ANDREW'S POV

Two weeks in Paris had been some of the best moments of my life and I had spent them all with my girl. Pierra's presence made an incredible trip into an extra ordinary one. I'd treasure the moments we were creating in Paris for the rest of my life.

I was heading back to the hotel to pick Pierra up. It was the night of the exhibition and I'd spent all day with Pietro, the management and other winners to get our work ready. I was really looking forward to showing Pierra all I had been working on. She hadn't even seen the pictures before submission and I hoped she would like what I had done.

The car Pietro had hired for us dropped me off at the hotel and promised to be back in an hour to drive us back to the Museum. Taking the elevator to the fourth floor, I let myself into our room.

"Ivy?"I called out to the seemingly empty room.

She'd been at the hotel all day saying she needed to rest. We'd spent the previous day visiting as many historical sites as we could cram into one day. Our record was six and if you asked me that was an achievement.

The balcony door was opened and I sauntered there to find my sleeping beauty dozing off on the lounge chair. She looked so beautiful and surreal in that moment that I just had to pick up my camera and take a few pictures of her. After I was done I sat next to her and stroked her cheek gently to lure her back to the land of the living. Her eyes fluttered open, a smile gracing her lips once she saw me.

"You're back already. What time is it?"She asked sitting up.

"Time to get ready for the showcase tonight."I answered.

"Damn, then it must be late. I got a massage so good it put me right to sleep."Pierra informed me.

"Who was your masseuse?"I asked my voice a little tight.

The thoughts of a man's hand on my girlfriends bare body made my blood boil.

"Calm down tiger before steam starts coming out of your ears. Maria's hands were magical."Pierra replied pecking my lips.

"Good because no man is allowed to touch your body but me."I said getting up and following her to the bedroom.

"What if I was bi?"She asked.

"Very funny, now tell me if you already picked out our outfits."I asked taking a seat on the bed.

Pierra glared at me but still let the topic go. There's no way Pierra would ever be interested in girls. She was straight as a pole and all mine. Besides if she was bi I'd still do everything in my power to make sure she was only ever interested in me.

"You remember those outfits we had made for the school cultural show but they ended up changing dress codes last minute?"Pierra asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, why?"

"Because that's what were going to be wearing tonight."Pierra replied pulling out both outfits from the closet.

"I thought we cancelled that order."I inquired getting up to inspect both outfits.

"I forgot and had to pay for them anyway but with a few minor adjustments. I packed them last minute just incase we decided to visit an opera or something."Pierra explained.

Her's was an off shoulder skater dress with a deep neckline. My outfit was just a black shirt with the same material of her dress on the pocket and a blazer of the same material.

"They do look good. It will fit with the theme of the event as all winners are supposed to be wearing something that represents their country of origin."I added.

"Perfect. I'm already showered and groomed so all that's left is make up, hair and getting dressed."Pierra listed out.

"Okay, I'll take a shower while you get ready."I said kissing her cheek before heading to the bathroom.

The night was a very important one for me and I was very nervous but also glad that Pierra was going to be there with me. There was going to be the award ceremony first, then the debut of the week long gallery showing and a dinner afterwards. They were all nerve wracking as I'd be meeting a lot of important people but I had my lucky charm by my side so I would be okay. Pierra was more outspoken than me and I was sure she would pick up where I failed, as long as I kept her by my side.

After my shower, I dried off before walking into the bedroom. My outfit was laid out on the bed, while Pierra was seated on the vanity putting on make up.

"I picked a dark pair of slacks to go with the outfit."She informed me.

"Thanks baby, what would I have done without you?"I asked pulling on my clothes.

"Probably dress terribly but you're lucky you don't have to find out."She replied.

I chuckled focusing on the buttons.

"So how do I look?"Pierra asked a few minutes later and I turned around to look at her.

My jaw hit the floor at how breathtaking she looked. Her skin looked smooth, make up flawless and the heels she had on made her legs look longer than normal.

"Do we have time for a quickie because damn you're fine as fuck."I commented with a whistle.

