Matchmaker: BOOK I [Y/N X KAI]

✨ Chapter 41 ✨

I hold up my card that says, Karaoke.

"So why were you so surprised with my idea?" she asks.

"I was just trying to know if we've similar reasons, like, if we think alike.." I shrug.

She chuckles, "I knew we were in Sync!"

"So, does it mean, we're gonna go Karaoke together?" I grin.

Her eyes widens and excitement fills in them "I'd love to!"

I take the cards up to the front and put them in a box with the others. When we return to the table, Piyuu's stuffing her face with Macaroons.

"These are so good, Niki! Have you tried the butterscotch flavored ones?" she asks.

"I think those are actually supposed to be Vanilla creme.." I gasp.

"Are you sure? Here, try one.." she passes the bowl to me and I take a pink macaroon and taste it.

"Yup. That's a butterscotch flavour alright," I say.

"You should really tell the staff," she laughs, "They're missing out a great marketing opportunity."

"Something tells me that this place isn’t really targeting the fan-girl demographic. But there's nothing stopping me from relabelling them for a themed wedding!" I toss my hair.

Piyuu giggles, "Man, I forgot how nice it is to just be a guest. I can't remember the last time I was at a party this nice where I didn't have to worry about someone's dress."

"Oh shit. This job isn’t going to ruin my enjoyment of parties, is it?" I frown.

"Well, it might ruin the bad ones because you can see everything wrong with them. But I actually think it makes the good ones better, because you can appreciate all the work that went into them!" she says.

"That sounds so cool!" I exclaim, "That's it. I'm planning your next birthday party."

"I wish.." she sighs, "But there's no way I could afford that. I'm almost broke, remember?"

"For you, Piyuu, I'll work for free," I grin.

"Oh, you would? Then I'd love that!" she says.

"Good. Because I'm not giving you any choice in the matter," I smirk.

"Speaking of work, though, I'm not keeping you from your wedding planner duties, am I?" she asks.

"Oh no, the waiters are in charge of all the food stuff. So I don't really have to worry about anything until it's time for-"

I glance at my phone, oh my gosh, it's 2 pm already?

"..unwrapping gifts. Which is now." with that, I hastily stand up and clap my hands to get everyone’s attention. Hopefully Nini won't think I've forgotten and won't notice how nervous I seem.

"Okay, everyone. I hope you enjoyed your dessert, because it's time for Aria to unwrap her gifts!" I announce.

"Finally!" she yells and runs over to the front of the room looking like a kid on the Christmas morning (which I guess, she almost is) and takes a seat. And everyone else forms a semi-circle around her as she starts to open her gifts.

"Oh, Dilraba, this espresso machine is far too nice!" Aria says, looking at Dilraba with a slight frown. I don’t know why but I feel some beef going on between the two of them.

It takes a while, but eventually the pile starts to dwindle. Aria's got some really generous friends.

"Oh, another instant pot? I guess now I can make three meals at once?" she shrugs.

Generous, but perhaps, not the best at coordinating.

"Great minds think alike, right?" Piyuu smiles.

"I guess so!" Aria replies and continues unwrapping the gifts. Finally, it's time for Nini's gift to Aria: a set of fancy champagne flutes.

"Oh, brother, these are beautiful. Do you think the restaurant would mind if we used them for the toast?" she asks.

"Nope, I already asked them and they approved!" Nini answers.

So you had enough time to order fancy champagne glasses, get them in here and get approval from the manager of the restaurant but not enough time to actually write the toast? That's some next level of procrastination, Nini.

Well, maybe not. Maybe it's more like he had an assistant order the fancy champagne glasses for him when he was busy with his company crap. He's a CEO. He definitely has this one poor person going around with him and doing shit for him all the time. I wonder if that's a boy or girl?

Wait, how does it even matter to me?

Aria and Nini quickly pass all the champagne flutes around and the waiters promptly fill them up.

Don't mind if I do!

"Is this real champagne? Like, from the Champagne province of France?" Piyuu whispers in my ears.

"It had better be for the price. Fortunately, we're not the one footing the bills!" I grin.

At the front of the room, Nini taps his spoon gently against his glass a few times to call everyone to attention. I half-expect the glass to shatter and break into pieces but good luck, it doesn’t happen.

"Before we enjoy our drinks, I'd like to say a few words.." he mumbles, trying his hardest to form a smile.

"W-we're gathered here to-today to-"

Shit. He's nervous. He starts to cough. He must've been even more nervous than he was letting on. I haven’t known him for too long but for enough time to know how he loves to act solid. In real, he's a softie but he'd never let you think that way.

I look him directly in the eye and smile wide. He meets my eyes and suddenly his expression changes. I'd like to think in a good way, though.

He takes a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling, then begins from the start again, "What I meant to say was, we're gathered here today to celebrate the most special day coming on the way of an incredible woman. Okay, in a way, one incredible woman and one incredible man. But for the moment, allow me to focus on my sister, Aria."

✨ To Be Continued ✨