Matchmaker: BOOK I [Y/N X KAI]

✨ Chapter 19 ✨

I shake my head, "Of course not. I'm just glad I could help. Aria is amazing. I don't like seeing her upset. I'm really glad that we could do something that made her feel better."

"That's..not what I expected you to say. That's so decent of you," he says. His jaw drops taken by surprise.

"I've been known to be nice from time to time, when it's deserved. And at times like those, I'm pretty good at it," I smirk.

"That's good to know," he grins.

"But hey, reminding you again, I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Aria. Dont get any ideas about us teaming up. That was a one time thing to help her out," I growl.

"Yeah, yeah, suit yourself," he says.

What? You really thought I'd get over all the bitch behaviours already? That's a no no. No matter how hot he is.

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The rest of Aria's appointment goes blessedly, blessedly smooth. When Piyuu comes back to check on us, I actually feel pretty accomplished.

"How's everything going?" she asks with a smile.

"It was amazing, Piyuu. Everything you picked out was to die for. I know this is just the first appointment. But I already have a few favourites," Aria says.

"Oh wow, I'm really glad. Take some time to think about them. And I can always put a couple on hold for you," Piyuu says.

Suddenly her expression changes to a frown, "And, um, I hate to do this to you guys. But my next clients are on their way and coming soon. And they're pretty...high maintenance."

I haven’t been a wedding planner for too long a time. But I absolutely know that high maintenance is the code for the absolute worst. Nice people who doesn't spit slangs on every word they say like an uneducated shit like me use such codes to rant about annoying people.

I turn to Piyuu and shake my head, "Aww, that's not a problem. Aria can finish up and I'll come scedule the next appointment with you real quick."

"I'll stay here and make sure that Aria doesn't find another thirty dresses to try on," Nini adds in. Dude, why's he always backing up on every sentence I say?

"Are you insulting me?" Aria pouts.

"Whoops, I'm absolutely not insulting you. Just talking about my concern," he laughs.

I hurry up to follow Piyuu out to the front of the shop.

"Again, I'm really sorry to rush you guys out. These clients are just..a lot," she says with an exhausted frown.

"Yeah, you seem very stressed about them. They must be really intense," I say.

"Oh man, trust me you don't even know the half of it," she lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Hey, listen, difficult clients are the worst and you shouldn’t let them stress you out. They're not allowed to push you around just because you're offering them a service," I tell her.

"I know right? But try telling these to them," she sighs.

"Come on, girl! You’ve totally got this! You're a talented designer and you know that what you're doing. You’ve everything under control," I assure her.

"I guess you're right. Sometimes, I've trouble convincing myself that I can handle them, but you make a real good point," she says. But her face is still weary.

"Don't worry, love. I'll protect you from the evil," I pose as a superhero. She laughs.

"I'm a great backup. No one will mess with you on my watch. I can top in if you need any help," I say and flex a little for show.

She chuckles, "You sure are an amazing life guard. But I hope I don't have to take you up on that."

I'm about to ask her what's so bad about these particular clients when the door to the shop suddenly flies open.

This can't be happening.

I wipe my eyes to be sure that I'm seeing it clearly and it's really Atif. Oh god, oh god, oh god.

Piyuu's clients are my ex and the woman he left me for?

"I know that we're late. The fucking train was late, as usual," he groans frustratedly and stroll inside the boutique shop like he owns the place. Of course, Sara is hot on his heels, shrill as ever.

"Piiyyyuuuu! You better have everything on the go! We've got a pretty tight scedule!" Sara growls.

Till now, I was searching for a place to hide. But seeing her behave like that to Piyuu, I decide to stick up with her.

"She's not your slave, you know that right?" I growl at Sara.

"Niki?! What the fuck are you doing here?" Atif's jaw drops in surprise.

I exhale hard, counting from one to ten until I feel assured that I can speak civilly.

"Oh, hi Atif. Actually I'm in the wedding planning business here. And I'm here for my client," I try to sound as polite as possible.

"You? And a wedding planner? Wait I thought you didn’t believe in marriage anymore," he says.

"No, Atif. It fits her," Sara chuckles and looks at me from top to bottom, "I've always thought that it was a mandatory requirement to be a bitter, single woman in order to be a wedding planner. Look, she totally fits the bill, doesn’t she?"

Oh, so that's how it's gonna be, huh?

Piyuu is still confused as hell on whatever the fuck is going on. But I guess she realized whatever's going on isn't something great. So she stepped up inbetween us and started changing the subject to make the situation light "Sara, Atif, I've prepared a room set up for you if you’d like to-"

"I specifically told you that I wanted to pick the room out for myself. The lightening of the room has to be complimentary to my skin tone," Sara practically yells at Piyuu before she can finish.

"Oh, um, you're right. I'm so sorry-" Piyuu mumbles.

✨ To Be Continued ✨