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 theyPearl 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
Pearl looked at his perfectly white smile and smiled back. He was clean and regal. His presence made her feel small and safe, yet he had a completely bohemian way about him. Carefree and soft, layered with mystery and intellect and art. She was attracted to him but being a married woman, it was only to admire him from a safe distance."Hello, Erik." Pearl said, offering him the newly vacant stool next to her. He gladly took it and turned his body towards hers. "What do I owe this lovely surprise? I can't say I'm not completely over the moon to see you here."Pearl shook her head in disbelief. The prince of England happy to see her. She let out a giggle and put her face in her hands."What? What is so funny?" He smiled and blushed."It's just, I don't think saying that I am flattered to have someone like you happy to run into someone like me is even the word to use to describe how that makes me feel. Thank you." Pearl said."What
Pearl looked at Erik sitting across from her and though she should have felt guilty for confiding in another man, she didn't. She felt that he was there when she needed someone, he was so easy to talk to. It could have been anyone but it just happened to be him and she truly was grateful. The place she was in the night before wasn't good and who knows what could have happened, would have happened if it was anyone else that found her at that bar. He was a gentleman and she was lucky. "Ok. I'm ready to hear it." Pearl said, nervously shifting in her seat. "I wasn't completely honest with you the night we met. There was more to me wanting to talk to you. I've been a bit of a stalker over the last year." Year? Pearl thought. That was before any of this happened. How would he know anything about her?"There was a charity event that I was involved in with Trigon industries last winter. My charity, New Hope, provides housing, grant money, vehicles and cell phones to battered women leaving