Getting up the next morning my head was pounding, my body felt like I had just swum a marathon in a lava filled volcano and the echoing sound of my blood pulsing and my heart thumping in my chest gave me a skull crushing headache.

I am never drinking again.

That's what you said last time.

Well this time I mean it.

The slight knock on my bedroom door caught my attention making me look over at the painted white door to find Jessie, creaking the door open with caution. "Sky?" she called attentively, "you awake?"

"I think so," I groaned as I lifted my head up further to get better look at Jessie as she walked cautiously into my room, a glass of orange juice in her hand. "Although if this is life, it isn't worth living."

She gave me a soft smile and sat down on the edge of my bed next to me before gently handing me the full cup of orange juice and some Advil - all of which I downed within seconds.

"So how did last night go?" She questioned, her usually interested behaviour returning.

"It was a train wreck, the date was going fine until Anthony decided to show up and invite himself." My small smile quickly turned into a glare as I recalled the way he strutted into our date and helped himself to a seat before scarring my date away.

Jessie couldn't contain the light chuckle that escaped her no matter how quickly her hand raised to cover her smile or how much she bit down on her bottom lip to stop the violent shakes of laughter.

"It's not funny!" I pressed, feeling my annoyance peek. "I was humiliated."

Although it did turn out to be an interesting evening, did it not?

Well, yes, okay it did. But that still defeats the purpose.

You wanted a date and you got one.

Just with the wrong guy...

Or maybe it was the right guy?

"And then?" Jess pressed, her curiosity peeking.

"I had a little too much to drink since I only ate a little bit of chicken and almost threw up in his car."

This made Jessie erupt into a long fit of giggles, in which I responded with a pointed glare in her direction.

"So first you're all grumpy because I'm going out on a date and then you are all like, 'Tell me about it'?" I snapped at my friend. "Seriously Jessie, getting whiplash here."

Well someone is a moody bitch this morning.

Shut up.

Jessie's expression fell a little before she looked down at her fingers, a little red from the cool morning, and interlaced them. "I don't approve of this whole agreement thing, you know that." She defended herself in that stern tone she normally reserved for her students. "But that doesn't mean I don't love you and want to hear about your life. And besides," she added, a small sad smile creeping back on to her face as she looked at me. "I just realised that you're going to be moving out soon and I'll miss you."

"Jess." I smiled at her and leaned in to give her a hug. She was like a sister, and it was going to be hard leaving her behind. Maybe I could bring her with me? I mean Anthony will surely have a massive house, maybe Jessie could stay for a while.

Maybe, forever?

Forever, forever is good.

"Okay, that's it before I start crying, I have to be at work in an hour so I better head off." She sniffed as she pulled back from my embrace and stood up from the bed.

Work? What day was it?

Friday, I think?

"Oh shit!" My eyes full open wide as realisation dawned on me; I was late for work.

It was only half an hour later before I wondered into Brisk, the small seaside restaurant that hired me to manage their finances only a few months ago. It was a small place but I truly believed it had more potential, if only they could expand. The restaurant was decorated with a pirates theme, with wooden furnishings and a boat styled deck that hung over the ocean. I still liked it though.

You woke me up for this?

You're awake to earn money, you like money?

Yeah but now you're going to marry someone with money, so it's all but lost its value.

I rolled my eyes at my inner self as she reclined back somewhere in my head, the peaceful silence that followed told me she was probably going to sleep.

Waving a quick hello to the bar manager I sat down at a table in the far corner of the restaurant and started going through everything, checking over the books and records, like inventory.

Looking over the endless tax forms the small bell above the door rung out like an off wind chime making me glance up for a moment, my attention drifting from the papers to the new customer entering for the lunch period. I smiled as the young couple walked into the restaurant, my inner woman seemed to awaken as I began to feel envious of the pair.

Pouting like a child when they didn't get their way I shook my head and looked back to the door as bell sounded once again. Dark hair, slicked back, bright eyes - darting around the restaurant as if looking for someone - tall, muscular frame hidden underneath a black tailored suit, with a brown tie that made his eyes glisten that much more. His eyes steadied as they found mine, a small smirk tugged at his lips as he started forward - towards me - his hands fixated with a button as he slowly creeped further and further towards me.

Anthony.

I'm up!

I rolled my eyes at my inner self, she was enjoying his company a little too much for my liking.

