As per the preferential treatment Jesse was getting while he was a guest of the Institute, someone was waiting for them at the airport and drove them straight to one of the houses that were available to choose from for his own home while working in Brazil.
At first Jesse had protested but their guide insisted that these were her instructions. So the attractive doctor had smiled his thanks and let Helena drop him and Pearl off in front of the beautiful house. Unlocking the door, he'd waved his goodbye to the hostess and she'd driven off.
Jesse made sure Pearl was comfortably situated in one of the rooms, said good night and that he'd see her in the morning. Pearl went to bed thinking about the Como Rosario Institute's obvious interest in Jesse. With a chuckle, she concluded it had already filtered down to the employees. The woman who had picked them up was extremely good looking and had greeted Dr Murray almost enthusiastically while speaking to her with cautious curiosity.
As her eyes drooped closed, Pearl wondered if Jesse had told them they were in separate rooms.
Over the next week, Pearl was Jesse's guest in Brazil. The executive director of the facility was very accommodating, including her in any activities they had lined up for Jesse. He even organized another ticket to a theatre show that he'd set up for Jesse's entertainment. At first Pearl had wanted to decline but Jesse was adamant.
"You're still under my care," he finally teased her. "You can't say no to the doctor's orders."
She'd given him a look of disbelief and he'd become a little more serious. "I do want to make sure you acclimatize well, but I also just want to go to the theatre with you. Please," he'd smiled disarmingly "indulge me this one time."
Pearl had blinked and then turned away grumbling about Murray boys thinking smiles were enough to change the world.
That had made Jesse laugh out loud and put his arm around Pearl in a side hug. "You wouldn't have us any other way."
At the end of the trial week, Pearl had gotten Jesse to take her to church and then they'd gone for a picnic in the afternoon. Before they knew it, it was Monday morning and it was time for her to get back to real life.
Pearl was up and about before Jesse. He found her eating breakfast at the kitchen counter. He placed a hand on her shoulder briefly as he passed her.
"Good morning, beautiful," he said easily.
She swallowed a piece of fruit and quipped, "Good morning, handsome."
He grinned at her as he reached into the cupboard for a coffee cup.
"How are you feeling today?"
"I'm alright. I feel good," she said honestly. "How are you?"
He sat on the other side of the counter space so he could face her. "I'm okay. A part of me is afraid my Portuguese isn't good enough to do this lecture."
Pearl shrugged. "You could stick to English."
"I could," he conceded, "but I like being immersed in the whole culture of a place."
Pearl laughed. "I think being a successful doctor suffices."
Jesse looked at Pearl. "Who told you I was successful?"
"Google," she chuckled.
That made him smile. "I don't know what lies you're soaking up on the internet, but I'm no neurosurgeon. Those are the rock stars."
Pearl waved a hand dismissively. "You are being falsely modest. What you do is important Jesse. Where do I begin? At your age you have a medical degree, you specialised in psychiatry and you have another master's degree. Not to mention all the documented and accredited work you did on treating the physical and mental impact of fear and addictions. That's impressive."
Jesse knew he had told Pearl what he did, but she spoke about it as if she actually had first-hand knowledge of his medical experience and interests.
"I'm glad you think so. I guess being here and getting invited to guest lecture is an indication of my impact but… caring for people is still cooler than the potential in my research."
"Yeah?" Pearl tilted her head to one side. "Why do you think that is?'
"I guess I'm more about connections then calculations."
For some reason, his simple reason made her smile but before he could ask her about it, his leggy hostess came into the kitchen.
"Bom dia, everyone," she said in accented English.
"Good morning," Pearl said, still smiling.
"Good morning, Helena. How are you this morning?"
She beamed at Dr Murray. "I'm fine thank you. Are you ready for your lecture? Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I can't think of anything other than helping me get to the right room on time," he said easily.
"I can do that," she smiled graciously. "And more. Just say the word."
Pearl watched Jesse blink and then smile a little stiffly. "That's all I need for now, thank you Helena." He glanced at Pearl and found her watching him. His smile widened.
"I, uh, have to go."
"Alright."
"Will you be okay?"
Pearl laughed, "Jesse, I'm fine! I'll see you at lunch, okay?"
"Right." He stayed where he was for a moment.
"Go on, Dr Murray," chuckled Pearl. "I won't die before lunch."
His face went serious. "Don't joke about that."
She grimaced. "Sorry. But please go to your lecture before you're late."
"Okay." He stood up and winked at her. "Lunch time."
"Lunch time," she echoed with a nod.
Helena turned toward the door and Jesse followed her. They were gone soon after that.