Leaning backwards I hit play on my laptop, deciding that the storm outside required accompaniment. The plucking of a harp chimed into the chorus of the rain, and was soon followed by the fluid saw of a violin. A chill ran up my spine, as the music called for my muscles to unknot and the tension in my shoulders to release. The sizzle of the steak on the skillet seemed to work in time with the drum beats.

The thundering sea is calling me home, home to you.
The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you.

On a dark new year's night

on the west coast of Clare
I heard your voice singing.
Your eyes danced the song,
your hands played the tune.
T'was a vision before me.

This was one of the pleasures I afforded myself in my solitude. I may not look it, but I was a great fan of music. Especially after a long day, and though I didn't have the voice of an angel, I did enjoy singing. So, I invited myself along with the singer, and smiled as I sang

We left the music behind and the dance carried on
as we stole away to the seashore
and smelt the brine, felt the wind in our hair
and with sadness you paused.

Suddenly, I knew that you'd have to go.
Your world was not mine, your eyes told me so.
Yet it was there I felt the crossroads of time
and I wondered why.

At last, the steak was cooked to my satisfaction, and I moved it over to the cutting board to rest. It wasn't long until the carrots followed as I divided them onto two separate plates.

As we cast our gaze on the tumbling sea,
a vision came o'er me,
of thundering hooves and beating wings
in the clouds above.

As you turned to go, I heard you call my name.
You were like a bird in a cage, spreading its
wings to fly.
'The old ways are lost', you sang as you flew
and I wondered why.

It was then that I heard the familiar shuffle and tap of a cane on the floor. Taking a deep breath I puffed it out through my nose. "Let yourself in, huh?"

The response I got was an amused chuckle. "Well seeing that this is my property, I felt that knocking was unnecessary."

Of course he felt that way, smug prick. "That's a sad tune you were singing, dearie."

Prepping a plate, I rolled my eyes before turning. "Were you stating a fact or alluding to my emotional wellbeing?"

Setting the food out on the table, I turned off the music and grabbed a couple glasses for water. I was not going to reward Mr. Gold for his clever means of forcing his company on me, so there would be no wine. A pity, I always liked a hearty red with my steak. "So, you wanted to talk business over dinner Mr. Gold, shall we?"

At this, I sliced myself a cut of meat and stuffed in my mouth, allowing the juice to drip down my chin, manners be damned. Gold mirrored my actions, except he labored in the theatrics in a show of praise for my talents in the kitchen. He let out a pleased sigh. "I should hire you on as my personal chef, Ms. Vesper."

Shaking my head, I took sip of water. I'm sure the pay would be good, but I shuddered at the idea of being at the beck and call of this man, well more so. "I wouldn't like to be the cause of putting out one of your staff."

Mr. Gold took a delicate bite of potato and closed his eyes and nodded his enjoyment. Merciful hell, is was just a potato with a pat of butter. It wasn't manna from heaven. "A pity, I should invite myself over more often, if only for your cooking."

I could feel an angry blush burning all the way from my nose to the roots of my hair. At this, I took another sip of water in an attempt to cool the heat on my face. I shouldn't have showered, this would have gone quicker if I smelled of pond scum and mud. "I am not a great fan of company, Mr. Gold. So I must withdraw the invitation that you've decided to issue yourself."

He glanced up at me, a small smile playing on his lips, though that action did not reach his dark and empty eyes. "I didn't take you for a recluse, Ms. Vesper."

Smirking, I had another bite of food. Through a mouthful I countered. "I'm the Crazy Bird Lady, Mr. Gold. Being a recluse is my nature, and I'd like to enjoy my solitude without fear of human interaction that I did not initiate."

Chuckling, his attention returned to his plate. "If one were to observe you at Farmer's Market, I believe they'd draw a different conclusion in regards to your self-induced solitude."

My eyes narrowed as I glared at him. "Then I suppose it's a good thing that no one has taken to 'observing' me as I go about my business, because such actions are akin to stalking…That aside, I believe we are here to discuss business."

Dabbing his mouth, the landlord chuckled. "Always straight to the point…"

Poking around my carrots, I shrugged. "I'm not one for false pleasantries… Did you draw up the knew rental contract we discussed last week?"

(Author's note: Sorry for the major delay lovely readers. I have been really busy due moving into my own place and getting settled into the new place. I also have loads of family coming into town next month. Hope you like the latest installment. Let me know what you think!?)