My instincts guide me as I follow the path I’ve walked for years. With Lunar Love in sight, I step off to the side to admire the building. Four days into my first week and I still have butterflies tumbling and turning in my stomach. Lunar Love’s red exterior, pink window trim, and pink door have remained the same since the very beginning. Pó Po was insistent on the shop’s colors symbolizing luck and happiness.
When I was younger, both the inside and outside of the building felt old-fashioned, as if all the shops in Chinatown were supposed to look a certain way. Now I appreciate the parts of the neighborhood that still exude tradition among a growing influx of trendier eateries and art galleries. To the right of our building, what used to be a bookstore is now a to-be-determined renovated office or retail space. The construction hasn’t started yet for the day, so I’ll have some quiet time to myself.
It was only a year ago that the inside of Lunar Love looked completely different than it does now. Since Day One, the walls and ceilings were painted a deep crimson. The furniture was dark and heavy, and there was an overabundance of stuff: boxes filled with client documents from decades prior, books and torn posters, and bags of donations. It took me eight months to convince Auntie to let me redesign the place.
My design goals were simple: clean and aspirational, yet still traditional. When clients visit, I want them to feel like anything is possible. That a new chapter is just beginning. This meant repainting the walls off-white and hanging local artists’ work that reflected the tangled, abstract, beautiful emotions of love. Clunky chairs were replaced by the minimal sets of mid-century modern ones I scored at flea markets. Finding love is stressful enough. The place you go to find it should be calming and reassuring.
Even the name Lunar Love is simple and straightforward yet full of significance. The lunar horoscope was created because of the moon’s movements and phases, which people interpreted and assigned meaning to. Each of the twelve animal signs and its accompanying personalities rules a lunar year. The lunar calendar, based on the moon’s phases in a month, is the guide for determining the most auspicious dates for momentous events.
When Pó Po chose the name, she wanted her business to reflect the power of the moon, both physically and figuratively. More than just making the name modest, Pó Po also simplified the business concept in an attempt to keep it alive. She realized that Westerners were more interested in zodiac matchmaking when it wasn’t too complicated. She figured out how to streamline the magic of it all in order to avoid losing intimidated clients.
Just as she did, I need to figure out which changes to make that feel right for Lunar Love. The speeches and toasts and gold necklaces are special, but that’s not what any of this is about. I’m carrying Pó Po, Auntie, and Lunar Love’s legacy into the future. What I do from now on is the true test of what I’m made of and what the business can withstand in these changing, challenging times.
I walk toward the rear of the space where one of the three rooms in our building is designated as an office. Across from the waiting area is the Session Room, where we meet with clients.
I flip through the pile of mail, assessing the damage. Some marketing, some wrong address, but mostly bills. I drop them onto the teetering pile of mail Auntie left on my desk, which I discover contains even more bills. Before I have the chance to tackle my emails, I hear the front door close, followed by the sound of a woman calling out into the waiting area.
“Hi there. Can I help you?” I ask, rushing out of the office to greet the unexpected guest.
“Yes, I’m looking for Lydia. Is she here?” the lady asks. She looks professional chic in her baby blue pantsuit. Inside her oversized leather bag, I spot two eyes shining back at me and then hear a small yip. The woman lifts the bag to her face and coos into the small opening. “Don’t mind Poppy. She’s friendly.”
“Lydia’s not here. Did you have an appointment?” I ask, thinking I might have overlooked one of Auntie’s clients. “We’re transitioning all of her clients over to me and my colleague. Sorry if we—”
“Oh, no,” she says, furrowing her eyebrows. “Quite the opposite.” The woman hands me a business card accompanied by a dazzling smile. “I’m Carol.”
I review the shiny silver words on the card: “Carol Rogers, Realtor, Silver Linings Real Estate.”
“So you’re not a client?” I confirm.
“Darling, is Lydia here? I have some important business matters to discuss with her. I tried emailing but didn’t get a response.” She lifts loose fuzz from her sleeve and lets it float through the air until it finally lands on the carpet.
