Chapter 61: Coffee, Chaos, and Confessions

The sound of clicking heels echoed through the Manhattan Regal’s endless hallways as Ava stormed toward the elevator. Her clipboard was clutched in a white-knuckled grip, her chest heaving as she replayed Julian’s latest smug remark. The man had somehow managed to dominate another networking session with his "algorithm is the future" speeches, leaving Ava feeling like she was drowning in a sea of data points and spreadsheets. Worse, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he was winning over some of the more impressionable competitors—and maybe even the judges.

Ryan caught up to her just as she jabbed the elevator button with far more force than necessary. "You’re gonna break that thing, Matchmaker."

"Not now, Ryan," Ava snapped, glaring at the elevator doors like they’d personally betrayed her.

"Not now, or not ever?" he quipped, stepping closer. His usual smirk was replaced by something more serious, more... concerned. "Come on, Ava. You’ve been tense all day. What’s going on?"

Ava whirled on him, her frustration spilling over. "What’s going on? Julian Ashcroft is what’s going on! The man has spent the entire day undermining everything I’ve worked for. Do you know how many people told me they’re curious about his app after his speech? Do you know how hard it was to convince Emma to stay when she started second-guessing her match with Lucas because of some stupid compatibility score Julian pulled out of his—"

"Whoa, whoa," Ryan interrupted, holding up his hands. "Breathe, Ava. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack."

Ava ignored him, her voice rising. "And do you know what the worst part is? I’m doing this all by myself! Mei’s too busy orchestrating her next scheme to actually help, Harold is just... Harold, and you—"

Ryan frowned. "What about me?"

"You’re too busy cracking jokes and smirking at everything to take any of this seriously!" Ava snapped, her words sharper than she intended. "This isn’t a game, Ryan. This is my career. My reputation."

Ryan’s jaw tightened, his usual easygoing demeanor evaporating. "Wow," he said, his voice low. "You really think I’m not taking this seriously? That I’m just here for the laughs?"

"Sometimes, yeah," Ava admitted, her voice softening slightly but still tinged with frustration. "You’re always making jokes or teasing me. I need you to actually be... useful."

Ryan stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides. "You know what, Ava? I’ve been here every step of the way. I’ve backed you up in every challenge, talked you down from every spiral, and reminded you—repeatedly—that you’re more than capable of taking on Julian or anyone else. But if that’s not enough for you..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Maybe I’m not the one who’s not useful. Maybe it’s you who doesn’t trust anyone enough to let them help."

Ava froze, her breath catching. The words hit her harder than she expected, leaving her momentarily speechless.

The elevator dinged, and Ryan stepped inside, turning to face her with a look that was equal parts frustration and disappointment. "I’ll see you later, Ava."

Before she could respond, the doors slid shut, leaving her alone in the hallway.

---

Ava’s Reflection (and Mei’s Unhelpful Commentary)

Back in their shared suite, Ava paced the tiny kitchenette, her emotions oscillating between anger and guilt. She replayed the argument in her head, her chest tightening every time she pictured the look on Ryan’s face. Was he right? Had she been pushing everyone away? Was she really so determined to prove herself that she couldn’t accept help?

She sank into the couch, clutching her clipboard like a lifeline. The ache in her chest wouldn’t subside. The truth was, she did trust Ryan—in some ways, more than anyone else. But trusting him meant letting him in, and letting him in meant risking that she might lose him someday.

And that terrified her.

Mei peeked her head out from the bedroom, a face mask slathered across her face like war paint. "You’re pacing again. That’s never a good sign."

"I don’t want to talk about it," Ava muttered, crossing her arms.

"Oh, you absolutely do," Mei said, stepping into the room and plopping onto the couch. "Is this about Julian? Or Ryan? Or both? Because if it’s about Ryan, I have thoughts."

"Grandma," Ava groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Please don’t."

Mei ignored her, folding her legs underneath her like a seasoned therapist. "You two have been dancing around each other for weeks now. Honestly, it’s exhausting to watch. Why don’t you just admit you like him?"

"Because that’s not what this is about," Ava said defensively, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her. "We’re a team. And right now, our team isn’t working because—"

"Because you’re too stubborn to let him in," Mei interrupted, smiling sweetly. "Don’t worry, dear. It’s a family trait. Your mother once tried to reorganize her wedding seating chart by herself the night before the ceremony. Ended up collapsing in the cake."

