My Matchmaking Christmas Gamble

Wendy's pov Do you know that feeling when life is perfect? Mm. When your bank account is fat, and your coffee is— Wait. Why did my usual taste different today? I opened my eyes and stared at the liquid. It was transparent, not black. "Lia, I asked for a coffee, not... whatever this is." She pushed the thick rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry boss, I... just felt like maybe a change from your usual would be palatable." Lia Anderson. Always doing more than required. I set the cup aside, taking a deep breath, I asked her to take the seat opposite me. "What's my schedule for the day?." "Eh hem," she cleared her throat. "Mr Kenneth Guerra is requesting an appointment with you. He came by earlier." "Tell me you had security throw him out." From the tense look on her face, I figured she was about to lie, and lying was not one of her strong suits. "The next time my ex comes here, to my company, without my permission....." I held the cup of coconut-water mousse she had served me and tilted it towards the trashcan. "Throw him out. Like this." I poured the contents aggressively into the bin. Kenneth had guts, really. "It's Christmas Ma'am. The season of joy and we thought that maybe if you got back with Mr Kenneth then you will have something to keep you occupied and maybe…" "Do you not have any client meetings scheduled for today? Something important perhaps. Something more work oriented and less focused on my miserable love life?" She smiled and handed me a bar of chocolate. It helped my mood often. "Isn't it ironic Ma'am. How you own the most successful matchmaking company in the country, how you are literally cupid-a. But still you—" "Cannot find a match of my own?" Scoff. I had heard that multiple times. "Look. Lia. Let's make this more about work, and less about me. Okay?" She let it go and nodded, grabbing at her clipboard and listing out my schedule. She called about three names that my brain automatically encrypted per each nibble on the chocolate deliciousness. Unfamiliar names though. "Martin Beatherman... wait" Lia's brows narrowed. "He is asking you to matchmake him with three women at the same time." I chuckled. Age could not stop that man from balling. "Almost seventy and still rearing for polygamy." I laughed. "Classic." "I will pen him down for...?" "Next week Thursday. He is a VIP." "Noted." She continued reading out the rest of the names, their portfolios. And ticking the boxes of those I approved. "Hmm. Interesting this one..." "Let us have it." "Talk about VIP, this man's budget makes him a VVIP." I sat up, folding my fingers. ‘The cha ching’ sound ticked off in my head and I was impressively interested. "He is a hockey star" Lia's eyes widened as she continued reading. "Single dad and a sexy rich handsome multi—" "Theon Hale." We both said the name simultaneously. I pounded my fist on the armrest of my seat. This was not just a big fish, it was a whole enormous sea. Having Theon patronizing my company would not only put us in the global limelight but it would make my brother Callen finally respect my decision in starting this company instead of following my family's pattern of either becoming a surgeon or a firefighter. Once I successfully match make his best bud, Theon. It would be a done deal. "Yes oh f**k Yes." Was I standing on my office table? Yes. Was I shouting at the top of my lungs? Yes. Did I care? No. My victory stance on the table was cut short only because Lia looked like she was about to pass out from secondhand embarrassment. Her glasses slid down her nose as if even they were trying to abandon this moment. "Ma'am" she whispered, her eyes darting to the glass walls of my office. "The interns can see you." "Let them witness excellence" I declared. "Greatness must be observed." But when I glanced down, three interns were indeed staring up from the bullpen like baby owls. I stepped off the table with the grace of someone who absolutely did not almost twist an ankle. Lia pretended not to notice. Good girl. "So" I said, smoothing my blouse, "what does Theon want? A long term partner? A turnaround strategy for his image? Someone to kiss under hot sheets and several condoms? A good momma for his son?" Lia reread the file. "Actually he wants a plus one." “A plus one?” Rare. Most people wanted something more solid and permanent. "Yes. For his Christmas Eve team gala. He said he wants a simple date, someone polished and someone who will not pry too much into his life." "That sounds like what?" I snapped my fingers. "Four hours of work? Six if I have to coach her on how to stand next to a celebrity without sweating." Lia laughed. "So what next Ma'am?" "Get me his file. All of it. I want his full portfolio, Stats. Press coverage. Fan forums. I can easily ask my brother about his preferences." "Are you planning to take him on personally?" Was I? Oh yes. Yes I was. This was the sort of opportunity you did not hand off. You seized it. Branded it. Optimized it. And then you placed it in a gift bag with a bow. "I will handle his matchmaking myself." Lia slid the clipboard toward me and I barely glanced at it before my fingers were already reaching for my phone. I tapped on Orange Head. Why that name? Because many years ago, during a particularly chaotic Halloween, I had taken a bright marker, colored my brother's entire sleeping face orange, and then lovingly streaked his hair to match. He had gone to school looking like a traffic cone family bonding at its finest. The call connected instantly. "Wendy," Callen said. "I am about to head off to the station." "This is important. I need intel on Theon." Callen immediately went silent. I could practically hear him squinting. "Theon? Why?" "You have been his best friend since diaper days," I said. "So you are going to give me insights on his type of women." He sighed. "Wendy, why are you asking?" "I will fill you in later." "Well" Callen paused. "He usually goes for brunettes. Athletic ground. Soft spoken but confident. The kind of woman who could pull off pigtails you know, and bake really well. Since he likes baking." "Go on Orange Head." He huffed. "Profession wise, probably someone stable. Teacher, pediatric nurse, maybe a lawyer." "Okay" I scribbled it down. "Continue." "I cannot. Unfortunately I have to go ASAP." "Fine. Ugh. Go be heroic." He muttered something and hung up. I will figure out the rest myself. Turning around, I beamed at Lia. "Get my car ready. We have a VVIP to meet.”