"All packed?" Rhys asked as he loaded his suitcase into the foyer. They were leaving the following day for Ontario, he was shooting again til the end of January and Pearl was going to spend this week with him before they had to spend three weeks apart.
"Yes." She said, feeling nervous and carrying the worry with her about the visit they had the day before. She had talked to Rhys about what David's father had said to her, his stipulation about them being married. Rhys agreed that it sounded like some plot to play with the both of them and hurt David in the long run. She had completely cut ties with David, and she had let David and Maggie know about it, so neither her or Rhys could fathom what this could be about. They decided to move forward and have Pearl join Rhys for the week before the meeting, that way she could see what his work life was all about and feel some security in that. Rhys and the director met as young adults, acting together on a teen comedy siThe make shift tent was set up along a river, running through an open field, covered in new snow. They had cleared an area for filming and built a large fire for the scene, lining the ground with faux fur blankets and other props like rocks and extra plants. There were lights set up all around with two stationary cameras and a moving camera. Rhys hadn't talked to her much over the course of the previous night. It was obvious he didn't want her first experience on a movie set to be him making love to another woman. Pearl had no idea what to expect and tried to remain calm and supportive. It was his job. It's what he did and she knew it going in. Pearl was set up under a tent with Matt, the director and a small amount of cast and crew members. "Oh hey! I met you at Comic Con. Nice to see you again!" One of the female leads said as she came and sat by Pearl. "I bet this is really odd, isn't it? Seeing your man like this? I do this for a living so sometimes it's hard for me to remember
Pearl tried to get a read out of him, but could not. She sat down at the small table, set up for dinner. "Ok, what is it?", she asked. She was leaving the set the next day and wanted to try to spend as much quality time with him as possible.He seemed nervous."These last few months have been amazing. I knew that you were something special, but I had no idea I'd feel like this, ever." Pearl watched him talk, noticing his anxiousness."And I want you to know that I wouldn't change any of it. I'd do it all again if I had the choice, even the difficult parts." He continued. Oh my god, she thought. He's ending things. He's breaking up with me. She felt her heart starting to pound hard and fast in her chest. She felt frozen in her chair."I wanted you to know that, before I tell you this, so there isn't any confusion in case things change." He looked at her, his voice wavering."Stop, right there. I already know what you're going to
She made it home Saturday afternoon and tried to pull herself together, focusing on what was happening with David's father and not the guilt about Rhys. She had to focus on one thing at a time to avoid a complete meltdown. She texted Rhys and let him know she made it home alight. He responded that he would call her later, he was currently shooting.She decided there was one person she could call to talk about all this."Hey. What's going on?" Dylan said as she opened the door. When he saw the look on her face, he knew she was troubled and took her in his arms."Are you ok?" He asked."Not really." She said. She invited him in and he followed her into the kitchen. She offered him some of the coffee she had made. She sat down and told him everything that was going on. Rhys' family. His love scene. The letter about David's father's will. And what Rhys had told her that night before. How they spent their New Years."Wow. That's...
No one said a word for what felt like forever. Pearl finally spoke, "I don't want it. Any of it. Give it to David, he should have... ""Pearl, I advise you to refrain from saying anything right now." Her attorney interrupted."I'm sorry, ma'am. I have to honor my client's wishes. I'm not opposed to considering other ideas but I'm not giving David the company right now", the executor said."We will talk it over and I will be in touch. Please keep me in the loop so that I can be present for any court proceedings and paperwork that needs to be finalized." He gave the executor his card."David I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I don't want anything to do with this. Please figure something out so I can give it to you." Pearl said, as her attorney led her out of the room."I'll be in touch.", David said."What am I going to do? What happens now? I just signed a three album record deal. I don't have the ability to run a Fortune 500 c
Pearl awoke the next morning on the couch and checked her phone. Still nothing from Rhys. She was in a panic, she hadn't heard from him since Sunday. She was supposed to stop in to the bookshop at 11 am to talk with Frank. They were hoping to transition by February 1 and he was interviewing some employees to hire so he could train them before his departure. It was part of their agreement. She called Rhys two more times and left him a voicemail telling him she was heading to the bookstore. Where was he? What was going on? She decided that if she didn't hear from him by this evening, she was going to Canada. "Hey Frank! So nice to see you. How is your wife?" Pearl asked as she walked in. "She is feeling well today. The good news of all this has helped her spirits, I think. The mind is a great healer." He said. They talked about the interviews and s
She was pretty buzzed by the time Rhys was done making phone calls. "I talked to my attorney. He filled me in on what was going on. We have our hands full with David and the company and we are going have to ride it out until we get some clarification. I have some people looking into Ian, also. Is there anything you can remember about him that seemed off?" He asked. She was still sitting on the counter when he returned. "Yep. Everything seemed off. He's a smug bastard that did nothing but give me shit the entire time. He even said I was a gold digger." She said slammed her drink. "Wait. That's important. He told me you were going to inherit a lot of money. He said I was a gold digger. I thought he was fucking with me until you told me everything the other night. I think this is important intel", she slurred. "He said that? He kne
Pearl showed Ian to the guesthouse while Rhys was still on his phone. "Make yourself at home." She said, putting fresh folded linens out for him. "Our housekeeper will be here tomorrow, full time. She and her sister are moving here from New York. Hopefully you'll be ok until then."Ian thanked her. He promised to make things right. She knew he would. "I'm really sorry. I hope this all works out. I feel terrible.", he said as she went to leave. "I know you do. Let's focus on this album and get through one day at a time. Thank you for telling us about her." And she left.When she got to the main house, Jim and Rhys were talking in the kitchen. She heard Rhys say, "We have to make sure she doesn't have a copy. I'm certain I had the only one.""The only one of what?" Pearl asked, interrupting them. Jim put his head down and excused himself. Rhys looked nervous. "The only one of WHAT?" Pearl asked again.Rhys took a deep breath. "There's a video. A
Pearl woke up to Rhys sitting on the bed, watching her sleep."I need to tell you a few things and then I'm going to let you decide what happens after." Rhys began, "I'm not perfect. I told you that in the beginning. I'm not proud of my past. But if you can learn to love me in spite of it, I swear to you, I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt that it is exactly that, the past. Since the moment I met you, no other women existed. I don't even see women anymore. It's only you. I am giving myself to you, all of myself, if you'll have me after all this."She reached out and put her hand on his."I have one condition." She said"Ok. Anything.""You keep loving me like you have." She smiled. "And keep being you, the charitable, caring man I love.""That's it? Consider it done." He said and kissed her cheek.She asked him what time it was and how things went after she fell asleep. Rhys told her that
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