"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
Pearl hailed a cab and headed back to her bungalow. She opened the door and exhaled the breath she felt like she had been holding in since she left the restaurant. She looked around the room and remembered her break down the night before. It was humiliating but necessary experience for her. She really was grateful for Erik. He had just listened to her. He didn't try to sleep with her. He didn't want anything from her. He just cared because of what she spoke about at a charity event. And he was right. She hadn't had time to process anything that had been happening to her. The men, the band the business. It had all been a whirlwind and she hadn't had a moment for herself. She realized what she needed to do. She picked up her phone and called John. When she arrived back at the house, Rhys was there, packing their things. "Hey." Pearl said as she opened the door to the bedroom. "You're home. I didn't know if you'd come back." Rhys said. She could see the relief in his eyes but she was s
The plane touched down in Pisa, Italy and Pearl breathed a sigh of relief. She was away from it all, alone and ready to take some time for herself. Her attorney called her while she was in the airport to let her know the probate part of the company was almost concluded and soon she would take full ownership. Iris had let her know they Paul was doing an excellent job with the bookshop and Pearl gave her the ok to inform him about the company she was soon taking over and what his role could possibly be. Things were covered there. John, Matt and Rhys were working on the video editing and the release would hopefully be the following week. Their next appearance was a late night show the weeks after Pearl returned from her trip. She had two full weeks for herself. Rhys had texted her and told her he was flying back to LA to stay until he needed to return to Canada to wrap the filming of his show. He didn't win the golden globe, which she texted and told him she was sorry for. It's amazing h
The next morning, Pearl woke up and checked her emails. Dylan and sent her a cute little poem he wrote about a girl who went to Italy to find herself. He wanted to make sure she was safe and she emailed him back, telling him she was good and that she missed him and wished he was there and that she would tell him all about it when she got home. Nothing from Rhys. Could he just leave her and not ever try again? Did he ever love her at all? The whole thing was insane. Their romance. His light and wonderful attitude, how she thought he was the answer to everything and she was sure he was in love with her and would be good to her. She was certain she had made the right choice. Now she didn't know. She was left with his silence and her questions without answers. Her phone rang. It was Iris. "How is it going? Do you love the villa?" She asked Pearl. "It's perfect thank you so much." She told Iris. "I'm glad. Everything is good here. We are still staying at you house until you get back. I'
"Fi," Pearl whispered as she tapped Fi's arm, trying to be discreet. Fi was talking to the handsome Italian man again. "Fi... FI!" "What?!" Fi asked, not happy with the interruption. "Look who it is. Don't look now. Don't say anything. Follow me to the ladies room right away. I have to talk to you." Pearl whispered. "So what is it? Do you want me to look or not look?" Fi said sarcastically "It's him. Erik. From the Chateau." Pearl was whispering so quietly Fi had to have her repeat it twice. "Oh fuck! It is! That's cool, though! We know him! He was a blast that night. We should say hello." Fi began to motion over to him. "No! Fuck no. Come with me now." Pearl grabbed her arm and led her to the bathroom, keeping her head down. "What's the problem, Pearl? Oh shit. Did you fuck him?" Fi put her hand over her mouth, as she closed the door behind them. "No! But I did spend a night with him. I'll explain." Pearl said, putting her head down. She proceeded to tell Fi the entire story.
