"Good morning." Pearl said as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.
"Good morning." Rhys said as stretched and stood up. "How are you?" "I'm good. Thank you again. For everything." Pearl said, still feeling uneasy the previous night. "No need to thank me." Rhys said. "My flight leaves at 3 today. I'm headed to Ontario for a week to get acclimated with the location and do a first script read through with the cast." "Ah, ok. I'm sure you're excited about that." Pearl tried to hide her disappointment. "Yes and no. Kinda bittersweet. It's always exciting beginning a new season. But I'm gonna miss what I have beginning here, too." He winked and kissed her cheek. That made her feel a little happier about it. "I will get out of you hair, then." Pearl said as she gathered her things. "When I get back into town, let's spend some time together, sound good?" Rhys asked, putting his hands on her shoulder and looking in heIt was still dark as Pearl rolled from the side of the giant four post bed and tiptoed into the master bathroom. Everything had happened so fast. She looked in the mirror, replaying it in her mind. Her abrupt attempt to leave. David following her out into the street and kissing her, the rain soaking them through. Him telling her to get in his car and out of the rain. How they sat there in silence until David started the engine and drove her to his house. She had protested but he didn't react to it at all. How they walked up the stairs, through his door, and without saying a word, he began removing her wet clothes, layer by layer, and never taking his eyes off of hers. The silence between them had been deliberate and intense. She stood there, naked in his foyer, her hair wet and her makeup running down her face. The look he gave her as he took her hand and led her to his bedroom, still in silence. How he had made love to her with the intensity and desire that only he could. "I'm not
Pearl walked into the office still feeling a little shaky from her night and morning. Her assistant greeted her in her office and went over what she had missed on Friday and her schedule for the current day. "Hey there, glad to see you're feeling better. I heard you took a sick day Friday." David said as he walked into her office. Pearl's pulse raced. "I am feeling much better, thank you." Pearl said looking down, trying to show her flushed face. "I thought you were off this week?" She asked. "I decided I had some things that required my attention here." He replied with a smile that only she would notice. "I'll see you at the meeting today." And he left. "Could he be ANY hotter?" Ashley said as she watched his tight backside in his tailored suit walk away. "The man is the definition of sexy. I bet he's like 50 Shades when he's in the bedroom. He can take me to his red room any day." She joked. Pearl acted liked she ignored it, but she had to stifle a grin.She exhaled and
John decided the band should get together sooner than later and suggested they have a quick meeting that evening. Pearl agreed and went home after work to relax a little before hand. She ran a bath and tried to clear her head.This entire month had been a rollercoaster ride. Spending most of her adult life with one man who barely showed any kind of adoration or care to having 3 men claiming she was worth loving and valued, was not something she was prepared for. She really didn't possess the skills to manage this properly and she knew it. She was naive. She was vulnerable and coming from a place of serious self doubt and years of damage. She was between wanting to be the defensive and isolated woman she only knew herself to be and this newly empowered and desired woman she barely recognized in the mirror. Add to that an opportunity in the works to really do something with her music. Her ife was turning around for the better and she struggled feeling she truly deserved it.
"Hey. Can I come in for a minute?" Dylan asked as he walked up to Pearl."I'm not thrilled about it, but I don't have a choice currently. I know we need to work together on these songs. Just know that what you said and how you behaved the other night is borderline unforgivable. I don't know what you hoped to accomplish putting on that show, but if it was to make me resent you, mission accomplished." Pearl said, as direct and confident as possible."I understand that." Dylan replied, as he grabbed his acoustic guitar from his car.They made their way into Pearl's apartment. "I wrote a song . I'd like to bounce it off of you, see what we can make happen." It was obvious Dylan was trying to keep on task and casual. He began playing and singing,"I close my windowsTo keep out memoriesBut I would understandIf you still seep through the poresOddly effervescentI hide my secrets
Pearl emailed Jason at Epic and they set the meeting for Friday. Three days of planning was hardly enough time but Pearl knew it was an opportunity they couldn't afford to pass up. After getting the guys on board, she took her lunch break and worked on regaining her focus at work. Her life was a bit insane right now and definitely not what she had been used to."Good morning." A voice said from behind her. David looked amazing. He was in a tailored suit and he had let his hair grow out a little. He was looking less Robert Redford and more Brad Pitt these days. He was really beautiful."Good morning." Pearl replied, trying to keep it professional."Are we still on for later tonight?" David asked. "Yes." Pearl began and figured she would let him know about Friday "I'm going to need to take Friday off. I have a meeting in New York with a record producer. I fly out early Friday morning and won't be back until Sunday. Ashley will cover everything for me."
Pearl met Dylan an hour before rehearsal as they had planned, she was surprised when he was on time. They had decided to take a group picture before rehearsal so she had to get herself as made up as possible in a very short time after work. Her long, dark brown hair hung wavy and wild down her back. She had put on some ripped jeans and low boots, with a fringed, off the shoulder top. She even managed to put some false lashes on. It was quick but it was better than nothing.She almost didn't recognize him when he walked in. He had cut his hair into a faded, pompadour type style and it made him look like a completely different person. His beard was filling out. His face looked younger, brighter, and more vulnerable, in a way. His eyes were bright and honey gold, and his smile still a bit crooked and mischievous. He looked like poetry felt. He was wearing tight fitting, black jeans and an indigo blue, form fitting, button down shirt. His nose piercing and black obsidian ne
"Great rehearsal." Dylan said as they were walking to their cars. "Are you nervous about Friday?""I am a little." Pearl replied. "I just feel like we are who we are, and even though I know we have a lot of talent, I guess it just seems very surreal, you know? Like it's not really happening." Pearl looked down and put her hands in her pockets, leaning against her car. "How do you feel?" She asked Dylan."I feel great about having someone take my writing and playing seriously. It's all I've ever really known. Music. Poetry. Books. Words from other people have kind of been the voice I never had most of my life. And now, I might get to return the favor. It's humbling, really." Dylan said, walking over to her, leaning on her car beside her. "I don't think many can relate, though, to what I have to say.""What do you mean?" Pearl asked."I don't think anyone has ever had anyone like you as a muse. I feel very fortunate to feel for you the way I
Thursday arrived quickly and the band finally had what they needed to bring to New York. They were all a bundle of nerves and decided to take the night off from rehearsing. Pearl was looking forward to a hot bath and some down time. She had texted Rhys the day before to update him and thank him again for everything. She would always be grateful to him for this opportunity, even if nothing came from it. She hadn't heard back and was feeling a little uneasy about it.She stopped and picked up a few things for the trip on her way home, and while she was at the market a few blocks from her office, she heard a familiar voice in the next aisle."I am trying, but she doesn't seem to be as eager to take the next step as I am. I don't know if she's just not that interested in me or if she's just resigned to being on her own. She's had a lot of damage done." It was David. And he was talking to a woman she couldn't quite see from where she was standing."This i