Chapter 152

"Hello, brother. How has your week been going?" Auggie asked as he sat down. Erik was dressed in all white with sunglasses on. The wind blew through his wavy hair and he ran his hand through it, making an attempt to tame it. "You're growing a bit of a beard. I like it." Auggie said.

"Thank you. And my week has been interesting, to say the least." Erik said.

"How's Pearl? I just adore the shit out of that girl" he said.

"She is good." He said, smiling. He could still smell her on his hands from their early morning love making.

"Brother you are blushing? Dear god you've got it bad for her!" He said. "I mean, look at you? Your clothes are wrinkled which never happens, your beard isn't trimmed and your hair looks a tousled bird's nest. You've been living inside of that woman for the last few days and I couldn't be prouder."

"Slow down. I haven't been, what you said, well maybe I have. I like her. But I wouldn't say I've got it bad for her. I don't even know what that means." Erik replied dryly.

"Oh don't be such a prat! You know what it means."

Auggie said. Erik proceeded to tell him about the week. Their talks, Austria, and what happened with Rhys.

"Oh my god." Auggie said. "You don't just have it bad for her. You are in love with her. Listen to you! I've never heard you speak of a woman like this. And you knocked a bloke out for her! You are madly in love with her!"

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. And even if I was, I wouldn't tell her. It's not something I am going to do to her. That's what they all do to her. They throw around the word love like fish bait, hoping it will hook her so they can keep her as their property and treat her like rubbish, throwing her away when they are done with her. She doesn't believe anyone when they tell her they love her anymore and I don't blame her. I'll be damned if I cock up my chances with her because I want to tell her I love her." Erik explained.

"Fair enough. But she should know. I mean, if that's what you feel. Eventually you will have to and should tell her." Auggie said.

"If that time comes, I will. It's all very new and she has been through a lot. She needs me in the way she does right now and I am going to make sure I am there in the capacity she needs." Erik said.

"What about what your needs, brother? I've never seen you like this. We have all but given up hope that you would settle down. Mum asked me a few weeks back if you were secretly gay and didn't want to tell her. I'm truly happy for you." Auggie said. "And no matter that happens, I want you to know that I support you a hundred percent and I will love her like family."

Erik thanked him. But neither of them spoke of the biggest issue at hand. The expectation of who he should marry and their family enforcing it. Erik wasn't the kind of man to do something just because he was told. But there were traditions. Only time would tell how this would have to be managed in the future, if there was a future. And deep inside, he truly hoped there would be.

"So tell me about this girl." Erik said, changing the subject.

"Well. She's British. And she is at the university with me. I am absolutely smitten with her. She is kind and good. And beautiful. Inside as well as out. But.. " he took a breath. "Her father is in prison for drug smuggling and espionage in Russia. And her mother abandoned her as a child. She died of a drug overdose when she was 7. She is adopted. It's a good family that she came from. Excellent. But her past is... a bit sordid." Erik looked at him. Pearl being American and a divorcee was one thing, but this was a horse of a different color. "Auggie. What are you doing? I'm all for love conquers all, but this, this is pushing it quite far, don't you think?" He said.

"Yes I know." He said, putting his head down. "But I love her." He said. Erik looked at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes.

"I will meet her. She can come to the villa. Pearl agreed, of course. And we will take it from there. How does that sound?" Erik asked.

"That sounds wonderful." Auggie said.

Erik smiled, "I love you, little brother." He said. "And I will always have your back as well."

"Pearl, that was incredible! You have to admit it!" Fi said, pouring them both a drink. It was late afternoon and Pearl had expected Erik and Auggie anytime. "He knocked him the FUCK OUT." Fi laughed.

"Yes. But it was messy and sad. I feel bad for both of them having to go though that. I can't believe Rhys and his bullshit. Why?" Pearl said.

"I don't know. But I fly home on Sunday and to Ontario on Monday. And he better stay far the fuck away from me is all I can say."

"I don't know what's going to happen with our music video now." Pearl said.

"He passed it off to Matt. Paid him to take it over. It's almost done." Fi said.

"Thank god." Pearl sighed. She didn't want this to affect the band as it had everyone else.

The doorbell rang and Pearl looked at Fi. Fi shrugged and followed Pearl to the door. "I swear to god if it is Rhys I'm going to club him over the head with this fire poker." She said, picking one up from the fireplace. Pearl opened the door and there stood a young blonde girl, pretty and timid. She curtsied and said "Hello, ma'am. I'm Phoebe Davies. I've been invited here to meet his highness, prince Augustus Pilsen-Chamberlain and his brother, his highness, crown prince Friederike Pilsen-Chamberlain for dinner, madam."

Pearl smiled. "I'm Pearl. I am a friend of Auggie's and his older brother, Erik. Please, come in." She said. Fi giggled and curtsied to Pearl.

"They haven't arrived yet but they are on their way. Would you like a drink?" Pearl asked. Phoebe looked at her. "Is that allowed? With the crown prince coming?" She asked. Pearl stifled a giggle.

"I'm sure it's perfectly fine." She said.

"Then I'd love a glass of wine." She said.

"Coming right up." Fi said.

"So, you know Auggie from school?" Pearl asked as she invited her out onto the terrace.

"Yes ma'am. I met him a few months ago. We have a couple of classes together."

"Please. Call me Pearl." She said.

"This view is in unbelievable. Your house is lovely." Phoebe said.

"Thank you. It's not my house, though. I'm just renting it. Had to get away for a little while." Pearl said. Phoebe nodded.

"I'm nervous about meeting Auggie's brother." Phoebe said. "I hear he is intimidating and I don't think he will like me to be around his brother"

"Why is that? You seem like a wonderful person. I'm sure he will adore you. He's not so scary once you get to know him." Pearl smiled. Wasn't that the truth.

"Pearl! Are you here? Where are you?" She heard Erik's voice in the foyer.

"And it sounds like you'll get to find that out very soon." She said.