Pearl went back to their place on the couch. She wasn't going to approach Erik. She wasn't going to approach any man. She was going to enjoy her night and if a man wanted to earn her time, that was on him. Fi followed suit. "Another bottle of wine, please," Pearl asked the waiter. "This one's on me," she heard a familiar voice say."Erik," Pearl said, standing to greet him. "I would like to say I'm a such a terrific stalker that I made this happen, but this, this is a completely fortuitous meeting and I cannot say I am disappointed." He said, kissing her hand. "Fiona, always a pleasure." He kissed Fi's hand as well. "I have a favor to ask of you both. My cousin is a huge fan of your show, Fiona. And my little brother appears to have a bit of crush on you, Pearl. He is the one that noticed you were here, in fact. He said he cannot wait for the Poems for Wolves album to "drop", would you mind if I showed off my famous friends to my family by having a drink with us?" Fi smiled and t
The flight home was short and Pearl was thankful. She was still exhausted from the jet lag. Her new attorney was meeting her the following day to discuss the company and the process with all the legalities with the transfer. Pearl knew she wasn't the person to run it and hoped she could handle it for the five years she needed to before she was able to sell it. Her and Dylan got back to the house and found a black Escalade parked in the driveway. "Who is that?" Pearl asked. "I have no idea." Dylan said. They got out of the car and the Escalade door opened. "Jim?" Jim what are you doing here?" Pearl asked. "I am your new driver and bodyguard. John hired me just this morning." He said. Pearl smiled and ran to him, hugging him. She missed him. "But what about Rhys? You've worked for him for years." Pearl asked. "I'd like to think that I protect people with integrity. I didn't give my life as a navy seal and special op to follow around a spoiled little movie star that enjoys treating
Pearl's phone rang as she was walking into the hotel. "Erik,"she said, seeing his number light up on her phone. "Mmm nightingale..." His sleepy voice was absolutely adorable. "Sorry I didn't answer the phone, some of us are still asleep at four am. I was hoping you were calling me to tell me you were in London and that you just couldn't stay away." Pearl smiled. "I am so sorry. I am going to have to get used to the time difference between us. I wanted you to know I plugged your charity on the tonight show. I was asked an awkward question about us and I was able to make it about the charity.""Awkward question?" She could tell he was smiling when he asked. "Yes. He asked about me being spotted in Italy with a certain royal," she said. She knew the questions would come and continue but she would try to handle them the best she could. "Why not tell them we are together?"Silence. Pearl wasn't sure if he was joking or not. "Why would I say that?" Pearl was confused and elated, but d
Pearl's phone rang as she was walking into the hotel. "Erik,” She said, seeing his number light up on her phone. "Mmm nightingale" His sleepy voice was absolutely adorable. "Sorry I didn't answer the phone, some of us are still asleep at four am. I was hoping you were calling me to tell me you were in London and that you just couldn't stay away." Pearl smiled. "I am so sorry. I am going to have to get used to the time difference between us. I wanted you to know I plugged your charity on the tonight show. I was asked an awkward question about us and I was able to make it about the charity,” She said. "Awkward question?" He asked "Yes. He asked about me being spotted in Italy with a certain royal,” she said. She knew the questions would come and continue but she would try to handle them the best she could. "Why not tell them we are together?" Erik said. Silence. Pearl wasn't sure if he was joking or not. "Why would I say that?” Pearl asked. He had mentioned long distance but she
I hate this city, Pearl thought to herself. She had not had the best experiences there. Dylan grabbed her luggage and helped her carry her things into the hotel, through the swarm of photogs outside. They were relentless now that Pearl had been spotted with Erik. "Well, well if it isn't the belle of the ball." Ian greeted them with a hug. He leaned closer to Pearl. “I hear the best way to get back at a lying, slimy, shit fucker for an ex is to galavant all over Europe with the royal family, then have the prince of fucking England knock him to next Thursday. I need to take some lessons from my bad bitch bestie." Pearl smiled and hugged him. “I missed you,” She said. "Same kid. Same." She wanted to ask him about Carys and the baby but she figured they would have their time for that. "I want to talk to you about Seattle,” Pearl said. "Oh yeah? What about?" He asked. "I might want to buy a home there,” She said. "My company has it's main base there and it's closer to LA for the ba
