Chapter 9

Hugo took his time coming over to my place. By the time the doorbell rang, it was just after 7pm and already dark. I looked out into New York’s skyline through the glass wall of my living room. I was casually dressed in navy blue sweats and had a glass of wine in hand. I ran my hand through my hair, massaging the back of my head lightly and occasionally playing with my loosened hair. I really needed to stop tying it up, it made my head hurt.
I quietly let him in and he walked around slowly, taking in my apartment. Holly yipped softly at him from the loveseat, I sauntered over quickly to comfort her with a ruffle of the top of her head. She understood that Hugo was a guest and settled back into the cushions.
“The latest episode’s about to air.” I informed him as I took to the couch. He walked over carefully and slid off his coat to drape over the backrest of the loveseat, coming to sit tentatively on the other end of the couch. “Need anything? Coffee? Tea?”
“Water’s fine.”
I reached over to the dispenser across the couch with a glass from the table before me, filling it up and reaching over to hand it to him. He nodded in acknowledgment as he took the glass from me, our fingers brushing slightly. Was it accidental? I couldn’t be sure. Ignoring it, I reached for the remote and turned the TV on, switching to the correct channel.
Hugo and I watched in silence for the whole hour, occasionally stretching ourselves out, reaching over for the snacks on the table, or using the bathroom. I started to recognize the end of our segment for the day and readied myself for the show’s verdict. Of course, we wouldn’t get the results of the poll until the next day, but the episode wasn’t bad at all. In fact, I was so relieved that Ethan Kobayashi was responding to her so well. I could see Rinka was surprised as well. The transition from friendship to lovers could be messy sometimes, but I was there to make sure it would work out if there was any possible chance.
“I don’t know what I was expecting your method to be like.” Hugo commented.
“It’s better than being in the room with them and playing card games.”
“You know, it’s good to keep people on their toes.”
“Marriage is not a game, Hugo.” I rolled my eyes. “I get that you like to assess people under stress, but that doesn’t show everything.”
“It brings out the worst in people.” He pointed out. “People can decide if that’s something they’re willing to put up with. Once you show the extremes of your worst and then your best, the outcomes are quite…astounding, really.”
“I guess it’s easier to soften a hard heart.”
“Exactly.” Hugo smiled as he realized I was catching on. “Who would you give a fair chance? A tough guy who finally shows a soft side? Or a nice guy who turns cruel and then tries to be good to you?”
“The latter sounds pretty suspicious, so I get where you’re coming from.” I agreed with a despondent sigh. I really did underestimate his intelligence sometimes. He snapped his fingers with a pompous smile on his face, knowing he’d taken this round. I knew it didn’t matter to him if it showed on the screen or not, my acknowledgment meant that other matchmakers thought the same as well. His business would pick up a lot after this particular episode.
Hugo wasn’t conventional, so I guessed it was why people were curious to work with him. Curiosity was much more powerful than existing knowledge. It explained why he was more sought out than most matchmakers in all of the UK.
“So,” I started, switching channels to something that would occupy the background silence, “what proposal were you talking about at the studio?”
“Ah, yeah.” He coughed lightly. I looked over at a now somewhat nervous Hugo who rubbed his palms together, turning towards me with feet pressed firmly into the ground as if he was going to say something ridiculous. “Now, I know you’re impatient so I’ll just cut right to it, and hopefully you’ll hear me out.”
“You could’ve finished by now.” I deadpanned.
“Sorry, yeah, okay.” He shook his head to clear his thoughts, and then gave me an intense stare that almost made me blush. “A billionaire matchmakers club.”
I blinked. Long and hard.
“We already have online forums, Hugo.”
“No, I know that.” He sighed exasperatedly. “They’re all region-based forums and the most contact we have with each other is through our assistants. Our people in the elite circles aren’t interconnected enough. I’m suggesting this because more and more families are looking into marrying their children into cultures outside their own immediate network. Also, god knows how much more intel we can gather on families if matchmakers were around each other more frequently.”
