The next morning Harper woke up, the sky was dark and grey with clouds, threatening to rain at any moment. She rolled over and realised that it was over with Brooklyn, with the woman who had pushed her out of her comfortable life and into a new one. Although she didn't do it just for her, it was still for her. Everything that she had done, was for Brooklyn and her want to be with her. Harper felt empty inside. She sat on the edge of the bed, trying to find the strength to get up and start her day. She dragged herself to the bathroom where she brushed her dark toffee locks and washed her face before padding downstairs to find Sebastian drinking a coffee in the kitchen.

"Morning Har-Bear!" He said chirpily, passing her a coffee. "How did you sleep?"

Harper smiled and accepted the coffee. "Surprisingly well, despite that crazy night."

"Mmm," Sebastian's eyes looked serious. "So whats the verdict my darling?

Harper's face fell, all the hurt and pain from last night came flooding back. "Its finished," She replied flatly. "I'm done with her lies. I escaped one crazy asshole, I don't need another one in my life."

Sebastian nodded and took a sip of coffee. Harper seemed stronger than before. Previously she would have collapsed in a heap, in midst the broken shambles of her life, not knowing what to do or where to turn. Now she was stronger and resolute, even though her eyes where tinged with a dark melancholy.

Harper's phone buzzed on the counter. She glanced at it and saw that there were several messages from Brooklyn and one from Emma.

Brooklyn: Hey baby, how's your night going?

Brooklyn: Babe? Is everything ok?

Brooklyn: You're worrying me. What's going on?

Emma: Hey babes, wanna catch up for that coffee?

Brooklyn: I'm seriously getting worried now. Can you at least let me know that you're ok?

Brooklyn: Are we still good for tonight?

Harper's brow furrowed slightly as she read the messages. She really wasn't in the mood to deal with Brooklyn. She sighed, all her tears dried up now.

Harper: I'm fine. I can't tonight. I'm feeling a bit crook.

Harper put her phone on the counter. It wasn't a complete lie, after everything that had happened, the idea of seeing Brooklyn made her stomach roll in disgust. How could she do this to her? Sebastian came over and rubbed her shoulder as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"It will be ok Har-Bear." He said soothingly. "It's just a small hick up in the road of life."

Harper nodded. "Maybe I'll catch up with Emma today?"

"That would be good for you. Get out of the house and away from it all." Sebastian agreed. "Even if its for a couple of hours."

Harper picked up her phone and shot off a message to Emma.

Harper: Love to babe. What time?

Emma: Awesome! How's 11?

Harper: Perfect! Where?

Emma: What about my place?

Harper: Done! See you soon xx

Harper turned to Sebastian. "Is it ok if I take the Bentley?"

"Of course my darling! I'll take my pony to work." He picked up the keys and tossed them gently to her. "Have fun with Emma."

He winked cheekily as he swept upstairs to get ready for work.

Harper smiled and leaned against the counter as she finished her coffee. Hopefully a chat with Emma would help sort her head out.

Jackson woke slowly and sat up in his empty bed. Even though he didn't have a crazy passionate relationship with Harper, he was missing her warm body next to him. He sat for a moment, thinking about what to do today. Work was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.

I'm sure that they can handle things without me today. He thought. He just couldn't handle the office right now, even if he got to see the luscious Isabella.

Ah Isabella, He thought lasciviously. Maybe I should invite her over? Jackson smiled. Maybe later.

He shot off a message to his assistant Isabella: I'm feeling under the weather today. I'll be working from home today.

Isabella: Of course Mr Thomas. I'll let everyone know.

He sighed deeply. It was uncharacteristic of him to take time off, but his head was too cloudy to wheel and deal today. He made his way down stairs to make a coffee and to think about what to with the whole Harper situation. The french roast coffee weaved its aromatic notes through the empty kitchen. The crema on top of the espresso was perfect. He took a sip and let the smokey taste roll over his tongue, the caramelised sugar aftertaste was perfect. As he sipped his coffee, there was a knock on the door.

