An hour later and I'm sitting in the passenger side of Celia's car, somber and dread settling on us as a dark mood with ripples of anxiety shared equally between us, Celia frowning as she looks at the road ahead and my fingers twitching nervously before gripping the seatbelt tighter. I've had thirty minutes to consider all our options in order to help Zander, and we've settled on one decisive plan to present.

Biting my bottom lip, I glance out the window and think back on one of the leaked videos showing Zander sauntering up to his ex-fiancée during a swanky party on a yacht, letting everyone present know loud and clear that he wanted nothing to do with her before toasting a glass of champagne, smiling mischievously as torrents of pig's blood came plunging down on her like rain from hell. 

Celia and I had both grimaced at that point, crying on behalf of her exquisite and expensive dress and jewels before the worst part of it went down. Furious, the pig bloodied queen began screeching profanities before shoving anyone close enough to her towards the reddened floor, until she was close enough to Zander to stain his tie with a gory finger.

Breathless, the red queen gave Zander a vicious smile that made anyone watching the video, shudder. "Break up? And why would I do that? You still owe me an apology for not buying that limited edition diamond ring I specifically asked for to announce our love to the world. And you didn't do anything about that gross friend Patrick. I'm not the problem so why are you trying to end things with me?"

We're only halfway through the video before Celia had snorted, pointed a forefinger to her head, and made a screwing motion, "she's devastatingly delusional."

"I'm ending things because you disgust me and there is not a single redeeming quality about you," Zander replied cooly, slapping her finger away before discarding the stained tie with repugnance.

To that, the once shocked audience begins 'oohing," electrified by the insult and the heated exchange in front of them.

Narrowing her eyes that struggle to remain open from the ripples of blood gushing down her face, she leans her head back and gives an explosive shrilled laugh, "You're not going to ruin my perfect plan. I'm supposed to marry the hottest guy and outdo all these pathetic bitches that think they're woman enough to even stand a chance at being the best. I hate pretty much everyone, including you but that's not stopping me from having the best. I have standards and deserve whatever it is I wish." Finished, she huffs indignantly while most of the crowd steps away from her, worried by the maniacal gleam in her eyes as her fists shake by her sides.

Chucking, Zander shakes his head unfazed by her rude attack, "I'm not an object and I'm certainly not something you can keep. This ends here, you toxic, self-entitled, and pathetic little girl. At least the women surrounding you are women. Too bad they've had to babysit such a problematic child."

Waving, Zander looks back once to say a final goodbye but one that is an obvious warning, "See you never. And don't ever think about approaching me ever again. There's more blood where that came from and you wouldn't want to ruin your ugly dresses, now would you?"

To make things even more comical, the speakers on deck begin echoing with, "I HATE YOOOUUU OOOUU OOHH." Off-key, making anyone wince and Celia begins snickering, nodding with approval.

"Patrick," She finally says, and I nod knowingly since it did sound like his deafening pigeon squeals.

The video ends to the party resuming with a few cheers, gasps, and applause as Zander makes his dramatic exit while the bloodied girl is left thrashing a table, anger rolling off her as tears slid down her cheeks. The pig's blood dried quickly and hardened, encrusting her into a pitiful sight before the clip ends entirely.

Groaning, I begin to massage my temples as a headache was beginning to form from recalling that video and the stunned expression on Celia's face once it was over. Neither one of us had pinned the she-will-not-be-named psycho ex-fiancée as being so unhinged and obnoxious. Cases like that were very slim and most of the clients we had were well mannered and behaved, with a couple of brats here and there but nothing this bad. We had never encountered a stereotypically textbook copy of an elite villainess in all our years working with higher society.

The disbelief on our faces was partly due to the contents of the video but what shocked us the most, was how we overlooked such a blaring fact for our files. Zander for one, had nothing to be sorry about although the pig's blood was juvenile and framed him as a bully but she was completely crazy. 

