The Ricci’s insisted I spend another week just to cool off from the work, but I really needed to leave Italy. I was tired of the memories there and explained that I should probably check myself into a bit of counseling for what had happened regarding Rio. That seemed to quell them immediately, and I was so taken aback by their understanding and kindness. It must’ve given them the wrong impression when I announced I was heading back right after my talk with Guasparre, and they’d convinced me to have dinner at the Moretti’s place before accompanying me to the airport.“You have a place here with us, Lilith,” Mrs. Ricci said, holding my hands in her warm grasp as the speakers announced the boarding for my flight, “Once Guasparre is ready again, please come back.”“I certainly will,” I gripped her hands in reassurance. She moved away to let Bellona engulf me in a hug. She still looked apologetic. I patted her arm, “Thank you for taking care of me. I’m so glad I got to be here. I’ll be bac

I sat in front of the reporter, trying to pull up an easygoing smile. This was going to be broadcasted live on TV so I needed to at least try having a good appearance.“And you’ve been in the industry for how long now?”“Eight years, although I’ve had my own business for six.”“Yet your reviews are stellar!”“All in a day’s work, I guess,” I responded humbly and the audience clapped in the seat across the set. It was such a strange thing to be on TV. I knew things needed to be rehearsed and that things were planned and shot ahead of time, but it felt all the more unnatural.One episode a week. This wasn’t something they shot months in advance. They wanted the viewers to interact with the show actively. I didn’t really understand most of it, to be honest. Then again, I’d never been on TV before.“You must have heard of your competition, though.” The man interviewing me said cheekily. “Hugo Evans.”“I glanced at his Instagram profile on the way here.” I shrugged jokingly with nonchalanc

Lyra and I sat expectantly on my couch, watching the new episode for the week. I was too tired to watch it the night it was aired so we opted to watch the recording in the moring. The tabloids had come in waves about Hugo and I’s mysterious conversation.“Jesus, it didn’t even look that bad,” I huffed.“You looked annoyed.”“That’s what the tabloids say.”“THEY TOOK PICTURES!” Lyra hissed, “AND THERE ARE VIDEOS!”I rolled my eyes and took another look at the article.New York based billionaire matchmaker Lilith Mendez and hotshot matchmaker from London, Hugo Evans are already under the spotlight, more so than their own clients on the reality TV show Cupid Covens. The two had a brief interaction before they set onto their mission to narrow down the list of potential suitors for their clients. It didn’t seem to be the friendliest conversation, but Hugo’s response at the end suggested otherwise. While competition is rampant, given Lilith Mendez stellar reputation as a matchmaker and an e

The ratings for the show came in by the time I got home, and I felt slightly disappointed. Hugo had taken the win for this episode. I guess it couldn’t be helped, he was pretty unconventional after all. More so than the others. There were no excuses to be made, I was off my guard ever since I’d found out about Rinka’s dilemma in the dressing room at the Nakamura house.Sighing, I turned my phone off and got up to get ready for my appointment with Kathryn. I was looking forward to it, even though I had no idea what I would really say to her. I knew she would be digging deeper into my past, something about getting it off my chest seeing how I never talked with anyone about everything that had happened to me. Truthfully, I felt nervous. For such a long time, I felt like a lot of my memories were either false or exaggerated. I was always told I was overreacting by everyone in my life at the time. I barely had any friends because of Mark, and my mother was of no help.Would Kathryn believe

This was it. It was the day, the hour, and I sat on a 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 on a similar couch. It wasn’t entirely unbearable, the set. 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, bright light.Everyone was dressed well. Hugo was literally in an aqua colored suit with pink and purple floral print on his 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 dress with a halter neck and gold jewelry. My hair was pulled back into a chignon, revealing a face with soft rosy make-up.My heart was drumming against my chest. Anxiety? Excitement? I couldn’t be sure at this point. I wasn’t even hoping to win. Frankly, I