Her Assistant

-CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE-

-❦-
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-A TIE-

Both Graces were standing on the stage, looking between both pieces. They were truly expressive pieces. But it's all up to one winner. As for Nicholas Pierre, the man with the chattiest mouth and...grave personality. He had left to look for John.

Seeing the man run out made his heart ache. It was selfish on his part. To indirectly put John in such a situation. He's not sure John has told anyone at all.

Nicholas has spent thirty minutes looking for John until he eventually found him outside in the back of the house that ventures out into a flower garden. John was sitting on a bench with his head down.

Nicholas stuck his hands in his pockets and went up to the man. "I apologize for the piece." Nicholas says. John looked up at him and said nothing. "It was selfish of me."

"T-that's n-not why I ran."

Nicholas arched a brow. "Really? Then why did you run?"

"B-because I got overw-whelmed." He explains.

"So you're not angry about the piece?"

"No."

"Hm." Nicholas took a seat next to John and heaved a sigh. "I wanted to kiss you you know." He admits quietly. "I wanted to run after you too when you left. But of course Olivia Garden beat me doing so in both. She and her assistant are quite the show." He scoffed.

"I don't care about winning against her anymore. It made me realize something though. It was about what you said to me on our way here."

John gazed at the man, listening closely. "Even if you don't win, you'll still be first in my eyes." He quotes. "Not a single stutter, you even smiled as your eyes got fuller. I didn't say anything then because I didn't know what to say. Not then that is. But now I know how to answer that statement." Nicholas locked eyes with John.

"If I am always first in your eyes. I never lost to Olivia."

Silence.

Nicholas leaned over and gave John a kiss on the lips. The wind howled in their ears and the breeze sent shivers through them.

"I'm done hiding. I want to express myself more. Not only through art, but through my actions. If you want to, we can."

John bit his bottom lip, his eyes drifting from Nicholas' lips to his eyes. "Yeah." Feeling relieved and happy, Nicholas kissed him again.

❧

Alexander and Olivia were standing hand in hand off to the side of the ballroom. She was excited and happy. Win or not she thinks that tonight was perfect. She spoke with the Grace herself and Alexander kissed her.

What more could she possibly ask for? Alexander looked down at her and smiled. "How are you feeling?" He asks. He was proud of himself to finally express boldly his feelings. He never would have thought he'd be able to do so in the manner he did.

"Awesome. I just can't wait until this is over." She exhales. He saw it, the flicker of lust in her eyes. Alexander knelt down to her ear, his lips slightly brushing against it.

"Patience."

Was all he said. Olivia breathed a laugh. "Patience. How inspiring." He grinned and finally it has came to a conclusion. The winner. The one that will be able to paint both Graces.

The crowd gathered once more and it became hushed. Olivia noticed Nicholas return with John just in time for the deciding. Their eyes met across the room and Olivia smiled faintly at him. Nicholas returned it.

'Sorry.' He mouths. Olivia thought she was seeing things and telling by her shocked expression Nicholas only laughed and looked away. He won't give her the satisfaction of repeating himself. Besides, he did feel bad for mentioning her old relationship.

It was a low blow.

"Ladies and gentleman. We have come to a conclusion on who will be painting my husband and I." Alivia states. "Both pieces were absolutely incredible. Both shared what love is to them and quite frankly, I think it was the same story in different paint. Love to them, is a love that is trapped within and is begging to be released. And it is only told, once it is expressed."

Olivia met her eyes and felt herself blush in embarrassment. "So, tonight, we have made our decision." Alivia stepped aside, motioning to Alec.

"The winner for tonight..." Suspense. He gazed around the room and smiled. "Is both Olivia Garden and Nicholas Pierre."

There was an eruption of applause. The only stunned people in the room were Olivia and Nicholas. A tie. A tie between the two artists has never been done before. There was always first place and second place. Never a tie.

It was peculiar, but...it felt fair.

"Love is not a competition. And both pieces were impactful. So much so we couldn't decide on just one winner. Tonight, they both caught our hearts. That being said, please enjoy the rest of tonight."

More applause. Olivia set her hand on Alexander's chest and gazed at Pierre. "I'll be back." She walked off, venturing through the crowd to get to the man. John spotted her first and pointed. Nicholas looked over and he smirked.

Olivia made it to them and sighed. "Wow, who would've thought that Nicholas Pierre, would actually get first place in the end."

"And as always you're on top. It was my idea to kiss him in front of everyone. Just so you know."

Olivia looked at John who avoided eye contact with her. "I'm sorry. I thought you were faking it for a win."

"I wouldn't see why. I am an asshole after all."

"Well, at least someone can stand you enough to want to be with you."

"Well would you look at that. Olivia Garden grew more than just a back bone."

She grins. "Would you like to walk?" She asks, holding her hand out to him. Nicholas arched a brow, gazing at John.

"Did you kiss my coming out speech?" John snickered before covering it with a cough.

"Let's just walk." She grabbed his arm and walked off with him. They left the ballroom and went down the halls where it was more quiet.

"I'm sorry for what I said about your ex." Nicholas states lowly. Olivia kept her eyes forward.

"The past is the past."

"I shouldn't have mentioned it, Olivia. It was a low blow."

"All is forgiven." She softly responds. "And to be honest, I'm glad you get to paint them as well. This decade run of us being against each other has become worn out don't you think?"

"Nah, I like it."

They both shared a laugh. "About your assistant...who is he?" They came to a stop and Olivia exhaled. Her eyes scanned the walls and it's just like before. The paintings that hung in all its glory.

"Alexander Reyes...is the man I fell for."

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Yes I'm still here...