I don't know whose heart is pulsating quicker, mine or Zander's? Mr. Nolan doesn't break eye contact and continues his steadfast gaze on his son, glinting with accusation and I can sense Zander's arm flinch next to me.

"Well?" The President asked.

"Dad...I..."

"Where's my car and why did you have to call my Secretary to come pick you up?"

"Dad. I lost it. It's gone, well stolen. I didn't mean..."

Sighing, the President finally breaks his unrelenting eyes away from Zander and shakes his head with clear disappointment rolling off him in waves.

"I should have known never to have trusted you with it."

Even I feel the sting in his words vibrating in my ears and settling into the pit of my stomach. If I felt as small and insignificant as an ant about to be crushed under the weight of the important man sitting in front of me, then how much more did Zander feel?

"I'm not a kid Dad. You don't have to display your disappointment in your only son in front of his girlfriend. I intend to fully reimburse you for the car and plan to talk to Mom about it, so you can stop lording it over me like the President of this country that you are," Zander said through clenched teeth, his eyes masking a twinge of fury.

"Fine," is the President's clipped reply before ignoring us completely and staring down at a tablet, flipping through pages of classified documents.

There's a heavy silence that fills the car and I have so many questions for the two of them but I know I need to play the part of the girlfriend and not the matchmaker. Without uttering a word, I twiddle my fingers and wring them of the questions about to burst through me.

Glancing over at Zander through the corner of my eye, I notice the furrowed brows haven't uncreased and he's sulking but not out of petulance, but as the twenty four year-old that he is, hurt at not even being given the chance to explain himself and dangling on a tightrope of a thin line between respect and disrespect.

Just when I think the silence is about to borderline unbearable and my mind sick of counting Hectors, cactuses, and cupcakes in my head, we arrive at the apartment complex and wordlessly step out of the car before it speeds away.

Finally releasing a shaky breath, I turn to Zander who has one of his many innocent wide-eyed stares.

"What?" I asked, confused by the uneasiness of his stance and continue in a light tone, "seriously what? It's not like you lost my car."

"It's not about the car, Cat. That's an easy fix and between me and my Mom since Dad has made it clear he's too upset to discuss things with me. I guess, I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For him ignoring you."

I'm slightly shocked by this since I didn't feel ignored, in fact, if I was ignored then I felt wholeheartedly good about it. I don't think any woman dating the President's son would want to feel his wrathful stare on them since all things considered, I was as equally responsible for the car being stolen.

"It's fine, Zander."

"No it's not."

"You said he's be upset about the car didn't you? It's okay if he was too angry to talk to me. Besides, he looked stressed out. Didn't you notice how tired your Dad looked?"

"I think there's a difference between being too angry to hold a conversation and a simple hello," Zander said imploringly, his voice a low murmur and side-stepping my question.

"I really don't think it's a big deal, I think we should just be worried about finding your Dad's car and the whole thing about Randy, plus your public image to the rest of the world. You're going to have to agree with me that those are more pressing."

Grunting, he runs a hand through his hair and nods. We enter the building and ride the elevator to our floor with Zander in an apologetic mood and me completely at ease for once.

I've barely managed to insert my keys when the door comes flinging open, startling us both.

Two warm bodies attack us into a hug, squeezing the life out of me.

"CAT!"

"ZAN!"

"Patrick! Celia! I can't breathe!" I muffled, choking when locks of Celia's hair find their way into my mouth.

Zander still moping and feeling sorry for me and himself, swiftly removes them and places an arm just in front of me as a disconnecting bar to ward off any further attack.

"My best friend! I thought you were forever lost to me! I almost started writing your eulogy!" Cried Patrick, faking sobs and looking at his friend who just frowns.

"Catherine Lewis! You. You. You. Who do you think you are leaving for two days and not saying a word?" Celia yelped, eyes turned into slits as she directs a glare first at me and then at Zander.

