Matchmaker Mayhem

The Camellia Ballroom buzzed with anticipation as Ava strode through the grand double doors, clipboard in hand. This matchmaking event was the biggest she had organized yet: an elegant evening mixer for high-profile clients, complete with a live jazz band and an extravagant buffet. Tall candelabras adorned each table, their soft glow casting flickering shadows across the polished floors, while crystal chandeliers added an air of opulence.

Ava felt a surge of pride as she surveyed the room. This was her domain—a perfectly curated setting for her clients to meet, mingle, and, ideally, fall in love.

"Ava," came a familiar, too-cheerful voice behind her.

She turned to see Ryan entering the ballroom, his expression infuriatingly smug. Dressed in a dark suit with a silk pocket square that screamed "effortlessly charming," he looked like he belonged on a magazine cover, not at her matchmaking event.

"What are you doing here?" Ava asked, narrowing her eyes.

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Mei invited me. Said I could learn something about human connection."

Ava pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is a professional event, not one of your courtroom dramas."

"Relax, Matchmaker," Ryan said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I'm here as an observer. Think of me as... quality control."

"More like chaos control," Ava muttered under her breath.

Ryan smirked but said nothing, instead glancing around the room. His gaze lingered on the jazz band, the carefully arranged seating, and the clusters of well-dressed clients chatting over champagne.

"You've outdone yourself," he admitted. "It's impressive."

Ava blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. "Thanks."

"But," Ryan continued, his tone turning teasing, "you're still relying too much on the 'perfect setting' idea. Love doesn't work like that."

Ava rolled her eyes. "And I suppose you're an expert now?"

"More than you'd think," Ryan said, his grin widening. "Care to make it interesting?"

"What are you talking about?" Ava asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

Ryan gestured to the room. "I'll pick one person tonight, and you pick one. Let's see who can make a better match."

Ava crossed her arms. "You're serious?"

"Absolutely," Ryan said, his tone light but challenging. "Unless, of course, you're scared."

Ava bristled. "Fine. You're on."

---

The event unfolded like a game of chess, with Ava and Ryan moving their "pieces" across the ballroom. Ava had chosen Claire, a soft-spoken art curator with a passion for travel, while Ryan had picked Daniel, a charming but notoriously commitment-phobic investment banker.

Ava spent the next hour carefully orchestrating conversations, ensuring Claire was introduced to a thoughtful architect who shared her love for exploring historical landmarks. Meanwhile, Ryan had paired Daniel with a sharp-witted journalist who seemed immune to his usual charm.

"This is going well," Ava murmured to herself, watching Claire laugh at something the architect said.

"Is it, though?" Ryan's voice made her jump. He appeared at her side, holding a glass of wine and looking far too pleased with himself.

"What are you talking about?" Ava asked, narrowing her eyes.

Ryan gestured toward the architect, who had just spilled his drink on Claire's dress. She was frantically dabbing at the stain with a napkin, her expression mortified.

"It's just a hiccup," Ava said defensively. "They'll recover."

Ryan smirked. "Let's see how your matchmaking magic works now."

---

An hour later, Ava was ready to admit defeat. Claire had left early, clearly embarrassed by the drink fiasco, and the architect had wandered off to the buffet, seemingly unbothered.

Ryan, on the other hand, was having far too much success. Daniel and the journalist were deep in conversation, their laughter carrying across the room.

"Not so easy, is it?" Ryan said as he reappeared at Ava's side.

Ava clenched her jaw. "This isn't a competition, Ryan."

"Oh, but it is," he said, his grin infuriatingly smug. "And you're losing."

Before Ava could retort, Madam Elise swept past them, her diamond-studded gown catching the light. She stopped abruptly, turning to Ava with an imperious gaze.

"Ava, darling," she said, her voice sharp. "I heard about Claire's... unfortunate mishap. I trust you'll handle it?"

"Of course," Ava said, forcing a smile. "Everything is under control."

Madam Elise's eyes flicked to Ryan. "And who is this?"

Before Ava could open her mouth, Ryan stepped forward, extending his hand with that maddeningly confident smirk.

"Madam Elise," he said smoothly, "we've met before. I'm Ryan Kim—Ava's fiancé."

Ava's jaw dropped. Fiancé?!

But then she remembered. Ryan had introduced himself as her fiancé the last time Madam Elise caught them together at an event, a desperate attempt to deflect the woman's intrusive questions. Of course, she hadn't believed it. Until now.

Madam Elise's features softened, her sharp edges rounding into a smile. "Ah, yes! The lawyer. Of course, I remember now. What a charming young man."

Ava felt her face flush as she sputtered, "He's not—"

"It's always wonderful to see a professional woman with a strong partner," Madam Elise continued, ignoring her. "Well done, Ava."

Ryan's smirk deepened as Madam Elise moved on, leaving Ava fuming.

"You're insufferable," she hissed.

"And yet, you keep inviting me to these things," Ryan said, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

Ava glared at him but said nothing. The truth was, as much as he drove her crazy, he had a way of making these events—well, less stressful. Not easier, exactly, but more... entertaining.

---

By the end of the night, Ava was exhausted but relieved. Most of the clients had left happy, and only a few minor disasters had occurred. She sank into a chair, kicking off her heels and letting out a long sigh.

Ryan appeared a moment later, dropping into the seat next to her. "Not bad, Matchmaker. Not bad at all."

"Don't sound so surprised," Ava said, too tired to argue.

Ryan chuckled. "For the record, Daniel and the journalist exchanged numbers. That's one for me."

Ava groaned. "Fine. You win."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "That easy? No fight?"

Ava rolled her eyes. "I'm too tired to fight with you tonight."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the hum of the cleaning crew faint in the background. Ryan glanced at her, his expression softer than usual.

"You're good at this," he said, surprising her. "Even when things don't go perfectly."

Ava met his gaze, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Thanks."

Ryan leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But next time, I'm picking the venue."

"Over my dead body," Ava shot back, but her tone lacked its usual edge.

As they left the ballroom together, Ava couldn't help but feel that their rivalry, for all its challenges, was slowly turning into something else. Something unexpected and maybe even worth exploring.