Chapter 71

The rest of the week flew by and Rhys had to go back to Ontario to film again. She was going to miss him so much. She had less than a week to prepare for New York. They were flying out December 19 and coming back Christmas Eve. Rhys' family was coming into town the Saturday after Christmas. The band decided to come to their new rehearsal space every day until they left. John and Jason had set up a couple of gigs as a promotion for the record company while they were in the city for their signing and they would have to interview guitar players to replace John.

Rhys sent texts and selfie and called her a few times a day. He said he only needed to reshoot a couple of scenes and would meet her at their loft in New York on the 22nd. She was already starting to understand the chaos that came with this life.

The morning her plane was flying out, she received a package in the mail. She opened it and saw a Bukowski book inside. It was a copy of "The People Look Like Flowers At Last." She opened the cover and written inside was "Another for your library. I can't wait to spend our first Christmas together. Don't worry. I know where to find you." -Rhys

She held the book to her chest and sighed. She put it in her suitcase and headed to the airport.

They got to their hotel and Pearl settled them in before heading to her apartment. The last time she was there, her heart was broken and feeling that pain again was difficult. She opened the door and saw roses on the counter and a note. "I had Martha put these here. And this letter. I know the last time you were here, it was not a good moment for us. This is to tell you that I'll never leave you again."

She cried. She cried hard. Men like this didn't exist. Did they?

She had invited the guys to the apartment to meet the attorney Rhys recommended. They got there before he arrived and Pearl had Chinese food delivered. Everything went well. The guys liked the attorney and he was set to meet them at Epic for their meeting the next day.

After a night of laughing and excitement, they all headed back to their hotel and Pearl saw them out. Dylan stuck around to help clean up and talk to her more about the contract. He had some concerns about John managing. They talked for a bit and were interrupted by a knock at the door. Pearl told Dylan she wasn't expecting company and opened to the door to find a woman standing there that she didn't recognize. "Are you Pearl?" She asked.

"Yes why?"

"Why are you here? You better fucking watch your back, bitch. You think you can just walk into his life like Cinderella and there won't be any consequences?"

"Excuse me? Who are you?" Pearl said.

"Get the fuck out of his life or I'm going to fucking kill you. I'm not kidding. I can find you and I can find him anywhere." She said and started to push open the door more, trying to come inside. Dylan got up and walked over to them. When the woman saw him, she ran off.

"What was that all about? You need to call the police, Pearl. That was a threat to your life." Dylan was concerned.

"I need to call Rhys."

"Well I'm not leaving you alone. Looks like I'm couch crashing tonight. Have any good movies?" Dylan said as he sat down on the couch.

Pearl called Rhys. No answer. She wasn't sure about calling the police. Maybe the woman had the wrong apartment? She texted him, telling him what happened.

He responded almost immediately. "Get out of the apartment and go to the hotel where the guys are. Now. I'm sending someone to guard you. He will meet you at the hotel in an hour."

"I'm not alone here. The guys just left and Dylan hadn't left yet when she came. Thank god. I'm staying here. Send him here. Will he explain this?"

"Yes. I will send him there. Tell Dylan thank you for me, I'll be there in a few days." Rhys replied back.

What the hell was going on?