Curious, as he wasn't expecting anyone, Jackson padded his way down the hallway to the massive front door and opened it. He was confronted by Harper's mother. She looked like an older version of Harper, albeit a little more elegant and refined. Her dark toffee hair was upswept in an elegant chignon, with silver wings sweeping through the sides. Her blue eyes shrewdly took in Jackson's pajama bottoms, bare chest and unshaven face and her nose slightly wrinkled in distaste.

"Penelope!" He exclaimed. "What a pleasure to see you!"

He bent to give her a kiss on her well made up frosty cheek.

"Is Harper available?" She asked snippily.

"No, she's not." He replied, taken aback by her tone. "Would you like to come in? I have something to tell you."

Penelope nodded curtly and swept regally inside. Jackson closed the door and led her to the kitchen, a waft of Chanel No 5 trailed in her wake. She perched on a kitchen chair and smoothed her purple and pink tweed Chanel suit over her knees, her ankles elegantly crossed.

"Would you like a coffee?"

"Please." She replied curtly. Penelope patted her perfect hair, making sure that not a strand was out of place. "Would you care to tell me why Harper isn't home this morning?"

Jackson busied himself with the coffee machine, trying to buy time and think of the best way of dealing with the new situation. Maybe he should just be honest and come out with what actually happened. No. He thought. Let's see how we can spin this in my favour.

Jackson slumped his shoulders as he passed her the espresso.

"Harper left me." He replied as he slid into chair dejectedly. "She packed up and took her things over the weekend."

Penelope arched her eyebrow slightly in surprise. "Why on earth would she do that?"

"She's been seeing someone behind my back. She ran off to be with them." He skated over the fact that the other person is a woman. He didn't feel that it would show him in the best light and he wanted to appear as pathetic as possible.

Penelope took a sip of her espresso, trying to process the new information. She put the cup down, patted her lips delicately with a tissue and waited for Jackson to continue.

"I guess that she's been unhappy for some time now." He continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "I tried to talk to her. I suggested counseling. I wanted to mend things between us. I love her so much."

Penelope checked her lipstick in her compact mirror and nodded. "She always has been rather head strong, hasn't she?"

Jackson nodded. "She definitely is. Harper was so determined. I couldn't stop her. I thought it would be best to let her go for now. I'm sure that she'll see reason soon and come back home... and come back to me."

Jackson's shoulders trembled a little. "I miss her so much Penelope... I really do."

He bowed his head, to try and give off the impression that he was trying to hide his emotions. He shot a sideways glance at Penelope. She snapped the compact shut briskly, her face was slightly tinged with concern, but her eyes were still cold and flinty.

Penelope took another sip of her espresso. "Where is she residing now? Is she lodging with her new paramour?"

Jackson shook his head. "No, she's staying with her gay friend Sebastian." His face contorted a bit as he sneered out the word gay.

Penelope nodded, ignoring Jackson's quite obvious disdain towards gay people. "What's this gentleman's address? I'd like to have a discussion with her about this whole fracas."

Jackson wrote the address down on a slip of paper and slid it across the counter to her. Penelope nodded and slipped the paper into her rose coloured Hermes handbag.

"Thank you, Jackson." She finished her espresso and placed the cup on the counter.

The wind whipped through her long hair as she drove to Emma and Ethan's place. The sun beat down on her shoulders as she enjoyed the drive. It felt like a new day for her. She arrived at Emma's place and walked up the steps to her front door. Part of her was a little hesitant, not knowing whether or not she'd be able to continue with the friendship now that she had left Jackson. She nervously knocked at the door. Emma flung the door open and hugged Harper enthusiastically.

"How are you doin' babes?" Emma's compassionate brown eyes searched Harper's face. "Tell me what's been going on."

Harper smiled in relief. "So much has happened Emma. You're not going to believe it!"

