Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"Alright, since you've got your own stuff going on, I won't bother you. I didn't come here to fix things for Esther. I just want to understand your perspective. So, I'll advise her to move on," Pearl said, trying to be understanding.

She appeared empathetic, but James wasn't happy with her words.

Pearl prepared to leave after her declaration, silently counting down in her head.

3, 2, 1…

"Hold on, Missus Pearl."

Just as she expected.

Pearl slowly turned around, smiling. "Yes? You have something more to say?"

"Tell Esther it's not what she thinks."

"What's she thinking? And what did you tell her? Why all the secrets?" Pearl asked, playing dumb.

James looked more troubled. "Just tell her that, please." Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

Pearl shrugged, acting indifferent. "In that case, why won't you tell her yourself?"

James's expression changed. "I can't for now."

"Tell her when you can then," Pearl said, chuckling, before leaving the office without a second glance.

On her way home, something nagged at Pearl. Her period had been late for a while now.

Should she take a pregnancy test, just in case?

At the pharmacy, she spotted someone familiar.

Silas?

Her expression changed drastically, but he noticed her before she could pretend otherwise.

"What a coincidence, Pearl." Silas, holding a bag of medication, approached slowly, making her step back involuntarily.

"Why so jumpy? I'm not out to get you," he teased, eyeing her up and down. "What brings you to the pharmacy? Are you sick?"

Pearl shook her head. "No." She pulled out her phone, pretending to be busy. "I'm leaving."

Silas didn't push it. If she wasn't up for a chat, he wasn't going to force one. "See you soon."

But Pearl, against her better judgment, blurted out, "Wait, I've got a question for you."