Ava groaned again, sinking onto the couch beside her. "I don’t need a history lesson. I need—"

"A breakthrough," Mei finished for her, patting Ava’s knee. "And maybe a strong cup of coffee."

Ava sighed, staring at the floor. "Maybe I do."

---

Later that evening, Ava sat on the suite’s tiny balcony, staring at the glittering city skyline. The cool night air brushed against her skin, but it did little to soothe the tension coiled tight in her chest. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear the door open behind her.

"Hey," Ryan’s voice broke through the quiet, gentle but steady.

Ava turned, startled to see him standing there, holding two steaming cups of coffee. He held one out to her, his expression soft, tinged with hesitation. "Peace offering?"

She hesitated before taking the cup, the warmth immediately calming her trembling hands. "Thanks."

Ryan leaned against the railing beside her, his gaze fixed on the skyline. "Look, about earlier... I shouldn’t have walked out. That wasn’t fair to you."

"I wasn’t fair to you either," Ava admitted, staring down at the rippling surface of her coffee. "You didn’t deserve that."

He glanced at her sideways. "You’ve got a lot on your plate. But, Ava, you don’t have to do everything yourself. I’m here because I want to be. Not because it’s my job, or because Mei blackmailed me."

Ava couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of her. "Blackmail wouldn’t surprise me."

Ryan smiled, his tension easing at her laugh. "I believe in you, Matchmaker. You’ve got this—even if you think you don’t."

Ava looked up at him, the sincerity in his voice breaking through her defenses. The fluttering she always felt around him grew stronger, and she hated how much she liked it.

But before she could respond, Ryan shifted his weight against the railing, and his elbow accidentally knocked over his coffee.

"Damn it!" Ryan yelped, hopping backward as hot coffee splattered his pants.

Ava gasped, wide-eyed, but her initial concern melted into laughter as Ryan tried to fan himself with his hands, dancing in circles.

"You’re not supposed to take ’hot and bothered’ literally!" she teased, biting her lip to keep from laughing too hard.

Ryan groaned dramatically, glaring at her through the pain. "I’m pouring my heart out here, and you’re laughing at me?"

Ava grabbed a napkin from the table and held it out to him, still chuckling. "You make it too easy!"

As Ryan patted his pants and muttered under his breath, Ava stepped closer, her smile softening. She reached out, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Thanks for this. For being here."

Ryan straightened, their eyes locking. The humor of the moment faded, replaced by something heavier. Something neither of them could ignore any longer.

"You don’t have to thank me," he said quietly, his gaze flicking between her eyes and her lips.

Ava’s heart raced as the space between them seemed to shrink. She hesitated for a fraction of a second before leaning in. Ryan met her halfway, and when their lips finally met, it was soft, slow, and warm—like everything that had been building between them had found its moment.

For a brief, perfect second, the world around them disappeared. The city, the chaos, the stress—it all melted away, leaving only the two of them.

And then...

"Why is the balcony locked?" Harold’s voice boomed from inside the suite, followed by a loud thunk against the glass door.

Ryan pulled back abruptly, muttering under his breath as Ava turned, her cheeks flaming. Through the glass, Harold was squinting at them, one hand cupped over his eyes to shield the glare from the suite’s lights. Mei’s unmistakable laugh echoed behind him.

"I knew it!" Mei exclaimed, appearing beside Harold and smirking at the pair outside. She gestured wildly at Ryan and Ava, mouthing something that looked suspiciously like finally.

"Did you lock them out there on purpose?" Harold asked, his confusion evident.

"Of course not," Mei replied, far too quickly to sound believable.

Ava groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Oh my God. Kill me now."

Ryan laughed, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped back toward the door. "Well," he said, his tone light and teasing, "at least they waited until after the kiss."

"Barely," Ava muttered, glaring at Mei through the glass.

Mei gave them a wink and waved her hand, making no move to unlock the door. Ava shot Ryan an exasperated look, but he just grinned.

"You have to admit," he said, leaning closer to her again, "chaos does have its perks."

And despite herself, Ava smiled.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read