Neither of them was going to get out of this lightly, the networks were abuzz with the encounter and speculations were flying about the false pretences of 'corporate couples.' The general public was taking it pretty bad as well, with forums and discords taking sides, creating fan wars or simply injecting venom from a common dislike for Zander. So it's safe to say while the first scandal was hushed up easily, this one was everybody's business. 

I had paced my apartment for twenty minutes before deciding to give Mrs. Nolan a call, and we were now on our way to see the First Lady who invited us for tea with her and Adaeze Musa, one of her closest friends and one of the richest women alive. How I'm not even panicking or squealing from a bundle of nerves is probably still due to the shock value of this entire ordeal and the surreal quality of it all.

"Oh my God Cat! I'm gonna see THE Adaeze Musa! Crap, I'm sweating like crazy and can't stop! I'm so nervous!"

Moving my head, I see my friend panicking with her hands shaking at the wheel, "Celia please don't be nervous. You're the one driving and I would kind of like it to make it out alive today, thanks."

"Can you believe she invited us? I mean we just watched her son give the best performance of the century and boom, we're now going to be sippin' tea with every modern woman's idol. I never knew being a matchmaker would get me this far in life," sniffling, Celia directs a wobbly smile towards me before locking her eyes back on the road.

Shaking my head, I give a defeated sigh and shut my eyes as the headache was now intense and throbbing with a prickly ache. 

I don't even realise I've dozed off before Celia's booming, "OH SHIT!" Has my eyes wrenching open and I'm jolting against the car's leather seat mumbling, "What? What? What happened?"

"What happened? Why don't you get a load of this joint," Celia gestures towards the front windscreen and it takes less than a fraction of a second before my mouth is ajar. We've somehow managed to drive right out of the central city zone into the countryside with a couple of estate homes peppered and deliberately situated on perfectly lawned hills. 

But what really has me reeling in awe were the intricate iron gates that guarded a manor house placed in between two fountains, the left side of the manor containing a perfectly groomed forest while the right side led to an artificially made pond and greenhouse.

"We're not in the city anymore." Is all I manage to squawk out before a an armed guard comes towards the driver's side and demands to see identification before parting the gates and waving us in.

Blinking, Celia begins the drive forward ever so slowly with the gravel crunching underneath the tires of the car and bringing us closer to the manor that looked like it came straight out of a period film.

Coming to a screeching halt in front of the entrance, a valet swiftly dashes down the stoned steps and takes the keys from her. Sore from the car ride, we both stretch our legs while looking around us dazed and feeling chronically out of place.

"Is it just me, or is everything twinkling here?" Celia asked, squinting as she points to well manicured rose bushes and budding tulips nearby.

"Hmm, you can take a broke girl out of the city but you can't take the broke-ness out of her. I feel so small here!" I whispered harshly, my eyes widening as a group of domestic houseworkers march by us, radiating efficiency while each member of the group gives us a polite nod as they pass.

Scoffing, Celia rolls her eyes and shakes her head, "Mmmm, but we're not that broke."

Raising a brow, I scoff right back before hitting her with the ugly truth, "We certainly are by these standards. I accidentally bought six boxes of peaches and will never financially recover from that. Maybe Ms. Musa has an opening for an internship I can apply for. I'd love to wake up to this every day!"

"Catherine!"

Startled, Celia and I turn to see Mrs. Nolan rushing towards us with her heels clacking with every step, looking glamorous and happy.

Wait. Happy?

Why was she happy when her son was in such a rut?

"It's so good to see you dears!" Enveloping us both in a tight hug, she sighs wistfully before motioning us to follow her inside.

Blinking in astonishment, I glance at my friend to silently mumble, "what?" Both of us shaking our heads and gesturing with our hands as we were astonished by Mrs. Nolan's easygoing attitude.

"Well here we are, I can't wait for you to meet Adaeze. We actually went to school together and we've been friends since so you don't need to worry about being formal around her."

"Oh-okay," Celia and I mumble in unison, our nervousness written all over our faces.

Laughing, Mrs. Nolan enters a room decked out in gold accents and floral pink wallpaper that looked elegant against the creams and pastels within the room.

