The Contract

PEARL'S P.O.V

I stared at the unanswered text on my phone, they were a lot, I had let myself go and sent a bazillion text...to one person —to him and...they were all unanswered and unseen.

He left that night, he left that day. I think I felt it because everywhere became so cold and... lonely.

He laid beside me but...not for long, only for that moment till I fell asleep. Only for that night. Those kisses were goodbye, they were just the last time to crown it all up.

To end it all, I should have known. I should have...seen it in his eyes. They were longing for something he didn't want, it was war between desire and reason, it was a battle.

And I lost.

I dropped down the phone and let out a sigh, letting my head sink into my hand. Nothing was the same anymore, I tried to believe he would be back but it's been 2 nights and each of them had a feel to it.

Fear, loneliness, anger, desperation...plea.

Why was I feeling this way? Why was I letting myself go? Why was I punishing myself? Why was I letting him punish me?

Everything hurts, my heart aches. This wasn't physical pain, this was worst, It was inside, I couldn't stop it.

There was a knock on the door, I looked up before letting out another sigh and sitting up. "Come in" I answered and the door was pulled open, Kourtney walked in.

"Hey" she called with a bright smile on her lips, "hey" I returned it. I had mastered the art of not letting anything show, so no matter the emotional turmoil I was going through, no one was ever gonna know... except I let it.

"So..." She settled on the seat opposite me. "...we were looking through the details of the Christmas ball next week and..."

Her voice trailed off in my head, even though I was staring at her lips which were moving, I couldn't hear a thing.

My mind had wandered somewhere else and I couldn't stop it. I couldn't hold myself back, I cast my head down, slowly massaging my temples.

"...are you okay?" I heard that one, my eyes slowly moved back to hers. "What?"

"Your fist" she referred to the bandaid around my knuckles. "Yeah yeah, it's nothing" I answered, letting out a breath before sitting up.

"Can you handle the meeting this evening? I have to...meet with Bella" I requested and she nodded. "Of course"

"And Bethany?"

"She's went to meet up with the suppliers, apparently the clients want real snow at the ball" she said and I chuckled.

"Yeah, you guys do a great job, alright?"

"Of course, boss"

I got up and walked to the coat rack before grabbing my bag and coat, I felt her eyes on mine and when I turned, she was staring. "Are you okay?" She asked once again and I paused, staring back.

Looking away, I smiled, "Do you ever get tired of asking?"

"Do you ever get tired of lying?" She asked back and my smile widened.

No, I get tired of throwing my weight around and being a burden to everyone else. I hated being in need.

"I'll answer them both, No" she said, getting up and walking to me.

"Pearl, just know...I love you and you'll always have me" she reminded. "I'm married " I joshed and she laughed.

I did too, she always had this bright energy around her, it was contagious sometimes.