Pearl's POV.For the past week, I've been vomiting frequently every single day. Everything I perceive irritates me, I'm so uncomfortable, and when I checked myself this morning in the mirror. I didn't recognize the woman I saw. Because that person certainly isn't me. My brother would have talked about it if we crossed paths this week, but he'd been so busy doing I don't know what.I faced my work and my vomiting problem. Now out of curiosity, I decided to search Google about the symptoms I'm having and I'm sincerely petrified by the feed it brings out. Honestly, I do what that but not now. Now is a very bad time to have a baby.I stop at the pharmacy on my way to work and pick out three test strips because I need to be sure.I make the payments for them and head out. I waste more time than I intended to at the bus stop which makes me arrive late at work.I walk briskly to my office, waving at everyone while sweating like I just finished a marathon.I don't know how it happens but I
Pearl's POV.My Dad's gonna kill me today, if he doesn't I just know I'm lucky.I put my phone on silent at the park because I didn't need any distractions, and now I've missed several calls from him. How am I going to explain that? As I fiddle with my makeup, my hand trembles. I apply red lipstick and tie my hair up in a ponytail after throwing on a deep pink gown. I put on some jewelry, I try not to dress too much but it's better to impress Dad than to not.I give myself a once over and a three-sixty in front of my big mirror, when I see everything is in place I step out.Getting to the dining hall, everyone's seated on the dining table, Philip's parents are here already.My brother and my dad are sitting close, Philip's parents are sitting beside each other chatting about what's important to them and Philip is there alone, eating his food. There's also an empty seat beside him. There's a big chandelier hanging low from the ceiling, casting a warm golden glow into the dining room a
Pearl's POV I and Philip exchange a knowing look, it's at this moment I realize that lying is much harder when almost half of the people at the table know the truth.I fake a cough and clear my throat before saying “New York is Great, Not much has changed but it's still a great place you know,” “I disagree with you on that,” She playfully banters, “But it's okay, I heard you work in the company now?” That was the first time I looked at my Dad, And as usual, his face was like a statue, “Yeah,” I turn to face Mrs. Julie back.“So, how's your experience?” “It's been great so far, my co-workers are warm and welcoming, I'm a fast learner so I picked up on a lot of things,” “That's good.” She turns to my father, “Mr. Hughes, You were saying something about announcing the engagement,” A knot forms in my stomach.“Yes,” My Dad sits up, “I think we should announce it already, the couple has had enough time to know themselves and now that My daughter has been exposed to the Media I want peo
Pearl's POV.“I was joking about sleeping in your room tonight, but that doesn't mean if you let me I'll turn it down, you have to catch some sleep so you'll be up early tomorrow for the shoot,” Philip says after ten minutes of letting me cry in his embrace.I pull away. “Yeah,” wiping my face. I try not to look at his shirt or where my tears have soaked.Philip takes me unaware by kissing me on the forehead, “I'll get you a dress for the photoshoot, so you just have to be up early,” “I'll be up early,” I tell him.“Alright, I have to go before my parents start calling, sleep tight okay? and dream about me,” He starts retreating with backward steps.I mimic his talk, “I'll try,” once he's vanished from the hallway, I place my hand on the my door and open it…“Pearl…” My body trembles with shock. I pause and catch my breath before looking to see who's calling me like that.“Dad…” I swallow the brick in my throat. Did I not impress him at the table?“You told me you were going to stay a
Peal's POV.When I get to Photoshop, I'm received with a warm welcome. Like the workers, were waiting for my arrival. I bet with all my life savings that this shop was designed for the elite people because of how it was built. Big, elegant and luxurious. I wonder how much they make.“Come with me, Ms.” One of the workers told me with a polite smile, I suspected her to be one of the superiors at the place.I follow her meekly. My breath snags in my throat when I see Philip's back. Hands in both pockets, he's talking to one of the workers. Maybe the manager or something. I just watch him silently from a distance. Philip is fine! Coupled with the way he commands authority without words, the easy going demeanor he exudes, the effortless charm in his smile, the way his muscles flex under his dress shirt. Oh…am I forgetting the way he talks to people respectfully? Not like those trust fund babies who think the world revolves around them. And Yes, how kind he is to me. It surprises me ever
Pearl's POV.The photographers arrange their cameras and get us to position. When Philip's hand rests on my hips, I repress a shiver.“Are you okay?” He whispers in a low voice.“Do we really have to do this? I thought it's usually before the wedding?” “Well, it usually is but our parents, to be concise, your Dad has big plans, he said he wants everything about this marriage to be perfect and different, they want special pictures of the both of us together to use in preparing gifts for the engagement party,” “Oh, I see now,” I nod my head, and swallow, trying hard to ignore the tingling feeling of his hand.“You can change position now,” The photographer shouts.“Umm..how should we stay?” I ask.One of the photographers came forward and tried to get us into position. While he instructs us how to pose for the camera, Philip's hand brushes my abdomen. I shudder.“Did I hurt you?” worry fills his eyes as he stares at me.I gulp, “No, I'm okay, just a fleeting pain,” I lie. I can't look