"Ada, meet Celia and Catherine. They're going to be joining us for tea and maybe even spilling some gossip I hope."

Stupefied, I'm knocked senseless by the casual introduction and the open invitation to have a tête-à-tête with two of the most influential women in the country. 

"Gloria, you're scaring them. Look at their poor faces!" Chuckling, Ms. Musa extends an outstretched arm and gives my hand a tender squeeze before guiding me to the seat next to hers.

"Erm...thank you..your highness?" I stuttered out, flushing red at my own fumbled words and embarrassment since I said the first thing that came to mind being seated next to her majestic presence. Oh my freaking peaches! I'm sitting next to a giant corporate magnate! She looked like perfection in a matching tweed set and a string of beaded pearls wrapped around her neck, her hair matted down and done to one side with a matching pearl pin.

Bursting out with laughter, she pats my hand and gives me a broad smile, "Drop the title please and I'm not really a queen, but I do think I'd make the perfect one. Just call me Adaeze. I hate being formal around friends and family."

"Holy shit. Adaeze Musa wants us to be on a first name basis!"

Shocked, three pairs of eyes land on Celia before she smacks a hand against her gaping mouth, "I am so sorry! I thought that was all in my head...I didn't realise..."

More laughter ensues, this time with Mrs. Nolan joining in and we all settle into comfortable silence, the ice now broken and tea brought in. I'm leisurely sipping out of a teacup I know costs more than a plasma TV before Mrs. Nolan clears her throat and addresses me, her eyes acknowledging Celia whose chatting away about an actor she's dying to meet to Adaeze.

"He's so hot! I mean just look at those biceps! You have got to tell me if you've seen them in person?" Celia shrieked, completely in fangirl mode.

Clearing her throat, Mrs. Nolan catches my attention. "I know you're here about Zander."

"Yes, you obviously know what happened right?" I asked timidly, worried that the question may upset her.

"Of course I do! My son finally gave that little demon what she deserved!"

Choking on my tea, I start spluttering and place my cup down from the unfiltered answer and the proud motherly look she's showcasing, which looks completely out of place and wholly different from the stern mother I saw last time. 

"Surprised, right? You have no idea how much I despised her and her family. They kept breathing down my neck and kept threatening me with our families being connected." Repulsed, she takes a swig of her tea and sets her cup down derisively.

"But doesn't this bother you or effect your family? I thought you wanted Zander to sort this out and have a clean image?"

"Oh I did, but that was because a couple of senators were side eying me and Mr. Nolan but that's been handled thanks to my husband's secretary. What my son does, should be his business and his business alone. I want him to be a young man without outdated expectations weighing down on him."

Confused, I give her a wide-eyed look, "So..."

"So the only thing left is to find out if you like him the way he likes you."

Taken off guard, my eyes widen as far as they can and silence settles in the room as both Celia and Adaeze are waiting expectantly for my reply, the conversation on sexy biceps placed on hold.

Mortified more than I've ever been in my life, I'm staring at Mrs. Nolan with my mouth hanging open and it's Adaeze's soft touch against my shoulder that releases the tension in my body and allows me to slow my unceasing thoughts.

Giving my shoulder a squeeze, Adaeze moves her hand and gives Mrs. Nolan a pointed look, "It's okay, Catherine. Gloria won't eat you or kill you if you reject her son. My girl can hold a grudge but nothing else, so you can be honest with us."

"Ummm..." I whimper, my eyes darting to every corner of the room before they land on Celia, pleading for help. To my dismay, she averts her eyes and begins nibbling on a biscuit and pours herself another cup of tea before raising it to salute my demise. 

My lack of response sends a twinge of suspicion creeping into Mrs. Nolan's face and she's up on her feet, wringing her hands with an anxious expression, "Oh my God, Zander has been stupid hasn't he? Men. I knew he'd mess things up. I warned him to be nice and patient. I am so sorry, Catherine."

