Matchmaker Mayhem
Chapter 53: Chaos on the Exhibit Floor

Chapter 53: Chaos on the Exhibit Floor

After the intense first challenge and the not-so-graceful second-place finish, Ava is determined to bounce back. The next segment of the convention focuses on live demonstrations at the matchmaking exhibition floor, where participants set up themed booths to showcase their matchmaking philosophies and skills. Naturally, chaos ensues as Ava, Ryan, and (unfortunately) Mei prepare their own "interactive experience," competing directly with Julian Ashcroft’s sleek and tech-driven display.

The exhibition floor was a whirlwind of color, noise, and activity. Each participant had set up a booth showcasing their matchmaking style, and it felt more like a carnival than a convention. Neon signs, holographic projections, and wafting aromas of overpriced pastries filled the air. Ava and Ryan’s corner booth looked, at best, modest—until Mei intervened.

"This is embarrassing," Mei declared, surveying the table with a single vase of flowers and a clipboard. "We need pizzazz! Something to catch the eye."

"We don’t need pizzazz," Ava said, crossing her arms. "We need professionalism."

Mei ignored her, snapping her fingers at Harold, who emerged from a nearby box holding a garish velvet curtain and a plastic gong. "Harold, hang this up! It’ll create ambiance."

"Ambiance?" Ava repeated, horrified.

"Oh, and I brought these!" Mei said, pulling out a tray of fortune cookies. "Each one has a romantic fortune tailored to inspire love."

Ryan cracked one open. "’You’ll meet someone tall who likes pancakes.’" He smirked. "Inspirational."

"It’s a metaphor!" Mei said, waving him off. "People love gimmicks."

By the time Mei finished "enhancing" their booth, it looked like a cross between a circus sideshow and a Chinese takeout restaurant. Harold, now dressed in a ridiculous Cupid costume complete with wings, perched awkwardly on a stool in the corner.

Ava pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is a disaster."

Ryan grinned. "Come on. It has... character."

"Character isn’t going to win this," Ava snapped, glaring at him.

Ryan shrugged, tossing another fortune cookie in the air and catching it. "Maybe not, but it’ll definitely be memorable."

---

From across the room, Julian Ashcroft’s booth was a picture of precision. A gleaming white backdrop displayed sleek monitors scrolling data, while his staff demonstrated an algorithm that could predict compatibility within seconds.

Julian stood front and center, his tailored suit immaculate, holding a crowd captive with his smooth explanation. "Unlike traditional methods, we remove the guesswork. Data doesn’t lie."

Ava bristled. "I can’t stand that guy."

Ryan smirked. "Yeah, but admit it. His presentation’s impressive."

"Traitor," Ava muttered, glaring at him.

As if sensing her glare, Julian turned and locked eyes with Ava, his smirk growing wider. He strolled over, hands in his pockets, exuding irritating confidence.

"Ah, Ava," he said smoothly. "Lovely setup. Very... whimsical."

"It’s called creativity," Ava shot back. "You should try it sometime."

Julian chuckled, clearly unbothered. "I’ll stick with results, thanks."

Before Ava could retort, a voice boomed over the loudspeaker, announcing an impromptu matchmaking challenge. Mei, holding the microphone, grinned wickedly. "Welcome to the spontaneous matchmaking showdown! Step right up and watch Team Lee in action!"

"Grandma, no!" Ava hissed, but it was too late.

---

The crowd surged toward Ava’s booth, intrigued by Mei’s announcement. Guests were encouraged to pair up randomly, and Ava and Ryan were tasked with helping them connect.

"Are you ready?" Ryan teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"No," Ava muttered, as the first pair approached—a germophobic doctor and a travel blogger.

"Great," Ava said, forcing a smile. "Let’s start with a trust exercise..."

Meanwhile, Harold’s Cupid wings snagged on the velvet curtain, sending the gong crashing to the floor. A startled mime screamed silently, while Julian’s laughter echoed from across the room.

Ryan, attempting to salvage the situation, accidentally tripped over Julian’s display cables, sending one of the monitors flickering. "Oops," Ryan said, entirely unconvincingly.

"You’re sabotaging my equipment now?" Julian said, raising an eyebrow.

"Just leveling the playing field," Ryan shot back.

---

The chaos of the matchmaking exhibit was reaching its peak. Contestants darted around the room like frenzied bees, attempting to "match" their assigned attendees based on little more than a quick conversation and an overconfident hunch. Over the course of the event, Ava had witnessed everything from a nervous intern trying to pair a dog walker with a hedge fund manager to Astrid loudly proclaiming that the alignment of Venus and Neptune meant nobody would find love today.

"Absolute chaos," Ryan muttered as he leaned against a nearby column, sipping from his water bottle. "I give this about ten more minutes before someone tries to match a goldfish with a houseplant."

Ava shot him a tired look, but she couldn’t disagree. Julian was on the other side of the room, charming attendees with his polished speeches about data compatibility and algorithms. And Ethan? He was busy working the room like a game show host, hyping up his matches with more enthusiasm than actual effort.

