Pearl spent the next morning approving five new staff members for the house and security detail. Jim had done the work to get it all together. With her growing success paired with Rhys' family inheritance possibly coming out soon, they needed more people around.
"So you like the two new security guards ok?" Jim asked. "Yes. And I like the idea of Mary coming on as a part time housekeeper and cook. Just try to keep it in your pants when you're on duty. And I threw in the yard guy just because I know you're getting sick of shoveling snow in between plowing." Pearl winked at him. He rolled his eyes. She was thankful for the help. She wouldn't have to shop or clean or cook if she don't want to. But she wanted to that day. Rhys was supposed to be home the following evening and she wanted to have everything perfect. "Jim let's go shopping", she said. "Oh no. I'm not going anywhere with you. I'll drive you but I'm staying in the car and and I'm n"Are you serious?" Pearl was not expecting a trip. They had been so busy with everything, she hadn't even thought about a vacation."It's all set up. Private estate rented on a beach in Oahu. 5 days, 6 nights. Just us." Rhys smiled, proud of himself.This was unreal. Pearl was so excited! She had only been to a couple of states and never anywhere warm or tropical. "When are we leaving?" She asked, about to jump out of the hot tub and pack right at that moment. "We fly out tomorrow." Rhys said.She hugged him and jumped out of the hot tub. "Where are you going?" He asked."I need to pack!" She yelled, running though the kitchen.She could barely sleep. Of all the things that have happened lately, seeing a place she'd never been before and having alone time with Rhys was more exciting than anything else.The 9 hour flight was longer than any flight she'd even been on and the wait was ridiculous. She tried to enjoy the fligh
Rhys woke her with a kiss. "I have another surprise from you", he whispered in her ear. "I don't think I can take any more surprises. I might die." Pearl yawned and sat up. She looked around the room and her eyes stopped at a dress hanging on the window. Her heart pounded. It was white with spaghetti straps and embroidered flowers scattered all along the bodice, made of light and simple material with a slit up in the right leg. She looked at Rhys. He smiled. "There's a reason I brought you here. And it wasn't just for a vacation. It was for our honeymoon." He continued,"Marry me today. We will still have the big wedding in June for our family and friends. But this, today, is just for us. We won't have to tell anyone and it can be ours for a little while before the media finds out. No one knows. I planned this very secretively. Marry me." He got down on one knee and presented her with another ring box. She took it
Rhys woke her up when they landed. "Good morning, my love. We are home." Jim was waiting with the car when they exited the airport. Rhys and Jim talked on the ride about Rhys purchasing a private jet. "I've avoided it but I think it's time. We need to start aligning our life so we can be safe and enjoy it as much as possible without having to deal with these things. I'm also going to call my attorney and get a confidentiality agreement typed up for all of the house staff." Rhys seemed irritated and edgy. They arrived home and Martha greeted them at the door. "Congratulations, Mrs. Tomlinson, welcome home." Pearl smiled, enjoying the sound of that. She took her luggage to the bedroom and unpacked. Rhys walked up to her and kissed the back of her neck. "My wife. It's so much better being
"What the fuck was that all about?" Rhys cornered John backstage. Dylan and Ian got up and stood in between them. "I know things are intense but none of us knew that was coming. Rhys, can you call your attorney?" Dylan asked.Rhys backed off John. " I suggest we hire another one at this point. I don't trust anyone outside of our circle and my guess is that there will be more to come." Rhys picked up his phone and walked out.Pearl just sat there, in front of the mirror. Why would David do this? She thought."Dylan", John said, "I don't know what's going to happen after that outburst on live television. We can only hope for the best. I have to call Jason." Tony, Ian and Blake followed him out the door. Dylan looked at Pearl. "Are you ok? I need to know that you're ok." He asked, putting his hand on her shoulder."I'm ok." She said, still staring into the mirror.Dylan was still furious. "Let's hope I don't see this asshole David
"What? I don't. I don't understand." Pearl said. "I don't understand it, either. But something is going on. Ian has made contact with her but she isn't speaking to him about it. My attorney said that he was told more information was coming out in a subsequent article and it involves me. We have no idea what about." Rhys looked down. "So what does this mean?" Pearl asked. "I don't know." Rhys said, taking her into his arms. The meeting at Epic was in ten minutes and John paced the lobby, waiting for Jason to call them in. Dylan stood away from them, his leg up against the wall and arms crossed. Pearl looked at him. She knew he felt this was his fault for what he said on live tv and she also knew he'd do it again if he had the choice.
"Hey. I'm glad you made it back. Was the flight back on the jet okay?" Rhys greeted her at the door. Pearl looked at him and said nothing, walking past him and into the foyer. She made her way down the hall and into the bedroom. "What the hell is this?" Pearl called out, finding a large screen television hanging on the wall, with several small screens displayed. She saw the driveway, the studio out building, the guesthouse, the back patio, and every bedroom, living room, kitchen and foyer displayed. There was also a shot of the main room of the bookshop. "Jim and I installed this yesterday. We have a security team on hand for any alerts." Rhys explained. "So, there are men that can see every room of our house? What we do?" Pearl felt terribly violated. "No. It only alerts them when we a
"That took forever I was just about to go looking for you." Rhys said as he greeted her at the door. She was still pissed at him for being a pussy about Carys. She walked past him and into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of wine, walked to the bedroom and closed the door behind her. She ran a bath and had just gotten settled when Rhys came in."You've got to see this." He said, showing Pearl his phone. David was on Entertainment Tonight, blasting Carys and calling her out on her scheme to lie and set Pearl up as gold digger. He apologized for it, stating he was a mess about his horrible relationship with his father. He said he felt awful that Pearl had to be a pawn in his game and that Carys had taken advantage of the situation to get closer to Rhys and Pearl out of the picture. It was huge. Pearl handed him back his phone and drank the wine directly from the bottle."I can't believe he came clean." He said"I can." Pearl said, standing up and putting
The next morning, Pearl woke up spooning the vodka bottle. She brushed her teeth and got dressed. She had a meeting with Iris in an hour and a half and she didn't want to be late.Rhys was making coffee when when she walked into the kitchen. He looked like shit. Good. She thought."Good morning,” He said."Morning,” She replied, grabbing a to go cup."Where are you off to today?" He asked"I have a meeting with Iris at the bookshop. We are going over the itinerary for the next month. I'm assuming that will be a trip to Los Angeles for the Golden Globes pre party and the actual event,Correct? And also, your parents are coming into town." Pearl filled her coffee."Yes. I don't even know if I'm nominated yet. They announce that next week. It's late this year. Usually it's in December." Rhys said."I will have Iris reach out to Amber and find out the details of her party." Pearl said.