Chapter 23 The Encounter
It had been two years since Trinity last saw Damian. Their paths crossed when she was flying from Paris to New York to attend a subsidiary’s event, having heard that the KM’s headquarters was sending a team to inspect the local office. Damian was leading the visit, so she skipped an important meeting just to be there.
But without an invitation, she couldn't get into the lobby. Damian wasn't answering his phone, and after two hours of waiting outside, she caught only a fleeting glimpse of him in the crowd.
That day, Damian stood out in his black matte suit, his stature a towering 6'3" amongst the elegant elites, an impressive sight indeed.
She recalled Damian's philosophy of keeping a low profile, never disclosing his identity in public, avoiding social gatherings, and politely declining interviews with the media. Of course, everyone recognized his name, but not everyone could put a face to it.
By then, she knew Damian was divorced, and a tiny seed of hope buried deep in her heart began to sprout uncontrollably.
In the evening, she finally got a hold of Damian through her father.
On the phone, she said, “Damian, I heard you're in New York. So am I. How about dinner together?”
Damian's reply was concise, “Sorry, I've got a flight tonight.”
Disappointed but not wanting to show it, she tried to sound casual, “What time is your flight? I could see you off at the airport.”
To which Damian replied, “No need to go out of your way. I'll give you a treat when we’re all back.”
She clung to that airy promise, yearning for the day to return, breaking things off with the man she was seeing, distancing herself from any romantic involvements, focused solely on the thought of someone on the other side of the planet.
Eventually, Trinity made her triumphant return home, making a name for herself in the industry.
Confident that the name 'Trinity' must have reached Damian's ears, she waited for him to reach out. One year turned into the next with no sign from him.
Just as she was about to unravel and make another move, her father came with astounding news, Anthony Hearst was considering a union with the Bezos family!
She felt like a novice swimmer struggling against the current, suddenly clutching a fully inflated lifebuoy, casting all her fears and apprehensions aside.
The Bezos was certainly not a small family, but next to the Hearst, and Damian in particular, she felt like nothing more than an admirer observing from a distance, never daring to dream of a real future together.
Now, fortune was extending a rope, and she had to seize it.
"Damian, we finally meet again," Trinity said with a calm and polite grin as she welcomed the visitor with restrained excitement.
Damian, ever the epitome of equanimity, wore an expression as serene and impenetrable as an alpine snow lotus, “Have you been waiting long?”
Trinity knew that Anthony Hearst had no patience for naive, childish girls; he sought a worldly and mature granddaughter-in-law, who was poised and self-aware, both inside and out. With a graceful smile, she said, "The ambiance here is enchanting. I was so captivated by the scenery that I lost track of time."
With his legs casually crossed, Damian took a seat across from her. With each carefree gesture, he conveyed confidence and a hint of daring, asking, "Fancy this kind of vibe?"
Trinity picked up her tea, holding a celadon cup with her wrist adorned with a rose-gold Cartier bracelet and perfectly finished nude-pink manicured nails. Every detail was in harmony with her flowy dress. Sitting amidst the elaborate wood carvings and frescoes, she embodied the demure elegance to the last detail.
"They're exquisite. Take the red fish in this pond, for instance; they wouldn't have the same charm out of this setting."
Appreciating Damian's choice of place was akin to acknowledging his taste as a person.
She complimented him right on point.
Damian lazily observed the red fish in the pond, “These fish aren't just for show."
"Oh? What else could they be for? Surely not for cooking, right?"
Damian explained, "Did you know these red fish are poisonous? Look carefully at the tips of their tails. A prick from them, and within ten seconds, your heart would seize up. Without immediate help, death is the only outcome."
Trinity's face showed a hint of surprise. Was Damian trying to scare her, or was this just a joke?
"It makes sense that such beautiful creatures have their own defenses, otherwise wouldn't they wind up in someone's stew? Seems I'll have to be extra cautious not to touch them on a whim."
Damian said, "Most beautiful things hide their poison; you have to be very careful out there."
Trinity's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, her features giving off an impression of pure innocence, “Zweig once said that all gifts of fate come with their price secretly marked, and one wouldn’t suffer if not overly greedy. "Sometimes people fail to recognize their own place and maintain the right attitude. You've weathered many storms, Damian; in your presence, I'm still an apprentice. I have much to learn from you."
Damian appraised her delicately made-up face, "Your studies abroad have indeed been fruitful."
With a gentle tone, Trinity replied, "They have, but I'd rather not be quizzed by you at dinner like it's a final thesis defense. It might give me indigestion. Let's enjoy our meal today and save the rest for another time, shall we?"
"As you wish," Damian acquiesced.
He took a sip from his glass, enjoying his usual top-shelf Oolong tea, with its spring-harvested leaves and refined flavor, which kept his mood quite pleasant.
Trinity subtly curved the corners of her mouth behind her glass. The world said Damian was difficult to approach; they were just too foolish to see the truth!
Thomas stood by the pavilion, overhearing the dialogue between the two. He could tell that Trinity had done her homework. She spoke with both caution and confidence, her demeanor honed through careful cultivation. If Anthony Hearst insisted on matchmaking, then a union between the two families wouldn't seem like a bad idea.
Yet, there was something, some intangible quality, that seemed to be lacking in her.
Contemplating this, Thomas spotted two figures approaching along the small pathway. The one leading he recognized, Sean, a partner at the law firm, Faust & Associates.
How did he manage to get in?
But it was the woman following Sean that truly caught Thomas off-guard.
Ashley?
Ashley advanced in her sleek professional attire, her blouse neatly tucked into her pants, her slim waist accentuated, and her long hair gently swaying with each step. Her natural beauty, pared down and radiant, surprisingly complemented the surroundings.
Hadn't they recently fought in a spectacle unfolding in the courtroom that afternoon? Now reversing course and sharing a meal?
The social connection of the legal profession never ceased to amaze him.
Just as Thomas was going to alert them, the two were heading inside the dining area.
His heart skipped a beat, and he brought a hand to his forehead in disbelief. What were the chances of this accidental encounter?
Meanwhile, Ashley's gaze fell upon Damian seated just ahead. He lifted his teacup gracefully, his face an image of serene refinement, engaged in a lively conversation with the lady across from him.
Typically, Damian didn't invite just anyone to dine at such a place; it was clear that the lady in question was another potential marriage prospect.
Three hundred prospects over two years, how amusing.
Within barely two seconds, Damian's eyes also landed on the second table, where a man's back obscured a clear view of his identity. The face, however, was all too familiar.
Ashley, fishing for men right on his turf.
The manager, after instructing the kitchen about the meal, stepped out to find an extra seat added to the dining area, which left him stunned.
Who could have been so reckless?
Striding up to the reception, the manager scanned the reservation book. The front desk staff mentioned it was the friend of an assistant manager, who didn't leave any contact information and had been admitted through the VIP entrance.
The manager was virtually exploding with disbelief at such a stupid decision. If one should offend Damian, the powerful benefactor, they might as well bid their career farewell.
With no choice but to face the music, the manager approached Sean and cautiously suggested, "Mister, there seems to be a private event today; would you mind dining here another time?"
