Matchmaker Mayhem
Chapter 67: Victory Celebration

Chapter 67: Victory Celebration

The atmosphere in the grand convention hall was electric. The final scores had been tallied, the last matches had been made, and the moment everyone had been waiting for was finally here. Ava stood near the stage, her heart hammering in her chest as the host, a polished woman with a voice fit for announcing Oscar winners, took her place at the podium.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the host began, her voice ringing clear through the hushed room, "we’ve witnessed an incredible competition over the last few days. From creative matchmaking techniques to heartfelt speeches, our contestants have shown us the art—and science—of bringing people together. But now, it’s time to announce the winner of this year’s International Matchmaking Convention!"

The crowd leaned forward in anticipation. Ava felt Ryan step up beside her, his steady presence grounding her. Mei and Harold were somewhere in the crowd, likely plotting their next move, but for once, Mei’s chaos was the last thing on Ava’s mind.

"And the winner is..." the host said, drawing out the moment for dramatic effect, "Ava Lee!"

The room erupted into applause. Ava froze, her brain short-circuiting for a moment before Ryan nudged her gently.

"That’s you, Matchmaker," he said, grinning.

Ava blinked, then stepped forward, her legs feeling like jelly as she ascended the stage. The applause grew louder, and for a brief moment, Ava let herself bask in it—the validation, the pride, the sheer relief that all her hard work had paid off.

The host handed her a bouquet of roses, the rich red blooms matching the flush in Ava’s cheeks. "Congratulations, Ms. Lee," she said warmly. "You’ve shown us that love isn’t just about algorithms or star charts—it’s about heart, intuition, and the courage to take risks."

Ava nodded, her voice catching as she leaned into the microphone. "Thank you. This has been... overwhelming, to say the least. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that love is messy, unpredictable, and absolutely worth it. And for everyone here—whether you believe in data or destiny—I hope we all keep chasing those connections that make life worth living."

The crowd cheered again as Ava stepped back, clutching her bouquet like a lifeline. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Ryan, who was clapping the loudest, his grin wide enough to light up the entire hall.

---

Once the ceremony wrapped up and the crowd began to disperse, Ava made her way toward the nearest exit, needing a moment to breathe. The convention hall had been thrilling, but it was also overwhelming—too many lights, too many voices, and too many emotions all at once.

She found herself on a quiet balcony overlooking the city, the cool night air a welcome relief from the heat of the stage lights. Ava leaned against the railing, closing her eyes and letting the adrenaline fade.

"Thought I’d find you out here," came Ryan’s voice, soft and teasing.

Ava opened her eyes to find him standing there, holding a small bouquet of daisies in his hand. Unlike the roses from the stage, these were simple, cheerful, and unmistakably thoughtful.

"Daisies?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ryan shrugged, stepping closer. "The roses seemed too predictable. Plus, these felt more... you."

Ava accepted the flowers, her fingers brushing his for a brief moment. "Thanks. They’re perfect."

"Just like your speech," Ryan said, leaning against the railing beside her.

Ava rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I was sweating so much I thought I’d short-circuit the microphone."

Ryan chuckled. "You were great. Honest, real... very ’Ava.’"

She glanced at him, her heart doing that annoying flip-flop thing she was starting to get used to. "You’re being suspiciously nice right now. What’s your angle?"

"No angle," Ryan said, his tone turning sincere. "Just proud of you, that’s all."

Ava looked away, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "Thanks. For everything. I couldn’t have done this without you."

Ryan tilted his head, studying her. "You would’ve figured it out. You always do."

"Maybe," Ava admitted. "But having you around made it... easier. Less scary."

Ryan’s grin softened into something warmer. "Well, don’t get too used to it. I’m not always this helpful."

Ava laughed, shaking her head. "Don’t worry. I won’t."

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the city lights glittering below them. The tension that had been simmering between them all week seemed to crystallize in the cool night air, hanging in the space between them like a question waiting to be answered.

"You know," Ryan said after a pause, his voice quieter now, "you’re kind of amazing, Ava Lee."

