Pearl tears

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Cass went to do a few things she needed to finish, even though her job (though she doesn’t think or feel that being with Pearl could ever feel like ‘work’) is dedicated to Pearl, she still had some of her regular chores she needed to complete.

 Pearl is a little lost on what to do. She has always had to go to school and go home and clean and whatever her mother had listed for the day. By the time she finished she was so tired she fell into bed and woke early to repeat everything again. So she has no idea how to handle not having anything to do. A part of her is happy to be away from her mother and the cleaning and beatings. But there is a small part of her that misses being home and her mother. It's confusing.

 How can I miss a place and a person that made me so miserable? For so many years all I’ve dreamed about was the day I could escape it all and finally be free and a chance to be happy. So why? Maybe because I don’t feel free. Maybe because I’ve been taken from one prison to another? But is this really a prison? Pearl sighs and her thoughts switch over to her current situation which she isn’t sure is better than the other. Well so far no real harm has come to her so she must admit that, so far, it feels better. 

I’ve not been harmed, only insulted by a guy I’ve been told to marry.. So… What happens if I do marry him? What will happen if I don’t? Cass is a reason to stay.. But what good will that do if I marry someone else? If I don’t?  Will I be sent back to my mother? Thrown out on the streets? Never see Cass again? Ugh!!! I don’t know what to do.. She rubs her temples in frustration.  A soft knock on the door breaks her from her thoughts. 

“Come in.” She says to the visitor. She is surprised to see Drake walk in. “Um, hi.” Pearl says shyly. 

“Hi, um, well as you probably guessed, I’m Drake Mason. I wanted to come and introduce myself properly, and, well, um, apologize for my behavior earlier.” He stutters out nervously. “I really am sorry for yelling at you and calling you names and all.” He says nervously, running a hand through his dark hair. “It’s just, well um,as you know, this has all come as a shock to me and I really should have spoken with you before passing judgment and assuming you had agreed to this.” He walks forward and sits down next to Pearl. She doesn’t move or speak yet, only nods to indicate that she is listening. 

“Cass explained everything to me.” He looks at Pearl sadly. “My father and your Mother had no right to drug you and force you into a marriage just because it’s what my father wants.”

“Yes, I have to agree with you. What they did and are doing is wrong and I’m confused about it all.” Pearl drops her head sadly. “I really don’t know what to do. It’s not like I can say no and go back to my mother even if she would take me back I don’t want to go back to the slavery and torture that was my life,  and I can’t really say yes to something I don’t find right or that neither of us  want. But tell me,” She looks into Drake's eyes, the tears streaking her face. ‘What choice do I have? I have nothing and no one! I can marry or be on the streets.” She swipes at the tears angrily. “What do we do?”

“Pearl, I wanna help us both out. Why don’t we tell my father that we agree to spend time and get to know each other? Maybe that can buy us sometime to figure out a solution to this that doesn’t put you back into a bad situation or out on the streets.” Pearl looks at him with a glimmer of hope in her eye’s.

“Do you think we can? Do you really think this will keep him happy for now?” She asks, drying her eyes.

“Sure! I mean, he should accept it, for now it’s a lot better than fighting against him directly. We aren’t exactly giving in but it is a middle ground that should give us a little time. I mean it’s worth a try right?” He smiles a smile that makes it hard for Pearl not to agree with him.

“Ok, I’m in. We can tell him at dinner and go from there. I just hope it works. Your father doesn’t seem like an easy man to fool.” A moment of doubt came into her mind.

“Usually you would be right but in this case it should be easy. I really do want to spend time with you and get to know you, but as friends only, of course. We can hang out, maybe do some shopping, and anything else you wanna do.” He says excitedly. Pearl nods her head, thinking this just might work.  

This could be the beginning of where both me and Drake will get the lives we want and not what others want us to make. “Ok, it’s a deal!” Pearl jumps with excitement. 

“Ok, I’ll see you at dinner.” He stands up and goes to the door. “This is awesome and it’s going to work out. I promise!” With a wink he’s gone. 

