Chapter 278: Chapter 278
"I kissed him." Pearl said.
Erik looked at Sebastian.
"That is all that happened. She was an emotional wreck because of you. I told her it was alright and I made sure she calmed down and fell asleep. Be glad she was with me and not some disrespectful bloke that would have taken full advantage of the situation." Sebastian said.
Erik looked wounded. He looked over at Pearl as if to ask why but he already knew.
"It's alright. I deserved it. I deserved a lot worse, I'm sure." Erik said, standing up and putting his napkin on the table. "I'm truly sorry Pearl." He said as he excused himself from dinner and went inside.
Pearl looked at Sebastian. He shook his head looked down.
"So much for fairy tales, Lancelot." She said.
"If you've ever read anything about it, you shouldn't be surprised. Camelot always crumbles." He said, standing up and excusing himself, leaving her sitting there alone.
************
"Erik. You must know that nothing happened." Sebastian said, finding Erik in the study, pouring a bourbon.
"Yes. I know." He said. "I can't believe I have made such a mess of things."
"I'm not your biggest fan. You know that. Your past has been something that I have not appreciated and you know you aren't going to just be able to pretend it didn't happen. You can't ignore it away. It doesn't work like that." Bash said.
"I understand that. But this is something that was supposed to be buried. That's why I didn't tell her. If I would have told her, it would have put her at risk. My father would have viewed her as a threat. She doesn't understand that and I don't believe she ever will." He said. "And now, she is at risk. This never should have happened. I fucking hate Holden Tomlinson and I am, quite honestly, very glad I had a reason to make him disappear from our lives."
"You have to try to make her understand. That's all you can do." Sebastian said, leaning back on a white leather sofa.
"And if I can't?" Erik asked.
"Then at least you'll lose her while trying instead of giving up." He said.
Erik nodded. He was right. He needed to make the attempt to right all of this. Pearl deserved that.
*************
Pearl sat by the pool, looking at the stars. It was a beautiful night in the Hollywood Hills and she was living the dream almost every little girl had growing up. But even at this expensive house, on this extravagantly decorated lawn, she missed her cheap little apartment. The boxes, unpacked lining her floors, the bathroom faucet that needed pliers to turn on, the loud neighbors below her. It was hers and she missed that about her life. Having something that was hers and hers alone. She always despised celebrities and their complaints about losing their privacy and their livelihoods. She understood it more now and felt badly for ever judging them.
"The sky is beautiful tonight." Erik said, walking out to where she was sitting.
"Yes. It is." Pearl said, looking up.
"That's why I have always loved the night. The darkness within it. Without the darkness, we would never see the stars." Erik said, looking down at Pearl.
She nodded, understanding what he meant.
"I can't tell you enough how sorry I am. For everything. I know it doesn't make sense, but I was trying to protect you, not purposely deceive you." He said.
"I get it. That's what you meant the other day. Me knowing about it makes me one of the people that everyone now needs to be concerned about. It's knowledge that puts me in a place that requires worry. Will I spill the beans if I were to become volatile or reckless? Being a woman; will I ever allow emotions to override my better judgement and let it out? I get it." She said.
He knew she she was more intelligent than he or anyone had ever given her credit for. He trusted her but he knew his father wouldn't, no matter how many times she proved worthy of it.
"I want you to know that I love you, so much." He said, kneeling to her and looking into her eyes.
"I know. That's not something I ever doubted." She said.
"Good." He said. He looked up at the stars again.
"Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love." He said, quoting Shakespeare, still looking up.
"Fitting. The tragic and scorned prince." She said.
"The rest is silence." He said, quoting Hamlet again and leaning in to kiss Pearl. He pulled her into his arms and held her as they looked at the stars, saying nothing else.
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