Matchmaker Mayhem

A year had passed since Ava officially took over Mei’s matchmaking business, and the little office above Camellia Garden Café had never been busier. A faint buzz of activity filled the room, from the hum of the espresso machine downstairs to the muffled sound of Ava on the phone, negotiating a first date for a particularly picky client.

The small space was now fully hers, a mix of professional elegance and personal charm. A photo of Ava and Mei from the gala hung proudly on the wall, alongside framed letters from successful couples Ava had brought together. A shelf lined with paper cranes a nod to Mei’s favorite hobby served as both decoration and reminder of how far Ava had come.

Ava glanced at her calendar, a smile tugging at her lips. Today marked the one-year anniversary of her first solo gala, and in celebration, she’d planned a private dinner at Mei’s house with all the people who mattered most. She checked her watch and grabbed her bag, her heart fluttering slightly as she thought about the evening ahead.

---

Later that evening at the Mei’s house, the dining table was a masterpiece of simplicity and warmth, draped in a linen cloth and adorned with vases of fresh flowers from the garden. The aroma of Mei’s dumplings filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of jasmine tea. Ava stood by the window, watching as the guests arrived one by one.

Arthur and Evelyn walked in together, holding hands and smiling like teenagers. Sarah and her architect date arrived shortly after, their laughter filling the room as they recounted a mishap involving a yoga retreat and a rogue goat. Even Madam Elise made an appearance, her sharp wit softened by a rare moment of genuine gratitude for Ava’s work.

And then, of course, there was Ryan.

He arrived fashionably late, carrying a bottle of Mei’s favorite wine and a bouquet of flowers he claimed were "totally his idea." Ava rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile as she took them.

"You’re impossible," she said, placing the bouquet in a vase.