Matchmaker Mayhem
Chapter 101: Julian’s Shadow Lingers

Chapter 101: Julian’s Shadow Lingers

The morning had been blissfully normal. Peaceful, even.

Ava woke up to the scent of coffee and the distant hum of soft jazz filtering in from the living room. For a brief, luxurious moment, she stayed curled beneath the covers, letting the warmth of the morning sun kiss her skin.

But the real warmth—the one that made her heart stutter slightly—came from the solid presence beside her.

Ryan.

Still asleep, his arm draped over her waist, his breath slow and steady against her shoulder.

Ava smiled to herself, shifting just slightly so she could turn her head and look at him.

He looked so... uncharacteristically peaceful.

For all his smooth-talking confidence and quick-witted charm, there was something softer about Ryan when he slept—his usually sharp features relaxed, his hair a mess against the pillow.

And he was in her bed. Again.

Not that he’d officially moved in or anything. No, of course not. That would be ridiculous.

Except for the fact that his clothes were already in her closet. His toothbrush was in her bathroom. His favorite coffee blend had mysteriously replaced the tea on her kitchen counter.

And he had—on more than one occasion—casually referred to her apartment as home.

Ava wasn’t opposed to the idea.

She just wasn’t ready to admit how much she liked it.

As if sensing her thoughts, Ryan stirred, his grip tightening slightly before his eyes blinked open, still heavy with sleep.

His gaze found hers, and his lips curled into a lazy smirk.

"Caught you staring," he murmured, voice rough from sleep.

Ava huffed, rolling her eyes. "You wish."

Ryan hummed, stretching slightly before pulling her closer, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to the side of her neck.

"I know."

Ava should have pushed him away, or at least had a witty comeback ready.

But instead, she sighed, melting just a little as he buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"You’re way too smug for someone who still looks half-asleep," she muttered.

Ryan chuckled, the sound vibrating against her skin. "And yet, I still win."

Ava rolled her eyes but didn’t move away.

They stayed like that for a few more minutes—wrapped up in each other, the world outside feeling distant, inconsequential.

Until Ryan ruined it.

"You know," he murmured against her shoulder, his hand tracing slow circles on her hip, "I think we should just stay here all day."

Ava scoffed. "I have a tea shop to run, client files to check."

Ryan groaned dramatically, flopping onto his back and dragging her with him.

"Ava, my love, my future wife," he started, his voice full of mock suffering. "You work too hard. And I, as your devoted fiancé, am obligated to remind you of the importance of work-life balance."

Ava raised an eyebrow, propping herself up on one elbow. "Oh? And what does that balance look like to you?"

Ryan smirked. "Less work. More me."

Ava snorted, smacking his chest. "Nice try."

Ryan sighed, tugging her back down until she was half-draped over him. "Fine. Ten more minutes. Then you can go be productive."

Ava pretended to consider. "Five."

Ryan’s arms tightened around her. "Seven."

She narrowed her eyes. "Six."

Ryan grinned, rolling them over so he was hovering above her. "Deal."

And then, before she could protest, he sealed the negotiation with a kiss.

Ava gasped slightly, caught off guard by the slow, lazy warmth of it.

It wasn’t rushed.

It wasn’t teasing.

It was deliberate.

Like Ryan was taking his time, savoring the moment.

Ava felt herself relax against him, her fingers sliding into his hair as he deepened the kiss just enough to make her pulse race.

Ryan pulled back after a few beats, his forehead resting lightly against hers.

"You’re thinking again," he murmured.

Ava exhaled sharply, her heart still beating too fast. "It’s too early for this."

Ryan grinned. "For what? Kissing my fiancée?"

Ava groaned, shoving at his chest. "You are so lucky I like you."

Ryan laughed, rolling off her before pulling her up with him. "Yes, I am."

Ava huffed, shaking her head as she slipped out of bed. "Alright, I’m actually getting up now."

Ryan stretched, still lounging in bed like he had zero intentions of moving. He grumbled something under his breath, but she could still hear the smile in his voice.

She took a step toward the door, but something made her pause.

Maybe it was the way Ryan was still half-asleep, his hair messy against the pillow, looking so at ease in her bed—in their bed.

Maybe it was the way he’d pulled her closer in his sleep, as if even unconscious, he never wanted to let her go.

Or maybe it was the simple fact that she loved him.

Ava exhaled, then, before she could second-guess herself, she turned back around, leaning down and pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Ryan’s lips.

Ryan froze for half a second, like he wasn’t expecting it, but then he kissed her back, slow and lazy, like he had all the time in the world.

When she finally pulled away, his eyes blinked open, heavy with sleep but filled with something warmer.

A slow smirk curled at his lips.

"Oh?" His voice was deeper, still rough from sleep. "What was that for?"

Ava felt herself smile, brushing her fingers through his hair before pulling away. "For putting up with me."

Ryan chuckled, his hand reaching out just to let his fingers skim against her wrist as she stepped back.

"I’d put up with you every day if that’s my reward."

