Female Novel
Chapter 1027
"He's just a jerk. You wouldn't expect to meet a decent person at a bar." Pearl chuckled. Why wouldEsther think otherwise?
"Alright, so I met a jerk at the bar, but we ended up having a good conversation. Then I fell asleep,and I think he put his coat over me. When I woke up, James was there. He pulled me outside anddemanded to know whose coat it was."
"Seems pretty straightforward," Pearl remarked, her expression softening. "What happened next?"
"I didn't tell him, and he got angry. Then he tried to cheer me up, like how he used to do, but…"Esther's expression soured as she remembered Sabrina. "Then that woman showed up, and heturned cold again."
Pearl touched her head with a smile. "You're good at summarizing, but can't you see?"
Esther shook her head, feeling disheartened. "I know he likes her, so he ignored me when he sawher."
Pearl was distraught. Had Esther never learned comprehension?
"I'm saying he must have had other reasons for pushing you away," Pearl clarified.
Esther looked up in disbelief. "If he had reasons, he would have told me. Why keep it a secret?"
Pearl shook her head. "I don't know, but it's probably not as simple as you think, at least not likewhat you imagined."
If James wanted to push her away, he would have done it a long time ago. Why would he keep herhanging, letting her go to the firm but still giving her the cold shoulder?
James didn't seem like that kind of person. That was something someone with issues would do.
"Okay, so what should I do? Keep going to see him?" Esther asked, feeling lost.
Pearl's expression turned serious. "No. If he's giving you the cold shoulder, stop going to see him. Ifhe's trying to push you away, go along with it. Leave."
"But…"
"Have some self-respect. Why are you letting him order you around? Find something else to distractyourself. Act like you don't even know him for now."novelbin
Pearl suggested this partly because it seemed like a sensible approach, but also because she hadher own plans. James had been leading Esther in circles for too long. She couldn't just let himcontinue.
If her suspicions were correct, and James was only acting this way because of some undisclosedreason, leaving him would surely rattle him. It was payback for hurting her best friend.
Esther, always trusting Pearl's judgment, nodded, tears still lingering on her cheeks. "Okay, I'll stopseeing him." She refused to be his doormat anymore!
"Don't worry. You'll bounce back," Pearl reassured her with a smile. It was time for her to pay Jamesa visit.
*
Pearl arranged to meet James on the weekend.
When James heard it was Pearl, he attempted to decline, but Pearl mentioned Sabrina, forcing hishand.
Descending the stairs, James found Pearl lounging on the couch, sipping coffee. "What can I do foryou, Missus Pearl?"