Lawrence's POVI tensed as Jameson's voice carried over the ambient music, his careless laughter grating like nails down a chalkboard. So much for a rare peaceful evening alone with Stella. I glanced up to see my little brother sauntering through the exclusive restaurant as though he owned it, making himself at home at our table."Oh wonderful, you're both here! What a lovely coincidence," Jameson exclaimed with mock delight. "Don't mind if I join you, do you?" Without waiting for a reply, he spun a chair around and dropped into it. "We were rather hoping for some privacy," I bit out, wrapping a protective arm around Stella's bare shoulders. To her credit, she took my brother's intrusion in an amused stride, merely arching one perfect eyebrow."Lawrence, where are your manners? We'd be happy to have James join us," she gestured expansively. Ever the diplomat. As if on cue, our waiter arrived eyeing Jameson curiously. I intervened before he could question the audacious seating shift
Stella's POVI awoke before dawn, tingling with inspiration. Slipping from Lawrence's sleeping embrace, I tucked the sheet around his bare shoulders and pressed a feather-light kiss to his temple. Even relaxed in slumber, power and intellect radiated from him. But vulnerable too in these unguarded moments shared only with me. I would capture that compelling duality today in paint if my humble talents sufficed.Selecting a small canvas and vivid oils, I ensconced myself at the suite's sunlit windows overlooking the awakening city below. My brush darted and swooped, blending hopeful golds and passionate crimsons suggestive of last night's tender intimacy. Though abstract, the emerging image felt alive, my own quickened heartbeat pulsing through each impassioned stroke. Creating has become intensely personal, a conduit for spirit.Some while later, strong arms enfolded me from behind as Lawrence propped his bearded chin on my shoulder. His refreshed scent mingled tantalisingly with pa
LawrenceI strode into the gleaming office tower, renewed purpose fueling my steps. Having Stella by my side filled me with profound satisfaction. I remembered the turmoil and loss preceding our union, the harrowing accident nearly stealing her away before she fully knew happiness. Those grim days were behind us now. Together we would craft a future brighter than either could alone imagine.My assistant met me by the elevators, perfectly professional in her crisp suit as she held out the morning's schedule and messages. "You have a 10 AM budget meeting and conference call with the Singapore branch at noon. Also your 2 o'clock appointment canceled due to a conflict."I scanned the meticulous agenda, nodding. "Very well, let's get started. Be sure to order something for Stella's birthday while things are quiet."The morning passed swiftly handling administrative tasks and corporate demands, the work second nature after long years building this empire. But part of my thoughts perpetua
Lawrence's POVI practically floated through Andre's studio doors, buoyed by an intense wave of inspiration. The abstract piece I had poured my heart into this morning seemed to pulse with life forces of its own, colors and textures still dancing across my inner eye. I couldn't wait to show my enigmatic mentor how his lessons were already bearing fruit.Andre turned from arranging bouquets along the sun-drenched windows, eyebrows lifting as he spotted my concealed canvas. "Well, someone could not stay away it seems! What have you brought to show me, little star?"With suddenly shy hands I unveiled the intensely personal painting depicting Lawrence and I tangled passionately against an impasto background of shadow and light. Viewing it here outside our private haven made me feel unexpectedly exposed, nerves jangling. Would he discern too much of my soul woven bare across the layers of paint?"Mon dieu," Andre murmured, angling the canvas to catch the warm light. He traced the textures
LawrenceI couldn't keep the smile from my face as I left home that morning, Stella's radiant expression of joy lingering vividly in memory. Her artistic talents were finally gaining deserved recognition after long frustrating years doubting her abilities. I would move heaven and earth itself to shelter the fragile creative awakening taking wing within her now. No more hiding away unfinished offerings as though they held no worth beyond fleeting emotional release. The world would now share in her vision's unique power, made richer by one bold spirit daring to stand vulnerable beneath revealing light.I headed downtown toward the sleek high rise housing my trendsetting modelling agency, a familiar well-oiled machine after years building it into a premier launching pad for new talent. My thoughts drifted back across the years to another open casting cattle call just like hundreds seeking fresh young hopefuls hungry for discovery—where a willowy blonde with haunted emerald eyes had aw
Stella.I stared at the colourful banner in Lawrence's hands announcing an upcoming juried art competition, the grand prize winner receiving a solo exhibition sponsored by some fancy gallery uptown. Apprehension and excitement warred within me. "A contest? Lawrence, I've only just started painting," I protested. "I'm playing around, not seriously competing with real artists." But he crouched down, green eyes intent. "You underestimate yourself, little moon. I've watched you lose hours in creative flow, seen your pieces move others." He squeezed my shoulder. "You have raw talent worth cultivating."I bit my lip, staring at the application specifics. "Putting my work out there to be judged though...it's intimidating." In truth, the thought of that vulnerability terrified me. I was a novice fumbling through self-expression, not some worldly maestro conversant in theory and technique. Lawrence tipped my chin up gently. "Courage comes in accepting righteous risk. I have faith in your
Stella I grinned down at the contest application in my hands, determination welling inside. The apprehension I’d felt yesterday seemed distant now. If even amateur artists in my class were willing to risk rejection submitting their work, who was I to coward in the shadows?"I don't think this would be enough. Indeed something new, something catchy." I nagged.Lawrence’s steadfast confidence in me was not misplaced - I would live up to that radiant potential he somehow glimpsed. “Let’s just give it our best shot,” I declared to my painting mates the next evening. “The judges can make of it what they will. But how often do doors like this gallery showcase open?” My friends smiled indulgently, familiar with my tendency for melodrama. But I sensed they too nursed secret longings to have their visions validated on a real public platform. Together we would leap and trust the net to appear.On the drive home, I squeezed Lawrence’s arm excitedly. “You know, you were right about pushing
Stella I grinned down at the contest application in my hands, determination welling inside. The apprehension I’d felt yesterday seemed distant now. If even amateur artists in my class were willing to risk rejection submitting their work, who was I to coward in the shadows? Lawrence’s steadfast confidence in me was not misplaced - I would live up to that radiant potential he somehow glimpsed. “Let’s just give it our best shot,” I declared to my painting mates the next evening. “The judges can make of it what they will. But how often do doors like this gallery showcase open?” My friends smiled indulgently, familiar with my tendency for melodrama. But I sensed they too nursed secret longings to have their visions validated on a real public platform. Together we would leap and trust the net to appear.On the drive home, I squeezed Lawrence’s arm excitedly. “You know, you were right about pushing past fear for growth. What do I gain from wasting energy on anxiety about how some stran