"Wow! This is amazing. Like truly bad ass." Pearl said as they pulled up to the side of the house. "I thought you said this was a condo?" She asked.
"It's more like a duplex. Sort of." Rhys said, showing her around. "This is first time I've stayed here since I gutted it and the renovation was completed. I bought the statue in New York over three years ago. I hired a decorator but he was back and forth a lot. All the furniture is 1972 or earlier, except for the chaise." Rhys explained. The house was large and shaped like an L. Each side faced a different part of the hills and Rhys's side was right above the Hollywood sign. Each section had a separate pool and landscaped yard with a large stone privacy wall between them. There were floor to ceiling windows on the back patio and looked like it was built in the 1960s. A giant fireplace took up and entire wall in the living room, and it had a floating brick mantle and hearth. The living room opened up out ont"So, is everything a go for this video? The fellas are flying in tomorrow morning and I want to make sure we have a plan. The thought of Blake and Ian running around without structure scares me in this city." Pearl said, drinking a glass of wine by the fire outside."All good. I've got it all taken care of. My agent Hank will be here tomorrow along with my assistant, Andre and Matt and Fi. Fi is going to help with blocking and acting. She said she'd make a cameo, also." Rhys smiled. Pearl was thrilled. She loved Fi and knew it would be huge for her to be a part of it.The guys arrived at LAX and Rhys had a car meet them at the airport, taking them to his house."This place is awesome." Blake said, as they walked around. Iris hugged Pearl and told her she had some good information for her later.Rhys invited them out onto the patio and laid out the next three days, handing them a script and going over the details. "Matt, my director from
The house was not just a house, it was a Spanish-colonial style compound, in Beverly Hills. The walkway had a small fountain and large rustic-style wooden door, stucco exterior and balconies all around the upper level. The foyer was huge and when they walked inside, there were hundreds of people gathered in the warm atmosphere with wooden cathedral ceilings, chandeliers, dark hardwood flooring, beige walls, stone fireplaces, and windows galore. The entire home was filled with clean and crisp lines and colors that complimented each other. The wood flooring and cathedral wood-beamed ceilings added to the Spanish style with wrought-iron accents of sconces, chandeliers, and detail throughout the home. It had to be 10,000 square feet.Pearl saw faces she recognized and had watched in movies and television most of her life. She was a bit starstruck at first.Rhys and Pearl made their way to the lawn behind the the house, Ian had left them at the front door when they
Pearl walked down a hallway to a large kitchen where a tuxedo clad bartender was serving drinks inside. "I'll have a Jameson neat." Pearl said. She looked over to her right and saw that Matt and Fi had arrived and they were talking to Amber and Vick. She waved to them and they waved back. Just as Pearl was getting her drink, she saw Carys come over to talk to them. Now is my chance, Pearl thought. She walked over and the mood changed to solemn. "Well, hello, Matt and Fi. Lovely to see you." Pearl said, smiling and hugging them. Carys rolled her eyes and looked as though she was forcing her mouth to remain shut. Pearl continued to antagonize. "I am so excited about the video shoot tomorrow. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you offering to help." She said to them."What? You're helping her shoot a video? Of course you are. She has you all duped. A small town, money grubbing, thieving, white trash liar is duping you. I expected more from you guys." Carys s
"It's wonderful to meet you." Pearl stammered and barely was able to get out without showing her complete shock."You as well." Erik replied, smiling and offering his glass to toast."So you wanted to meet ME?" Pearl asked, still unsure of how to handle the situation."Yes. I'm a fan. Your song and band are fantastic. Your look is unique. Your face. Your style. I was wondering if you'd be interested in a photo shoot. For starters."For starters? Pearl thought."Of course. I'd be honored to have you take my picture." Pearl said, her words sounding as shaky as she felt."Your husband won't mind then." He asked, giving her a smile."I highly doubt he would." Especially after tonight, she thought. He may not even want to be my husband anymore.Pearl couldn't believe that taking her picture was the only reason he walked over. She decided not to prod, it wasn't her place. But she did have one question
Pearl woke up with a startle. She looked at her phone. 6 am. She looked around the room. No Rhys. She checked her messages and calls. Nothing. There were about 25 people meeting them in less than two hours to get prepared for the shoot that day and the hub of it all was no where to be found. He left her and berated her for defending herself. It was such crap and she knew it. She was furious, not hurt by it, and if he bailed on this video, she was going to be even more angry.She got up, put on a robe and made coffee. She heard the lock jingle and Rhys walked in, with sunglasses on and the previous night's clothes. She wanted to punch him in the face but she kept her restraint and chose to ignore him instead. She pretended he didn't exist as he walked into the bedroom, turning on the shower. She walked to the patio to take in the morning sun. She looked down and saw the two glasses still there from the prince's visit. She decided she would leave it and smiled. She opened
Fi took her to the Chateau Marmont for dinner and drinks. As soon as they stepped out of the car, photographers were taking pictures. Pearl shielded her eyes, still not used to it yet. Fi kept her head down and plowed right through them. "Why are there so many?" Pearl asked as they walked into the bar. "Some royal birthday party or something. I don't know. I never have a problem getting in. I have won an Oscar you know." She winked at Pearl and laughed. Royal? Pearl wondered if Erik was there. It was crowded and Pearl saw several familiar faces from movies and television, but hadn't noticed him anywhere. Fi asked for a table and they were sat immediately. "We'll have two vodka tonics with a shit load of limes and keep them fucking coming." Fi said to the waiter, handing him back their menus."I thought we were having dinner?" Pearl asked, feeling her stomach growl."Nonsense. We are here to talk. And drink. And to get you out and give you a night in the city. R
"Good morning." Rhys said as Pearl started the coffee. He was still on the couch and was just waking up. "What time did you get home?""Not sure. You were asleep." She said as she pressed start and went to the bedroom to her ready. He didn't mention the candles and flowers and neither did she.It was the second day of the shoot and when it was complete, they were having a wrap party at the Avalon later that night. Rhys followed her and took his clothes off from the previous night and headed to the shower. Glancing at him, she remembered how sexy her husband was. His body was perfect, lean, chiseled abs and chest combined with his dark hair that was getting long again and bright blue eyes. She looked back down and organized her outfit for the shoot. Brown leather pants and snake skin heels with a half tank and a long, fringe floral robe. She got dressed while he was in the shower and washed her face so she would be ready for hair and makeup when they got to the
"I'm so glad it is finished." Ian said to Pearl as they sat at the large table reserved for their wrap party."Same. What a long day." Pearl said, feeling rough from drinking so early and having to do as many takes as Rhys put her through. "I'm starving and if I don't order a drink, I'll fall asleep right here at the table." Pearl said."On it" Ian told her. They were the first to arrive. Ian whisked her away after Rhys yelled "cut" and Dylan helped by creating a distraction. They wanted them apart to cool off. It was needed. Ian came back with a waitress and a menu. Dylan and Blake arrived next and sat down. "How are you?" Dylan asked Pearl. "I'm fine." She said, avoiding eye contact.Everyone else started showing up and Rhys arrived last with Matt. He kept his eyes locked on Pearl as he sat down and ordered a drink. Pearl was on her second drink and was feeling better after the appetizers came. "Pearl darling!" Fi called out as she arrived. She gav