The Arrogant Artist : A Billionaire Boss Romance (International Bad Boys Set Book 2), стр. 73

45

Louis

Six months later

“Can you believe we have an exhibition at the Centre Pompidou here in Paris?” Emily smiles widely.

“It’s a dream, mon coeur.”

This is our first substantial show together, something we have been working on day and night for months.

Each of us were locked away in our studio, lost in our own little world. Then, when we were hungry, we made our way to the kitchen where Gabriel had a delectable feast waiting for us. We sat and ate, both splattered in paint. We would talk about where we were with our paintings, discussing ideas.

This is what I have always wanted, what I now have with Emily. The perfect balance between love and art. She’s brought me back to life, taught me to appreciate what I have and to take a moment to enjoy it.

And we certainly enjoy those moments.

Actually, we have moments all over the place.

We’ve had moments in the sunflower fields, in the pool, all over the house, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

All the bullshit we have gone through to get to this point in our lives has made us stronger, has stripped both of us to the core, and shown us what’s important in our life. That’s why we named our latest exhibition ‘Love in Color’ because that sums us both up—each of us didn’t realize how much we both lived in the darkness. On the outside, we both looked like we had it together, but really on the inside, we were both missing something, and we didn’t know what it was until we found each other.

And now we live life in full color.

Tonight is a big deal. Emily’s invited her girlfriends. Daniel is here. Victor and Eloise have been invited, and of course, my mother. The moment I introduced my mother to Emily, she fell in love. She told me she knew Emily was the one for me, and that she was far better suited than Elisabeth ever was.

And she’s right.

What Emily and I have is easy.

Our love for each other is there, no need to showboat it, no need to fake it. We’re quite simply one with each other.

Little does Emily know that tonight is not only going to be a huge exhibition for her paintings, but I also have a surprise in store for her too.

There’s a small after-party with our nearest and dearest. I hired a boat to cruise along the Seine to celebrate a successful exhibition. The champagne is flowing, and everyone is enjoying themselves.

I stand at the head of the table. Everyone stops what they’re doing and turns to look at me. The sparkling lights of Paris are lit up behind me, and the famous Parisian monuments we pass along the way as we cruise down the Seine.

This is the moment.

“I just want to say a couple of words.” Everyone goes quiet. “First, I want to thank you all for making the journey to Paris to celebrate this special night with us. I know Emily and I are so happy that you did.” I look around at all the smiling faces along the table. “Secondly, I’d like to thank Emily.” I look down at my gorgeous partner. “I want to thank her for making me fall in love with art again, for pulling me, kicking and screaming, out of the darkness and back into the light… back into the real world. I know for a fact that I’d not be where I am at this moment in my life and career if it wasn’t for her.”

Emily’s bright green eyes well with tears.

“‘Love in Color’ was the name of our exhibition, and that’s what Emily has done to me. She makes all the colors in my life more vibrant. Emily makes me stop and take the time to appreciate the small things… like the fields of sunflowers or a delicious meal. She’s my right-hand woman in love, life, and business, and I can’t see my life without her. And so that’s why I want to ask her…” I turn to face her directly, “…if she would like to spend the rest of her life with me. Taking time to stop and smell the flowers together.”

The table is silent as all attention is focused on Emily.

I move and fall to one knee pulling the red box that has been boring a hole in my jacket all night out and open it for her.

Emily’s eyes widen. I know what I have bought is extravagant, but it’s truly her. The emerald in the center reminds me of her eyes, the rubies on the left-hand side remind me of her lips, the yellow diamonds on the right side remind me of the sunflowers she loves so much. I know it may not be a traditional ring, but it’s us. It’s ‘Love in Color.’

“Yes,” Emily answers straight away. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” She leaps into my arms, and we fall onto the wooden floor of the boat. She kisses me all over my face while our friends and family are all cheering out their congratulations.

“If you keep pressing yourself against me like this, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to control myself, and I’m pretty sure this dinner didn’t include an X-rated show.” Emily bursts out laughing as she moves away from me. “Give me your hand.”

She holds it out as I pull the ring from its box then place it on her finger.

The perfect fit.

“It’s so beautiful.” She looks down at it dreamily. “I love it, and I love you.” She reaches over and pulls me into a passionate kiss.

“You ready to spend the rest of your life with me?”

“Well,