Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

No longer together? James must have been really angry.

Pearl gave a long sigh. She knew Esther was going through a rough patch, so she didn't bring this up. Instead, she tried to comfort her. "I know it's hard to handle right now, but from what I've seen, James truly cares about you. It's not something that fades away easily..."

Esther shook her head, cutting her off. "He went on a blind date with someone else, so I'm guessing it won't be long before he gets engaged and then married."

Pearl wasn't expecting that, sensing there must be more to the situation.

James's feelings for Esther seemed genuine. If they weren't, he'd be quite the actor. But if his feelings were real, then what could be the reason behind his actions?

in Pearl's eyes broke Esther's resolve. She collapsed into Pearl's embrace, tears streaming down her face. "He doesn't want to be with me anymore. The other day, he brought that woman

do was pat Esther's back. "Don't cry. We can talk about this. Don't be too

immediately. "Isn't that Esther Sanders, the A-lister? Wasn't she engaged to Mobius? Now she's

of Pearl and Esther in their vulnerable state. Pearl shot him a glare that almost made him drop his camera. Before she could reprimand him, he scurried

"I'm fine, Pearl."

calmed down enough to speak. "I think he doesn't love me anymore. I'm not

that other woman, Esther felt she'd be demeaning herself by continuing to pursue him. She refused to stoop to the level of becoming

you went to see him a few days ago, right?" Pearl

was, and her tears started falling again. "Yes."

through