Chapter 2

The universe had to be playing a cruel joke on me.
If someone had told me that I would be sitting opposite Selena Caron, discussing her son’s inability to manage their business, mere days after interrupting their meeting, I would have laughed in their face. But that morning, as I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, Lyra called to say that a certain Selene Caron wanted to see me. 
At first, I thought she was coming to see me about my ‘interest’ in their company so I had given myself two minutes to formulate a fool proof lie. But when she walked into my office and said that it had to do with Cristo’s incompetence, I was taken aback. 
“He is behaving like a spoiled child,” Selene complained. “Of late, the company’s performance has been going downhill at an appalling rate. If corrective action is not taken soon, we will be out of business in a few months.”
So that’s what they were talking about that day. No wonder Cristo looked relieved when I stormed in.
What I still couldn’t understand was why she thought it concerned me. Had word reached her that her son and I had a thing? Was she blaming me for his mood swings? It seemed highly unlikely. The number of times we had been together in public were countable on one hand. It was something else. Unless…unless she thought I could be his mentor.
Ha! Me coaching Cristo? That was laughable. What could I even teach him? Managing my business was much easier. I had a total of ten employees and Lyra pretty much handled most of it for me. I didn’t have a board to answer to. Or uptight parents to breathe down my neck for that matter. What could I teach him? Body language? How to award compatibility marks?
“I didn’t know that,” I treaded carefully. At least that part was true. I hadn’t been keeping up with Alexakis Enterprise’s performance that much. We operated in different markets so it seemed pointless. “But Cristo has always seemed… so capable to me. Maybe I could suggest a few workshops for him to attend? They might help.”
“We don’t have time for that,” Selene said firmly.
Okay then, do you want to hire me as your CEO? 
“You think someone else needs to step in?” I asked instead. “That could work too.” 
Selene shook her head, disappointment coating her face. If she expected me to understand, she had to spill it. 
“What Cristo needs…What this family needs, is for Cristo to marry,” she said. “It’s the only option that can guarantee a shining future for everyone involved.” 
I stared at her in disbelief. She wanted me to marry her son? She didn’t even know me that well. 
“That’s um, abrupt. You think he will agree to that?” I let out a shaky laugh.
“I agree it is a last minute thing.” She nodded. “But it needs to be done.”
I continued to stare at her.
“I know you think it’s ludicrous,” she laughed. “But Cristo will have no choice. As his mother, it is my responsibility to rectify his mistakes.” 
“We haven’t…discussed that.” 
How could I tell her I was working on earning my place in Cristo’s life? That I almost cheated on him? I couldn’t talk about marriage with him that soon. I didn’t even know if that’s what I wanted. If it was the right thing for us. Or if I was even the right person for him. Dating was after all, a different concept from marriage. The latter was an institution, a serious step that required mutual trust and respect for it to work. If I agreed to marry him, I would only bring him pain and anguish. I would let Selene down. 
“Lilith.” There was a plea in her big brown eyes. “You are a professional matchmaker. The only one that seems to know what she is doing in this industry.”
What was she talking about? I wasn’t sure we were on the same page anymore. What had my matchmaking skills got to do with…Shit. Oh my God, she was talking about something completely different. I’m such a fool. Why did I even think Selene saw me as more than just a talented matchmaker? For the love of all that’s holy, I was a Mendez and we weren’t popular. We didn’t have money. It started and ended with money. 
“Thank you.” I tried to smile but it came out as a grimace. 
“I don’t know how this works but, I can get Cristo to cooperate.” She tossed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Your job will be to find the perfect girl for him. Her family’s social status is important because the union has to benefit the company as well.”
“How so?” My voice was barely audible. I cleared my throat and spoke the next words with more confidence. “Just so I know what to look for.” 
“We hope to expand the business through a well-connected match.” She touched my hand reassuringly. My whole body was shaking and I hoped she was too distracted to sense it. “I know you will do a fantastic job. I’m trusting you, Lilith.”
I couldn’t do it. I just… couldn’t.  It wasn’t because I didn’t want Cristo to be happy. I did. Truly. It had nothing to do with my feelings for him. Okay maybe a big part of me wanted Cristo for myself but that wasn’t it either. Maybe we were never really a couple but we were friends. Unlike with most friendships, we never fully allowed ourselves to be vulnerable and open up to each other. However, I had been around him enough to know that managing Alexakis Enterprises was not his calling. Cristo may not have put it into words but I knew surpassing his father’s legacy didn’t fulfill him.
He didn’t want to be caught up in the material trappings that defined most people in the billionaire circles. He wanted a different path in life but it was clear Selene and John had no knowledge of that. More importantly, he didn’t need help finding a girlfriend. He was handsome, successful and kind. Girls practically threw themselves at him. 
If I helped Selene, it would be the worst form of betrayal a friend can ever commit. I didn’t want to cause more friction between Cristo and I. If not for us to make up, then for the sake of our friendship. I just couldn’t do that. But how could I tell Selene? I couldn’t exactly turn a well-paying client like her down on the grounds of personal interest, could I? 
I was at a crossroads. 
“Leave Cristo to me,” Selene said, sensing my hesitation. “Just focus on finding the right woman.” 
She released my hand and I pulled it back gratefully. Placing both hands on my laps, I clenched them into fists. 
“I will um, consider it.” 
 “Thank you.” Selene smiled brightly and rose from her seat. She shoved her hand into her purse and slid a card across my desk. “Here is my number. I will be in touch.” 
I smiled for real this time. It made my cheeks hurt. 
“And, Lilith? If you do a good job, which I know you will, the compensation will be twice what you normally charge.” She winked and closed the door. 
“What just happened?” I buried my head in my hands. 