She grabbed Harper's hand and led her down the hall way. They settled in the large well lit kitchen. Emma flitted about getting water and juice out of the fridge, before settling next to Harper. Her athletic frame lounged comfortably in her well worn blue jeans and simple lacy singlet. Emma poured two glasses of cucumber and mint water and looked at Harper expectantly.

"So?" She prodded gently. "What's going on babes?"

Harper took a deep breath. "I left Jackson a few days ago."

Emma choked on her water. "What?" She exclaimed. "Say what?!"

"It was time," Harper explained. "I'd just had enough and I thought I was going on to better things."

Emma stared at Harper, her brown eyes huge. "So you left Jackson for this girl that you've been seeing?"

Harper brushed her dark toffee hair back. "No." She explained. "I left Jackson because it was time to leave him. Brooklyn was just the catalyst for the move."

Emma leaned back on the kitchen stool and brushed her beachy waves back with both hands.

"Gotta say babes." She exclaimed, making an exploding motion with her hands. "Mind officially blown!"

"Wait," Harper responded, holding her hands up. "It gets better."

"What?" Emma exclaimed. "Tell me."

"I caught Brooklyn cheating on me with another woman last night."

"Whaaaat?!" Emma put her hand on her chest. "Are you serious babes?"

"Yep," Harper replied sadly. "It's all one big mess now."

"Wow!" Emma took a sip of her water. "This is all so much to take in! So where are you living now?"

"With Sebastian. He took me in."

"He's a good guy." Emma nodded. "I'm guessing that's his car out the front?"

"Yeh, it is. Jackson wouldn't let me take my car."

Emma's nose scrunched up. "He can be such an asshat sometimes."

Harper laughed. "You certainly turn a phrase babe." She started giggling. Emma joined in with the laughter and the joyous sound rang out through the empty house. Harper wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I really needed that," she said breathily, between chuckles. "Thank you darl." Harper reached over and hugged Emma. Her hands ran up and down Harper's back gently and pulled her closer. Her touch soothing Harper, her frazzled nerves being soothed by the physical contact with her best friend.

"You're welcome babes." Emma murmured softly. Harper rested her head on Emma's shoulder.

Emma's embrace strengthened around her waist. "It's ok babes," She whispered against Harper's hair. "It's all going to work out in the end."

They stood locked together in the kitchen for a long time, Harper drawing warmth and strength from Emma's embrace.

Jackson looked at the photos that were emailed through by the investigator. He leaned back on the comfy couch with an evil smile on his face. So it was over with Brooklyn it would appear. It gave him a lot of pleasure to find out that juicy tidbit of information. It meant that more than likely Harper would be back sooner than he thought. And it looked like Brooklyn was slutting around with other chicks as well.

His thoughts turned back to Brooklyn and the mess that she had created in his and her life. He tapped his fingers together evilly with a plan to get back at her forming in his mind.

Just maybe, he thought maliciously. I could end the relationship that she has with the redhead too. Get her back for destroying my life. Little bitch.

As Harper drove home, she thought about Emma. It was so tempting to fall back into her arms, but she felt so fragile at the moment that it really was the furthest thing on her mind. The wind whipped through her hair as she drove home, her thoughts dancing around in her head.

Harper walked into the townhouse and found Sebastian cooking dinner in the kitchen.

"How did it go with Emma?" He asked casually, his hands moving deftly as he cut up shallots.

"It was good. We talked about a lot of different things." Harper replied, sliding onto the stools that surround the kitchen island.

"Mmm," Sebastian said with a cheeky look on his face. "And did anything else happen Har-Bear?"

Harper chuckled softly. "No," she replied. "Not this time. All this mess with Brooklyn is still too fresh."

"Well, you know what they say," Sebastian trilled. "The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else." His eyes twinkled cheekily.

Harper laughed. "That maybe the case, but it's too soon for me right now."

Sebastian came around the island and put his arms around her. "Take all the time that you need my darling."

Harper put her hand on his arms and gave them a squeeze. He kissed her on the side of the head and returned back to the kitchen.

"What are you cooking?"