“Hugo, you know each matchmaker’s work is quite confidential to some extent.” I reminded him worriedly.
“Which is why things like these are regulated, and will be by…well…us?”
I blinked at him, wondering if I’d heard him right.
“I know you might open up internships at your company.” He coaxed. “This could really boost your business, you know? Think about it, Lilith. Cross-sharing information, techniques, regulating and promoting matchmakers that are legitimate and not corrupted by nepotism. The industry could be managed well with most of us in one place. We could have client monopoly. Hell, you could even expand your business by buying out some of the retiring ones.”
“You’ve really thought this through…” I breathed deeply and rubbed my forehead. It was perplexing but…it wasn’t an entirely awful idea.
“You and I are the most popular matchmakers out there right now.” He insisted. “People will trust us and with someone with your personality fronting it, I’m sure it would be a huge success.”
“I’m telling you now straight off the bat that this will be exclusive to very certain, proven and trusted matchmakers.” I warned him. “I wouldn’t want just anyone to be in this club. By invitation only.”
“If you’ll seriously make this club happen with me then it’s a deal, Lilith.” Hugo smiled. It was such a broad and genuine smile that I was taken back a bit. My chest warmed at the sight, heart softening towards him as the excitement in his eyes pulsed through. Suddenly, I felt like I had something to look forward to.
I smiled back at him. Maybe this was the perfect time to build myself back up.
The results from the last episode’s polls were in, and I smiled at the screen gleefully. I’d taken this round by storm. Conventional may be boring, but there was logic and reasoning behind it that showed consistent results. Plus, it’s not like I followed an exact textbook procedure. Body language analysis wasn’t something many matchmakers did, so I was kind of different there.
My phone rang and I answered it to a rather nice and polite Hugo. “Congrats on the win, Lily.”
“Lilith.” I corrected him, but held my tone. “Whatever. Thanks. You did well. I won by a hair.”
“I wish you’d at least try to be a better liar.” He chuckled. “You snagged around eighty percent of the votes.”
“What can I say,” I smirked, “my expertise is the most effective.”
“Well, you’d better focus on winning the next round, Lily.” He challenged me. “One more episode to go, and then the client finale after that. Their input is everything for the win.”
“I’m not too worried.”
“Figures.”
“Careful, Hugo.” I warned playfully. “Eyes on the prize because I can be very distracting when I choose to be.”
“I don’t doubt that.” He breathed softly into the phone. I froze, and so did my heart. Did I hear that right? Oh, good lord, he did still like me. After a regretful cough, he quickly wished me luck for the next episode and bid me farewell. I couldn’t even say anything before he hung up.
Was this guy being serious right now? How was I going to face him today at the studio after this?
Stupid Hugo Evans, fucking hell.
There were a few hours left before I had to get over to the studio. There wouldn’t be much to do in today’s segment other than keeping a watchful eye on the client and their suitor’s date. Hugo and I would be receiving a video transmission of our respective client’s date and we’d get to make further assessments on compatibility. Hugo’s client went down the classic route of a restaurant date. Rinka had opted for a walk in one of her family’s greenhouses, followed by some homemade lunch. It was naturally comfortable seeing as how Rinka and Ethan were close friends well before the show.
Thankfully, Hugo and I wouldn’t have to see each other much seeing how our clients were in two very different locations and we needed to be close to them. I was placed in one of the guest rooms where everything was set up and ready a good hour before filming commenced. There were about nine monitors to look at, and headphones connected to microphones in the greenhouse that would send audio as soon as it picked up anything.
“The most you need to do is comment occasionally.” The director explained. “I think you have a compatibility sheet with you today as well.”
“This one is different from all the others.” I explained.
“All right, let’s do a pre-date agenda shot about this and we’ll start filming as soon as they come in.”
I nodded and we proceeded to get to work. By the time Rinka and Ethan arrived, I was ready. My eyes followed them on the screen, somewhat anxious, as I kept my ears peeled for anything alarming in their conversation.
“You seem stressed.” The director said from behind the camera.