I bend the business card back and forth between my fingers. “Lydia’s actually no longer with Lunar Love. If there are business matters to discuss, you can do so with me. I’m the new owner.”
Carol’s eyes flicker in disappointment. “Oh. I didn’t know you were…are you Korean? I thought this was a Chinese company.”
“I’m half-Chinese,” I say hesitantly. It’s the answer that will satisfy her. An easy categorization. When she dips her head in a nod as though she’s had an epiphany, I feel like I’ve failed at something.
“In that case, I wanted to discuss this property. As you may know, this area is very popular,” she says with a wink. She hands me a slip of paper before grabbing my business card from the reception desk. “Here’s what I think this land is worth.”
I scan the surprisingly high number on the paper but maintain a look of neutrality. This is what Mae Yí-Pó had warned me about.
“Let’s set up a time to chat. I’ll email you! Stay silver!” Carol sings as she heaves her purse up her arm and waves goodbye. The head of a brown Pomeranian pops out. “Say bye, Poppy!”
Back at my desk, Operation Destroy ZodiaCupid is off to a slow and confusing start. I stare at the blinking cursor on my screen trying to come up with bullet points for my “10 Reasons Why ZodiaCupid Is Flawed” article for WhizDash. Obviously, I need to make it clear that ZodiaCupid is a total scam. What did Bennett tell me? Oh, right. His app is the opportunity he saw as available and seized it without care or concern for anyone else.
This should be easy, yet I can’t seem to find the words. Why couldn’t Bennett have been completely awful? A horrible villain who wants to match incompatible people together just to watch them suffer while he laughs maniacally under a green snowfall of dollar bills and scrapes icing off the top of every dessert he can find. Children wouldn’t have frosting on cakes because he got to it first. Chefs, cookbooks, and cooking schools would be destroyed because he has all the best recipes in the world, and no one dare try to say otherwise.
Instead, the man threw himself on the ground for me. He made me laugh. Multiple times. Then he had the nerve to ask for my number. How can I try to hurt a seemingly decent man with an unforgettable smile and a soft spot for the Chinese zodiac? I roll my head back and groan. What’s gotten into me? It’s a workday, and I’m daydreaming about Bennett. Of all people! In an alternate world, maybe I could entertain thinking about him without consequence. But that’s not the world we live in.
The still waters of my pond have been disturbed by Bennett. I can’t let the ripples throw me off balance. I have to get back to a state of calm. And what this man does to me is the opposite of that. He’s cannonballed into the pond and splashed around, slapping his hands against the surface of the water. It’s just plain rude.
Bennett is a Rat, and I’m very much a Horse. Whatever that “date” and our meeting at the bakery was doesn’t matter. It can’t matter. I can’t go down that path again. Even if I wanted to, I know better. Spending more time together wouldn’t be good for either of us. In fact, I’d be doing a good deed by putting this to an end with my article. Bennett might be hurt by it, but any brief aggravation he’ll feel is nothing compared to the heartbreak he’d feel when it all comes crashing and burning down, as incompatible relationships inevitably tend to do.
I peek at the photo of a fish with a parasite tongue on the background of my phone and remember the mission. Be the parasite. I’ll just start with a little Vent Drafting where I’ll type out all of my feelings and allow myself to be angry and mad. After that, I’ll write the nicer version that I’ll actually send out. If I don’t let myself vent, my frustration could evolve into something more destructive from the inside out.
I summon the words from within, wrangling each word out into the open. My fingers move cautiously over the laptop keys as my emotions find their voice. Before I know it, I’m pounding furiously against each key, pouring my wrath into the sentences.
There. Vent Draft done. Seeing the list in its entirety, there’s no way I could’ve actually sent this out. Especially not with my real name on it. It’s way too cruel. But now I feel better. Does Vent Drafting count as self-care? Because it totally should.
I exhale a long breath, clearing the air of any pessimism. Now I can focus on hyping up Lunar Love. I tap out a happier article focusing on the positive of what we do instead of getting sucked into the negative vortex of ZodiaCupid.
