Chapter 22

Nyla

Tonight was the night I'd dreamt about for my entire life. But every inch of me ached. I ached all over with need. The desire to be touched, kissed, and loved by Heinrich. I stood in our empty bedroom dialing his number for the fourth time in the last twenty minutes.

“He’s not going to show.” I sighed as I tossed the phone onto the bed.

Light smokey eyes that highlighted my beautiful pale jade green eyes. The golden undertones of my makeup accented my Nubian features. I pulled my Honey blonde and brown curls into a low, sleek bun with gold stones that lined the perfect straight line down the middle of my head. I completed my look with a sheer mesh bustier bodice with cutout back, and 10ct gold straps. The satin dress was perfectly fitted to every curve of my body and the tulle overlay upped the dress game a notch. No outfit is complete without the proper shoe, and today's winner is my Saint Laurent Opyum sandal with their signature initials as the heel.


I stared at myself in the mirror and realized there was one final touch to complete my attire. The collar of my king. I planted a light kiss on the choker before I fixed the cool jewelry on my heated skin. I saw the blush creep across my cheeks. Now my look is finished.

My phone pinged, pulling my attention to my phone. I read the text from Xavier notifying me that him and Clover were here. I took one last glance and although I looked perfect, I felt anything but.

The walk from the room to the front door was the only time I would have to get my game face on. I reached the door and gripped the handle. I took a deep breath, feeling nauseous. There’s no way I can do this without him. But he gave me no other choice. I opened the door to find the boys standing outside the limo applauding.

“Congratulations beautiful!” Clover exclaimed.

“I’m so proud of you, Ny.” Xavier said as he helped me down the steps.

“Thank you both.” I said, trying to keep my emotions at bay.

We got in the limo one by one and carried on a simple conversation. Although I was there my mind was many miles away, away with him. This man was my weakness, and my strength.

“Are you ready?” Clover spoke as we pulled up to the showroom.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Lights flashed as we arrived at the gallery and applause came from every inch of the room. They kissed my hand more times than I can count and the French styled greeting to my cheek was becoming exhausting. But my art I could never get tired of seeing. I could never get tired of the appreciation that everyone held for it.

The night overall was a success. I knew it elated Clover with the hard work he put in because he wouldn't let me leave his side. His ocean blue eyes sparkled every occasion he introduced me to someone new. I went from being his prodigy to the artist.

“Excuse me for a moment.” I said as I excused myself from the crowd.

I made it to the restroom and was thankful it was empty. My emotions were at an all-time high. Many times throughout the night I felt I was going to break down and cry. My phone vibrated against the marble of the bathroom sink.

Disappointment set in as I read the caller ID that read Molly’s name. Each moment it wasn’t him, I grew more anxious and saddened that he still hadn’t shown up or called. That was so unlike him.

My phone vibrates once more with Clover’s name. I read the text that said they were ready for me to give a brief speech. I inhaled and exhaled before plastering on my game face.

“Everything ok?” Xavier inquired.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

I made my way through the crowd and the applause once again filled my ears. Faces I’ve seen before and some unrecognizable, but none were him.

“Thank you, thank you. Where do I start? As an artist, you daydream of moments like this. Times where you share a piece of yourself with those who are just as appreciative for your work as you are. Not too long ago I was just looking for a job, and now here we are. Because someone believed in me, and my dream.” I paused as I felt myself getting choked up.

Applause and awes reverberated around me.

“I promise these are happy tears, and I’ve never been happier. There’s only one thing that could make this night the best night of my life.”

I closed my eyes and just as I opened them, I heard a familiar voice saying excuse me. Clover and Xavier turned and soon everyone shifted to watch him as he moved through the crowd. The emotions inside me were all going at once.

My knees went weak and my breath was caught in my throat. With no mic and everyone’s attention, he spoke. “What would make this night the best night of your life, goddess?”

I dropped the mic and wrapped my arms around him. When he wrapped his arms around me, I arched, curving into his hands.

“Heinrich, I-”

Heleaned down and kissed me softly, the strokes of his tongue into my mouth soothing my ragged emotions. I shoved my hands in his hair and kissed him back. I loved the way he kissed me, as if he had to, as if he'd go crazy if he didn't and had nearly waited too long.

“You came.”

“As I promised, remember?”

“I do, but I-”

“I think we should give the happy couple some privacy.” Clover said over the microphone.

My head hit Heinrich’s chest as he began to let out a sweet chuckle.

“I forgot we were in a room full of people.” I said into his chest.

“In a room with you that’s easy for me to do.”

I lifted my head to look at him, and found him bright-eyed and biting his lip. I could get lost in those steel gray eyes for the rest of my life. For the first time today everything feels the way it should.

“Will you do me the honor of giving me the grand tour?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way Mr. Stark.”

Our hands connected, and we looked like any other ordinary in love couple. Each piece was adorned with a sold sticker and I gleamed with pride as I led him through the gallery.

We both stopped at the coat room where our first encounter happened. A devilish smirk appeared on his face, and we both grinned. Heinrich opened the door and motioned for me to enter.

Once the door was closed behind us I spoke softly.

“I never took you for a man of sentiment.”

“Are you complaining?”

I sucked in a breath. His voice was so rough and consuming, my core still ached for him.

“No, I’m not.”

“You’re wearing your collar,” he said as he raises a hand to run the backs of his fingers across my collarbone, the hollow of my throat, and down my breastbone, making me shiver. He leaned in showering small kisses all over my neck, and firing up my arousal as he moved even lower.

*“I’m yours sir, always have and always will be.”* I whispered.

Heinrich stopped his sweet assault and our eyes met in the soft lit coat closet. **“Always?”**

*“Always.” *I repeated.

He pulled away and then lowered to his knees. My eyes followed him as my heart continued slamming against my chest. Once on one knee he reached into the pocket of his blazer, and then he reached for my hand. I trembled as he placed a sweet kiss to my bare ring finger.


“I never saw me doing this again, but Nyla you changed that. I once said all I would want was your submission, and once it was mine, I craved it all the time. I crave you all the time. The time when you were in New York with another man’s ring on your finger I broke. I realized in these last four days away from you that there is no other man for you, and no other woman for me. And that’s why I’m here, on one knee asking for your hand in marriage. The last step to prove that you’re mine, and I am yours. So, what do you say?”

“I say,”

Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I could only hope that I could make out the words. One simple word.

**“Yes.”**