Pearl's POV.Those last words from him break something inside me–walls I think. “Yes–” The words are incoherent. Almost inaudible but he catches it. He hears the words and makes them move. Inching closer as he presses his lips on mine.I'm pregnant! I want to say these words so badly, but the fear of the consequences is weighing me down. I've lived a lie for the past seven years. But I didn't have to drag anyone into it. Now I have a baby growing in me. I don't know how long I can keep up this deceit now. I'm a fraud! Something hits the ground and it resounds in the room, Philip breaks the kiss and together we look opposite and shit! Are we still in the studio? I thought we were in a room filled with white balloons and pancakes.My face heats with mortification. Oh, I can't stand here.“Are we done here?” I ask the guys.“Yes, yes,” they nod awkwardly. After what they have seen, what should I expect? I run out of the room. Back to the dressing room to take off the clothes.“You need h
Fabian's POV.“Boss, have you seen this?” My secretary says walking straight up to me, I'm seated behind my desk.“What is it?” I ask curiously.“I don't know, your mother granted a press release,” “My mother…” The words get stuck inside my throat as the video begins to play.“No shit…” I pick up my car keys and my suit jacket. “I'll be back, alright?” I tell my secretary and start driving straight to my mother's house. I find myself hissing all through the drive. Exasperated. I know my Mom is many things but why would she…My car screeches to a halt, in front of the driveway of her house. She lives in the mansion I acquired for her. She knew I'd do anything to get her to stay away from me and my wife, I didn't mind buying it for her. She was my mother after all.“Mother,” I meet her sitting on the sofa comfortably like she hasn't just caused a ruckus online. “Why did you do that?” She frowns, feigning innocence, “Do what?” “Come on, Mother, did you think I wouldn't see it? Why wou
Fabian's POV.After picking my Mom from the cell, I don't need to ask her why she did what she did because she won't give me a reasonable answer. I just drop her off at her house and head back to the office. It's already enough headache I'm dealing with in my life, I can only try to reduce my headaches.I toss my suit jacket on the desk as I walk into the room. I pick up a bottle of water from my mini fridge and drink. It's been so distressing and annoying how much I have to worry about myself and my Mom too. I throw some pills into my mouth and use the water to wash it down.There comes a soft knock on my door, “Come in,” I say. Stopping myself from thinking about whom it may be.Stephanie walks in, her pretty face is in order, but there's an edge of something…concern, Maybe.“What happened?” She asks, ambling close to me.“Nothing I couldn't take care of.” I reply, casually.“Do you have to be like this all the time with me?” By this time she's standing so close behind the desk. I
Fabian's POV.After picking my Mom from the cell, I don't need to ask her why she did what she did because she won't give me a reasonable answer. I just drop her off at her house and head back to the office. It's already enough headache I'm dealing with in my life, I can only try to reduce my headaches.I toss my suit jacket on the desk as I walk into the room. I pick up a bottle of water from my mini fridge and drink. It's been so distressing and annoying how much I have to worry about myself and my Mom too. I throw some pills into my mouth and use the water to wash it down.There comes a soft knock on my door, “Come in,” I say. Stopping myself from thinking about whom it may be.Stephanie walks in, her pretty face is in order, but there's an edge of something…concern, Maybe.“What happened?” She asks, ambling close to me.“Nothing I couldn't take care of.” I reply, casually.“Do you have to be like this all the time with me?” By this time she's standing so close behind the desk. I
Pearl's POV.Ever Since my conversation with Philip, I'd asked myself questions. Deep, important questions that I've never really stopped to ask myself. Questions like, what do I want? What's the next step? After a divorce so devastating and heartbreaking after leaving a man you've learned to love and depend on all your life. I can't have this baby and have Philip, I've already tasted his patience enough. He's been kind to me, so I did something. I called the Doctor and asked her if it would be possible to have this abortion before Saturday. That's my engagement party. He'll lose his mind if he finds out about this baby. He's trusted me. A luxury I shouldn't have from him, given my history with his family. When I just think about him, in all of this, I don't want to hurt him. I don't. He trusts me, I don't want to break that trust. I wish there was a better way out of this situation, I'll take it without blinking twice.If I fail my dad and God forbid he sends me away, Now he's trus
