Page 18 of Distrustful

Maria observes how Trinidad moves through the space, pointing out places and possibilities, and can't help but admire the way her mind is already transforming every corner.

"So, are we taking it?"

"If you say Ursula would agree, I'm in."

"Great, I'll call her then."

While Maria steps aside to record a video of the inn and then call Ursula, Trinidad finishes closing the deal with the owner and both return to the car to head back to London, where Adrian has reserved four rooms in Trinidad's favorite hotel.

"I've agreed with him that his lawyer will draft the contract. When he has it, he'll pass it to you for review and if you don't see any issues, we'll sign it as soon as everything's ready," says Trinidad.

"Okay."

Those are the only words they exchange during the return trip to London, but Maria can't stop glancing at Trinidad, because now that the business part is over, she's still burning inside from that encounter as unexpected as it was strange and satisfying that they had the other night. It eats at her that Trinidad acts as if it never happened, and Maria hates being left with words unspoken.

Oliver parks and the four enter the hotel. As soon as they check in, Benjamin and Oliver go for a drink at the bar after Trinidad practically orders them to, which surprises Maria.

"Well, looks like you don't need your babysitters here," Maria shoots while storing her documentation in her purse.

Trinidad smiles but doesn't take the bait.

"I'll have dinner in my room, see you tomorrow, Maria."

The lawyer can't believe what she just heard, and she doesn't even think about letting her leave without talking about what happened the other night.

"Are you running from me?" she asks when Trinidad turns her back.

The businesswoman stops dead in her tracks and controls the mischievous smile spreading across her face before turning around.

"Do I have reasons to?" she asks, piercing Maria with her gaze.

"Of course not, but I think we should talk about what happened the other night, don't you think?" Maria responds with an air of superiority, the same one she uses with all her conquests.

"Well, no," Trinidad responds and Maria's smug smile vanishes in an instant, "I don't think we have anything to talk about. It's something that happened, period. I didn't think it would traumatize you."

Maria's blood is boiling and she feels her ears getting hot. She wants to scream because she can't stand it, can't stand Trinidad's coldness or that she's the one playing the role of the cold and ruthless woman that Maria has perfected lately - being on this side doesn't suit her. However, she breathes deeply and smiles without expressing the frustration she feels right now, because the last thing she wants is for Trinidad to notice how much it bothers her.

"It hasn't traumatized me, I was just worried it might have traumatized you."

"Well, as you can see, it hasn't," Trinidad concludes. "Anything else?"

Maria imagines strangling her with her bare hands; however, she puts on a fake smile instead.

"No. Well yes, I'd appreciate if this stayed between you and me," she blurts out unexpectedly even to herself, "I don't want Ursula to find out."

Trinidad hardens her expression and looks at her offended.

"I don't know what kind of women you sleep with, Maria, but I don't go around bragging about my sex life. We'll leave for the airfield at nine, don't oversleep or you'll be stuck in London finding your own way back," Trinidad cuts her off, and this time she does turn around and heads for the elevators.

Maria stands there like a statue, feeling a mix of rage and excitement. Trinidad is insufferable, and also irresistible.

Indignant, she decides to take the stairs so the effort of climbing them might help channel her anger. When she reaches the hallway, she just has time to see Trinidad enter her room and close the door. She walks quickly and confirms they have adjoining rooms, which makes her more nervous. Wall to wall with the woman she's dying to sleep with again.

Maria enters her room slamming the door that echoes through the entire hallway. She takes off her heels in anger and throws them against the wall, needing to release herfrustration somehow. She falls onto the king-size bed and fixes her gaze on the ceiling and then to one side.

The minibar tempts her from the corner, but she resists. Instead, she takes out her phone and sees three messages from Ursula asking how everything went. She hesitates whether to call her. On one hand, she needs to talk to someone; on the other, she fears her friend might notice something strange in her voice. Ursula knows her too well and she's sure she would realize.

She gets up and walks barefoot to the balcony door, opens it and steps out, feeling a cold that almost freezes her. Automatically she looks toward the next balcony, Trinidad's, and for a moment imagines jumping from one to the other to enter her room. A hysterical laugh comes over her and she goes back inside before doing something crazy.

"Damn it!" she exclaims frustrated, closing the door.

She heads to the bathroom and turns on the faucet, letting the cold water run between her fingers before splashing her face. When she raises her eyes to the mirror, the woman looking back seems unfamiliar, or not so much: flushed cheeks, dilated pupils and slightly disheveled hair. She's Maria the predator, only this time, she no longer wants to hunt because she only desires one specific prey.

"Shit," she mutters and sighs, looking at the shower with resignation.