"I’m pretty sure Ethan just paired two people based on who was holding matching coffee cups," Ava said, rubbing her temple.

Ryan smirked. "Maybe we should try matching people based on shoe size. Couldn’t be worse than Ethan’s method."

Ava sighed, scanning the room for anyone who hadn’t already been scooped up by one of the other contestants. That’s when she noticed Emma—a petite florist with delicate features and shy eyes—standing off to the side with her young son clutching her hand. Emma’s shoulders were hunched like she wanted to disappear into the wallpaper.

"Found one," Ava said, straightening.

Ryan followed her gaze. "Her? She looks like she’d bolt if someone so much as said ’hello.’"

"Exactly," Ava said, her matchmaking instincts sparking to life. "She’s nervous. She needs someone who’ll make her feel at ease."

She scanned the room again and spotted Lucas—a widowed elementary school teacher with a kind smile—leaning awkwardly near the refreshments table. He was holding a glass of punch like it was a shield, clearly unsure of how to approach anyone.

"Stay here," Ava said to Ryan, already weaving through the crowd toward Emma.

"Like I have a choice," Ryan called after her.

Ava approached Emma slowly, careful not to startle her. "Hi there," she said, her tone warm and reassuring. "I’m Ava. Are you enjoying the event?"

Emma blinked at her, clutching her son’s hand tighter. "Oh, um... it’s nice. A little overwhelming."

"I get that," Ava said, smiling. "Big crowds can be a lot. But I think you might be just the person someone here has been hoping to meet."

Emma’s brows furrowed in confusion. "Me?"

"Yes," Ava said confidently. She crouched slightly to address the little boy. "And you, too. I bet you’re a great helper."

The boy grinned shyly, hiding behind his mother’s leg.

Ava motioned for Emma to follow her. "Come with me. I’d like you to meet someone."

A few moments later, she brought Emma and her son over to Lucas, who looked up from his punch with mild surprise.

"Lucas," Ava said, smiling brightly. "This is Emma. She runs a flower shop downtown. And this is her son, Jake. Jake, this is Mr. Lucas—he’s a teacher."

Lucas’s expression softened instantly as he crouched down to greet Jake. "Hey, buddy. What grade are you in?"

"Second," Jake said quietly.

"That’s my favorite grade to teach," Lucas replied, his smile genuine.

Emma watched the interaction with hesitant curiosity, her grip on Jake’s hand relaxing slightly. Ava nudged her gently. "Lucas is also a bit of a plant expert. I bet you two could swap gardening tips."

"Oh, I don’t know about expert," Lucas said modestly, scratching the back of his neck. "But I do have a little garden at home."

"You do?" Emma said, her voice softening. "I’ve always wanted to grow vegetables, but I’ve never had much luck with anything besides flowers."

They began chatting, and within minutes, the two of them were smiling and laughing like old friends. Jake had warmed up to Lucas, too, showing him his favorite toy car.

As Ava stepped back to give them space, Ryan appeared at her side. "Look at you," he said, grinning. "Making magic happen."

Ava glanced at Emma and Lucas, who were now exchanging phone numbers. A small flicker of hope lit up inside her. "Maybe intuition still works," she said quietly.

Ryan leaned closer. "Of course it does. You just needed a reminder."

---

As the exhibit came to a close, the air buzzed with anticipation. Contestants gathered near the stage as the event organizers began tallying results. The crowd was a mix of exhaustion, curiosity, and competitive tension. Ava crossed her arms, stealing a glance at Julian, who was chatting with Astrid near the front. His polished confidence was as irritating as ever.

"Nice attempt, Lee," Julian said as he approached her, his tone as smug as his expression. "But this isn’t over."

"Not by a long shot," Ava shot back, holding his gaze without flinching.

Ryan stepped up beside her, grinning like he was having the time of his life. "Bring it on, data boy."

Julian’s smirk faltered for just a moment before he turned and walked away.

As the crowd began to disperse, Ava felt a strange mix of emotions swirling inside her. She was exhausted from the day’s chaos but also exhilarated. Against all odds—and with more than a little help from Mei, Ryan, and Harold—they’d held their own.

"You know," Ryan said, handing Ava a fresh drink from a passing waiter, "you didn’t punch anyone today. That’s progress."

Ava rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smirking. "Barely."

He tilted his glass toward hers in a mock toast. "To surviving the first round of matchmaking mayhem."

"To surviving," Ava agreed, clinking her glass against his.

From across the room, Mei and Harold watched them with matching conspiratorial grins.

"She’s getting the hang of it," Harold said, popping an hors d’oeuvre into his mouth.

"Oh, the fun is just beginning," Mei replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

As Ava sipped her drink, she glanced around the ballroom, the flicker of hope from earlier still burning bright. Whatever the next round of the convention had in store, one thing was certain: it wasn’t going to be boring.

"Ready for the next challenge?" Ryan asked, his voice teasing but supportive.

Ava smirked, her determination renewed. "Oh, I was born ready."