Chapter 10

This was it: the final hour of the final day. I was sitting in a single leather seat between two curved couches. Rinka and her family sat on one, Ethan and his family on another. Hugo and his clients were right across from us in a similar seating arrangement. The studio set wasn’t entirely unbearable. It was quite lavish, actually. A rose gold stage, black couches with gold accents, and white flowers. Crystals hung low from the chandelier above us, illuminating the studio in a soft but bright light.
Everyone was dressed up nicely. Hugo was in an aqua colored suit with a pink and purple floral printed tie. His dark hair was gelled back and his eyes sparkled like dew drops on a mint leaf. He looked nice. I, on the other hand, was dressed in a sleek black chiffon halterneck dress with a and gold jewelry. My hair was pulled back into a chignon, revealing a face with soft rosy make-up.
My heart was drumming inside my chest. Anxiety? Excitement? I couldn’t be sure at this point. I wasn’t even hoping to win. Frankly, I didn’t care. I was more concerned about what I would say to Hugo when this was all over. I’d mulled over his club idea all night and I wasn’t sure I was ready to commit to such a thing yet. Well, not until I had at least a solid year’s business plan set out before me.
I didn’t want to upset Hugo. He may be a formidable opponent but…I was starting to see him as potentially a good friend too. Plus, he did care about me to some extent. I felt a little selfish, seeing as how I hadn’t even given him one thought before he’d reappeared in my life recently. But then again, I wasn’t the one harbouring a crush after we’d parted ways six years ago.
Hold yourself together, I reminded myself. I was on live TV right now and couldn’t afford to slip up. There was no editing anything out of the finale. I tried my best to keep on smiling and look present, but nothing the host of the show said was received. Everything was white noise. The only thing I could rely on was memorizing the script and replaying the pre-filming rehearsal in my mind.
“On our left,” Andrea started, “we have Hugo and the rivals possibly turned lovers.”
I froze as the audience started to cheer and hoot. I realised that I had absolutely no idea who Hugo had been working for this whole time. Such a dynamic plot must’ve had the viewers on the edge of their seat for the whole show!
“And on our right is the sweet love story of best friends to lovers.”
There was just as much cheering for Rinka and Ethan. It didn't matter to me because I was already sure that Hugo had won. This episode wasn’t about me against him, but the popularity of my client vs his. My ears started to ring and drown out everything whilst a large screen behind us recapped the best scenes from the four episodes, highlighting Hugo and I’s work, and even our conversation at the social gathering. There were laughs, cheers, hoots and whistles in the audience.
“Now that we’re finally here, it’s time for the audience to rate the lovers instead of the cupids!”
Another montage played on the screen, focused on the clients and their progress with each other, along with funny remarks from the suitors that didn’t make the cut.
“I think this show proves how resourceful it is to have matchmakers on board when making a huge decision like marriage.” Andrea spoke to the audience. “Now, it’s up to you to decide the result. Who takes the cake? Vote for your favorite couple by texting us on 28743, send L for Rinka and Ethan, or H for Inaya and Javed. There’s still five minutes until the polls close so keep those votes coming!”
The screen changed and we could see the polls pop up. Andrea talked more as the world map showed where the votes were coming in from. THe studio was deafeningly loud too with all the yelling from the audience as they cheered for their favorite couple.
I tried looking at the screen, but it was honestly unbearable. My eyes flitted to Lyra who stood backstage. She didn’t look displeased at all, but I could tell she knew what the outcome would be. I nodded slightly at her and she picked up her phone to make the calls to arrange for the party at my place for Hugo’s win.
A number popped up on the screen.
10…9…8….
Hugo was taking the lead by three points.
7…6...
I took on by eight.
5…4…3…
Hugo’s score shot past mine. My score followed closely behind.
2.
Maybe I could win?
1.
“And the cupid of the year is Hugo Evans!”
Why did I even bother to hope it would be different?
