Page 21 of Distrustful

Chapter 11

Thinking about what Benjamin had told her, Trinidad had been tempted to return to the restaurant the next day, but decided to stay firm, mentally repeating that she doesn't need Maria for anything, least of all without knowing exactly what attracts her to her. However, the businesswoman couldn't resist her curiosity and two days later has returned to the club.

"May I say something?" asks Benjamin while dining with her.

"You'll say it anyway," responds Trinidad and smiles at him, leaning back in her chair while looking at him.

She still doesn't understand how Benjamin remains so proper after all this time with her, maintaining formalities yet taking the liberty to give her advice like a father. His dark eyes observe her with that unique mixture of respect and paternal concern that only he knows how to show.

"Wouldn't it be easier to call her and meet with her?"

Trinidad nods, drumming her fingers on the tablecloth.

"I suppose so."

"And why don't you?" tries to understand Benjamin, leaning slightly forward.

Trinidad looks at him while searching for a coherent answer to give him, but finds none. Her thoughts are a whirlwind of doubts and contradictions. It's probably that fear of relationships she's had for years, or the unease caused by Maria not fully trusting her, which she partly understands. Because, regarding the lawyer, Adrian has been investigating her as requested and hasn't found anything that might worry Trinidad. The most notable things are her divorce from a man several months ago or some rumor about Ursula and her being lovers, though Trinidad dismisses the latter after seeing how Ursula looked at the woman who was with her at the gala where she met her.

"I don't know, Benjamin," she finally responds.

"Well, I think you should do it," the bodyguard encourages her. "In my opinion, you've been alone too long, and that's not good. This is the first person you've been attracted to since I've known you and I see no reason why you shouldn't try to get to know her better. Ask her on a date."

Trinidad lets out a loud laugh and then looks at him with tenderness.

"I don't know if asking for dates is still a thing these days, Benjamin."

"Well, it works for me."

"I remind you that you've been divorced three times, so clearly something failed," she says with a playful air that Benjamin rarely sees in her.

Now it's the man who smiles and picks up his glass of tonic.

"Something failed, but I assure you it wasn't that," Benjamin winks at her.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You know what?" he asks after taking a sip.

"Tell me," Trinidad smiles, expecting anything.

"Maybe you don't need to ask her on a formal date, maybe it's enough to just get up and approach her."

Trinidad looks at him confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Mrs. Maria just walked through the door."

"For God's sake, Benjamin, don't call her Mrs. Maria," says Trinidad amused while turning to confirm with her own eyes what the bodyguard has told her.

Maria, who has just entered the restaurant, feels something like an explosion of tingles in her chest when she spots Trinidad and sees the businesswoman suddenly turn toward the door with a spontaneous smile across her face. The lawyer, used to that tense and permanent expression on Trinidad, almost faints with pleasure at the sight. Trinidad provokes that point of unease because she doesn't like people who hide things, nor those who treat her with the same coldness with which she treats all the women she sleeps with, but in those two seconds their gazes lock,Maria realizes that Trinidad, despite everything, is starting to really appeal to her.

She steps aside to avoid blocking the path of another couple who has just entered and Maria composes herself maintaining a serious expression. Although she's very aware that she came there to see her—just like last night—she doesn't want to admit it to Trinidad, so, again, she begins to walk elegantly, ready to greet her and pass by.

Trinidad slowly loses her smile while watching Maria move. The lawyer glances at her occasionally until, finally, she passes right in front of her table.

"Good evening," she says dryly, looking first at her and then at Benjamin.