"Wah-what? Oh no, Mrs. Nolan please. Zander hasn't hurt me...I guess..." Tilting my head, my face scrunches as I consider everything that's happened up till now. My mind begins to backtrack to our mall date, Zander's destructiveness in the kitchen, being coerced to camp out in a lobby meant for elites, carried like a sack of potatoes...

Shaking me head, I decided to spare her the details since it would only make me squirm with embarrassment. Although, all things considered, I've been a willing participant to some of Zander's crazy antics if I think back onto the brawl in animal costumes back at the mall.

Relief floods her and she instantly switches to give me a hopeful look, "He-he didn't?"

"If I'm going to be honest, then I didn't appreciate being had at something I'm meant to be a professional at. I know I'm not making sense but everyone, even you, have led me on."

"Catherine -"

Cutting her off before she can interject, I gain a sliver of confidence from embedded pride lodged deep within me and raise a hand for her to stop, "But that's not what I came here for. You know my identity so I'll be frank. We came to offer our services as matchmakers and we're willing to help Zander as his friends. After watching that viral clip, we figured the best solution would be for Zander to make a public appearance with someone new to help dispel this scandal."

"And?" She asked, her tone clipped and altered from all affection.

Passing the baton to Celia, she finishes off the proposal, "And we've compiled a list of the best candidates to fill that position. We make it our policy not to leave immediate family members in the dark, and prefer to approach parents so that the best interests of the client are met."

There's a pregnant pause in which Celia and I share a worried glance. Shrugging, she steps aside and I add the final touch, "You already know how invaluable our matchmaking is, if we can successfully partner Zander up and let that circulate with our stamp of approval on his new relationship then at least people of your own circle won't give Zander or your family a hard time."

The silence becomes deathly still and I take it upon myself to give her my reassurance, "Normally, a public announcement on our end as matchmakers with one of us taking a stand would have been the best method but for our own privacy, we figured that this would save everyone's face."

Mine especially since I wouldn't have to be caught in front of a camera with a plastered on smile, but I don't add this and hope she'll agree with our plan.

Shaking her head with dissatisfaction, Mrs. Nolan grasps the back of her chair still standing. She glances between Celia and I, her eyes hardening once she discerns the seriousness of our offer. The room becomes smothered in silence, losing its friendly atmosphere but once again, it's broken by Adaeze whose quiet and clear voice, slices into the air.

"But Gloria, this is perfect."

Gawking, the First Lady eyes her friend with frustration, "how Ada? I'm being asked to pick a woman for my son to play a ruse after that nightmare came and ruined him and my husband's position."

"Get your head on straight! You can look at the files these girls have worked painstakingly to create or you can stipulate a few alterations to their proposition."

Intrigued, we all glance at Adaeze who dramatically raises a perfect brow before grinning at us with a twinkle in her warm brown eyes, "I'm not called a queen for nothing. I think your idea is good but it can be better."

"How so?" Celia asked, falling under the woman's tranquil spell. I'm not as enthralled, a frown stonily set on my lips with my brows knitted in confusion as I run the offer in my head. What was not to like? I could understand Mrs. Nolan being cautious considering Zander's ex-fiancée was as she put it, a nightmare but to dismiss it completely? Why?

"No one said the girl had to be of our social class. And besides, deciding to go through with this plan would work best if we picked the girl Zander likes."

"Ah," Celia clapped enthusiastically, nodding in awe and agreement.

Dropping her sullen expression, Mrs.Nolan smiles at her friend fondly, "Oh, that's a good one Ada."

I'm completely at a loss until three pairs of gleaming eyes look at me eagerly.

"What?" I said absently, before their avid glances and expectant quietness finally clicks and leaves me stammering with a mixture of excitement and horror. "You don't mean..." I trail off, not allowing myself to voice what they're thinking.

Done with her tea, Adaeze gets up to stand next to Mrs. Nolan in all her regal glory before turning to me with eyes shimmering with carefully contained exhilaration, "Of course it has to be you. You're going to be the 'it' girl that everyone will be talking about."

Observation: I'm in a room with three dangerous women...help me.