Spiralling.That is all I seem to be able to do. I come undone like the stitches I have just sewn, the threadbare sanity pushing me to do this, something I would never have done on my own accord.I stand there, the loose fabric already falling to the floor, because he is here, and I shouldn't open the door. I can't.He stares at me, eyes darker than the night, darker than they say his soul is supposed to be. A smooth set jaw, a stony expression, and a wristwatch that could buy my whole shop.I press my eyes closed, maybe if I can't see him he can't shatter everything. Everything I have ever worked for.But there is no use in ignoring the imminent threat, the words that will stab through my heart, so much that even I could not stitch it back together. He appears impatient and for a moment, I delude myself into thinking that he is agitated, that he for once is not the epitome of calm and collected."Heron," his deep voice calls out, a sharp tug at my heart which is ready to shatter.

The walk home was meant to be a peaceful one, one where I could collect my thoughts but our conversation had ended with Warren Astor offering to drive me home. Offering being the wrong word entirely, Warren Astor offered nothing, everything was for a vested interest.Which is why when we stepped from the building there was already an array of flashing cameras, and in that moment, he had grasped onto my hand ushering me forward, for a moment I wondered whether he knew they would be there, if that was why he took my hand.“Did you call them?” I finally ground out, after the silence that stretched between us, his grip tightened on the wheel of his car, a gritting of teeth making me revaluate my question.“I may be an arsehole but even I know when to draw the line.” I pressed my lips together, I wanted to believe it but I was too jaded to.“The ring looks nice on you,” he broke the silence a grin permanently welded onto his features.“I haven’t said yes yet.” I affirmed, not likely how s

Heron“So your telling me the most eligible bachelor in the country proposes to you and you say no?” the exasperation in Clem’s voice was a welcomed comfort on this rather drab morning. It had not stopped raining, and I had to take off my display cases, that would barely fend against the wind. Though being under the canopy meant they weren’t drenched to the bone.Clem looked stary eyes as she rested her hands beneath her chin, her braids swooped up in an intricate bun, “You have to go back and say yes.”“Clem, he’s, my landlord.” I justify taking a stretch of fabric and smoothing it between my fingers, “And he’s an arsehole.”“So…you will have all the money in the world. You could get the clients you have always wanted.”“Not like that,” I whispered, a disheartened feeling spreading through the encasing of my heart, “I won’t further my business by leeching off someone else.”“I would dare say you already are,” a familiar smooth voice drifted through the small shop, “It is my building