Holly leapt at my feet as soon as I entered the apartment. 
“Poor girl,” I muttered as I ruffled her fur. I couldn’t remember the last time she saw sunlight. I really needed to call a walker as I couldn’t trust that things would get any better for me soon. Given the rate at which my life was falling apart, it was a miracle I was still holding myself in one piece. First it was Blair Halls, then Hugo. Then this. 
“We are going to be okay, aren’t we?” 
Holly stared back at me, refusing to agree with me. Even my dog could sense my world tumbling down. 
I brewed myself a coffee and sat on the couch for another episode of self-pity. All week, I had moped around. At work, I was unproductive, barking orders at Lyra, only to apologize later. At home…Well, at home, I was absent. As soon as I got home from work, I made a beeline for the fridge and drank wine from the bottle. 
Speaking of wine.
Did I have any more left? 
My trips to the kitchen were the only activities I looked forward to with great enthusiasm. I jumped to my feet and sprinted all the way there. I opened the fridge. No wine. I checked the cabinets. Still, nothing.
“Should we go shopping?” I asked Holly who was still staring at me with her cute brown eyes. There was worry in them. And it wasn’t a good sign. 
“Maybe not.” I walked back to the sitting room and collapsed on the couch. Holly joined me and I held her close. She was my only source of comfort. I had been contemplating going back to my therapist but I hated being told what to do. The last thing I needed was to be manipulated into confronting the real issue and I was working hard to avoid thinking about it. The wine had helped with that, to a great extent. I always felt sleepy afterwards and it was the only way to ensure that my brain couldn’t overwork itself.  
“Who even invented the concept of love?” I moaned. “Whoever you are, good job. I hope you are proud of yourself.” 
 I drained my cup of coffee. I was about to pour myself another one when I had an epiphany. Maybe there was a way around this after all.
“Lyra.”
“I knew the madness would end,” she laughed. “I’ve missed the real you.”
A twinge of guilt washed over me. I really was a bad boss and an even worse friend. “I’m sorry for being a bitch the past few days.” 
“It’s okay.” I could picture her shrugging it off. 
“But I know you didn’t call me because you were feeling sentimental,” she went on. “Speak to me, Lilith.” 
I laughed. A real laugh. It sounded a little strange to my own ears. Oh, how I missed laughing.  
“Listen. I’ve come up with a plan. You are not gonna like it though,” I warned.
Lyra was silent for a few seconds. “Are you sure it will work?”
I have to. 
“Yes,” my tone was unconvincing.
My feelings didn’t matter anymore. I knew Mrs. Beaumont wouldn’t have been proud of my decisions in that moment but my resilience had always been my strength. It was up to me to separate my heart’s desires from duty. How hard could that be? 
“Or maybe you should alert Cristo first?” Lyra suggested. 
“What makes you think he doesn’t know about this already?” I argued. “Selene said she would speak to him herself.”
If I cared to admit it, part of why I’d made the decision to work with Selene was because I was angry with Cristo. If he didn’t want me to be part of it, then why wasn’t he calling me in an attempt to remonstrate with me? He knew that I was the only matchmaker Selene trusted, she would never go to anyone else. Why was he passing up the opportunity to grasp the last ounce of control he still had over his life? 
“I’m not sure I agree with you.”
“Selene is paying me handsomely to do the right thing for once,” I said, more to myself than to Lyra. “That needs to be our priority now.” 
“Understood,” Lyra said half-heartedly. 
“I will call Selene myself.” I hung up, afraid that if I continued to speak to Lyra, I would second guess myself. I would revert back to my old routine, which was letting my own drama get in the way of my job. And that’s not who I was. 
Besides, my sacrifice had to count for something. If one day, the stars aligned and fate brought me and Cristo together, maybe he would understand that I did it out of love. I cared for him so much that I was willing to help him find happiness.
 But who was I fooling? Things never worked out in my favor. Anyone in Cristo’s shoes would assume that the money motivated me. That I was a hypocrite, that I could be bought. Just like everyone else. I had to learn to let go and live with the consequences of my choices. It was going to be hard but I could do it. I was Lilith Mendez and I wasn’t a weakling. 
I keyed Selene Caron’s number into my phone. She picked up on the first ring. 
“Lilith, so very nice to hear from you,” came her silvery voice. “I presume you are ready to talk business?” 
“Yes,” I said. “I will start looking for matches. You should hear from me again next week.”
“Thank you so much. You have no idea what you are doing for my family,” Selene praised. “I don’t take your help for granted.”
“Have you spoken to Cristo?” I blurted, against every ounce of my better judgment.
Selene cleared her throat. Her hesitation only served to pump hope into me. Maybe Cristo finally decided that enough was enough? Had he rebelled against his parents? Was it because of me? 
“Yes, I have. Like I promised.” 
“How did he take it?” I asked, feigning nonchalance. “Should I expect… any complications?”
“No. He understands what’s best for him.” 
Selene’s tone didn’t give anything away. I couldn’t tell if he’d willingly complied or Selene had threatened him.  Either way, the plan was still in motion. All that was left was for me to do my part. 
Not wanting to grill her anymore, lest she suspected there was history between us, I chose to let it go.
“I’m happy to hear that.” I moved the phone away from my ear and moved to end the call. 
“Lilith?”
“Yes?” 
“Could you profile Blair Halls as well?”
My heart crushed into a million pieces. My sworn enemy of all people? Where was Selene going with this? It no longer felt like it was about Cristo. Was she doing this to punish me? Was she working with that bitch Blair? I had to find out. 
“Lilith? Are you still there?”
“Sorry, my dog spilled my juice on the floor,” I apologized. “Yes. I will look into Miss Halls as well.”