"Car problems, Celia," I said in a feeble voice. I've never seen her this mad, I would have expected her to be glad that my boring, simple, and plain existence spent more than a day outdoors.

Normally I'm haunched over my work desk, typing on my computer or watching an adventure flick on the TV while shoving an inhumane amount of chips into my mouth.

"If you're going to be occupying my Catherine's time overnight then at least give me some kind of warning, okay? I don't mind what you do, I mean I think you should keep her occupied but at least tell me in advance next time," she said, a plastered grin on her face as she addresses Zander while dread instantly courses through me, my words choking on it.

Of course, what did I expect?

She's thrilled.

"I mean I would have booked the hotel myself..." Alarmed, I clamp a firm hand over Celia's mouth to bring her suggestion to an end but Zander being ego-central only smirks.

"You don't have to worry about that. Cat can book the room on her own just fine," he said, a broad smile gleaming with pride on his face.

"My boy. Out there in the wild, in the cold," Patrick sobs, a dramatic hand stretched out to graze Zander's cheek that thankfully draws his attention because I was frozen in place, cheeks heating as Celia slowly drops my hand and gapes.

"Knock it off Pat, because I didn't miss you," Zander said cooly which only results in Patrick straightening and gasping with a wounded expression.

"How could you! Do you have any idea how worried I was? I was fraught! Distraught! Overcome with misery!"

"Okay Mama Greene, take it easy. Don't scare the kids with your 1800s spiel," Celia remarked, patting his shoulder to rein him in from the theatrical display he was putting on.

Shaking my head, I try to hide my amusement but fail, picturing Patrick biting down on a handkerchief and flailing his hands against his forehead.

Zander only rolls his eyes and finally gives in, the two of them embracing in a hug that's meant to be emotional but just looks like two tall, overgrown boys trying to squeeze each other to death in an iron grip.

"Now that's over with. Yeah, I didn't miss you either Zan. I actually missed your girlfriend so if you'll excuse me-" Patrick rushed hurriedly, shoving his best friend aside and wraps his arms around me instead.

"Umm thank you?" I said, patting his back and hoping he'd let go soon since I could feel the lingering intense heat coming out of green orbs, as hot as lasers and Zander taps a foot impatiently.

"I don't know what's worse. You hugging my girlfriend or how hurt I feel right now?"

"Get a taste of your own poison then. Said he didn't miss me, didn't he?" Patrick asked, his breaths tickling my ear while his chin rests on my shoulder.

"Err Patrick? I know you and Zander are currently in the middle of a marital spat that could lead to divorce but could you at least spare me from getting involved?" I asked briskly, relieved once his weight is off me.

"Divorce!" Gawked Patrick. "If Zander wants to divorce me, he better pay that alimony."

"Marital spat? Seriously Cat?" Zander said thinly, grabbing Patrick's shoulder and wedging himself between us.

"Don't raise your voices at me!" I hollered back, crossing my arms against my chest and hitting Zander's back. Both of them turn to face me, patting either one of my shoulders and glare at each other simultaneously.

"Oouuu wait a minute, let me go grab a bucket of popcorn. This is getting good," Celia snickered.

"The only thing you're going to get Celia is-" the sound of a notification pinging from my phone makes me drop my words mid-sentence and I grab it from my bag, reading the text message.

My eyes widen slightly, and I begin nibbling my bottom lip.

It was from Mr. Nolan.

I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.

Thank you for dating that useless son of mine (I'm joking btw) I love him and hope you'll make him happy.

"See. I'm not offended in the least and your Dad isn't as bad as you make him out to be," I whispered, bringing my phone to Zander's face so he can read the message.

I didn't want to overstep and know far too well that the relationship dynamics between kids and their parents is a seesaw that usually tips in one direction.

In Zander's case, he was closer to his Mom and his Dad was a figure he had a hard time either being around or opening up to - a constant tightrope performance against his will.

