The Love From Vengeance

323: FASHION FLIRTATIONS

ARIEL’S POV

I stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my body, and I was getting ready for work. Yesterday, Andre agreed with me to take my spot back at his company. He was such a wonderful friend. If it were some folks, they’d go ahead to do something that was not on the right side.

Luke was walking around the room, making a phone call. I just stood, watching him until he was done. He let out a sigh since his talk on the phone was more of an argument than a conversation. But staring at me, he smiled.

“Is it just me, or do you look absolutely pretty whenever you step out of the shower?”

He walked closer to me.

“Oh really, you think so?”

“You haven’t noticed?” he raised an eyebrow. Oh, right, I forgot. You can’t look at yourself unless you go and stand close to a mirror.

“There’s a mirror right there.” I gestured towards the mirror fixed on the wall in the

room.

“Go take a look at yourself then.” Luke grinned at me.

I sighed and moved towards the mirror. The cool air of the room contrasted with the warmth still radiating from my skin. Luke followed closely behind, his presence a

comforting fervor at my back.

Standing in front of the mirror, I caught our reflections. The contrast between my towel–wrapped form and his casual, everyday attire highlighted the intimacy of the

moment.

Luke’s hands found their way to my shoulders, his touch gentle. Our eyes met through the mirror; his gaze was soft yet intense, making my heart flutter.

“See?” he said quietly, his voice soothing to the fullest. “Absolutely stunning.”

couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face, feeling

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

“I suppose the mirror does add a special touch,” I teased, meeting his

not the mirror,” he insisted, leaning in so his head was just over my shoulder. It’s you. The mirror just reminds you of what’s already

sincerity in his voice, coupled with the affection in his eyes, wrapped around me like a baronial

the physical aspect of us standing

depth of our connection, the silent communication and

shifted from our reflection to meet my eyes directly,

lingering in the air. The world seemed to narrow down to just this

the early morning light casting a

his hands on my shoulders, I felt grounded, as if everything in my life had led me to this point of greatness and

you,” I whispered, not just for the compliment but for the comfort, the love, and the

wordless promise of his own–to be there, to support, to cherish. As I leaned

in the way we stood, in the way we looked at each other, and in the silent

to choose a dress for work today, and guess

we have here,” he muttered, pulling out a dress and

up for inspection.

door frame, arms crossed, and raised an eyebrow. “Please tell me you’re not going to suggest that I wear that neon

over his shoulder. “Not a chance.

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

the last time.” He continued his search, pulling out dresses of varying colors and styles, each one more

exclaimed, shaking my head in mock dismay. “I think- you’re

as charged,” he admitted with a grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s fluorescent lights. “But hey, at least you’ll be the

at the

swatting the dress out of his hand. “I’d blind everyone within a

aim for something more subtle, shall we?”

defeat. “Fine, fine. But where’s the fun in subtle?” he teased, finally pulling out a sleek,

underneath the bag.

him, inspecting it with a critical eye. “Now we’re talking,” I declared, holding it up against myself in the mirror. “What do you