Devils and Butterflys

"Good morning Miss Dalton, can i get you a cup of tea?"

Esme's shop manager Ashley greeted her warmly.

"Good morning ashley, oh no thank you. How is everything? Did all orders go out okay yesterday?"

"Yep, all happy customers as always miss dalton."

Esme smiled warmly. Ashley ran her boutique like it was her own. She always kept things running smoothly esme couldn't wish for anyone better.

"I have a gentleman coming in this morning for some measurements, can you please prepare the back room."

Ashley nodded and left leaving esme to wander round admiring her charming shop. She always felt close to her parents when she was at any of her boutiques. She knew they would be proud of how far she had come, despite all the heartbreak she had suffered along the way.

Even though esme was alone she was strikingly strong. No matter how hard she fell, she had always got back up. The boutique was full of class and held its own beauty. The floors were a snow white marble and well polished and the silk black and white curtains gave the boutique its classy feel. There were two cream coloured chaise longue's with satin black cushions which gave the boutique an essence of luxury. A large crystal white chandelier dominated the centre of the boutique, its stunning hanging diamonds dazzled whenever the light hit it.

Esme had built her businesses up from the ground and she felt such pride that her dreams of being a dress maker and owning her own shops had become a reality.

Abruptly esme's thoughts were cut short as the very same feeling that had overwhelmed her the night before were again enveloping her. She slowly turned round to see the same stranger she had seen at the restaurant. He stood still watching her as she did him. His expression was so intense, esme could have sworn he was in pain. The connection between them was electric, esmes emotions were sky high and she felt a million of them all at once.

Her skin pricked and she felt a rush of warm butterfly's in her tummy. Ashley returned and watched them both with obvious confusion and concern for esme.

"Miss Dalton? Is - is everything ok here?"

Ashley's words rapidly caught esme's attention and she nodded yes somewhat dazed. She quickly got hold of her emotions and put on her professional front.

"Good morning sir, I'm esme, i will be taking your measurements today. If you would like to follow me through to the back room."

Esme smiled a false smile as the new feelings she wasn't accustomed to, still had a firm grip on her not allowing her to think straight.

"Very nice to meet you esme. I'm Alistair. May i ask.. are you the owner of this boutique?"

His voice was the smoothest most beautiful sound esme had ever heard. Her lips visibly parted and her knees became weak. He never took his eyes from hers, she was completely losing herself in his presence and she couldn't understand how or why. His glare became too much and she had to get away to clear her mind.

"I, i-im so sorry i have to go."

Esme rushed for the door and left, leaving ashley to deal with the man she had just practically ran from.

When esme arrived home she threw off her coat and collapsed onto the sofa. What had she just done! How could she have treated a customer so badly. It went against everything she had strived for. No matter how messed up he made her feel she should have stuck it out and done her job. She placed her hands over her face and let out a sigh. How could she fix this or at least make herself feel better. She sat up reaching for her laptop. I will email him a personal apology, and offer him a free fitting on a day and time of his choice. She thought feeling slightly better.

She started to write the email as a new email popped up on her screen. She would have normally ignored it but she recognised the email address it was from. It was him. She hesitated to open it. She prepared herself to read a string of complaints about her un-professional manner and rude attitude, but to her shock it was an apology- from him! The email read:

Dearest Esme,

It deeply saddens me that you felt you had to run out, i hope you can forgive my some what profound nature. I have been informed many times that i can come across quite...consuming and for this i apologise. I could clearly see your discomfort and made no attempt to put you at ease. I was hoping that you could join me for dinner one evening this week so i can apologise in person. I have attached my personal phone number feel free to call me with your answer.

Yours sincerely.

Alistair.

Esme re-read the email over and over. She couldn't believe he was the one apologising for her behaviour, nor could she believe that he had asked her out to dinner. He was also emailing her on a first name basis which was strangely informal for a customer. Esme stared at the screen for a few more minutes before eventually closing it down. She attempted to make herself dinner but her appetite just wasn't there, so she made do with an apple and a can of coke and made her way to bed.

She would call him tomorrow. She would call him and thank him for his offer but politely turn it down. She would also remind him she was the one at fault today. There was no way she could be around him again. He made her feel dangerously on edge which for some people would be a strong attraction. But for esme it was just too much and too strange, and she had suffered enough hurt for a lifetime. So for now she would avoid the alluring stranger that had enticed and scared her, all at the same.