I nodded. “We’re looking at a shift in a long-standing dynamic. As we’re aware, Rinka and Ethan have been friends since childhood. There was a period of stagnancy in their friendship, which I’m hoping provides a doorway into a transition of feelings between them. It’s been nearly two years that Ethan has been gone, so the past few weeks have been spent rekindling their acquaintanceship. It’s clear that they see each other differently now.”
“Do physical appearances matter?”
“So very much.” I stressed to the audience. “Appearance determines personality, and Ethan underwent quite a huge change. If we were to compare his profile from three years ago to now, there is a considerable jump in priorities.”
“What risk does that pose?”
“I’m sure that his experiences have matured him enough that he has deviated from his long-standing preferences.” I noted. “Age does that. But I wouldn’t say he’s putting up a front. So far, Rinka and Ethan seem very comfortable with each other. See? They’re laughing and smiling as they walk. He’s actively slowed his pace down to match hers, makes the effort to lean down to hear her better.”
“What more can you tell us?”
“His body leans into hers to preserve some kind of privacy as they converse.” I pointed out. “That’s usually a good sign.”
The rest of the episode was pretty smooth to film, and their date surprisingly, stretched out for a good three hours. They just couldn’t stop talking.
“I guess they’re catching up on missed time.” Andrea commented.
I nodded. “It’s good bonding. It will determine both parties’ willingness to cement the engagement in the next episode. Let’s hope for the best.”
“What can you tell us about the compatibility chart you have right now?”
With that, the focus was brought back to me to finalize my assessment and give the audience a brief summary of everything that had happened in the past episode, along with what to expect in the next one. After another hour, it was a wrap.
“Aaaand cut!”
I breathed a sigh of relief and slumped back into my seat. Andrea came over with a smile and a steaming mug of coffee. “I don’t see your assistant around.” She noted and sat next to me. “All good?”
“She’s been really sick for a while.” I said regretfully. “I didn’t even know until yesterday.”
“The show does tend to overwork people.” She said comfortingly.
I shook my head as I took a sip of the coffee, “It was my fault. I just…became really blind and selfish. I totally lost sight of how much she does without really taking time to care for herself.”
“Well, at least you realize it now. Better late than never.”
I gave her a grateful look and took a large, satisfying gulp of my beverage. Maybe if Cristo was here, he’d congratulate me on getting through the show. Lyra would, too. She was gone for one week and I already missed her so much.
I waited anxiously on the results of the poll after the episode had aired. Constantly refreshing the page’s Instagram, I finally spotted a new story uploaded at 7am.
Hugo had taken this round.
“That makes no sense!” I yelled at the phone, grunting in frustration as I grabbed it and threw myself out of bed. Lyra called not long after, and I groaned, hoping she wouldn’t be upset with me for not making it through the episode.
“I tried my hardest.” I said before she could even greet me.
Lyra only laughed, coughing in the middle before clearing her throat, “It’s all right. I’m already getting emails asking about you. You don’t even need to win this, you know? You’re doing well regardless of the votes.”
“I’d hope so.” I sighed as I ran my hand lightly in the tub filling with water. It was warm enough for a dip. I needed to look my best before tomorrow, since it would be a live transmission with direct voting and on the spot results.
“I want to win for you, though. You’ve worked hard to make this all happen.”
“I’m glad you even agreed to do this ridiculous show.”
“Well, you could’ve not involved Hugo in it.” I sighed.
“Sorry,” she replied sheepishly. “He’s one of the best in the UK, there was no one else better for the ratings. He’s…quite eccentric, you know?”
“I get the picture.” I said understandingly and decided to finally slide into the tub. “Will I see you tomorrow at the set? It's the season finale.”
She chuckled, “Obviously. It’s going to be a big day. Also, the loser hosts the celebration party.”
“Good grief, I’m hanging up.”
“Bye!”
I wouldn’t say I was annoyed at the prospect of holding a party for Hugo. I couldn’t even think about it yet seeing as we had no clue who had won. We were tied for now and I could only pray that things worked out in my favor tomorrow.
The Billionaire Matching Club Books 1-6
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