Anthony pulled out the chair on the other side of the table and elegantly lowered his frame into the wooden chair, his eyes never once leaving mine - no, of course not, he loved a good stare down.

"And just when I think we're making progress you're back to wearing cheap jeans and..." he paused as he frowned at my attire. "Is that a beanie?"

My eyes darted around nervously. What was wrong with a beanie? All you had to do was brush your hair and throw on a beanie - instant cuteness.

Maybe it wasn't as cute as you thought.

Or maybe he just has it in for anything other than dresses.

I rolled my eyes.

"That is a dirty habit."

"So is your existence, if only we could train you out of life." I smiled sweetly as I mocked him.

"I plan to reign in that smart mouth of yours a little."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Careful, I bite."

He smirked devilishly at me, his eyes darkening as they glistened with mischief. "Oh, I would be disappointed if you didn't Sky."

I sighed deeply. Deep breaths Sky.

One. I breathed out a long exhale.

He has beautiful eyes doesn't he?

Two. I clenched my jaw as I let go of another breath.

The way they darken like that just sends shivers up my spine, all the way down to my...

"What do you want Anthony?" I snapped. I was clearly not getting any piece while my inner self was ogling Renner.

"Why do I have to want anything to just visit my dear future wife?"

I stared blankly at him.

"Yeah I thought it might be a little far fetch," he shrugged. "Even for you."

I gaped at him as my mind registered his insult. "You have five seconds before I get you thrown out." I threatened him as my eyes darted around for the one security guard that I knew was employed to get rid of the 'trouble makers' and drunks - although I also knew he didn't start work until the later hours.

"Oh relax. I came to ask you to join me." Anthony smiled.

Oh that sight just melts the heart. What do you think inner woman?

Don't ask her! I scolded my inner self; I already knew my inner woman's weakness for smiles and pretty eyes.

Why not? We all have our own opinions in here.

My inner woman nodded in agreement as she pouted at me.

"Sky? Are you even listening to me?" Anthony leaned forward and waved his hand in front of my face to gain my attention.

I reached forward and hit his hand away from my face. "Sorry, I don't speak bullshit."

"Then why is it leaking out of your mouth?" He counted so quickly I struggled to think so quickly.

Oh he's good.

Help me!

Let me think.

My eyes darted around as I struggled to come up with a smart mouth comment in the short time frame.

Hurry up in there!

Perfection takes time!

"You're head looks like it is about to blow up." Anthony stared blankly at me with a slight confusion in his eyes.

"Yeah well," I paused, not for affect but because I was literally stuck. Think, damn it, think! I stared at Anthony. "Your face looks like a raccoons butt."

He flinched back with a light chuckle. "Really? That's the best you got?"

"I swear I will throw something at your head."

"Relax babe."

"Don't call me Babe." I rolled my eyes and focused back on my papers in front of me.

"How much more do you have to do?" He asked, peering up over the table to get a better look at my work.

I moved my hand in front of the paper, blocking his glance.

"What is your problem today?" He frowned deeply as he sat back in his chair.

My eyes widened as I looked at him. "You're my problem."

"Is this because I didn't give you a job?" He looked down and played with his cufflink.

"Why do you keep bringing that up?" I stared at him with a strong annoyance.

"Because you won't let it go."

"I have let it go. It's gone. Out the window, in the trash can, in the garbage truck and..." Where do garbage trucks go?

To the tip? You should have thought this one through Sky.

You are my thought process! This one is on you.

"It is a privilege to watch your mind at work." Anthony nodded.

"What do you want Anthony?"

"I told you," He rolled his eyes at having to repeat himself. "I came to ask you to join me."

I scrunched my nose. "Join you where?"

My inner self crossed her fingers, closed her eyes and started chanting where she wanted to join the man in question.

"Shopping. My mother called me this morning and yelled at me for not giving you a ring yet." He waved me off.

"Shopping?" I frowned.

"Yes, Sky." He raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Engagement ring shopping to be precise."

"Do we really need to waste our time doing this?" I asked in confusion.

They were pushing for the wedding to happen as soon as possible, what with Anthony trying to seal the deal with this new benefactor and my families need for finical stability.

"Apparently so." He pushed his chair back and stood up. "And while we're at it, we might as well fix this." He gestured down to my outfit.

"And then stop at a cemetery on the way back so I can burry you in a shallow grave." I muttered as I finished the last little bit of my paper work.

Why a shallow one? Dig him all the way down until he comes out the other end.