Ava rolled her eyes, but her heart did a ridiculous little flip anyway.

She disappeared into the kitchen, the sound of cabinets opening and coffee brewing filling the space—

And just like that, the day had begun.

---

The tea shop hummed with its usual afternoon rhythm. The scent of bergamot and honey drifted through the air, mingling with the soft clinking of porcelain cups and the occasional bursts of laughter from a group of regulars in the corner.

Ava had settled into her usual spot behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, expertly brewing a pot of jasmine tea for an older couple who had just finished their afternoon date.

Ryan, who had officially been promoted to Unofficial Tea Shop Assistant, was leaning against the counter, flipping lazily through a book he definitely wasn’t reading.

"You know," he mused, watching Ava move effortlessly behind the counter, "I never thought I’d find watching someone make tea this attractive."

Ava shot him a dry look. "You have very specific tastes, Kim."

Ryan smirked, closing the book. "What can I say? You make it look good."

Ava rolled her eyes but couldn’t fight the small smile tugging at her lips.

Mei, who had been eavesdropping from the other side of the room, sighed dramatically. "Ah, young love."

Ryan lifted his mug in salute. "Glad you approve, Grandmother."

Ava nearly choked on air. "Do not encourage her."

Mei grinned. "Too late."

Ryan simply shrugged, looking far too pleased with himself.

It was a good day.

No matchmaking emergencies. No dramatic client mishaps.

Just warmth, laughter, and the quiet comfort of knowing that—despite the chaos of their lives—they had this.

Until the mail arrived.

Harold, emerging from the back, set a neat stack of envelopes onto the counter beside Ava. "Mail’s in."

Ava barely spared it a glance, too busy plating a fresh batch of lemon scones.

But then—

Something in the stack caught Ryan’s eye.

A single plain white envelope.

No return address. No logo.

Just Ava’s name written in crisp, precise lettering.

His smirk faded.

"Babe," he said, tone shifting, "this one’s weird."

Ava, distracted, wiped her hands on a towel. "Weird how?"

Ryan handed it to her.

It was too clean. Too deliberate.

The moment Ava touched it, a strange chill ran up her spine.

Slowly, she peeled it open.

Inside was a single slip of paper, with just three words typed in cold, impersonal font:

Watch your back in Tokyo.

Silence stretched between them.

Ava’s fingers tightened around the paper.

Ryan’s jaw clenched.

Harold, noticing the shift in energy, peered over. "What is it?"

Ava hesitated. Then, quickly, she folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket.

"Nothing," she said lightly. "Just junk mail."

Ryan wasn’t buying it.

Neither was Harold, but he—wisely—didn’t push.

But Ryan?

He was already in full lawyer mode.

---

The moment the shop closed for the evening, Ryan cornered Ava in the back room.

"Alright, let’s try that again," he said, arms crossed. "What the hell was that?"

Ava sighed, rubbing her temple. "Ryan—"

"No, don’t ’Ryan’ me," he cut in, stepping closer. "That wasn’t junk mail. That was a threat."

Ava hated how serious he looked. How the easygoing, teasing Ryan had suddenly been replaced by someone sharp. Controlled. Concerned.

"It’s probably nothing," she said, forcing a shrug. "Julian’s always been dramatic."

Ryan exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "Ava, this isn’t dramatic. This is a direct warning. Someone in his camp sent this, and we need to take it seriously."

Ava didn’t want to take it seriously.

She wanted to pretend it was a bluff.

A final, pathetic attempt from a man who had already lost.

But deep down, she knew better.

Ryan stepped in closer, his voice quieter now. "I know you don’t like letting people worry about you, but you don’t get to keep this from me."

Ava swallowed hard.

Ryan never pushed when she wanted space.

But this?

This was different.

"I’m not saying we ignore it," she admitted. "I just— I don’t want him to ruin what we have here."

Ryan exhaled, softer now. "He won’t."

Ava looked up at him. "How can you be so sure?"

Ryan tilted her chin up with two fingers, his gaze unwavering.

"Because I won’t let him."

Ava’s breath hitched.

There was something so steady about Ryan.

Something unshakable.

He wasn’t just saying it to comfort her.

He meant it.

And for the first time in a long time, Ava let herself believe it.

---

That night, back at her apartment, Ava lay awake longer than usual.

She had told herself she wouldn’t let Julian invade her thoughts.

But the words lingered.

Watch your back.

Ryan, sensing her restlessness, rolled over and pulled her closer.

Not just casually.

Deliberately.

Ava stiffened slightly. "Ryan—"

"Shh," he murmured, his arms tightening around her. "Just let me hold you."

Ava exhaled.

And for once, she let herself lean into him completely.

She buried her face against his chest, his warmth, his steady heartbeat, grounding her.

Ryan pressed a slow, lingering kiss to her temple.

"I got you," he whispered. "Always."

Ava squeezed her eyes shut.

And despite everything—the warning, the unknowns, the shadow of Julian still lingering—

She believed him.