Pearl cancelled with Dylan for dinner. She just couldn't get herself out of house. She was tired and let down. Dylan didn't need to be around her like that. No one did. She took a hot bath and went to bed early. She knew the next day was going to awful.
She got to the office early. She didn't see David. It was the first time in a long time he wasn't there to greet her in the morning. It hurt. She finished her morning meeting with her assistant and made her way to the break room to get coffee. She was pouring a cup when she someone next to her. She looked up and saw David standing there. "Good morning, Pearl" he looked tired. Not his normal put together look. Pearl didn't respond. She just walked away back toward her office. Seeing him stung. She ached for him still. She was so defeated by this. "Pearl I need you in my office, we have a problem with the new billboards." David buzzed. Great, Pearl thought. Just what I need today. She made her way to his office. He was on aThe next couple of days at work were weird. Really weird. David kept to himself and she buried herself in her work. She had invited Dylan for drinks Tuesday night and she was looking forward to it. She had a new song in mind and wanted to get it finished for their rehearsal Wednesday. He showed up on time and gave her a big smile and hug. "Missed you Pearl" he said. "Same. Thanks again for Saturday. You told me not to apologize so I won't, but just know I appreciate you""Anytime" he said."So this is what I've got so far. Let me know what you think..." and Pearl started singing the words."Second guesses and first hand liesLosing ground and wondering whyNever felt like home, you knew I'd flyNever mattered, We wanted the lie...""That's really good, Pearl." Dylan said. "I have an idea for the chorus...."You're done being an island, baby.And I'm ready to meet your shore.It's halfway to
"What?" Pearl asked. She was certain she had heard him wrong. "That's my only condition" he replied. "Why? What does us being married have to do with anything?" Pearl asked. "I have my reasons. You don't need to understand them all. I will tell you that him having children to pass this all down to means something to me. Also, it's my last gift I can give him. He gets the company and he gets you. Then I can feel I did good by him in the end"."So I'm some kind of reconciling parting gift?" Pearl was furious. "To me yes. To him, I don't believe so. I believe his feelings for you are genuine" he said. "Have you told him any of this?""No. Not yet. I am not sure when I will" he replied."I need to be somewhere. I'd love to say it's been nice to see you but that would be a lie".And she left to head to rehearsal.During her drive, she was furious. And the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. "Why? Why was that even somethin
"Would you like a drink?" David asked Pearl."I'm ok, actually. I wanted to see you. I wanted to let you know I believe you about what I saw the night at the cafe. It's not my place anyway. We aren't together in that way and it wasn't any of business. I was a little drunk and over reacted. I'm sorry."David studied her, trying to get a read. Did she want him to suggest something more official? He didn't want to try to pressure her in any way. "I understand and you don't need to apologize. Just because we aren't official in whatever capacity that even means doesn't mean I will disrespect you. You can't tell someone you love them and then purposely deceive them. It isn't right." David wanted her to know she was safe with him. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that too." Pearl continued, "Being with you in Seattle was not at all what I expected. I got to know you in way I wasn't prepared for. I really enjoyed it and am happy I was able to be there for you t
Dylan was standing by his car when she pulled up. "Hey! Thanks for waiting. Want to come in for bit?" Pearl asked. Dylan smiled. "Yes ma'am." And he followed her to her apartment.Pearl offered Dylan a beer which he gladly accepted."So what's this gift? I was excited the whole drive."Pearl said clapping her hands. Dylan handed her a book. When she looked closer, she saw it was a journal, with beautiful leather filigree detailing. She opened it and on the back of the cover were the words "I'm no good at saying how I feel, so I'm giving you the words in writing that I wish I could say out loud. This is to remind you that no matter what happens, you are worthy of what you seek. You are special and wanted. And you are perfect, just as you are."Pearl felt her heart pounding. She started to read through the journal and realized it was a collection of his thoughts, poems, verses, feelings over the last several months about her."I left your apa
Pearl was halfway through her morning at work. It was weird not seeing David there. But she knew a little time away from him was needed for her just as much it was needed for him. There was a knock at her office door. "Pearl, there's someone up front in the lobby here to see you." The receptionist said. Why did she come all the way to Pearl's office to tell her this? She could have just told her over the phone. "Ok? I'll head that way.." Pearl responded curiously. "He's an actor! It's Holden Tomlinson from Knights of Eden! Is he here for PR for our company? Oh my god I've loved him since he was in that spy movie with James Franco!!" She was practically screeching. "No, he's my....friend" Pearl replied.She made her way to the front lobby of the building. It was always bustling there. They shared the building with a popular tech company so it stayed busy most of the day. Sure enough, there he was. Dressed in dark grey dress pants and a white button up with the top fe
They made their way to the corner bistro about two blocks from her office. When they walked to the hostess to ask for a table, she nearly fell backward when she saw Rhys. "What can I do for you?" She looked like a deer in headlights. "We'd like a table for two, preferably not in the middle of the room." Rhys replied and handed her a 100 dollar bill. "Of course." She looked at her chart "right this way."She led them to a table in an unoccupied part of the restaurant that looked like it was used for large party reservations. She stood for an awkward amount of time after they sat down. "Thank you" Rhys said and basically shooed her away."So how has your day been going, Pearl? I feel like it's been a year since I've last saw you."No kidding Pearl thought. "It's been good. Busy. How about you? You know, I really know nothing about you. I have no clue. Are you an only child? Where did you grow up? How long have you been acting? How did you get into it? Are yo
"Pearl, earth to Pearl" Rhys said but Pearl couldn't find words. "You look a little peaked. You ok?""Yes. I'm fine." She finally managed to get out. "You're looking for a house here? In this area?""Not too far from here, yes." He put his hands on her shoulders. "You don't look too happy about it. I guess I was expecting a different reaction maybe? Ah I get it. You enjoy the luxury suites when you come and see me. I can assure you, we can still do that." His usual upbeat demeanor took a turn downward. "No it's not that. I just...am surprised, You know?" Pearl was definitely that. "I told you I was here to surprise you!" He joked. "Really though, Rhys" Pearl was just going to put it out there "what's wrong with you? There has to be something wrong with you. You're beautiful. Like, a Michelangelo statue type beautiful, you're a movie star, you're always positive...I seriously think you may have the best personality a human being has ever posses
Pearl was freaking out. This was not what she was prepared for. She should have been. It had been her naivety about the entire thing that got her here. She didn't see him as a celebrity even though she knew he was one. She pulled out her phone and called Janie. No answer. She pulled up her texts to send so thing to Dylan. He would help. But then she remembered and reread the text he sent last night that she didn't respond to. She was so exhausted after all she had dealt with yesterday. She felt horrible now rereading it. "Hey Pearl, hope you have a great night. I'll be awake for a little while if you want chat."She texted and tried to call him. Nothing. Ugh. She walked back to her Jeep and drove to the brewery where Dylan worked. It was a half hour drive from her place but she needed to talk to him. She also had this feeling she needed to explain herself to protect him in some way. She arrived at the brewery to see Dylan sitting at the bar, with a cup of coffee. "Thank G