Anthony moved to my side and reached down and pulled me up to my feet. "Hey!" I screamed, as he not too gently dragged me out of my chair and away from the table.

"Walk Sky, I don't have time for your lack of attention today."

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." I mocked him and yanked my arm away from his grasp. Collecting my papers in a neat pile I returned them to the owner and informed him I would be back later this week to finish it.

With the constant "Hurry up" and "what is taking you so long" from Anthony, I finally made it to his car - the same Bentley from last night, only now the colour was more clear, a deep midnight blue that could easily be mistaken for black.

Slipping into the car, I relaxed in the seat as Anthony drove silently to the shopping centre on the main city strip.

I watched the scenery pass me by as my mind started to blur and my thoughts started to run wild.

"Sky?!"

I jumped at the sudden noise invading my senses. Frowning I turned to Anthony. "What now?"

"We're here. You need to get out of the car." He spoke calmly and slowly, dragging each word out to emphasis his sentence. Almost like he was talking to a small child.

"Oh right." I shook my head at my delay. "Sorry."

"So, you never answered my question." He spoke as he got out of the car.

"What question?"

"Do you have a mental issue I should no about or...?" He trailed off as he leaned against the car and regarded me cautiously.

"What kind of person asks someone that?"

He's on to us! Abort mission, Abort mission!

"A person who is soon to be tied in holy matrimony to that someone." He stared at me dumbfounded.

"Don't we have shopping to do?" I tried to move the topic along.

He rolled his eyes and slipped his keys into his back pocket before rounding the car and falling into step next to me.

We walked into Tiffany & Co. and wondered over to the engagement section.

"Hi, can I help you?" The young woman asked us as we started looking in the glass cabinets. She took one look at Anthony and start blushing like a baboons butt.

I rolled my eyes and focussed on the rings. They were very big, flashy and looked like they would sit rather awkwardly on your finger.

"Hi how are you?" Anthony leaned against the cabinet and turned his charm onto high beam.

She smiled nervously. "Good thank you. Can I help you find anything?"

"Yes we are looking for an engagement ring." I smiled, cutting in to their flirty eyes.

"Oh," Her eyes flashed to me with surprise. Did she not see me walk in or was she just hoping I was his sister?

Probably didn't see you, you do know how short you are right?

I frowned. I'm not short. I'm average height.

Keep telling yourself that sweetie.

"Sky?"

"Huh?"

"The rings?"

The girl had pulled out some of their top collection engagement rings for my viewing.

I stared at the big bulky designs and shudder at the cuts. They looked like my finger would fall off after thirty seconds of wearing it.

"Do we really have to pick a ring? After the wedding you wear a wedding band and if it is going to happen as quickly as you say then why even bother?"

"Because we are meeting my investors next week and I need you to have some fancy ass ring." Anthony pressed.

"But they are ugly." I flinched back.

"Like you said you are only wearing it for a little while. Just pick one."

I rolled my eyes and looked around the store. "What about these ones?" I asked as I stepped closer to the cabinet and looked at the rings. These ones were simple, a small thin band with a small elegant diamond on the top. "I like this one."

"They aren't engagement rings." The sales assistant informed me.

I didn't understand how they weren't engagement rings. They were gorgeous and instead of pay thirteen thousand, these ones were only six hundred.

Six hundred? For that you might as well buy me a chocolate fountain and let me go swimming in it!

I couldn't ague with my inner self, a chocolate fountain did sound really good right now. Maybe I could ask for one of those.

"What are you thinking?" Anthony whispered as his hand brushed against my lower back.

"I'm thinking I would rather a chocolate fountain than an engagement ring." I answered honestly.

"I'll buy you a damn chocolate fountain if you just pick a ring so I can leave this store."

I beamed at the prospect of a chocolate fountain. "This one."

"But it's not..."

I interrupted her. "I said this one."

"She wants this one." Anthony shrugged and pulled out his money.

Nodding a little hesitantly she pulled out the ring and checked the size of my finger to make sure it would fit. Slipping the ring on my finger, I followed Anthony out of the store.

I put looked down at the ring on my finger and suddenly felt a little unsure. It felt weird, almost alien to have the perfect piece of jewellery surrounding my finger - and, I didn't like it.

"Come on," Anthony reached down and gripped my wrist before he started pulling me down the shopping centre pathway. "We need to burn this beanie and find you more appropriate things to wear."