He doesn't say anything but frowns, the text sobering his mood and he swiftly takes my hand and walks into my apartment. Celia and Patrick follow his lead and the door shuts quietly behind them.

Zander takes out his own phone from his pocket and fumbles with it, furious tapping lasting a few moments before he glances up at us with relief.

"There. Car problem solved. Dad will have a replacement model in a few weeks," Zander said, shrugging casually when he catches my eye.

"How..." Celia and I both trailed.

"Ladies, you are both looking at a very wealthy young, prospective man who is a presiding member of a board of directors and holds many shares in Fortune 500 companies," Patrick announced, pretending to hold a mic and pointing at Zander like some fine art piece up for auction.

Neither of us says anything so he continues, "Did I mention wealthy? Rich. Loaded. Dripping in opulaaaannnceee." He says the last word in a sing-song voice, making our ears ring.

"Wait you telling me Zander could have afforded getting me more than just an ice cream at the amusement park?" I asked accusingly.

My mind wanders to all the stuffed animals I walked by, a massive dinosaur I desperately wanted as a body pillow for naps seeming like a distant dream.

"More like the whole park, sister."

Gasping, I cover my mouth with a hand slightly dejected. "I could have gotten a matching elephant shirt!"

"Umm, Cat? I don't think that's what you should be worried about," Celia mumbled, nudging my arm.

"Oh right. Be an adult. I'm a grown ass woman by societal standards, I should act the part. Why didn't you say anything before? This is vital information for your matchmaking file."

"And why does that exist when I'm happily with someone?" Zander asked, grinning as his green eyes harden.

"That...is a good observation and I have nothing to negate it."

"Are they openly flirting in front of us right now?" Patrick asks into the air, his head swinging from Zander to me and back again.

"I think so," Celia said, mimicking his actions like a pendulum.

"NO," I shouted emphatically.

"That hurts. Hurts so much," Zander said, clutching a hand against his chest where his heart should be.

"Wait a second. Did she say matching shirt?" Patrick snickered, forcefully budging Zander's arm aside and begins howling with laughs.

Celia joins him and they're both crying with hysterics, their faces splotchy from the rush of serotonin.

"Oh my gawd. How did we miss the elephant in the room?" She cried, setting off another explosion of laughter.

Groaning, Zander plops down on the couch. "Here we go again."

"Can you two act your age for once? I have something to say."

The laughter dies at my serious tone and Celia hastens towards me. "There's no way in hell you got pregnant that quick. Are you...oh my gawd. Are you getting married?" Her eyes turn into watery saucers and I blink at her speechless.

"What the hell Cel. No! It's about Randy!"

"Oh. What about him?"

"We're going to hold a little marriage counselling session...well, scheme really and get him to help Zander out."

Her smile falters, her expression contorting till her brows are wriggled caterpillars. "We're doing what now?"

"We're going to get him and his wife neutralized and then work with the man for good publicity."

"You do realize this could go very wrong, right?"

"It's worth a shot."

Patrick sits next to his friend whose entombed with an air of silence and decides to follow suit while I explain the plan to Celia.

"We overheard him having a pretty petty argument with his wife. She's crazy for celebrities and he doesn't like the idea of her fawning over them."

"Okay..." Celia said, the caterpillar brows still in place.

"All I'm saying, is that if we can get them to make up and under the table get her an autograph and him an exclusive, then we'll make them both happy. That's our opening to get Randy to publish an article that counters all the bad ones that have given Zander a bad rep."

"Doesn't that seem...a little backhanded?" Celia asked softly.

"This is Randy we're talking about. What other option do we have? He'll never do it for free."

"Fine. But what is this exclusive?"

"It can't obviously be Zander's new relationship since that's what's going to be published later."

"So..."

"Patrick Greene's new love interest," I said, smiling with smug satisfaction.

"My what?" Patrick piques.

"And the girl?" Celia asked with an air of nonchalance as she pulls out a notebook to write into.

"You."

Observation: matchmakers make matches after all.