Black Pearl Read Online Free PDF Page A

in the office when she delivered his coffee. He found himself taking more and more trips to his outer office to ask questions he could have easily picked up the phone and have answered. During their bi-weekly meetings on the gala he had to refrain from sitting too close to her to get a whiff of the scent that he came to identify with her. He had another week and a half before Andre returned, and Devyn would go back to working with him. He was tempted, on more than one occasion, to call his brother and tell him to stay away longer. Andre was scheduled to return a week before the gala. Nikola knew Andre needed to be home in order to be present at some important meetings the week before the gala, as well to get his tuxedo fitted.
    “I’ve been busy with work,” he responded curtly.
    “Oh, well, I have a friend who gave me tickets to a show next Friday night and wanted to know if you wanted to come with me,” she announced happily.
    “What kind of show?” He asked.
    “That’s a surprise, but I hear it’s worth it,” she stated avoiding the type of show, knowing he would turn her down if she told.
    “I don’t like secrets,” he said flatly.
    “I know and trust me it’s nothing bad or illegal or anything. It’s just a performance.” Sighing, Nikola thought of what she could be up to. Figuring that whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly be that bad, he agreed.
    “When is this performance and where?” He asked.
    “It’s next Friday. I wanted to give you some time, hoping you hadn’t made plans yet.” Nikola hadn’t made plans for the following weekend, but he didn’t want to give away too much.
    “What time does it start? I may have a meeting that evening.”
    “Oh. Well, the show starts at 8:00 p.m., but I was thinking we could go out to dinner beforehand.”
    “8:00 p.m. sounds fine. I will have to check my schedule about dinner.”
    “Great. Call me when you check. Maybe we could go out this weekend, if you’re not busy?” Cindy said attempting to sound coy.
    “I have a packed schedule this weekend. Let me check my calendar for next Friday and get back to you about dinner. I will call you.”
    “Okay. Don’t forget,” she said just before he hung up. Nikola agreed to go out with Cindy the following weekend, but he knew that would be their last date. Usually he had Sheryl send a parting gift of some sort, and flowers to console a woman after their break up, but he didn’t feel right asking Devyn to do this with Cindy. He tried not to think too hard into why that was.
    About an hour later, Nikola was working when he heard the familiar laughter of the only woman to ever hold his heart. Rising he strolled out of his office to where he heard voices laughing and talking.
    “He was always my stubborn child. Just like his father, he refused to take no for an answer.” Iris Collins was telling Devyn as Nikola rounded the corner out of his office.
    “Mama, what are you doing here?” He asked, greeting his mother with a kiss on the cheek.
    “Hi, Nicky. How come you didn’t tell me Devyn was working for you while Andre was away? I went to say hello to her while I was here, and found an empty chair, much to my chagrin.” Iris ignored, Nikola’s question. Nikola knew his mother held great affection for Devyn. Whenever she came to visit their office, she made sure to stop by and say hello to Devyn. Iris commented one time that she could tell Devyn had a good heart and would make a great mother. Iris Collins’ only two regrets in this world were that she did not stop her husband from taking the car out the day he had his fatal accident, and that neither one of her sons had made her a grandmother yet.
    “I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t know you would be stopping by or else I would have told you.” Nikola managed to look contrite about neglecting this piece of information. He suspected his mother would have pressed him about Devyn working for him if she knew.
    “It’s fine. I was just telling Devyn