章 277: Chapter 277
Pearl came downstairs after getting dressed. Erik was in the kitchen finalizing dinner decisions. Pearl stepped outside and saw that Sebastian was alone, standing under the patio awning.
"Hey." She said.
"Hello, Pearl. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Good. Listen, I haven't told Erik about what happened between us. Should I?" She asked.
He looked her directly in her eyes and said "What do you mean? Nothing happened between us."
She looked back at him, searching his eyes for answers.
"Bash, you know that's not true." She said.
"It is. And should be honored as such. You are a good woman and you did nothing wrong. Erik is lucky to have you." He said, smiling.
Pearl thanked him with her eyes.
"Bash, I know it's my fault for being an idealistic fool, but he's not who I thought he was." She said quietly.
"Is anyone?" He asked, looking away.
"Yes." She said. "And I'm looking at one of them."
He turned and looked at her, wanting to say so much more but couldn't find a way to say anything.
"I'm tired a being a fool." She said, turning and walking back inside.
Dinner was quiet. Erik and Sebastian talked mostly, of crown business and other things. Pearl sat and picked at her food.
"Pearl, love. You're awfully quiet tonight." Erik said.
Pearl looked at him with daggers. How could he not know what she was feeling?
"I have nothing to say, really. Besides, for fear of saying something offensive, I'd be hesitant to say anything at all." She said, looking away. Erik clenched his jaw.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" He asked.
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Pearl said.
"Is this about our conversation? Pearl, you either want me to be honest with you or you need me to shelter you from the truth. Which is it, then?" He asked, looking at her.
"I'd prefer the truth, the truth which makes you a good man in all scenarios, not like this vendetta driven, threat making, mafia guy. I mean, who are you anyway?" Pearl asked, clearly becoming agitated.
Sebastian looked at both of them, with the understanding that things were getting heated.
"I'm the man you love. Nothing has changed. This is how things work with us. It's what happens. I needed to protect us. I will always protect us. Rhys isn't a good guy. Him having that knowledge unchecked isn't a good thing and you bloody know it." He said.
"But you weren't just threatening him. You were threatening me." She said.
"What? I was never and would never threaten you." Erik said.
"What is she talking about, Erik?" Sebastian asked. He had been trying to stay out of it.
"He told me what he and his father did. And what they do to protect themselves. And the fact that I know these things about him could make me a target of their way of handling things in the future." Pearl said.
"Erik, are you mad? Did you say that?" Sebastian asked, feeling his anger grow.
"No. What? I never said that. I would never say that!" Erik said.
"It's what you insinuated." She said. "When I was told by many people that I was in over my head, I had no idea what that really meant. But now I do."
"Pearl, I love you. I didn't mean for anything to come out that way. I'm so sorry. My god, I feel awful that I made you feel like that." Erik said.
"Cousin, we need to talk. What did you and my uncle do?" Sebastian asked.
"We handled a problem. A big problem." Erik said.
"How did you handle it?" Sebastian asked.
"The way father handles everything." He said.
Sebastian nodded. "I see."
"Why is it any of your concern anyway, cousin?This is between my wife and I." Erik said.
"Well I am sitting here, aren't I? So what other choice do I have?" Sebastian asked.
"Oh don't act like you don't want to be involved here." Erik said, rolling his eyes.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Sebastian asked.
"Don't act like you haven't wanted her. It's been obvious since day one." Erik said.
Sebastian didn't respond. Erik wasn't wrong.
"Don't put this all on him. I'm the one that came onto him. I'm the one that kissed him the night after I found out about those poor women!" Pearl blurted out. "And he was a perfect gentleman. So don't do that to him."
She looked at Sebastian pleadingly, as if to say I'm sorry without actually saying it.
"It wasn't what you think... "Sebastian began.
"You did what?" Erik asked, his anger easy to see.
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