Page 62 of No Mane, No Gain

Marco shook his head. “Not officially, no. But Gerri saw you both at Sapphire’s sweet sixteen party. You were in different friend groups, but apparently, the bond was visible to her even then.”

As the parents continued to explain, filling in the gaps of this extraordinary tale, Olive felt a sense of wonder wash over her. All this time, she’d been fighting an arranged marriage, only to find that it had led her to exactly where she was meant to be.

“We need to talk to Gerri,” Olive said suddenly, turning to Chaos. He nodded in agreement.

The rest of the luncheon passed in a blur of explanations and shared laughter. As they left the restaurant, hand in hand, Olive felt lighter than she had in years. The weight of the impending arranged marriage that had been hanging over her for so long had transformed into something beautiful, something meant just for her and Chaos.

They made their way to Gerri’s office, both buzzing with questions. The eccentric matchmaker greeted them with a knowing smile, her silver-white hair gleaming under the office lights.

“I wondered when you two would show up,” Gerri said, gesturing for them to take a seat. “I suppose you have some questions for me.”

Olive leaned forward, her curiosity overflowing. “How did you know? All those years ago?”

Gerri’s eyes twinkled. “Back in those days, arranged marriages between wealthy families were quite normal. But I never liked to leave things entirely to chance. When I saw you two at that party, I knew you were meant to be mates. The connection was undeniable, even if you didn’t realize it yourselves.”

“But why not tell us sooner?” Chaos asked, his brow furrowed.

Gerri sighed, her expression turning serious. “I don’t do things that way anymore. Times have changed, and I’ve learned that love needs to grow organically. I set the stage, but you two had to find your way to each other on your own terms.”

As Gerri continued to explain, Olive felt a deep sense of gratitude wash over her. This woman had seen something special in her and Chaos long before they’d even met and had set in motion a series of events that led them to this moment.

Leaving Gerri’s office, Olive turned to Chaos, her heart full. “You know, learning all this... it makes me trust my feelings for you even more. Like the universe has been conspiring to bring us together all along.”

Chaos pulled her close, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “I knew you were my mate from the moment I laid eyes on you at that gala. It’s like everything in our lives has been leading us to meet.”

THIRTY

Chaos stood at the edge of the grand ballroom, his hazel eyes scanning the glittering crowd. The annual charity gala for tech innovation in education had drawn New York’s elite, filling the room with a sea of designer gowns and tailored tuxedos. But Chaos had eyes for only one person.

Olive glided through the crowd. The silver gown she wore hugged her curves, making Chaos’s breath catch in his throat. She turned, catching his eye, and flashed him a brilliant smile that made his heart race.

As Olive made her way to him, Chaos couldn’t help but marvel at how far they’d come. From reluctant matches in an arranged marriage to finding genuine love, their journey had been anything but smooth. Yet here they were, stronger than ever.

“You look good enough to eat, Mr. Amato,” Olive teased as she reached him.

Chaos grinned, pulling her close. “I could say the same about you, Ms. Russo. Though I must say, you’re putting all these other gowns to shame.”

Olive laughed, the sound like music to his ears. “Flatterer. But don’t think that’ll get you out of dancing with me later.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Chaos replied, his voice low and husky.

They mingled with the crowd, making small talk with investors and fellow philanthropists. Chaos kept a protective hand on the small of Olive’s back, a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by his parents, who beamed at them from across the room.

As they paused near a towering ice sculpture, a waiter approached with a tray of champagne flutes. “Champagne, sir? Madam?”

Chaos waved him off, but Olive reached for a glass. “Oh, yes, please. I could use a little liquid courage before my speech.”

The waiter nodded, handing her a flute before melting back into the crowd. Olive took a small sip, her nose wrinkling slightly. “Hmm, I don’t like this brand. It has a bad aftertaste. Ask the caterer not to get this one again.”

Chaos frowned, a niggling sense of unease creeping up his spine. “Maybe you should-”

But before he could finish his sentence, Olive’s eyes rolled back in her head, and she crumpled to the floor.

“Olive!” Chaos shouted, dropping to his knees beside her. The room erupted into chaos, voices rising in alarm as people crowded around them.

Chaos cradled Olive’s head in his lap, his heart pounding furiously. Her skin felt clammy, her breathing shallow. “Someone call an ambulance!” he roared, his voice cutting through the din.

The next few hours passed in a blur of sirens, harsh hospital lights, and tense waiting room vigils. When the doctor finally emerged, Chaos sprang to his feet, his parents flanking him on either side.

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