I lose track of time, only realizing that the workday has started when Alisha and Randall walk into the office together bubbling with excitement.
“Guess what?” Alisha asks breathlessly.
“What?” I ask, drawn into her enthusiastic tone of voice. I quickly save the completed version of the Lunar Love article into a folder in our shared company Google Drive. I move my Vent Draft to the trash, deleting it so that it never sees the light of day.
“I booked you on the Dating in La La Land podcast!” Alisha shares. “They’re doing a live panel interview with an audience. It’s on Saturday. I hope that works for you.”
I clap my hands together. “That’s amazing! I love that podcast. Consider all plans canceled. Plans being a TV marathon. Wait, who else is on the panel?” I ask, nervous that a certain competitor might be in attendance. If Bennett’s there, I’ll be exposed. But then again, I’m outed when the episode airs. If I want more information on ZodiaCupid, I’m going to have to do my digging before Saturday.
“It’s an all-women panel on dating in Los Angeles. There will be a relationships editor, a consumer research manager, some reality TV producer, and you. Sounds cool, right?” Randall joins in, plopping his bag into his chair.
I breathe out in relief. “Very. Nice work. An audience, too. I’m already nervous.”
“You’re going to be great! We’ll get you prepped before the big day. I’ll email the details over,” Alisha says, writing on a pad of paper.
I jot down the event into my planner. “Thank you! Also, I wrote an article for WhizDash. I dropped it into the shared Lunar Love folder. Search for listicle, and you should find it.”
Alisha shoots me a thumbs-up. “Good! I’ll send that to my contact. She said she was Team Lunar Love and excited to promote us.”
With the listicle out of the way, I turn my attention to my upcoming client meeting. This is where I should be putting my energy, not on some wannabe imitator app. With what feels like a tsunami wave of cancellations, I need to be at the top of my game.
At 11:00 a.m. on the dot, Harper Chen breezes through the door. Harper, founder of a boutique public relations firm specializing in the culinary world, discovered Lunar Love on her way to meet a chef to discuss details for opening day of his new restaurant just a few blocks away. When she stopped by last week, I thought she wanted directions to the restaurant, but really she was looking for more direction in her love life.
People come to us feeling optimistic, heartbroken, anxious, and motivated. Some are knowledgeable in the Chinese zodiac while others have no clue what to expect. We see it all. In times of anticipation or hopelessness, many of us look to the stars for answers and comfort. In our case, we look to the moon.
“Olivia! How are you?” Harper says. She looks sophisticated wearing a lilac linen dress that ties around the waist and a few pieces of delicate jewelry. She reaches out to give me a hug.
In the Session Room, we take seats opposite one another at a table made from reclaimed wood (another flea market score).
“It’s been eventful. Sorry about the construction noise next door. Sounds like they’re on lunch break so it shouldn’t be too distracting in here. How have you been since we spoke last week?” I ask.
“Wildly busy but in the best way. It feels like there are national food holidays happening every single day, so I’ve been pitching clients constantly for different opportunities. And there’s another big client I’m trying to land.” Harper sweeps her dark hair into a loose bun. “But I’m excited to do this. I feel the need to be honest with you, though. I’m also using dating apps.”
“Oh!” I plaster a smile on my face and keep my tone neutral. “Any in particular?”
“Just a couple of the big ones that have been around forever, and ZodiaCupid. That one’s still in beta, though.”
“I’ve heard of it,” I say.
Harper places a jeweled hand on the table. “I hope that’s okay. I figured, why not? Try multiple avenues of dating. Your way sounded charming and nostalgic, so here I am. Just giving you a heads-up. It felt kind of wrong to not tell you.”
“I appreciate that,” I say. “I have complete faith that Lunar Love won’t let you down, so don’t get too invested in ZodiaCupid.”
Harper laughs. “Well, good! I’m excited for more context about the zodiac. That’s something ZodiaCupid doesn’t do. My family celebrated Lunar New Year on and off over the years, and my dad would teach my mom, brother, and me about the upcoming year’s animal sign, but that’s pretty much the extent of it.”
