Chapter 125

"It's wonderful to meet you." Pearl stammered and barely was able to get out without showing her complete shock.

"You as well." Erik replied, smiling and offering his glass to toast.

"So you wanted to meet ME?" Pearl asked, still unsure of how to handle the situation.

"Yes. I'm a fan. Your song and band are fantastic. Your look is unique. Your face. Your style. I was wondering if you'd be interested in a photo shoot. For starters."

For starters? Pearl thought.

"Of course. I'd be honored to have you take my picture." Pearl said, her words sounding as shaky as she felt.

"Your husband won't mind then." He asked, giving her a smile.

"I highly doubt he would." Especially after tonight, she thought. He may not even want to be my husband anymore.

Pearl couldn't believe that taking her picture was the only reason he walked over. She decided not to prod, it wasn't her place. But she did have one question for him.

"Do you know Carys Mack?" She asked.

"Personally? No. I've met her once, at a fundraiser. If I can be completely transparent with you, I'm not a fan of the Hollywood scene. I bought a house here to have a base for my photography and when my family found out about it, they were none too thrilled." He said. "I've always been a bit of a black sheep in the family." He said with a wink. She was aware. Prince Erik was a bit of an eccentric if you believe in what the tabloids say. Avoided media, hung with artists and lived a bit bohemian. His photography was a bit scandalous but beautiful. He was known as being kind of rude to press. They were always publishing pictures of him attacking and yelling at them. He avoided interviews. He refused to talk about his personal life. Very private. He was known for charity work, which Pearl remembered, because she arranged her company to help with one of the events he was involved with a few years ago, along with the Seattle office. It was a huge thing and she never met him, but knew one of his main charities was involved.

If he didn't know Carys then she could relax a little about him being a plant or set up. She didn't trust anyone anymore. Her chat with Erik helped relax her thoughts about Rhys. Wherever he was, what he was doing, was on him. He left her, again, and he was wrong to do it.

They both looked at the sky and the pool. It was quiet for a moment and then Erik asked "Does it ever get...exhausting? Being so strong all the time?" Pearl was sure her face showed her surprise. The question floored her and made her feel it was a bit too close to home. Like he was reading her in a way.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what you mean?" She asked.

"You know precisely what I mean." He said. "My impression of you is one of a woman that has to hold everything together, all the time. At least that's how you've been painted in the press. The bad boy movie star saving vixen. The rock star. The gold digger. The company thief. Ha! Is there anything they haven't called you?" He laughed and looked at her, his expression serious, even with the laughter. It was like he could see right through her.

"I'm sure you have a lot of experience with the press and their opinions. I hate being strong. And playing life chess to stay ahead. I'd love to just breathe a little. It's not easy." Pearl put her head down. Tonight was proof, not that she needed it.

"No, beautiful, it isn't." He said with an understanding look. Was that why he was there? He wanted to meet a fellow member of the hated-by-the -press club?

He thanked her for the drink and started to walk away when he called back to her, "Let me know when you want you take me up on the photoshoot offer. I'll make myself available."

"Okay, how will I get ahold of you?" She called out to him.

"Ring me. Buckingham palace." He said with a smirk and waved to her.

Yeah, ok. She thought. She knew then he probably wasn't serious about the shoot but she was going to find some time in her schedule to test the theory. She giggled to her self and walked inside the empty house. She looked around and the anger came seething back.

"This is bullshit." She said to herself and went to bed.