| 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 |

Chapter 19: How to Survive a Wedding

"Wait... maid of honor? Are you serious?" I blinked, stunned.

"Yess..." Lisa replied, stretching the word with a huge grin.

"Wow, Lisa, that's fantastic! But... I'm a little confused. Wouldn't your friends get offended? I mean, you've only known me a few days—"

"The truth is, Y/N, I don't really have that close of friends," she said, her voice softening. "Actually... you've been a better friend to me in these few days than the people back home have been in years. So, after a lot of thought... I realized there's no one I'd rather have as my maid of honor than you."

My heart warmed, and I couldn't help but smile. "Then how could I refuse?"

Before I knew it, she threw her arms around me in a tight hug. "I'm so happy you said yes!" she squealed. "Anyway, about the dress—"

"Whoa, slow down!" I laughed, pulling back a little. "Where's the fire?"

"Yeah, it's not like you're getting married today, right?" I joked, taking a sip of water.

"Actually... I am."

Cue cartoon spit-take: water sprayed everywhere. "What?!"

She held back a laugh at my reaction. "Yep! Ethan and I talked to the producers, and they were thrilled. Apparently, they've never had a Hallyuwood Matchmaker wedding before, so they're covering the costs as a 'wedding gift.'"

Of course, they're paying for it! This wedding's going to launch the ratings through the roof!

"But, Lisa... getting married on Hallyuwood Matchmaker? Isn't that a bit... public? And fast? I mean, you two got engaged yesterday. And what about your family? Are they going to drop everything and come right away?"

Lisa shrugged. "Actually, my family gave me the idea. They said I'd better secure Ethan while he still wants me."

I stared at her, wondering if I'd heard that right. "Lisa... I don't think your family is very... healthy for you."

She gave a nonchalant shrug. "Well, you know what they say. Every family is toxic in one way or another."

"Yeah, but most families don't push you to lock down a husband like he's a flight risk," I muttered, shaking my head.

"Anyway, do you think I should go with lilies and lavender for the floral theme, or is that too corny? And for the tables—"

"Lisa!" I interrupted. "Maybe we should get some caffeine in our systems first?"

Her eyes lit up like I'd just invented fire. "Great idea! This is why I chose you as my maid of honor. You're brilliant! How do you even come up with these ideas?"

"Uh... I just suggested coffee or black tea..." I said, feeling a little awkward.

"Coffee it is! Follow me!" she announced like we were embarking on a grand adventure.

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least she listened. And so, I followed her to the kitchen, where she immediately began rifling through cabinets and drawers like a caffeine-crazed raccoon.

"Alright," she said, pulling out a mismatched assortment of coffee grounds, tea bags, and what looked suspiciously like hot chocolate mix. "Which one speaks to you?"

"Uh... maybe just the coffee?" I suggested, trying to hide my horror at the mountain of options.

"Excellent choice!" She flashed me a grin as she dumped a very generous amount of coffee into the machine, pressing buttons with the confidence of someone who definitely knows what she's doing... or thinks she does.