Pearl's POV.“Hi,” I say once I climb onto the stool next to Philip.“Pearl,” His eyes sparkle. “Thank you for joining me,” the sides of his cheek deepens revealing his dimples. He's dressed casually, in a T-shirt and jeans. Just like me.“It's My pleasure,” I say.“So, what would you like to have?” He asks, looking between the ready-at-our-service waiter. He has ordered a drink for himself.“Please, if they have water I'd like to have water for now.” “Okay,” Philip nods, not immensely satisfied with my answer but he signals the waiter to bring it.The waiter goes to the fridge, retrieves a can of water and drops it in front of me.“Thank you,” I say to him but he doesn't wait and goes to the other side of the counter to serve his waiting customers.The bar is filled with people. Neon lights light up the places from corners. Low chattering mixed with low music fills the place.“If you're not okay, sitting here. We could go down to one of the tables,” Philip chirps.“It's okay, I like
Pearl's POV.After confronting Stephanie, the bubbling energy I had somewhere in me dissipated. Every other thing that happened from then on around me has just been a blur.I hold tightly on the last string of my self-control, not to give in to the anger and bitterness that I'm feeling and do something I'll regret later. That was why he was distant, he'd been sleeping with his secretary and yet I was the cheating and unfaithful wife. He'd been intimate with her, while I was left alone at home. Wallowing in pain and hurt, longing for him to come home. His side of the bed grew cold, for days, weeks, months. And the last time we got intimate the next thing he said after he came down from his high was ‘Pearl, give me a child’ I'd never forget that.I felt guilty and useless when I saw the pain in his eyes. I so wanted to be pregnant that minute, just to see the smile I'd longed for. For us to be happy again and become the couple we used to be.Not long after, he'd kicked me out after bri
Pearl's POV.Closing my room door, I turn to move but once I hear “Pearl,” I pause in my tracks the moment I hear my name. It's not just about hearing my name. I know it's my Dad. He strides towards me from a near distance in the hallway while I'm standing at the front of my room door.“Dad, Good morning,” I readjust my bag over my shoulders. “You're not going to work today,” I want to ask what I've done but he puts his hand in his pocket and I just wait for what he's about to say. He brings out a card, “Here, take this,” I stretch my hand and take the card. “I've called HR to let them know you're not coming to work. Go and do some shopping with the card, I have somewhere to take you later this evening,” at first I'm confused, then shocked and overwhelmed. My father has been very strict with me since I came back home. He'd give me work overload and not one approval have I ever gotten from anything I did and all of a sudden he's giving me the day off? That's strange.“Thanks, Dad,”
Pearl's POV.Monday.My legs almost wobble when I see my ex-husband and his mother standing in front of Betty's table, but I quickly hide behind the nearest table so they don't see me.I didn't know Betty understood sign language that fast because I didn't know what she told them and poof! They'd disappeared. Betty is my life saver this morning.The first question I asked myself once I saw them was, why are they here? To cause more chaos in my life. Then I remember! They must've seen the news, and Fabian must be looking for me to express his disappointment in person. I don't need to hear whatever he thinks he has to say. I did betray him. When I come out of my hiding place after I'm sure they've gone, I dust my arm and hair that I stuck under the table.“Pearl, what did you do to that man? Because the fire in his eyes when he said ‘Tell her Fabian Barlow was here’ is no joke. It was intense.” I smile tightly, “it's a long story. You'll get bored.” “Na.” She waves me off, “I don't
Fabian's POV.Monday.“Fabian!” My mother walks through the doors of my office when I'm talking to a client.I facepalm, “Mother, I am currently in the middle of something…” “Have you seen the news?!” She asks. Anger and devastation take another color on her face. My mother and I may not agree on a lot of things but the last thing I want is for her to be distressed.“What happened?” I ask, rising from behind the desk.“Pearl is Tucker Hughes's daughter!” I'm stunned immobile, speechless. “How do you know that?”“Philip's family announced their son's engagement and his betrothed fiancee is your ex-wife and she's the only daughter of the Hughes household.” She pauses before saying, “Did you know that all long?” My head is suddenly in an overdrive, “What? That's not possible, Pearl said she doesn't have a family. There's no way she's his daughter.” “Why don't you pick up your phone and see for yourself, I knew that girl was a lying bitch but how could she?” “Mr. Fabian, I see you're
Pearl's POV. Morning sun streams into my face, my eyes flutter open.Waking up on a Sunday morning. I feel so exhausted even when I didn't do anything that should make me this exhausted.Maybe I know why I'm exhausted. I hold my abdomen. “Good morning, Sunshine,” a small smile touches my lips. “Another day to be sneaky,” I toss the sheets off my body, I drop my feet on the floors. Walk into the bathroom to do my business. When I'm done, I take a look at myself. I slept in pink drawstring shorts and a white see-through singlet.I drag the singlet up to have a look at my body. I've longed for this feeling. To wake up in the morning, and know that my baby is growing inside me. What do I do now? I've had a hard time telling Philip the truth. I don't know who to trust with this secret. Who to tell.I let go of my grip on the singlet and walk out of the toilet. I go straight to the kitchen to have some milk. The aroma of different food spices assaults my nose as I enter the kitchen. My