Iris was waiting for her at the airport. "Hey there. How are you?""I'm good,” Pearl said, unconvincingly. "How was Italy?" Iris asked, helping her put her bags in the car. Pearl paused and sighed. “It was the best time of my life." Iris drove her to Dylan's house. He was there, at the door, waiting to greet her. "Hey there,” he said, hugging her. "I'm glad you're home." He walked her into the house. "I set up a room for you,” he said, leading her to a newly remodeled bedroom upstairs. He had moved a bed in and bought her new bedding and blankets. All of her books and journals were neatly lined on a bookshelf and her clothes were all hung in the walk in closet. "You didn't have to do this, I was expecting to come home to boxes piled up somewhere,” she said. "I remember your apartment. The boxes you left packed. I didn't want that for you here."She smiled and hugged him. "Thank you,” She said. "You've got a day to get settled and then we are off to New York. Better try to ge
"So you have everything?" Pearl asked him as they were walking to the door. "I do. Listen, Pearl. This was wonderful. Thank you for spending your entire holiday with me,” Erik said,kissing her forehead. "Thank you for making my holiday so amazing. I can't thank you enough. For everything." She sighed and didn’t care how loud it was. He leaned down and picked her up, giving her a big hug. "Ok then. Take care of yourself. Look me up if you ever need a fortuitous meeting in Florence again,” he said smiling sadly. She smiled back and walked him to the car. "Goodbye Charles. Thank you for keeping us safe,” she said, handing Charles a box of cookies the chef had made for him. He thanked her with a nod and walked out to the car. "Alight then. Goodbye, nightingale,” Erik looked into her eyes one last time. He gave her one more hug and got into the car. She watched as they pulled away and she walked to the middle of the road, standing there, watching until his car was out of sight. The
"I'm going to miss you,” Pearl said, giving Fi a big hug. "You saved me this week. You gave me courage. Thank you. I love you." "I love you, too. Let me know where you end up and I will come and see you. You can come and stay with me in LA after I'm done filming the show. My character dies in the last episode so I won't have to work with that pussy boy after this,” She said. "I just may take you up on that." Pearl was truly thankful to have found a friend like Fi. She and Erik walked her to her car and she hugged her again. "Thank you, Erik. For being the bad ass she needed." Fi said to Erik. “It was my pleasure to break that wanker's face,”Erik said. Fi smiled and hugged him "See you soon you beautiful bitches!"Fi yelled as she waved and drove off. "Did she just call me a bitch?" Erik asked. Pearl laughed, “It's a term of endearment." "One I will never, ever use on you,” He said, kissing her head. "We have the house completely to ourselves now. Whatever shall we do?" Erik ask
"There you are. I was worried,” Erik said. "I'm fine, Lancelot.” Pearl rolled her eyes. "I am both Arthur and Lancelot to you, M'Lady Guinevere." He said, picking her up and spinning her around. They heard a throat clear behind them. Erik put her down and Pearl adjusted her dress. Pearl whispered to Erik,”She's got a whole little speech for you. It's adorable." Phoebe curtsied and said "Your highness, crown prince Friederike Pilsen-Chamberlain, it is an honor and a privilege to meet you. I am Phoebe Davies, a friend of his highness prince Augustus Pilsen-Chamberlain." She curtsied again. Erik, in full form, looked formal and stern and took her hand and kissed it. "It is lovely to meet you, Phoebe Davies." Then, to her and everyone else's surprise, he picked her up and twirled her around too, giving her a hug. "Any friend of my brother's is a friend of mine. Welcome and make yourself at home." He said, then turning back to Pearl. "Now where were we? Ah yes." He said, picking her up
"Hello, brother. How has your week been going?" Auggie asked as he sat down. Erik was dressed in all white with sunglasses on. The wind blew through his wavy hair and he ran his hand through it, making an attempt to tame it. "You're growing a bit of a beard. I like it." Auggie said. "Thank you. And my week has been interesting, to say the least." Erik said. "How's Pearl? I just adore the shit out of that girl" he said. "She is good." He said, smiling. He could still smell her on his hands from their early morning love making. "Brother you are blushing? Dear god you've got it bad for her!" He said. "I mean, look at you? Your clothes are wrinkled which never happens, your beard isn't trimmed and your hair looks a tousled bird's nest. You've been living inside of that woman for the last few days and I couldn't be prouder.""Slow down. I haven't been, what you said, well maybe I have. I like her. But I wouldn't say I've got it bad for her. I don't even know what that means." Erik repl