Chapter 3
Via the TV drama, Martin got some fans.
I bumped into George in a business gathering, and he brought up the topic. "It is said that you recommended that starlet to the director. I didn't know that you are interested in the showbiz industry."
I casually responded, "You know now, don't you? You and I are already divorced, so don't waste your time on me."
Then, I pouted my lips towards where Daisy was.
George quickly took one step back while Daisy came over.
"Pearl, what have you been up to lately? Do you like the specialty I sent you? If yes, I will send more to you," Daisy asked.
I looked at George. Smiling, he raised his goblet to me and then left without Daisy. How shrewd!
The scene that Daisy and I stood together drew attention from other guests.
Whoever was anxious to fawn on me gave up their plans of going against Daisy.
After the gathering, I called George and protested. "How outrageous! You have never been so considerate of me. George, compensation!"
George chuckled. "Come on, Pearl! Do you really need that?"
Shock rooted me to the spot. Silence fell.
After a moment of silence, George opened his mouth again, "What do you want?"
Without hesitation, I said, "Leave those projects to me. You know what I am talking about."
George began to curse, but he yielded in the end.
Soon after I hung up the phone, Martin embraced me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.
He asked, "Why do you keep in touch with your ex-husband? Your company does well, so why don't you cut him off completely?
"Unlike him, I give you all my attention. I will do whatever you want me to do. Can't I be the only man in your life? Stop contacting him, okay?"
"Nope!" I candidly responded.
Martin picked up the car key and left the house without looking back. It seemed he was mad at me.
I stood on the balcony. I saw him sit in his car for a while and then angrily get out of it. Then, I heard the car door slam.
He looked up at me and shouted, "Can't you tell some white lies for my sake?"
His little trick worked. Smiling, I answered, "Fine, I will try sometimes. Come up here."
Grumbling, Martin went upstairs as required.
He tried to dominate in bed, and I was glad with that.
I was clear that I couldn't keep my affair with Martin a secret forever.
Three years later, George found it out.
When Martin and I were caught on camera for the tenth time, I still tried to solve the problem with money.
I didn't know how the news reached George.
Never had I seen him so angry.
Like an irritated bull, he glared at me. "Pearl, good for you!"
The next second, the photos from the days before and after our divorce were scattered on the desk like snowflakes.
"Why did you set me up?" George snapped.
His eyes were red, and there was unmistakable confusion.
I knitted my eyebrows because I didn't understand his rage.
Even so, I kindly reminded, "We are divorced. Before our divorce, we didn't have sex for three years. I am a healthy woman, so I have sexual needs. Well, Martin looking like him is another reason."
George took two steps back. "You could have told me. I wouldn't have said no if you had asked for a divorce."
"I am not so fastidious as you." I raised my voice and cut him off. "I am mercenary. I had plenty to gain from my marriage with you. Why should I ask for a divorce?"
Shock rooted George to the spot.
He had made the same speech.
It was so long ago that my memory of that scene became blurred.
However, never had I forgotten it.
His expression told me that he also remembered that speech.
"I am sorry." In a low voice, he added, "Martin asks for too much." Then, he left.
One hour later, George dropped out of the competition against me over a profitable project.
Surprised and confused, my secretary found me and said, "Mr. Gordon gave us another project. It is the eighth one this year. He is more generous to us than when he was your husband. Did he do something bad to you?"