Pearl is feeling better now that Drake is on her side. She knows he is mostly doing this for himself, but a part of her feels that he is a really good guy who would help out even if it didn’t involve him directly. She hopes that she isn’t wrong about him. She hasn’t really had any positive people around for her to be able to judge properly, but the fact that she didn’t have the usual fear flow through her during their interaction spoke volumes to Pearl. If her feelings are right about him, then maybe, just maybe, everything will work out.

A couple hours later Cass has finished her chores so her only responsibility and concerns now are Pearl. 

"Ok Pearl it's time to get ready for dinner. I think this would look amazing on you!" Cass holds up a light blue dress with pearl like sequin's that sparkle when light hits them. Pearl looks it over but is a little unsure about it. 

"Um, well I don't know. It is pretty but I'm not much for wearing dresses." Pearl says, staring wearily at the dress. Touching the soft fabric with the tips of her fingers. "I don't think I'll be very comfortable." 

"Pearl, sweetheart, you will look fabulous! Honestly I think you would look amazing in anything, but unfortunately Mr. Mason likes everyone to dress 'properly'" Cass explains using her fingers to air quote the last part. "Dinners here are always in a formal fashion when dinner is served in the dining room. I never understood why family dinners are such productions when there aren't others to view it." She shrugs looking at Pearl. 

Pearl nods, gently taking the dress into her hands. Sighing, she gives in. "Fine, I guess I can endure it long enough to have dinner." Pearl goes into the bathroom. “I do hope this dinner ends differently than the last one I was part of.” She whispers as she turns the shower on and tests the water until it is the temperature she likes best.

She strips down and gets into the shower. The hot water flowing down her body feels like it could wash away anything. Except for her nerves. “Please let tonight go well and we can stall long enough to think of another plan.” Pearl prays as she grabs the body wash and cleans her body. Satisfied she gets out grabbing a towel and dries herself slowly trying to prolong the inevitable. She sighed as she picked up the dress and put it on. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom. Cass turns to her and freezes before she is able to complete whatever she was going to say. . “Hey, I…” Cass trails off as she stares at Pearl like she has never seen her before. The look in Cass’s eye’s is one Pearl has never seen before. 

“Um.. Do I look ok?” Pearl asks nervously. “We can pick out something else if there is something wrong?” Pearl checks herself over. She can’t figure out why Cass is just staring at her. Cass walks towards her slowly until they are only inches apart.

“My Goddess you are beautiful!” Cass whispers, making Pearl's cheeks flush crimson. Cass reaches a hand up and caresses Pearl’s now rosy cheeks. The coolness of Cass’s hand feels wonderful against the heat flooding her face. The sparks that follow the trail of Cass’s touch make Pearl's heart beat speed up and her breath catch in her throat. 

“Err um.. Do you want me to help you with your hair or make up?” Cass clear’s her throat and asks. “Sure. Could we just do the hair though? I’m not really into wearing make-up.” Cass nods and follows Pearl to the vanity table. 

"Your hair is so soft and beautiful." Cass tells her as she brushes out Pearl's hair. "I wish my hair was more like yours." 

"Oh no! Don't say that. I love your hair! It's more Beautiful than the night sky, and I bet it can be just as soft." Pearl whispers the last part as her cheeks ting pink. Oh. My. God. Did I really just say that out loud? I have never been one to blurt out anything. Not even complimentary comments that are true. What is wrong with me?

"Aww! Thank you, but don't let looks fool you! It's not nearly as soft as it looks." Cass giggles as she fixes Pearl's hair into a French braid. "There, all done! You look beautiful, and ready to face the world." 

"I don't know about the world. How about I start with the Mason's and go from there?" Pearl laughs out nervously. She takes one last look into the mirror. "Well, here goes nothing! Lead the way." 

Cass leads Pearl to the dining room doors. They pause a moment, then with a deep, steadying breath, and a silent prayer for this to go well, Pearl nods signaling she is ready. Cass pushes open the doors.