Chapter 30

"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 something she was involved in?" She got to John and Janie's and she was visibly bothered and short with the guys. "You ok, Pearl? Tony asked as she got her mic set up. "I'm fine." She said. They got through rehearsal and it calmed her down. She felt better. They all loved the new song and they got it done quickly so it would be a go for Saturday.

She was walking to her car when Dylan came up to her. "Great rehearsal tonight. Wanna grab some dinner?" It's been a long day," she said. "Rain check for sure?" "Yea sure." Dylan said.

She felt bad. But she was exhausted. She got back to her apartment and at the door were two dozen roses. She picked them up and carried them inside. The card read "In vain, I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you"

It was Jane Austen. It was Mr. Darcy. It was from David.

"Hello?" David answered. "Hey. It's me."

"Pearl..."

"Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful. Are you free right now?" She asked.

"Yes. Come over." He said. She had never been to his place and she was nervous. "Ok. What's your address?" She drove 15 miles into the city. She never even imagined David's place. It was all so weird. She pulled into a spot in front of a beautiful old three story brownstone building. She looked at the mailbox to see which floor he lived on. His name was the only one on the box. He owned the whole building. She hit the button and he buzzed her in. He greeted her at the door. He took her jacket and let her into a large and warm foyer that led into a huge open concept living room and kitchen. It was decorated with bright and warm colors, funky, modern style with antique furniture mixed in. It was really cool. Several pieces of art hung on the wall and she recognized one of them as a Klimt. Holy shit. "It was my mother's. It was her favorite." He read her mind. "Your home is beautiful" she said. "Thank you. There are three floors. I got a helluva deal on it three years ago. It was destroyed inside by renters and a water main break. I gutted it and renovated it. Still working on the third floor. The main here is the main living area, master bedroom and bath with a half bath. The second floor had three bedrooms and a bath. I use one of them for an office. Third floor right now is all open space."

The reality of his position financially in life hit her like Mac truck.