Capítulo 11: Chapter 11: The Grand Finale Match
The Camellia Ballroom was dressed to the nines, glittering like a scene from a movie. The high ceilings were draped with sheer fabric, creating a canopy of twinkling fairy lights. Rows of delicate glass lanterns lined the pathways, and the tables were adorned with lush floral arrangements in shades of blush and cream. A string quartet played softly in the corner, their melody weaving seamlessly into the hum of lively chatter.
Ava stood near the entrance, taking in the scene with a mix of pride and anxiety. This was it Mei's farewell matchmaking gala and Ava's chance to prove herself. Every client she'd worked with, every hiccup she'd faced, had led to this moment. The evening's success could cement her reputation or destroy it.
"Looking sharp, Matchmaker," Ryan's familiar voice drawled from behind her.
Ava turned to find him in a perfectly tailored navy suit, his tie slightly loosened in that effortless way only he could pull off. She hated how good he looked. Or maybe she didn't. Either way, she wasn't about to admit it.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Ryan said, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Besides, Mei invited me. She said someone needed to keep you on your toes."
Ava rolled her eyes. "Of course she did."
"Relax," Ryan said, leaning closer. "You've got this."
The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, but before she could respond, Mei appeared, a vision in her elegant jade-green cheongsam. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked between Ava and Ryan.
"Ah, my two favorite troublemakers," Mei said, smiling. "Are we ready?"
"As ready as we'll ever be," Ava said, though her stomach churned with nerves.
"Good," Mei said, clapping her hands. "Let's make some magic."
---
The gala unfolded like a well-choreographed dance. Couples mingled beneath the soft glow of the chandeliers, their laughter punctuating the music. Ava moved through the crowd like a conductor, subtly guiding conversations and making introductions where needed.
Her first success of the night came when Arthur, the widower baker, struck up a conversation with Evelyn, a retired schoolteacher who shared his love for gardening. Ava watched from a distance as the two bonded over a mutual hatred of invasive weeds, their smiles growing with each exchange.
"That's one for the books," Ryan said, appearing at her side with a glass of champagne.
Ava glanced at him. "Don't you have someone to charm?"
"I'm perfectly happy right here," Ryan said, his grin infuriatingly smug. "Watching you work is entertainment enough."
Ava sighed but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "Try not to get in the way."
"No promises," Ryan said, but his tone was lighter now, almost... fond.
---
As the night progressed, Ava's confidence grew. Every glance around the room revealed another connection—Sarah, the yoga instructor, laughing with an architect she'd met earlier; Daniel, the commitment-phobic banker, actually dancing with the journalist Ryan had introduced him to weeks ago.
But the moment Ava would remember most came near the end of the night.
---
The dance floor sparkled under the chandeliers, now filled with couples swaying to a slow, dreamy melody. Ava stood at the edge, clipboard tucked under her arm, watching her clients with a rare sense of satisfaction.
"You've done well," Mei said, appearing beside her. "Better than I ever imagined."
Ava looked at her grandmother, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Coming from you, that means a lot."
Mei smiled, her gaze softening. "I knew you'd find your way. You just needed a push."
"More like a shove," Ava muttered, but her tone was teasing.
Mei chuckled, then gave her a pointed look. "Now, if only you'd focus on your own match."
Ava opened her mouth to protest, but Mei had already slipped away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She scanned the room, her eyes landing on Ryan, who was leaning against the bar, watching her with that same infuriating grin.
Before she could think twice, she walked over to him.
"Enjoying yourself?" she asked, her voice light but challenging.
"Immensely," Ryan said, his grin widening. "You've outdone yourself, Matchmaker."
"Thanks," Ava said, her heart pounding for reasons she couldn't quite explain.
Ryan set his glass down and held out a hand. "Care to celebrate with a dance?"
Ava hesitated, glancing at the crowded dance floor. But something in his expression soft, almost vulnerable made her relent.
"Fine," she said, taking his hand. "But if you step on my toes, I'm kicking you out."
Ryan laughed, leading her onto the floor. "Deal."
---
As they danced, the world seemed to blur around them. The music, the laughter, the flickering lights, it all faded, leaving only the steady rhythm of Ryan's steps and the warmth of his hand in hers.
"You're not half bad at this," Ava said, her voice quieter now.
"High praise," Ryan said, his tone teasing but softer than usual. "I'll take it."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Ava felt her walls slipping, the familiar defenses she'd built over years of disappointment and fear beginning to crumble.
"Ryan," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "why do you always stick around?"
Ryan's smile faded, replaced by something deeper, more sincere. "Because I like you, Ava. Even when you're impossible."
Ava blinked, her breath catching. "You like me?"
Ryan's grin returned, smaller this time but no less genuine. "Shocking, isn't it?"
Ava laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "You're insufferable."
"And yet," Ryan said, his eyes locking onto hers, "you haven't run away."
Ava felt her heart skip a beat, her usual retorts slipping away. Maybe Mei had been right all along. Maybe love wasn't about perfection. It was about the mess, the chaos, and the unexpected moments in between.
"I guess I'm just as insufferable as you are," Ava said, her lips curving into a smile.
Ryan chuckled, pulling her a fraction closer. "Perfect match."
As the music swelled around them, Ava let herself lean into the moment, realizing for the first time that maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to figure it all out on her own
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