Ava blinked, caught off guard. "Where’s this coming from?"

Ryan shrugged, his gaze steady. "Just felt like you should know."

Before Ava could respond, he leaned in, his hand brushing her cheek as he kissed her. It wasn’t rushed or dramatic, like something out of a rom-com. It was quiet, intentional, and filled with all the unspoken things they hadn’t said yet.

When they finally pulled back, Ava stared at him, her mind a blur. "Well," she said, her voice a little breathless, "that was unexpected."

Ryan smirked, his hand lingering on hers. "Not really. I’ve been thinking about it for a while."

Ava huffed out a laugh, shaking her head. "Of course you have."

Ava turned back to the city skyline, the cool breeze brushing her cheeks as she tried to gather her thoughts. The kiss hadn’t just been unexpected—it had shifted something between them, something she wasn’t sure she was ready to admit out loud. But with Ryan standing so close, his steady presence grounding her, it felt impossible to ignore the truth any longer.

Ryan didn’t press her, simply waiting in his usual patient way. "You’re quiet," he said after a moment, his tone light but curious. "That’s not like you."

"I’m processing," Ava replied, her voice soft. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You’ve thrown me off my game."

"I didn’t think that was possible," Ryan teased, leaning a little closer. "You’re Ava Lee—the unshakable, unstoppable matchmaker extraordinaire."

Ava rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "Stop flattering me. It’s unnerving."

"Just calling it like I see it," Ryan said, his grin softening. "You’ve spent so much time helping everyone else find their happy ending. Don’t you think it’s about time you got one, too?"

Ava’s heart skipped at his words. For all the bickering and banter that had defined their relationship, this felt real—vulnerable in a way she wasn’t used to. "You really think we could do this? Make this work?"

Ryan nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I do. And I think you do, too."

She held his gaze for a long moment, then finally let out a quiet laugh. "You’re insufferable, you know that?"

Ryan’s grin returned, easy and familiar. "But you like me anyway."

"Maybe I do," Ava admitted, her cheeks warming. "And maybe that’s the scariest part."

Ryan reached for her hand, his fingers lacing through hers. "Then we’ll figure it out together. No more hiding, no more overthinking. Just us."

Ava exhaled slowly, a weight lifting from her chest. She squeezed his hand and nodded. "Okay. Let’s do this."

As the city lights twinkled below them, Ava realized that for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid of the unknown. With Ryan by her side, it felt less like a risk and more like an adventure—one she was finally ready to embrace.

They settled into the quiet again, the sounds of the city below mingling with the faint hum of the party behind them. Ava leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, and for the first time, the chaos of her life didn’t feel so overwhelming. With Ryan beside her, it felt manageable—more than that, it felt right.

"You know," she said after a long stretch of silence, "you’re not as insufferable as I thought."

Ryan laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. "High praise coming from you."

"Don’t let it go to your head," she warned, though the smile in her voice softened the words.

"No promises," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "But I’ll try to keep it in check."

Ava smiled, closing her eyes and letting the moment wrap around her like a warm blanket. For now, the rest of the world could wait.

---

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Ava turned to find Mei standing in the doorway, her expression one of pure glee.

"Oh, don’t mind me," Mei said, waving a hand. "I just came to tell you the after-party is starting. But if you two want to stay out here and... bond, I’ll cover for you."

Ava groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Grandma, please."

Ryan laughed, slipping an arm around Ava’s shoulders. "Thanks for the heads-up, Mei. We’ll be there in a minute."

Mei winked before disappearing back inside, leaving Ava and Ryan alone again.

"Well, that’s not embarrassing at all," Ava muttered, her face still red.

Ryan grinned, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Come on, Matchmaker. Let’s go celebrate your victory."

Ava glanced at him, her nerves settling into something warmer, steadier. "Yeah. Let’s."

As they walked back inside, hand in hand, Ava couldn’t help but feel like the real victory wasn’t the trophy or the title—it was finding someone who made the chaos feel a little more manageable. And for the first time in a long time, she was excited to see what came next.