Allure: The Arranged Hearts Series

Chapter 20

My heart racedas Niko and I rushed through the airport, our luggage in tow. We were cutting it close, trying to make it to our plane in time for the flight to London. The Turner Prize ceremony was just two days away, and my nerves were frayed with anxiety and excitement.

“Passports?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly as we navigated the crowded terminal.

Niko patted his pocket, a reassuring smile on his face. “Got them right here, babe. Don’t worry, we’re going to make it.”

I nodded, trying to calm my frantic heartbeat. As we approached the gate, I couldn’t help but go over the checklist in my mind once more. Dresses, shoes, accessories, everything we needed for the big day. I had triple-checked our bags before leaving, but the nagging fear of forgetting something essential lingered in the back of my mind.

Sensing my unease, Niko wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “Hey, it’s going to be okay, Lore. You’ve got this. I know you’re going to shine at the ceremony, just like you always do.”

I leaned into his embrace, drawing strength from his unwavering support. “Thank you, Niko. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead as we joined the line to board the plane. “You’ll never have to find out. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

As we settled into our first-class seats, a wave of relief washed over me. Niko had insisted on upgrading our tickets, wanting to ensure that we had a comfortable and relaxing flight before the whirlwind of the ceremony. I marveled at his thoughtfulness, grateful for the little ways he always managed to make me feel cherished.

The flight from California to London was long, but the anticipation of the upcoming event made the hours pass by in a blur. We spent the time discussing our plans for the trip, stealing moments of rest, and simply enjoying each other’s company. By the time we landed at Heathrow Airport, the exhaustion of the eleven-hour journey had settled deep in our bones, but the adrenaline of the impending event kept us going.

We checked into our hotel, the grandeur of the city stretching out before us. London was a breathtaking sight, a tapestry of history and modernity woven together in a dizzying display of beauty. I longed to explore every corner, to lose myself in the art and culture that had always called to my soul, but I knew that would have to wait.

The next day was dedicated to preparing for the Turner Prize ceremony. As I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection, the doubts began to creep in once more. Niko appeared behind me, his strong arms encircling my waist as he met my gaze in the mirror.

“You are a vision, baby. Inside and out. The world is about to see what I’ve always known – that you are a force to be reckoned with, a true artist in every sense of the word.”

I turned in his embrace, burying my face in the crook of his neck. “I love you, Niko. Thank you for believing in me, even when I struggle to believe in myself.”

He tilted my chin up, his eyes shining with adoration. “That’s my job, babe. To love you, to believe in you, to be your rock through every storm. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As we stood there, lost in each other’s eyes, the fears and doubts began to melt away. With Niko by my side, I felt invincible, ready to take on the world and claim the recognition I had worked so hard for.

Hand in hand, we stepped out of the hotel room, ready to face the day and the ceremony that awaited us.

As we arrivedat the Tate Britain, the venue for the Turner Prize ceremony, I couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur of the building. The historic gallery was buzzing with activity, filled with artists, critics, and art enthusiasts from around the world. My heart raced as Niko and I made our way inside, our hands clasped tightly together.

The ceremony itself was a blur of lights, cameras, and excited chatter. We took our seats, and I felt the anticipation building in the room. The presenters took the stage, their voices echoing through the auditorium as they began to announce the nominees.

When my name was called, I felt a surge of emotion wash over me. Niko squeezed my hand, his eyes shining with pride and love. I made my way to the stage, my legs trembling slightly as I climbed the steps.

As I accepted the award, I could hear the applause thundering through the room. I took a deep breath, my eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Niko. His smile was brighter than any spotlight, his love a beacon guiding me through this incredible moment.

I stepped up to the microphone, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. “Thank you so much for this incredible honor,” I began, my eyes glistening with tears of joy. “I have always poured my heart and soul into my art, but for so long, I hid behind the persona of allure, afraid to step into the light.”

I paused, my gaze locking with Niko’s once more. “But then, I found love. Real, true, unconditional love, and it changed everything.”

The room fell silent, hanging on my every word. “My husband, Niko, showed me the power of love, the peace it can bring, and the strength it can give. He encouraged me to embrace my true self, to share my art with the world, and to never be afraid to shine.”

I saw Niko’s eyes glistening with emotion, his love a tangible force that enveloped me. “And so, tonight, I stand before you not just as Allure, but as Lore Lockwood. An artist, a wife, and a woman who has found her peace in the allure of love.”

As I concluded my speech, the room erupted in applause once more. I made my way back to Niko, who engulfed me in a warm embrace. “I am so proud of you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You were incredible up there.”

I smiled through my tears, my heart overflowing with gratitude and love. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Niko. You gave me the courage to be myself, to love myself, and to share that love with the world.”

As the ceremony came to a close, Niko and I made our way out into the crisp London night. The city stretched out before us, a canvas waiting to be painted with the colors of our love.

“I love you, Mrs. Lockwood,” Niko murmured, pulling me close. “More than words could ever express.”

I leaned into his embrace, my heart full to bursting. “I love you, too, Mr. Lockwood. Thank you for being my rock, my inspiration, and my forever love.”

As we walked hand in hand through the streets of London, I knew that this was just the beginning of our forever. The journey had been unexpected, the path unconventional, but the love we had found was real, true, and unbreakable.

And with Niko by my side, I knew that I could face anything, conquer any challenge, and paint the world with the allure of our love.

Final Day in London

The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of our London hotel room, casting a warm glow over the tangled sheets and our entwined bodies. I stirred from my slumber, a smile spreading across my face as the memories of the previous night flooded my mind. The Turner Prize, the acceptance speech, the overwhelming feeling of love and support from Niko and the art community—it all felt like a beautiful dream, but the weight of the award on the nightstand reminded me that it was beautifully real.

I turned to face Niko, his handsome features softened by sleep, and I couldn’t resist the urge to trace the contours of his face with my fingertips. He had been my rock, my guiding light through this incredible journey, and I knew that I couldn’t have done it without him. I closed my eyes and did my morning ritual of praying over my husband.

As if sensing my touch, Niko’s eyes fluttered open, and a sleepy smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Good morning, my beautiful wife,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. “How does it feel to wake up as the Turner Prize winner?”

I grinned, snuggling closer to him. “It feels surreal, but so incredibly amazing. I still can’t believe it’s real.”

Niko wrapped his arms around me, pulling me flush against his chest. “Believe it, baby. You deserve every bit of recognition and praise. I’m so proud of you.”

We laid there for a moment, basking in the afterglow of the previous night’s events, when my phone began to buzz on the nightstand. I reached for it, seeing my parents’ faces flashing on the screen.

“Hello?” I answered, putting the phone on speaker so Niko could hear.

“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.