Page 33 of Distrustful

Chapter 15

"Relax, it's just a birthday party," Benjamin says when he and Trinidad enter Ursula's estate.

The businesswoman nods trying to appear calm, but can't shake off the thought that she doesn't belong at this party. They get out of the car when Benjamin parks and she asks him to accompany her to the area where the three women and three others she doesn't know are gathered, whom she assumes are mothers of some of the children running around with Lili.

"Don't stay here, Benjamin, you'll roast in the sun," Trinidad advises.

The heat is intense even under the shade of the trees.

"I don't know what I'd do there with so many women," he hesitates and she laughs.

"You could find your fourth wife here," she teases, with a playful gleam in her eyes.

Maria sees her smile from afar and her stomach turns, making her hold her breath for a few seconds.

"She doesn't seem stuck-up to me," Ursula comments sharply amid Mildred's spontaneous laughter, who's already aware of what's going on between Maria and Trinidad.

Trinidad reaches them and hands Mildred a bag with Lili's gift.

"You didn't have to," she says placing it with the other gifts already forming a mountain on the table.

Lili's scream upon noticing the businesswoman's presence startles them all. Trinidad turns at hearing her name and sees her running toward her with a radiant smile.

"I don't understand why the child likes you so much," Maria says beside her.

Trinidad glances at her sideways and gives her a quick once-over.

"Easy, I'm pleasant and affectionate, not like you, always tense."

Maria, indignant, opens her mouth to say what she thinks, but has to bite her tongue because the child arrives with such momentum that Trinidad doesn't fall only because Benjamin—always attentive like a bird of prey—puts a hand on her back to help her keep her balance.

"You came!" she shouts excited, "come, you have to meet Piadora."

Trinidad has no option to refuse because Lili takes her hand and pulls her toward the pond.

"Did you hear what she said to me?" Maria asks with her hands on her hips.

"Yes, and she has a point," Mildred confirms, and Maria stands open-mouthed.

"I can't believe you're taking her side," she huffs offended.

"Stop complaining, Maria, if you don't want Trinidad to think you're stuck-up, what you need to do is go rescue her from Lili's clutches before she starts asking about her entire family's last names."

Maria looks at Trinidad, surrounded by the horde of children while they observe Piadora on the pond's bridge. She likes her and can't deny it. Trinidad is elegant and mysterious, besides attractive, and as much as she complains about it, she also likes her strong yet elusive character. Without saying anything, she starts walking toward her until she positions herself beside her.

"I didn't imagine the turtle would be so big," Trinidad comments when she notices her presence.

"When I met her she wasn't this big. Did you know Ursula talks to her?" she shakes her head incredulously and Trinidad bursts out laughing.

"Truth is I can't imagine a better confidant than this one," the engineer comments.

"Yeah, very typical of you all. I wonder if being weird comes with the fortune."

"I haven't always been rich," Trinidad drops and Maria looks at her intently realizing it's the first time she's talked a bit about herself, "but I used to have very interesting conversations with my cat when I was little."

"Well," Maria exclaims, "it's a shame cats don't talk."

Trinidad smiles among the children's shouting.