Page 28 of Distrustful

Chapter 13

Like before, Trinidad has arrived at the hangar earlier than agreed, though this time, she stays outside the plane, next to the stairs with Benjamin while enjoying the fresh morning breeze. Minutes later, a taxi arrives and Maria steps out from the passenger door, immediately lighting a cigarette while the other doors open and Ursula, Mildred, and Lili get out.

Trinidad, still as a statue, watches the couple get their luggage before heading toward the plane. The businesswoman observes them walking and feels a pang of healthy envy seeing Mildred walking beside Ursula while answering something on the phone, and Ursula herself holding Lili's hand, like a united family. Maria walks right behind, with that quick, nervous step and her gaze fixed on Trinidad, who suddenly feels like smiling but holds back without understanding why she does it.

"How big!" Lili exclaims, letting go of Ursula's hand to run toward Trinidad, while her eyes look at the aircraft in amazement.

"Hello, Lili," Trinidad greets her and ruffles her bangs, the child hugs her legs for a moment like yesterday and then looks at Benjamin.

"Who's he?"

The man narrows his eyes looking at her, with a serious expression and, suddenly, winks at her which draws a sudden laugh from the child.

"This is Benjamin, he works for me and will accompany us to London," Trinidad explains just as the three women reach them and exchange greetings.

"And do you fly the plane?" Lili asks with a curious expression.

"No, little Lili, that's what the pilot does," Benjamin responds with a kind smile.

"Then what do you do?" Lili insists.

Benjamin exchanges a look with Trinidad, who remains expectant with a mocking half-smile.

"I take care of Ms. Trinidad and make sure everything goes well during the trip."

"Like a superhero," Lili concludes with conviction.

Everyone's laughter manages to relax the atmosphere.

"Can we buy a plane?" Lili suddenly asks Ursula.

"We don't need a plane, Lili," Ursula answers, infected by everyone's laughter.

"Why? Trinidad has one."

"Because Trinidad travels a lot, honey," Mildred intervenes.

"Aah, what's your last name?" she turns to Benjamin.

"Don't answer," Ursula asks the man and everyone laughs again.

Trinidad feels relaxed watching the child's interaction with all the adults, the only thing that unsettles her is Maria's presence, though not in a negative way. Their gazes cross for a second and both get caught as if trying to read each other's mind, until Benjamin announces it's time to leave and everyone boards the plane.

Mildred, Ursula, and Lili sit in a block of four facing seats where Maria could also fit, but without thinking, the lawyer sits across from Trinidad, who looks at her over her sunglasses that she's still wearing and sketches a half-smile that expresses a cocky attitude.

"I can change seats," Maria says quietly.

"You don't bother me, but do what you want," Trinidad answers knowing it will irritate her.

Maria snorts and takes out her tablet to ignore the businesswoman. Trinidad smiles again.

Once they reach their destination, they split up; the couple and the child have a reservation at a hotel because they'll stay several days, and Trinidad and Maria at another. They all settle in their rooms and, in the afternoon, meet with the building owner at a notary's office in central London to formalize the purchase. When they finish signing, Benjamin is stationed at the entrance and Mildred and Lili are in the park across the street.

"Well, now you have the building," Maria says, taking out her cigarette pack again.

"You're smoking a lot again," Mildred comments when they reach them.

Maria makes a nodding gesture.