199 First flap of the bird

There was a time in Emily's life when she was filled with enthusiasm for anything related to soulmates and the deep connection destined couples shared. And now she didn't want to hear about it. Yet, not a single day had passed since that fateful moment without her experiencing the agonising pain in her heart. She wished she hadn't been foolish enough to anticipate something so fragile and unpredictable. 

As Emily sat on the couch, awaiting the arrival of the gentlemen, she made a conscious effort to steer her thoughts away from Nathaniel. However, her mind betrayed her, as if it were conditioned to dwell on her broken heart and the person responsible for it. And while she was lost in silent contemplation about what had transpired, she failed to register the steady progression of the clock's hands as they continued to make their ceaseless rounds.