"That was a fuck boy response, now try a loving boyfriend who respects the woman he's dating."Pierra demanded.

"You look gorgeous Ivy and I can't wait to show you off to the whole world as mine."I corrected.

"Perfect. You look very dashing too boyfriend. Wish we did have time for that quickie though."Pierra commented licking her lips.

I chuckled and she grinned at me. I loved how Pierra could put me in my place when I stepped out of line but still be cheeky enough to tolerate my nonsense. She was my perfect match.

"There's always time for a quickie."I commented stalking towards her.

"Not today Mr, you're not ruining my dress and make up."Pierra declared putting her palm out to stop me.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to me caging her in my arms. I pinched her chin bringing her face closer to mine.

"Don't you dare."Pierra warned clamping her lips together.

It would be so easy to get her to kiss me, she was very responsive to my touches but then she'd be mad at me. Changing my mind last minute as I didn't want a pissed Pierra for company I kisser her forehead and nose before letting her go.

"Done and done. Let's go."I requested holding my arm out for her.

"If you try that again."Pierra warned grabbing her purse and looping her hand around mine.

"You'll kiss me back."I grinned earning me a slap on the arm.

"Sorry, no more jokes."I assured her as we left the room.

"Good, now let's get to our destination. We don't want to keep our hosts waiting."Pierra said and I nodded.

Taking the elevator to the lobby, we found our chauffeur waiting outside. I opened the door for Pierra before taking a seat next to her. The ride to the Museum was a short one as there was no traffic. I was grateful for that as I didn't want my nerves to get any worse.

The coordinators of the event had invited a lot of important people as showcased by the long line of cars leading to the entrance. There was a red carpet entrance with lots of photographers lined up taking pictures and asking questions.

"I had no idea it was a red carpet event."Pierra commented.

"Me either."I replied.

I got out of the car before helping Pierra alight.

"Calm down and just keep smiling."Pierra advised patting my arm.

"Easy for you to say, you've been to many of these."I replied.

"Yeah and its exactly why you should take my advice."She insisted.

"Okay fine."I grumbled plastering the most genuine smile I could muster before we made it to the red carpet.

Immediately we were sighted the flashes got even louder as everyone started throwing questions at us. I didn't even know that they knew who I was. Where was Pietro when you needed him most?

"Andrew how are you liking France for far?"

"How did you react to the win?"

"Why isn't your family with you?"

"Who is the lady beside you?"

They posed question after question making me feel more agitated than ever. Pierra was the only thing keeping me grounded and if it wasn't for her I would have probably passed out. She was glowing under all the cameras and attention we were receiving unlike me who looked like I was drowning.

Thankfully Pietro came to the rescue.

"Okay folks let's give him some space, two questions only."He demanded picking out one person who had their hands raised.

"Andrew who is your plus one tonight?"She asked.

My gaze turned to Pierra who was already smiling up at me.

"Her name is Ivy, sorry, Pierra for you. She's my girlfriend and my muse."I replied kissing her forehead making them go wild with all the clicking.

"Okay last one."Pietro demanded calling out to another photographer.

"What do you have to say about tonight's event and your win?"She asked.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity presented to showcase my talent. Photography is my passion and winning such a prestigious award is an honor. I'm happy to be here with my girl and kudos to all other winners."I replied.

Everyone was smiling so I took it as an indication that they were pleased with my answer. Pietro waded off all other questions as he led us away inside.

"That was really good babe, you handled them perfectly."Pierra complimented making me beam.

"She's right. You did a wonderful job out there."Pietro praised.

He led us to an auditorium that had been transformed for the awards ceremony. He showed us to our seats which were close to the front. There were already so many people in there but it wasn't full yet.

"There are going to be short speeches first, the awarding, a few more speeches then we move to the gallery. Andrew when you're called out, get up to the stage, smile, receive your award, give a short thank you speech and by short I mean really short and precise then come back down and sit."Pietro informed us.

"I hear you."I replied.

"Good."He said patting my arm before waking away.

