Chapter 49 The Nature of Their Relationship
Queenie's indignation actually made Pearl laugh, "Why does it seem to you that President Oscar and I are in a love affair?"
Queenie wasn't sure if it was just her perception, but she felt there was a subtle dynamic between them.
"President Oscar really does care about you," Queenie thought for a moment. "You both might not feel it, but I can see clearly as an observer. You can't let Haley interfere and ruin your relationship."
In her eyes, Pearl and Oscar were the perfect match.
"Don't jump to conclusions, little girl," Pearl tapped Queenie's forehead playfully, "My relationship with President Oscar is completely innocent, and you shouldn't listen to rumors. Whoever President Oscar wants to be with has nothing to do with me, so let's not talk about it anymore. If others heard, it would just lead to more gossip."
Queenie touched her forehead, "I'm not going to talk to others, but what I'm saying to you, Pearl, isn't based on random hearsay."
She wouldn't believe a word of the rumor that was circling the company suggesting Pearl had advanced her position through improper means.
The Pearl she knew was upright, kind, and caring toward her employees; she would never stoop to underhanded tactics.
It was those who indulged in gossip that were probably just jealous and narrow-minded.
Pearl didn't care about the falseness of the report.
But she couldn't show it.
She also noticed that Oscar had become much more distant with her, speaking rarely about work or personal matters, and sometimes even seemed to ignore her deliberately.
He no longer went home with her.
He had been spending nights in the study and hadn't come to the bedroom for several days.
Perhaps he'd seen the reports too and realized he needed to give Haley a status, intentionally keeping his distance from Pearl.
Pearl didn't say it out loud, but she felt a deep sense of loss.
--
"That shameless woman!"
Aware of Haley's antics, Janetta invited Pearl out for tea specifically to vent.
As soon as Pearl arrived, Janetta launched into a tirade against Haley.
Seeing Janetta gulp down a cup of tea in one breath, Pearl asked, "Who has upset you so much?"
"Are you seriously asking me? Haven't you seen the news? They're blasting it all over the media about her affair with Oscar, and you two aren't even divorced yet. She's already playing this game. I just want to grab a megaphone and shout that Haley is nothing but a shameless mistress!"
Pearl swirled the teacup in her hand, "You came to see me about this, didn't you?"
"What else would have me this upset?" Janetta finished ranting about Haley, then turned her frustration on Oscar, "And Oscar! If he's so enamored with his mistress, why doesn't he just hurry up and marry her? Toying with you while not letting her go? What's he trying to do, keep his options open? It's infuriating!"
Janetta was genuinely concerned for her friend, afraid Pearl would get hurt in this marriage.
She was already hurt, though.
When Pearl got married, Janetta had been happy for her.
Thinking she'd landed herself a wealthy husband and would lead a life of luxury.
But even though Pearl wouldn't say it, Janetta could see Oscar didn't really care for her.
Over time, resentment toward Oscar built up in Janetta.
Pearl didn't want Janetta to use up her energy over her issues and said, "Janetta, I appreciate your concern, and I know you mean well, but from now on, let's just ignore Haley's antics, okay? No need to upset yourself over it."
"Are you saying I'm meddling too much?" Janetta felt even more upset at the implication, "Pearl, we’ve been friends for so many years. How could I not worry about you? I was truly happy for your upscale marriage, and after all this time with Oscar, I know you love him and thought you'd find happiness. Even if you don't say it, I see you're not happy! And to see him wear you down like this, what's wrong with me saying something?"
Janetta was straightforward and would go to great lengths for a friend, sometimes to the point of suffocating herself to save face for them.
"No, that's not it. You know me better. How could I be upset with you?" Pearl's fists clenched and unclenched, "It's just that this marriage was a contract from the start."
"What?" Janetta's eyes widened as she stood up, "You've never told me that! Why would Oscar enter into a marriage contract with you? That's not right!"
Pearl said, "I did tell you, it was only because Grandpa Brown liked me that I married into Oscar's family because I had no other choice at the time."
Janetta hadn't really understood it then.
She knew Pearl loved Oscar but never planned to marry him despite the long-held secret affection.
Suddenly, she was his wife.
There had to be a reason.
"Give me a moment," Janetta hadn't yet recovered from the shock. "You and Oscar had a contract marriage, and it was his grandfather who arranged it, even though Oscar doesn't like you. He went through with marrying you because his grandfather told him to..."
"But that doesn't make sense," Janetta rubbed her chin, feeling puzzled by the situation. "Is Oscar the type to listen to his family? Besides, he's still pining for his first love. How could he just obediently marry you then?"
"I've thought about it, too. My contract with Oscar is for three years, and we'll get a divorce when the time's up."
"It's almost that time, isn't it?" Janetta thought with growing discomfort. "You're still married to him now, but what if you weren't? Wouldn't that Haley give you a hard time? If you get divorced and remain Oscar's secretary, and she becomes Mrs. Oscar the President, she will make your life miserable, no!"
The more Janetta thought about it, the more dreadful it seemed.
Pearl laughed. "Why would I let her bully me? After the divorce, who says I wouldn't leave Oscar?"
Janetta asked, "You've decided then? After the divorce, you'll leave him?"
Pearl took a sip of her tea. "Isn't that what you said, to look forward? I like Oscar so much. My affection is almost demeaning, trying to please at all costs. That's because I haven't looked at other men. As soon as I set my sights on someone else, I'll realize there are plenty of men better than him, and I'll surely regret my past decisions."
Janetta breathed a sigh of relief.
Her anger stemmed from the fact that Pearl was still with Oscar, and if Oscar betrayed her, she felt he wasn't worth it.
If Pearl could come to see this and pull herself away, then she wouldn't have to worry about her.
"It's great that you can think this way," Janetta said. "Let Oscar regret and cry over it."
Janetta's mood improved.
After finishing their tea, the two of them went out to shop.
"There's the Brown Group celebration tomorrow. There's going to be a lot of people. Dress up and look good. If Oscar can buy Haley a gown, heh, I'll buy you one, too. Dazzle everyone at the event. It may be your last chance, so make sure you put on a show," Janetta almost wished she could smack Haley in the face right then and have her scorned by everyone.
Pearl, who usually followed the rules, wanted a change this time, "I'll listen to you."
Pulling Pearl's hand, Janetta headed toward the upscale dress shop.
"But I'm not spending your money," Pearl insisted.
Janetta frowned. "Why are you being formal with me?"
Pearl laughed, "Oscar gave me a card, and I'm happier spending his money - I've been married to him for so long, the CEO needs to let me have some perks, right?"
"You're absolutely right!"
Upon just arriving, they heard a conceited voice ringing through the shop, "Make sure you alter this dress precisely; our Ms. Haley is the future Mrs. President Oscar!"
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