章節 405: Chapter 405
The next morning, Pearl walked into Christian's study. He motioned her to sit down until he finished his phone call.
"Right then. Send them." He said. He had ordered three dozen roses to be sent to Nora's apartment with a note that said, "I will pick you up at 1pm sharp to take you to the airport. Bring a ball gown, panties optional." He laughed to himself and then looked at his mother.
"Sorry. What can I do for you Mum?" She looked at him and he could tell something was going on, more than just a friendly visit.
"It's been difficult to get some time with you this last week." Pearl said.
"Yes, apologies. I've been busy." He said. She placed a popular rag magazine on his desk.
"Yes. I can see that." She said. He looked down and saw the front page. "I am told she in an American. A regular citizen and much older than you."
"King Christian out on the town with mystery woman. Who is the lady on his arm?" The headline read. A photo of them was there for all the world to see, walking out of the restaurant together, her on his arm and looking down. Even without seeing all of her face, she looked absolutely radiant. Her short, wild hair perfectly fell to her shoulders in jagged points. Her neck, god she had the most feminine neck and shoulders.
He shook his head and smiled and then looked up at Pearl.
"I see that my thoughts were correct. This doesn't bother you at all, does it?" Pearl asked.
"Why should it? I am a man, she is a woman. There is nothing wrong with a dinner date. It's perfectly normal." Christian said.
"You are a KING. You are not just a man. There is nothing normal about it." Pearl said.
"Funny, it feels normal to me. And wonderful." Christian said.
"Look. You are at the age when these things begin to happen. I know that. But you must use caution and understand the delicacies of the situation at hand." Pearl said.
"Delicacies? You mean you lack of involvement and desire to control literally every aspect of my life?" Christian said.
Pearl shook her head. "That's what you think this is? Me coming to you to regain control? You are far from the mark, here." Pearl said.
"Am I?" Christian asked. He looked at her.
"This isn't just about you. Yes, I want to protect you and all we have worked for. Yes, I want to keep you away from tabloid drama. But it's more than that. This is about her. What this could do to her. Don't you think, for one second, that the press isn't going to invade every aspect of this poor woman's life. They will dig into every single mistake she has ever made, every lie she's told, person she has known. They will destroy her if they can. And every day, every single day, will be a fight for her. A life draining, soul crushing struggle against the world and herself. Look at me, Christian. If you have luke warm feelings for her or are trying to just get your rocks off or have some kind of forbidden adventure with this woman, cut it off. If you care for her, cut it off." She said, her voice wavering on the verge of tears. This wasn't about Christian. Or Nora. It was about her. It was about her seeing Nora relive her own life and it terrified her, Christian knew it.
"Don't you think I understand all that? I do. And I can't cut her off, mum. I love her." Christian said quietly.
Pearl put her hand over her mouth and took a deep breath in and out. "Are you sure, Christian?"
He nodded.
"And what about her? I don't even know her name… does she feel the same?" She asked.
"Nora. And I don't know. I hope so." He said.
"How on earth did you meet her? How did you have the time to fall in love with all of this going on with your work? Auggie told me what you did for Uganda. Christian, I was so proud of you." Pearl said.
"I knew if anyone would understand that, it would be you." Christian said.
"Look, I love you. I love you more than I love myself. I want you to be happy. I want you to be in love, to feel all those things that make life truly worth living. But I also need to protect you. To make sure you understand the severity of this. Christian, you have to talk to her. You have to find out if she's truly ready for what's in store. And if she isn't all the way in, you must let her go. You have to let her go." Pearl said.
The thought of letting her go, the words alone cut through him like fire. He didn't want to let her go, ever. But he would if he had to. His mother was right. About all of it. He would go to her and talk to her. He needed to lay it all out and find out what path they would take moving forward. He had to tell her how he felt. He stood up and walked over to Pearl.
"I know you want me to be protected, but I am a man now. I may make choices that are risky. I may have to be exposed, out of the shelter of this family sometimes. And it's alright for me to learn how to protect myself, on my own." Christian said.
"Do not play games with this girl and do not allow yourself to get so caught up in feelings that you forget who you are and what your purpose is. And if I find out that you selfishly went about hurting a woman that you are fully aware you can, my disappointment in you will be great. Don't be stupid." She said and she left his study.
He stood there, processing it all and realizing he was wrong to involve her in his life the way he had. He duped her from the beginning, made her develop feelings for him without the opportunity to decide if she should or not. She didn't know who he was and by the time it was revealed, it was too late.
He felt waves of guilt and remorse and hated himself for not telling her.
He picked up the phone and called the florist back.
"Cancel the flowers." He said.
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