My ears drowned in the loud applause that erupted around me. Confetti fell from the sky and the lights started to move with the celebrations that rang around us. It was far too much for me to handle, and my senses felt outright assaulted. What felt like forever was only a minute at most as Hugo hugged his clients and went to receive his award. A pair of glass wings on a gold and black stand. His eyes met mine and he came over to hug me for the cameras. I forced a smile and hugged him back.
Pulling back to look at his beaming face, I couldn’t help but feel kind of happy for him. It was the most positivity I’d felt in quite a while. “Congratulations,” I said sincerely and he smiled wider. But it only lasted a second until it faltered briefly.
“You’re burning.” He whispered. “It’s almost over. Just look at the camera pulling away from us, smile and wave.”
He put an arm around my waist, a secure hold that had me swallowing. Turning me slowly to the audience, he put his hand up and waved enthusiastically. I followed his lead, and saw the director behind the camera put his hand up, bringing a finger down with each second.
It would be over soon, and I could go home. Until then, I stared into the blinding lights and let it swallow me up.
 
Five hours later, with the party dying at my apartment, I found myself on the balcony overlooking the glittering, dark skyline of New York. The wind was gentle tonight, and the moon was soft. I was grateful for it.
The only problem was the moonlight reminding me of Cristo. His stormy grey eyes lighting up like thunder, and his skin gleaming like silver.
I really missed him.
“You sure know how to throw a party.” Hugo said cheerily as he slid up next to me, arms on the railing with a bottle in each hand. “Vodka?”
“Yes, please.” I sighed and took one from his hand, taking a big swig of the burning liquid. I’d been sipping on wine well before the party even started; I was starting to feel myself moving past the tipsy point and bordering on drunk.
Honestly, I would give anything for Cristo to be here. I wish I’d won for him. He would’ve congratulated me straight away. He might even have shown up with a gift.
I looked behind me as Lyra shooed the last of the people out. I had hoped Cristo would appear at the door and surprise us. It was nearly 1am and too soon for a party to be over in New York, but she knew there was only so much noise I could stand.
Throwing Lyra a grateful look as she left, I turned back to Hugo who seemed entranced by the lights of the city. His eyes glittered like emeralds, a childlike gaze following everything that was happening below us. His lips were parted in awe, a slight smile on his face. It was the same eyes he had when we went to our first elite social gathering six years ago.
“If you ask me,” he started softly, “you’re the real winner here. The view is fantastic.”
“It is,” I agreed, placing my chin on my hand. “It’s hard to leave this place when I need to travel.”
Hugo’s eyes glanced over momentarily, and smirked when he caught me staring. I scrunched my nose and stuck my tongue out at him. He turned to me with a look of amusement.
“It’s about time we stop acting like children around each other, Lilith.”
“You’re the child, here.”
He blinked at me dubiously, “You literally just stuck your tongue out at me a second ago.”
“Touché?”
“Just admit you like picking fights with me.” He teased with a shove at my shoulder. I gasped and shoved at his chest, making him stumble back against the balcony door. He scoffed at me and gripped at his bottle, keeping it away from his clothes.
“LILITH, THIS IS VERSACE!”
“All the more reason to ruin it.” I smirked as I held my bottle and playfully threatened to spill it on him. I didn’t know where this was coming from, but it was entirely possible I had crossed into drunken territory. His eyes grew wide in terror and he took a step back. I stalked closer to him as he backed into the apartment, his foot catching a stray cushion. He yelped, falling backwards onto the couch as I watched in horror as the bottle in his hand loosened.
“DON’T RUIN MY COUCH!” I yelled.
“I didn’t drop it!” he cried out and tightened his grip on the bottle again, taking a gulp to finish off the last of the drink. He threw his head back, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he gulped down the alcohol with scrunched up eyes.