"Roast duck with cherry tomatoes and couscous." He replied taking the duck breast out of the oven and started slicing it thinly.

"Oh fancy!" Harper replied sassily. "But I thought that you had a date tonight?"

Sebastian shrugged. "I cancelled." He said flippantly. "I wasn't feeling the lurve hun-nee!"

Harper smiled and put her arms around Sebastian's waist and whispered,"Thank you."

Jackson was deeply immersed in his work on his laptop in the living room when the doorbell rang a couple of times. He made his way to the door and found Ethan on his front door step.

"Hey Jacky-boy!" Ethan smiled. "Missed you at work today." He took in Jackson's dishevelled appearance. He was dressed casually in black Bonds tracksuit pants and a loose black AS Colour acid washed muscle shirt. His blond hair was messed up and he hadn't shaved today.

Jackson opened the door wider and waved Ethan inside. "Good to see you mate."

"Cigar?" He proffered the box. "I've got a few from Cuba, Nicaragua, Havanas, Dominican..." His voice trailed off as he rummaged through the heavy lacquered wooden cigar box.

Ethan shrugged nonchalantly. "Whatever you recommend, mate, is fine with me." He wasn't into status symbols of fine cigars, liquor and labels.

Jackson nodded and selected two Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro Robusto cigars and clipped the ends with a heavy platinum cigar cutter. "You love these. They go so well with some Chivas."

He poured the 12yo Chivas into two heavy bottomed old fashioned glasses with gold highlights glinting in the base of the glass and gestured towards the deck to the right of the dining area. He handed Ethan the glass and they headed to the outside deck area. They settled in the two black rounded wicker lounge chairs, with an elegant matching wicker table between them with a glass top. The deck overlooked the rectangle shaped pool, which was lit up with underwater lights, giving the garden a soothing ambiance.

"So, what's going on mate?" Ethan asked as he fired up the cigar carefully as he didn't smoke often. "Where's Harper tonight?"

Jackson slowly fired up his cigar and exhaled earthy nutty smoke, relishing the bittersweet chocolate undertones. He puffed again and took a mouthful of scotch.

"She's moved out for now." He replied smoothly. "It's just a temporary measure."

Ethan puffed on the cigar, trying to work out what was going on. His once in control and powerful friend and business partner was slowly coming apart at the seams. He was missing work and it seemed that he might be drinking a little bit much.

"So how are you liking the cigar?" Jackson asked pretentiously. "Pretty nice, huh?"

"Yeh its fine." Ethan replied, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm worried about you and Harper. It feels like it maybe over between the two of you."

Jackson took another mouthful of scotch and shook his head.

"Nah mate." He dismissed Ethan's concerns with a wave of his hand, the cigar trailing fragrant smoke. "It really is just a temporary measure. Her friend was having some issues and she's just staying with him to support him. She'll be back."

"But the affair?" Ethan pressed.

"That's over and done with mate." Jackson replied cockily with a smug smile. "Just like I said it would be."

Ethan contemplatively puffed on his cigar and had a swig of scotch. It would seem that on the surface, everything was working out for Jackson, but part of him wasn't sure. Perhaps it was time to start thinking about taking over Jackson's control of the company, just in case he started to go off the rails.

After dinner Harper was relaxing in her room, reading one of Sebastian's trashy Jackie Collins books. Her phone had been buzzing on and off with messages that she didn't want to reply to. It seemed that Brooklyn definitely knew that something was up and was messaging and calling her constantly trying to talk to her.

Harper really didn't want to deal with Brooklyn right now. Her heart had been stabbed with a stiletto heel that night when she walked in on her with another woman. It had been absolutely heart wrenching situation. Jackson was also messaging her, ranging from I miss you messages to threats of what would happen if she didn't come back home. Harper just ignored him. There wasn't a point in answering him. She was done with both of them.

"Harper!" Sebastian's voice drifted upstairs. "You have a visitor."

"Coming." Harper called back.

Harper came down the stairs, not quite knowing what to expect as only a handful of people knew where she was staying.