"You didn't tell me you have to give a speech."Pierra whispered.

"I had no idea I have to give one. Maybe I can do what Rowan Atkinson did, grab my award and leave the stage without a word."I joked.

Pierra punched my arm lightly"Don't you dare. Receive your award with a smile, thank God, your mom and sister then sit back down."Pierra advised and I nodded.

"Yes ma'am."I replied as we sat settled down.

The ceremony started twenty minutes later after everyone had arrived and settled down. Thankfully the speeches were short. They were mostly about the history of the competition, it's stake holders and its goals for the future. When the awards started being handed out, I sat up straighter waiting for my name. I was the sixth person to be called out.

"Our next winner is a talented young man from Kenya,Africa. Help me welcome to the stage Andrew Njogu for the Discovery Of The Year Award."He read out and Pierra stood up with me.

She kissed my cheek, whispered good luck in my ear before sitting back down.

I took the award from the presenter and shook his hand. It looked like a football trophy but instead of the ball at the top it had a camera. The whole award was coated in gold.

The presenter stood aside and gave me the chance to speak on the microphone.

"I just want to say thank everyone so much for this honor. I didn't expect to win when I submitted my work but I'm very grateful that I did. I would also like to thank God for this blessing, my mom and my sister for pushing me to pursue photography and my friends for always pushing me to be the best. Best of all I want to thank my muse and love of my life Ivy for being the inspiration and face behind most of the work that led to this win. I love you Ivy. Thanks again and be blessed."

Pierra kissed me once I sat back down and gave me a pointed look.

"That's not we agreed you'd say."She scolded.

"I couldn't leave you out."I replied sushing her with a quick kiss.

The awards were all presented then more speeches before we were asked to move to the gallery space where a lot of our works were on display.

"I want to see your work."Pierra expressed excitedly.

"Okay." I replied with a chuckle at her enthusiasm.

For the competition we had to present more than a hundred images but for the showcase we had to choose the best twenty. It was not difficult to decide what I wanted to put up. When I led Pierra to my section a gasp escaped her lips as she looked all around her. I might have overdone it a little bit but I couldn't help myself. My section was like a shrine dedicated to Pierra as all images I had picked were of her or a representation of her. In some you couldn't see her face or her whole body but there was a representation of her somewhere.

"Wow, this is a lot of me."Pierra commented.

"You hate it?"I asked holding my breath as I waited for her reply.

"No but this is supposed to be a chance for you to network. You could have used your other works."She suggested.

"I wanted to use my most prized work."I insisted.

"I love them, thank you for this."She said leaning into me for a hug.

"I should be the one thanking you."I countered.

"Let's call it a draw then."She proposed.

"Deal."I replied.

More people started streaming in and I had to start talking to people about my works. Pierra was by my side the whole time helping me out and answering questions of her own. I met so many talented and accomplished photographers who complimented my work which meant a lot to me. I even got a few job offers but most meant I had to move to France so I didn't take them seriously but I still kept their cards just incase.

It was a very successful evening and I surprisingly enjoyed myself and talking about my work.

"Have I told you how proud I am of you?"Pierra asked as we moved to the last agenda of the night, the dinner.

"Yeah but it doesn't hurt to hear it again."I replied.

"You did really good Andre, I'm very proud of you."Pierra said.

"Thank you love, I owe my success to you."I replied kissing her forehead.

We sat down to eat on our assigned table with three other winners. I didn't know them that well but I knew their names so I made the introductions.

The showcase would be open for another one week but the hard part was already over. I didn't even have to be around for the rest of the week but I would be from time to time as I liked networking. Who knows maybe I'd get my next big break within the course of the week.

As we enjoyed dinner I looked at Pierra and saw a future with her I never thought I'd ever get to. She was making me think of very far ahead into our future and whenever I did it she was in it. Pierra was mine and I intended on making that official when the chance presented itself. I had to plan first but sooner rather than later, Pierra would be mine forever. For the moment I just enjoyed being with her on one of the most important nights of my career. 

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