabloids say.”“THEY TOOK PICTURES!” Lyra hissed, “AND THERE ARE VIDEOS!”I rolled my eyes and took another look at the article.New York based billionaire matchmaker Lilith Mendez and hotshot matchmaker from London, Hugo Evans are already under the spotlight, more so than their own clients on the reality TV show Cupid Covens. The two had a brief interaction before they set onto their mission to narrow down the list of potential suitors for their clients. It didn’t seem to be the friendliest conversation, but Hugo’s response at the end suggested otherwise. While competition is rampant, given Lilith Mendez stellar reputation as a matchmaker and an e
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 46
Lyra had gone to escort Rinka out of the building, leaving me alone in the dim office with my thoughts in disarray. Bad idea. The dark reminded me of…of things. Like his warmth against the cold. On my body. His large and calloused hands, hot on my waist and traveling lower. His breath on my neck and lips on my chest.The smile in his eyes when I cried out, realizing he’d hit the spot.“Fuck…” I cursed under my breath with head in my hands. I missed Cristo. I really did. And even though I had to really talk to Lyra about the way she’d been acting, I just wanted to go home and cry my heart out. Maybe throw away my phone to keep myself from checking his Instagram through a damned fake account so he didn’t think I missed him.Pathetic.I was pathetic.Lyra was back way too soon for me to compose myself. “You looked like you wanted to talk to me.”I looked at her calculatingly, and decided I couldn’t do it today. I was too distraught for it. Funny, really, seeing as how Cristo and I never
The Billionaire Matchmaking Club Book 1 Chapter 47
The ratings for the show came in by the time I got home, and I felt slightly disappointed. Hugo had taken the win for this episode. I guess it couldn’t be helped, he was pretty unconventional after all. More so than the others. There were no excuses to be made, I was off my guard ever since I’d found out about Rinka’s dilemma in the dressing room at the Nakamura house.Sighing, I turned my phone off and got up to get ready for my appointment with Kathryn. I was looking forward to it, even though I had no idea what I would really say to her. I knew she would be digging deeper into my past, something about getting it off my chest seeing how I never talked with anyone about everything that had happened to me. Truthfully, I felt nervous. For such a long time, I felt like a lot of my memories were either false or exaggerated. I was always told I was overreacting by everyone in my life at the time. I barely had any friends because of Mark, and my mother was of no help.Would Kathryn believe
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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
