Page 55 of Pleasuring Professor Pisces
“Welcome to Koi’s Pond.”
They all stepped inside and took a look around at the space. It was decorated in hues of blue and green with large leafy palms throughout the space. On the back wall, there was a large aquarium, and on the two side walls, there were waterfalls.
As you walked past the initial lobby and deeper into the space, the color scheme remained the same, but my paintings hung on the walls underneath spotlights and track lighting.
“Thank you all for joining me tonight. This place has been a dream in my heart for a long time, but one that I did not dare pursue. I tucked it away and hid it out of fear that it would become trampled on.
“But in time, I met a very special man, who convinced me that our gifts aren’t given to us to hide. Instead, we are supposed to place them out for the world to see that we may glorify the Almighty.”
I closed my eyes briefly and thanked God for His amazing grace and gifts He had bestowed upon me.
“Because of the love of one great man, I have been able to take the talents that were bestowed upon me by the Almighty, nurtured by my family, and highlighted by the love of my life, and share them with you tonight. But we didn’t stop at just sharing these gifts with you . . .”
I walked deeper into the space and pulled open glass double doors. “We have created a space for you to nurture your dreams.”
They stepped into the large open space with concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows that let in amazing light, with two double doors that looked out onto a garden with four koi ponds for inspiration.
“This is the space where you will create your pottery,” I explained as I pointed out the wheels, the equipment, and explained our processes to them. I led them further back to see the clay, glazes, and some of the pottery I had created with Salem, my family, friends, and Nate’s men.
I led them through a covered walkway that led to a space where one soda, one gas, and six electric kilns were housed. We moved beyond that area to a much larger, well-ventilated space with large windows.
“This is where you will sculpt the art that resides here,” I stated and placed a hand over my chest. I explained the process and rules. “You all may feel free to wander throughout both spaces and check things out. I have volunteers on hand to answer any questions you may have.”
“What about painting?” a middle-aged woman asked.
“I don’t offer that here, but this amazing woman, Chelsea Parker, has a wonderful art studio two blocks from here. Chelsea, would you please tell these amazing people what they can expect from your studio?”
“Sure.”
“Also, dinner will be served in half an hour, I’m told.” I had seen my sister lift her fingers and give me the sign. Primrose had catered tonight’s event.
I moved throughout the space for a while, mingling with the guests before it was time to eat. I had a total of one hundred people tonight for my grand opening, not including my family. Tables were set up in the art gallery space for us to eat.
We had finished our meal when I heard a clinking sound.
“I would like to propose a toast,” my father pronounced.
All eyes went to him, and he smiled brightly at me.
“Paulo Coelho said, ‘There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.’ My daughter lived her life in fear for a while, forcing her to remain stagnant in a state of mind and a place where she was unhappy. When she dared to unlock her heart and give life to her dreams, they all came true. I challenge every person in here tonight with a dream in their heart to breathe life into it.”
I smiled at my father, and everyone clinked their glasses with someone close to them. Salem stood next, and I wondered what he was about to toast.
“This amazing queen here that we are celebrating tonight is compassionate, selfless, kind, and creative, as you have been able to see by her paintings, sculptures, and pottery. She inspires those of us around her to be at our best and to reach deep inside to give more, to be better, to aspire higher.
“She has taught me patience and shown me that I have strength I didn’t realize that I had. This queen has stretched me, pushed me, tested me, and made me a better man. Koi is the better half of me, and had it not been for her, I would not have taken half the challenges that I have taken.”
Tears filled my eyes as I stared up at my man. I grabbed his hand and replied, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Salem winked at me and mouthed, “Yes, you could have.”
He glanced around the room. “It wasn’t too long ago that I didn’t know what my future would hold. But unknowingly, she helped me map out what I needed, wanted, and couldn’t live without. “
Salem looked down at me and pressed on. “Baby, I have realized that you are the only one who I cannot live without. They can take away my knowledge, my will, my strength, and my freedom. As long as you’re by my side, none of that would matter. You are my reason for fighting for another day. You have helped me carve out my purpose in life. Koi Pisces Hall, you are my purpose, my passion, my promise, and my professor of life. There’s only one more role that I need you to fill in my life. Would you marry me and become my wife?” he asked as he kneeled in front of me.
Shock filled my insides as love swelled in my heart. Gasps, cheers, and claps went around the room as I stared at him in disbelief. It had only been just over two years since we met, and we were here already.
“Yes, I’ll marry you!” I exclaimed excitedly as I wept.
