Chapter 120

"Ok, I'm ready. Where are we going?" Pearl asked, walking out into the kitchen.

"Whoa!" Rhys said. "What is that?" She was wearing a dress that Iris had let borrow last minute. It was black and tight, really tight. The top was a low cut V and the hem was also a V shape that came to a point in the middle. The sides scrunched and hugged her hips.

"You don't like it?" Pearl asked, looking down. Rhys picked up his jaw and walked to her. He grabbed her hand and turned her around. "Good god, my wife is BANGIN'!" Rhys liked the dress.

She giggled and told him to put his to tongue back in his mouth.

"Shall we?" He asked, holding out his arm. She locked hers in his. "We shall." She said.

Rhys had Jim drive them and soon Pearl saw they were flying. "The jet? Where are we going?" She asked. Rhys took her hand and led her on board. "Hey guys! Nice to see you again, Pearl! Thanks for inviting us!" It was Matt, Rhys's director and the actress that Pearl had met at comic con and had helped her through Rhys's love scene. "Hey! Great to see you!" Pearl hugged her. "My name is Fiona, by the way. They call me Fi. I don't think we did the proper introduction because I'm no fucking good at that anyway. How's it going with Mr. No Fun? I hear you guys got married. Congrats." She said. "Yes, I'm screwing my director. It happens. He's got a big dick and he smells nice. He's also kinda bossy and I'm a bit of a masochist. Ready for a great time to tonight? I sure am. I need a break." Pearl loved her and wanted them to be friends forever. Fi was the lead actress in the show and played a bad bitch. Fitting. "I hope you don't mind me inviting them. It was last minute and they both wanted to see you again." Rhys said. "Not at all." Pearl said back, kissing his cheek.

They landed in Chicago and a car was there to pick them up right from the jet. Jim rode in the front with the driver. He must be on security detail tonight, Pearl thought.

They stopped in front of a restaurant called Tao. Rhys helped her out of the car and as soon as they walked in, the host rushed them in and to the back, seating them in a large booth. People were staring like crazy, whispering and smiling, many taking out their cell phones and snapping pics. "That's her. That's Pearl from Poems for Wolves with Holden and Fiona." "I think he's a director" Pearl heard some of it.

Two waiters came and brought them champagne. "On the house" one of them said. It was Moet. They toasted the nominations and ordered appetizers and so much sushi, they had to bring an extra table.

"I'm sorry. I know you're all eating but I'm a big fan. Can I have your autograph?" A woman said, approaching them. Pearl assumed she was talking to Rhys. "When is the album coming out?" She handed Pearl a napkin and asked to take a selfie with her. Pearl agreed and the woman smiled and thanked her.

Rhys looked at her and smiled, proudly. "Welcome to fame." He said. "You'll never fully enjoy a meal in public in a big city again." Fi laughed. Someone must have put them out on social media because they could see paparazzi were gathering out front. They finished dinner and Matt payed.

"I'd like to send each table a bottle of champagne." Rhys said to the waiter. "Just the house brand, nothing fancy. Tell everyone it's from the Knights of Eden and Poems for Wolves gang." They all looked at Rhys. "What?" He said. "I got married and nominated for a Golden Globe and my wife has a hit song all in the same month. I'm feeling grateful and generous." The waiters brought the champagne out and everyone cheered and clapped. They all stood to leave and Rhys waved. Jim was waiting for them at the door and escorted them to the car, with cameras and people right in their faces.

"Where to now?" The driver asked.

"The Underground! Our friend Paulo is DJing tonight." Fi said.

The Underground nightclub is literally underground and takes it's name seriously with an unmarked basement level entrance. Those who live for a see-and-be-seen atmosphere feel right at home here. Bottle service and celebrity sightings are common at the cavernous bomb shelter entryway where DJs spin until the sun comes up and candlelit ammunition crates serve as tables. Pearl thought it was pretty rad and was excited to be there.

There was a table reserved for them close to the bar. Pearl noticed there were a few big name celebrities there. The DJ must know a lot of people, Pearl thought. Fi ordered shots and drinks and they all toasted again. The beat of the music pounded into Pearls body. A very famous reality star and her sister came over and hugged Rhys and introduced themselves to Pearl. Then another popular hip hop artist named Killa King came over. Pearl loved his music. "I really dig your band, good debut." He said.

"Wow, thanks so much. That's an amazing compliment coming from you." Pearl said.

"I would love to do a mix with y'all. Add some shit. Collaborate." Pearl about fell over.

"Yeah..that would be great. We love your music." Pearl said.

"You fine as a mother fucker, too. Would look good in a video. Your voice is unique. You could do some vocals for me, too. Hit me up." He said and gave her his card and a huge Cuban cigar.

"Thank you!" She said but he was already walking away. That was awesome! She thought. They had a blast. Pearl hadn't danced that much since college. She was sure there were blisters on both her feet. Right when she was getting ready to sit for a few minutes, the DJ made an announcement. "Since a certain member of The Rolling Stones is hiding in here somewhere tonight, I'd like to pay honor to him by doing a Stones song. And I was hoping another artist I see here would come up and help me out. Pearl Clarke, from Poems for Wolves, come on up and do your thang!"

What? A member of the Stones is here?? And I'm going to sing in front of him? She wasn't drunk enough for this, she thought. She felt a panic attack coming on and Rhys grabbed her had. "This is it. This is the moment your life changes forever." He whispered. She took a deep breath and walked to the stage.

The DJ didn't say anything. So Pearl started singing without music, into the mic.

"I see a red door and I want it painted black

No colors anymore, I want them to turn black..."

Then the DJ dropped the bass and music and Pearl followed right along, her raspy, throaty voice sounding like sex and whiskey and doing the song hard rock justice.

"I see the girls walk by, dressed in their summer clothes. I have to turn my head until my darkness goes..."

The crowd loved it. The reality star siblings were dancing and Pearl did her best Mick Jagger dance impression, it was pure rock n roll. Phones were lit up and recording her every move.

She got to the last chorus and really screamed it out. Moving and giving the audience a show. This is what she did best.

"I wanna see it painted, painted black

Black as night, black as coal

I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky

I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black. Yeah!"

The crowd roared when it ended. She thanked the DJ and took a bow. "Thank you. Wow. That was better than I could have imagined." The DJ said. Pearl stepped off the stage and saw a man in the shadows beside the wall. He came towards her. "Great job. Blew me away, kid. Gorgeous." It was Mick Jagger. She felt her knees giving and she found the words, "Thank you. Thanks for giving us the kick ass song to perform." He smiled and kissed her hand and walked away. She walked to the bar and asked for a water. "That was incredible!" Matt said. Rhys came up behind her and turned her around. "My wife made Mick Jagger proud tonight. I can't wait to take her home." He said, kissing her and smiling.

They stayed a little while longer, with several people buying them drinks and asking for pictures with them.

"What a night." Rhys said when they finally sat down on the jet. "I haven't had that much fun in along time." Fi said. "Pearl, you are officially my new best friend."

They got back to Michigan and Rhys offered them their guesthouse since Matt and Fi were still staying in Canada.

They said that would be amazing and they all got back around 5 am and were exhausted. Pearl took a quick shower and walked out to find Rhys passed out in bed. "Celebrity life." Pearl said and turned out the light.