I sighed and realized that perhaps this little bed no longer had room for us, and maybe we’d need our own space eventually, one that we could make our own. Maybe someday.
I laid in bed beside him, my lover, my friend, my companion. The sun began to rise and seeped through the skylight in a warm glow, I could see now, as he traced patterns in the palm of my hand and I was draped bare over his body that there was no place I'd rather be.
"Say you'll stay," River asked, his voice soft and ridden with slumber,
"Tonight?" I replied looking up at him,
"Forever." He clarified and reached over to his nightstand and pulled out a key with a pretty blue keychain, I took it from him and read the engraving on the side, ce qui est à moi est à toi,what's mine is yours.
"Only if you'll have me." I retorted with a sheepish grin and he smiled,
River always had such a pretty smile; like the first rain after an unfruitful drought, the first blossom of spring- rare and worth the wait.
Just then my phone chimed and it was an email, I clicked on the icon and read it.
TO: Armani Nnandi
FROM: Clarke Benson
SUBJECT: Your admission has been accepted
Good morning,
Miss A Nnandi, it is our greatest honour to inform you as the Amelie Art Gallery that your November submission “The Gemini Concept” for our new year's display has been accepted and you have been chosen as our winner.
Congratulations!
Your cash prize is €200,000
We look forward to seeing more from you in the future, see the attachment below for further details and ticket sales.
Sincerely,
Clarke Benson
My heart stopped and I nearly tossed my phone across the room at that, River sat up in bed and gave me a confused glare.
"What is it?" He asked and I showed him my phone screen,
"Thishasto be some mistake, I never submitted anything- Monsieur said I didn't qualify!" I exclaimed and River simply watched me as I went on a seemingly endless rant, "Something or someone somewhere is messing with me, right? Because this is quiteliterallyimpossible, this is an elite organisation and they knowmyname?"
"Armani," River said but I kept talking,
"I thoughtyouwere supposed to enter this competition with your painting of the La Tour Eiffel? I'm going to email them this can't be right!" I suggested grabbing my phone from him but he pulled it away,
"Armani listen to me." He said with a slight laugh, his gaze alone told me everything I needed to know.
"You did not-" I warned but he gave me a guilty smile,
"I didn't what?" He teased and I placed myself onto his lap to look him in the eye,
"You couldn't have-" I spoke but he grinned knowingly,
"Oh but Idid." He stated and my eyes filled with tears,
"River you're so fucking dumb this was your opportunity!" I gasped in realisation shoving him by the shoulder,
"I've had and will have many other opportunities, youdeservedit more than I did Armani. I hate to tell you but I overheard Monsieur talking about how he wouldn't consider your piece because he knew you would win and that the student face of the art academy needed to be more...approachable. I knew it was racially driven so I submitted your piece under my name and changed the credits later, maybe it wasn't my place to do so and if that’s the case I apologise. But I couldn't accept a prize I didn't deserve. You're an amazing artist, better thanmeeven and you deserve a fair chance to show the world your gift." River proclaimed and I wrapped my arms around him,