“That’s a great start! Let’s dive into it,” I say. “You were born on October 10, 1988, which makes you Year of the Dragon. This is a highly desired and respected animal sign. In fact, some women opt to have C-sections so their children are born in the Dragon year.”
“That’s dedication,” Harper says, looking impressed.
“Exactly. I’ll walk through the traits of the Dragon with you, and let’s see how you identify with them. The Chinese lunar horoscope depicts Dragons as direct, enthusiastic, loyal, strong tempered, and no-nonsense. Practical. You want respect from others and will do anything to earn it.”
Harper listens carefully to each trait, nodding along and sometimes shaking her head in disagreement. Not all traits are immediately obvious and take some time to find in people, both from their perspectives and mine.
“Did you ever find out what time you were born?” I ask, propping open my notebook against my crossed leg.
“My mom said it was sometime between twelve thirty and one p.m. Definitely during lunch hour because she remembers being hungry. Maybe that’s why I love food so much,” Harper ponders.
“That’s a narrow enough window for me to work with.” I calculate her ascendant, the animal sign that rules her specific birth hours. “People sometimes demonstrate more dominant traits from their birth hour animal signs. You were born in the hours of the Horse. This means you’re not only compatible with Monkeys and Rats as a Dragon but also to animal signs that Horses are compatible with, like Tigers and Dogs. It’s something we look at, but it’s not always part of the equation when matching.”
“Like a loophole!” Harper says as though she’s figured out something.
“Kind of?” I say.
“That’s amazing!”
And that, my friend, you don’t get from an app.
We spend the rest of the session discussing what’s important to Harper in a future partner. Later, I’ll type my handwritten notes into Lunar Love’s archaic but dense database. The system may be old, but it contains valuable information and contacts from the last fifty years. To convert the system to a new one without losing that precious knowledge would take time and money that we don’t have right now. If this database had a system or software that could complement our in-person matchmaking, we’d be unstoppable. In the meantime, it’s all manual, all the time.
I review Harper’s traits, habits, hobbies, and preferences all listed out on the page. “This is what I’m hearing: It’s important that the person you’re with has a stable job where shifts don’t last fourteen hours. And it sounds like you want someone to share your passion for food, whether it’s cooking together or eating at a new restaurant. And someone who’s honest, speaks his mind, and isn’t afraid to go after what he wants.”
Harper nods, her gold hoop earrings jiggling back and forth. “I like the sound of all of that!”
“Based on your birth year, your sign’s fixed element is Earth. As an Earth Dragon, this makes you stable and fair. And mixed with what I know about you so far, you seem to work hard on self-development, but sometimes you feel the need to control your environment and other people. Does this sound like you at all?”
Harper laughs and nods with a shrug. “Incredible.”
“I tell you this just so you’re more aware of yourself. As we get to know each other better, I’ll have a better sense of what traits you personify,” I explain. “This knowledge tends to come in handy when relationships are developing because Earth, Fire, Wood, Metal, and Water are elements that all react to one another. Once you go on a date, we can get into specifics so that it makes more sense in context.”
“How long until you find me my first match?” Harper asks.
“Because of the specificity of traits and preferences, there’s no way to put a timeline on it. We’re not as fast as ZodiaCupid, but I’ll get to work today and will keep you updated along the way.”
“Exciting! So, I’m curious,” Harper says, leaning in closer to me. “Do you have a special someone? You must know right away when a person would be good for you or what to look for in a partner.”
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Me? No! There’s no one. No, I…no. It’s not as clear-cut for me,” I say. “It’s more difficult to find someone compatible in the right ways than you’d think, especially when it’s for yourself.”
Harper watches on amused as I dance around her answer. “Sounds like the matchmaker needs a matchmaker,” she says.
I laugh. “I’ve got plenty of those in my life. Besides, I prefer to focus on my clients, like you. My time and energy are focused on finding you someone compatible.”
Harper waves her hand in front of her. “I was only wondering! It’s incredible how dedicated you are. This is going to be so fun. I can’t wait to see who you’ll find.”