And I had the very dangerous urge to…to…I wasn’t sure what to do, but before I knew it, I had slowly moved forward to tower over him. My hand had a mind of its own as it reached forward, my fingertips gently pressing against his jaw. Hugo let go of the drink and looked at me, eyes wide in shock and confusion. But I could see them shine with familiarity, and it felt like I had just been sucked back to the moment six years ago.
I hoped Hugo and I would never see each other again for another few years after what was to come, just like last time.
“You’re drunk.” He whispered. My hand slid to his strong and square jaw, feeling the light stubble against my soft palm as my thumb rested on his bottom lip. Warm, plump, and inviting. My dress lifted and my legs found themselves on the either side of his thighs, straddling cautiously and not putting my weight on him yet. I could feel the heat off his body roll off in waves against mine, my skin thrumming with energy as his eyes travelled from my face to the low cut of my dress. His eyes rested on my breasts for the briefest moment, but I could feel the arousal making my nipples harden and press against the cloth.
His breath hitched as I got closer to him, my chest near his face. I felt his hot breath rush into the valley of my breasts, and his hand clamped on my thigh with panic.
“We’re both drunk,” he repeated. “It’s our internship days all over again. Lilith, listen to me.”
It was the first time he’d said my name seriously. Not Lily. Lilith.
“Tell me to stop.” I said flatly, grabbing his chin and looking into his darkening forest green eyes. “Say it...that you don’t want this.”
He looked up at me, lost and…in awe. His hand skimmed up my thigh slowly, resting on the swell of my bottom, my skin prickling with goosebumps at his touch. His mouth moved, uncertain of what to say.
“Spit it out, Hugo.”
“I don’t want you to stop.”
In a drunken fervor, my head swooped down to catch his lips against mine.

My head pounded against my skull. Quite literally. Almost too similar to that time…
Oh no… the horror dawned upon me as I shot up, more awake than I had ever been in my entire life. The sunlight poured in through the windows, blinding me for a good minute as I got up, feeling my way around.
It wasn’t my bedroom.
The air brushed against my naked body, and it was enough to tell me what had happened.
“Oh, fuck.” I gasped as the memories dawned on me. “Oh, fuck, shit, please, no…”
Slowly regaining my composure, I looked over my shoulder in panic. My heart dropped as my worst fears were confirmed.
Hugo lay there, topless and covered by a cushion. His pants lay around his ankles, and my dress was right beside him. With a dreaded sigh, I rushed over beside him, gathered my things and put it on,just in time to hear the bell ring.
Sighing in relief at the thought of Lyra coming to help clean up, I rushed to the door and threw it open to let her in.
My jaw dropped.
“Cristo?”
“Hi…” he breathed, an adorably sheepish smile on his face. His bright, golden eyes shone at me, his face looking a whole lot better than the last time I saw him. My heart warmed at the sight of him and the flowers in his hands, but sunk as his eyes travelled behind me to the very obvious elephant in the room.
The look of pain and confusion in his eyes ripped my heart out, and I knew with all my heart that what passed between us at that very moment was irreparably damaged.
“Cristo…” I reached forward shakily, “I can explain.”
He stepped away from me before I could touch him, as if I’d bitten him. His eyes darkened with sadness…anger...worse...
Hurt.
He was so hurt, and it was the last thing he needed.
“No.” he sighed. The flowers dropped from his hands, and so did my heart, crashing against the ground and cracking as I watched his body turn and move away from me.
“Cristo, please.” I cried out weakly and ran out after him, a sob behind my tongue. “Please, wait…”
“No!” he yelled, turning around and squaring his shoulders at me. I froze and cowered away from him, shocked at the rage in his eyes and voice. I felt so small before him as his shoulders grew broader with each labored breath he took.
“You’ve…” he breathed, “made yourself very clear now, Lilith. And I’m sorry that I even bothered.”
With that, he was gone. And I was nothing but a sobbing mess on the floor.
The Billionaire Matching Club Books 1-6
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