My Matchmaking Christmas Gamble

Let’s talk business

CHAPTER 2

Wendy's POV

Theon's assistant had responded to our acceptance mail, and so while on our way to meet with the world-class hockey star, I had started drafting a list of potential women that could pique his interest.

But the list had been sent back to me with not even the shadow of a green tick.

"Lia... tell me this isn't the third list."

She nodded sadly, hand on the steering wheel.

"Ma'am, maybe his taste in women has changed?"

"That's why I added women of all distinctions, I have Europeans, Asians, Africans, even Russians on this list. Still... nothing."

"Maybe he doesn't want someone popular?"

I scoffed.

"If he's taking her to his team's gala, then it has to be someone who has a standing in the populatee-haze already. Someone the paparazzi would be hungry to interview."

I shoved a corn dog in my mouth, double checking the list in case there was any name I had missed.

My screen lit up with a call and I handed it over to Lia. I was too hungry to handle calls at the moment.

"Hello?"

"....am I on to Wendy Marist?"

"You're on to her assistant, ma'am."

"It's Jennifer."

"Jennifer Lopez?"

The voice on the other end giggled.

"Do I sound like her? I'm Jennifer Seamons. Daughter of the owner of Bullion University."

I immediately snatched the phone from Lia.

This was an elite.

And maybe the solution to my problems.

"Hello there," I cleared my throat. "You're on to Wendy Marist, my assistant there had to pick up because I was lightly snacking."

Lia looked at the five empty plates of Chinese food.

"Lightly." She murmured.

I rolled my eyes playfully and focused my attention back on Jennifer.

"Are you calling me for why I think you're calling me?"

She smacked her lips,

"Maybe."

Definitely was for the same reason.

"So you've heard that my latest client is Theon Hale."

She tried to sound nonchalant, and failed miserably.

"Maybe."

I ran a hand through my properly gel-led bun.

"Look, if you want in on this, a chance with Theon...which I know you do. You have to give me a little more than just maybe. I'm a busy chief executive officer, you know."

Her sigh on the other end was long.

"Okay, um... I've had a crush on Theon the second he was pulled into the limelight. Such... grace, such... godliness and softness in one man."

This was the fawning stage, alright.

"Mmn..."

"You know, a man who could tie my shoe laces in public, and in the restroom of a high class restaurant, he would force me down and rearrange my guts."

My brows arched.

"Okay... that was...um, random.."

I've known Theon since my childhood, even if I was rarely around at home due to how suffocating my family could be sometimes. Hearing Jennifer talk about him like this was painting images in my head I did not want.

"Please hook us up, Wendy. I swear if you do, I'll have my dad give your company the clover body-mist endorsement deal."

I didn't need to be told twice.

I was grinning ear to ear as I added her name on the list. Ready to pitch her to Theon myself.

"Hold on to that endorsement Jenifer, because you'll be holding on to the c**k of a hockey star by the time I dribble in my secret ingredient."

And I never, never, flunked my promises.

Lia's face scrunched up when I ended the call.

"Are you sure she'll be Theon's type?"

I leaned back against the car seat, going full cooperate mode.

"Theon only wants a plus-one to this event, not a permanent partner. She'll do, trust me."

She sighed.

"I can not not trust you, you sign my paycheck, remember?"

I winked.

"And if it pulls through? I'll sign you an even fatter one."

××××

We pulled up at the biggest, primest, hotel that had ever been erected in this state.

The Caurnage dé valor.

Fancy by name, structure, and taste.

I made my way to the reception, and after clearance, to the elevator with Lia following behind with my bag, maybe a plate or two of kimchi, a burrito, and well spiced Tteokbokki.

Yes, I love my food.

While people say that love is the fuel every being needs to function? I'd like to counter it with a wrap of a good ol' burrito.

By the time the elevator dinged, we were at the second to the highest floor, and in front of a bronze door labelled, —Room 453—

I put on my brightest professional smile and knocked on the door.

Once.

Twice.

Thri—

The handle unlatched and the door opened. A light skinned hunk with disheveled wet hair stood behind the door, a warm smile on his face.

Lucifer.

Who...who was this man?

"Hey, Wendy. Been a hot minute."

He winked and my thoughts immediately re-gathered.

"Theon?"

That came out too high-pitched. I cleared my throat and went again.

"Theon. Hi." I met his waiting hand for a brief handshake.

His fingers were long, graceful. That's how they always looked wrapped around a hockey stick. And unlike the ice temperature I had imagined, for whatever reason, his palm was warm.

His gaze drifted to Lia and he waved.

"Your assistant, yeah?"

I forced a smile, not understanding why it wouldn't come naturally.

"Yeah. Lia Anderson."

Lia stood rooted behind me like a statue. Pinned to the floor by Theon's steel-blue eyes.

"I see the New-york air is... doing you a lot of good."

He chuckled.

And God was it raw.

"Please, come in."

He held the door open and I slid inside.

Lia carefully arranged my things on an open table but requested for a short outtie to relieve her self.

"The bathroom is right here."

Theon pointed forward.

"They have wonderful soaps, serum and everything."

Lia looked so flushed, rosy and red.

"I-I, thank you. I'll..yeah. Go in."

He kicked back on the couch and jutted his chin.

"I'd like to apologize."

"For?"

"Not coming to your office instead, it's just...I had a few things to—"

"No. No. It's perfectly okay."

I'm glad he didn't come. I didn't want to see the rest of my employees catching the moment where I stared at him like I had a lobotomy. It would have given them ideas.

Especially being that we had a policy fixated against client-worker ships.

"Okay then," he settled into the seat more relaxed. "So... let's...talk business?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. Let's talk business."