Page 48 of Allure

“Lore, honey, we just heard the news!” my mother’s voice rang out, filled with excitement. “Congratulations on winning the Turner Prize! We are so incredibly proud of you.”

My father’s voice chimed in, “You’ve always had a gift, Lore. It’s about time the world recognized it.”

Tears of joy pricked at the corners of my eyes. “Thank you, Mom and Dad. Your support means everything to me.”

Suddenly, another voice burst through the speaker. “Girl, you did it!” Mahalia exclaimed. “I knew you had it in you. You’re a star, Lore!”

I laughed, my heart swelling with love for my best friend. “Thank you, Mahalia. I couldn’t have done it without your encouragement and friendship.”

Niko leaned in, his chin resting on my shoulder. “She was incredible, wasn’t she? I’m the luckiest man in the world to call her my wife.”

A chorus of awws and laughter erupted from the phone, and we spent the next few minutes chatting and basking in the love and support of my family and friend. As we said our goodbyes, Niko placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

“As much as I love laying up with you all day, I have a surprise planned for you today,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

Niko grinned, hopping out of the bed and rummaging through his suitcase. “The kind that requires a little bit of mystery,” he replied, pulling out a satin blindfold.

I smirked, my mind wandering to all sorts of delightful possibilities. “Are we about to get into something fun?” I asked suggestively.

Niko chuckled, his eyes darkening with desire. “Oh, we’ll definitely get into something fun later,” he promised, his voice low and seductive. “But for now, I need you to trust me and let me take you on an adventure.”

I nodded, my heart fluttering with anticipation. I held my hand up to stop his pursuit. “I need to take a shower first. We both do, so let’s go handle that first.”

Niko dropped his briefs where he stood and walked into the bathroom. I was stuck looking at the sight. The water turning on pulled me out of my lust-filled gaze as I slipped from the bed, throwing my clothes to the side, then tying my hair up so we could get prepared for whatever he had up his sleeve. Once we had brushed our teeth and washed our bodies, I pulled out a cute, causal dress with red roses covering the fabric and a pair of lace up sandals. According to Niko, what I picked would be just fine. All the time it took me to pick an outfit, he had already gotten dressed.

Niko gently placed the blindfold over my eyes, then helped me get dressed. His hands lingered on my curves before guiding me out of the hotel room and into the unknown.

The journey was a mystery filled with the sounds of the city and the warmth of Niko’s hand in mine. When we finally came to a stop, I heard the gentle lapping of water and feel a soft breeze caressing my skin.

Niko removed the blindfold, and I gasped at the sight before me. We were standing on a private dock, a beautifully adorned boat bobbing gently in the water. The deck was lined with flickering candles and soft rose petals, creating an enchanting ambiance that took my breath away.

“Niko,” I whispered, my eyes welling with tears. “This is beautiful. You did all this for me?”

He smiled, taking my hand and helping me onto the boat. “I wanted to celebrate you, Lore. Not just your achievement, but the incredible woman you are. The woman I fell in love with. The woman who captures my heart with her passion, her creativity, and her unwavering spirit.”

As the boat set off, gliding smoothly through the serene waters, Niko pulled me close, his arms encircling my waist. We swayed to the soft music playing in the background, lost in each other’s embrace.

“I love you, Lore Lockwood,” Niko murmured, his lips brushing against my ear. “You are my everything, my forever.”

I tilted my head back, gazing into his eyes, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude. “I love you, too, Niko. More than words could ever express. You’ve given me the greatest gift of all—your love, your support, and the courage to be my true self.”

As the boat continued its romantic journey, the London skyline twinkling in the distance, I knew that this moment, this feeling, was the essence of our love.

ONE YEAR LATER

As Lore and I walked hand in hand into the familiar waiting room of Arranged Hearts, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It had been a year since we first stepped into this very room, our hearts filled with uncertainty and hope. Now, as we prepared for our one-year check-in with Joy, our matchmaker, I couldn’t help but marvel at how far we had come.

The receptionist greeted us with a warm smile, recognizing us instantly. “Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood! It’s so wonderful to see you again. Joy will be with you shortly.”

We thanked her and took a seat in the waiting area, our fingers intertwined, as we waited for Joy to arrive.

Moments later, the door opened, and Joy entered the room, her face lighting up at the sight of us. “Niko, Lore! It’s so fantastic to see you both. Please, come in!”

As we followed Joy into her office, she gestured toward the chairs. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. Sit wherever you feel most at ease.”

I glanced at Lore, a silent question in my eyes. She smiled softly, nodding toward the chairs across from Joy’s desk. I knew she had chosen that spot for me, knowing it was where I felt most comfortable. My heart swelled with love and gratitude for her thoughtfulness.

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