Chapter 58 I Make the Rules
After just one lunch between Damian and Trinity, their relationship was closely monitored by the Hearst and Bezos families. The Hearsts had been captivated by Trinity's outgoing nature and boundless excitement.
One needs to be determined if they want to get married. You certainly just can't sit around and wait for the boy to make a move.
Anthony Hearst therefore took the initiative to invite Trinity over for dinner, "Don't be nervous, it's just the three of us tonight. Damian’s parents are currently on vacation in Switzerland," he reassured her.
Trinity was a bit thrilled and overwhelmed by the invitation from the family patriarch. She shared her excitement with her parents and older brother before carefully selecting an outfit, a soft and elegant maxi dress, and having her hair stylist craft the perfect hairstyle for her proposed meeting with his family.
After her meticulous preparations, she exuded an image of demure intelligence and composure as she presented herself before the patriarch.
"Thank you, Mr. Hearst, for having me. This is for you," Trinity said as she handed over a gift, "I hope you like it.”
It was a limited-edition book, secured at an auction at a steep price, in respect to Anthony Hearst's renowned taste.
The patriarch hadn't seen Trinity in years, and since found her current composure was a big improvement over Ashley’s, who didn't even bother to dress up the last time she was visited.
With that comparison, Anthony found himself increasingly convinced that Trinity was the suitable match for Damian.
Of course, there was another girl close to his heart once, but...Best to leave the past in the past.
There were dishes spread across a table that stretched over 6 feet. Anthony occupied the head of the table, with Damian and Trinity seated across from each other, each savoring their portion as if they were separated by the mighty Mississippi River.
Inevitably, the conversation turned to the business affairs of the Bezos Group. Working within her family's conglomerate, Trinity answered Anthony's questions with deft precision, further endearing herself to him.
Indeed, a granddaughter-in-law like her could work with her husband in their endeavors.
Then came questions about Trinity's hobbies.
"I quite enjoy being active outdoors," Trinity replied. "Golf, hiking, rock climbing; I even went mountain climbing with my dad last week."
Anthony nodded in approval. "Staying active is essential for good health. Vital for a growing family.”
Not in any way resembles Ashley, who was supposedly unable to keep up a twenty-minute jog, after three fruitless years, she was as frail as they come.
Damian ate in silence, chiming in only when his grandfather directly engaged him.
"Damian has always been steady and reserved, Trinity, please don’t take it personally," Anthony remarked.
Trinity was empathetic, "I understand, Mr. Hearst. It's actually what I admire about him. He might be a man of few words, but his words are of significance when he speaks. It’s hard to argue with, and that’s a sign of someone destined for great things."
Trinity couldn't quite hide the smile tugging at her lips, her eyebrows lifting in a fleeting moment of joy, "Got any plans for the weekend?"
Anthony Hearst took the liberty to respond on his behalf, "You youngsters should get out more often, get some exercise. It's the perfect weather for golf, not too cold or hot."
Seizing the opportunity, Trinity made her move, "Damian, how about we go together?"
Anthony Hearst interjected, "He's free this weekend. The driver will pick you up. And about your father..."
At that moment, Damian's phone rang. He glanced at the screen; it was a call from Christian Brin.
Anthony Hearst gave him a stern look.
In the Hearst family, it was impolite to interrupt the elders, and taking calls during a conversation was considered improper.
Damian declined the call, "I have a business trip to Sea City this weekend. I'm occupied."
The phone rang again, still Christian Brin.
Damian dabbed the sides of his mouth with his napkin, "Some urgent business at the company. Please, carry on without me."
Anthony Hearst looked ready to scold him, but Trinity quickly intervened, "Let him attend to his work, Mr. Hearst. I can keep you company."
Damian walked over to the balcony, his tone curt, "What’s up."
A call from Christian Brin usually irritated Damian, but he was surprisingly patient today.
"It's me."
Unexpectedly, it wasn't Christian Brin's usual rambling, but rather a clear, feminine voice.
Those two words were enough for him to recognize who the caller was.
Damian stood by the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the estate’s garden, where the cape jasmine blossoms rustled under the lights, "Since when are you and Christian this close?"
His sarcasm was evident.
The woman stated, "We're at Blue Star. Can you make it?"
Damian scoffed, "I'm busy."
Karma, it seems, works just like that; a short while earlier she laughed at Christian's status, and now it was her turn to be humbled.
Before Damian could end the call, Ashley ignored Christian's derisive snicker and cut in, "There's trouble with Christian, and it needs your attention. It's highly confidential and too complex to talk over the phone. Why else would I be using his phone to call you?"
With that, Ashley hung up.
Seated across from her, Christian watched, nonchalantly. "What a senior counsel, always slick with words."
Ashley snapped back, "It’s called playing to your strengths. Besides, I wasn’t lying. This issue did start because of you."
Christian took up his glass and then, remembering his contempt, he replied, disgust evident as he tossed both the glass and its contents into the trash. "Just admit you're crafty and stop beating around the bush."
Not one for pointless bickering, Ashley preferred to save her breath.
All she could do now was bet on whether Damian would believe what she said.
"I can't waste the entire day putting off talking to you. You've got twenty minutes. Christian asserted I'm making the rules for the next game if Damian doesn’t show up."
Ashley lounged on the sofa, "Well, that depends on the actual impact you have on Damian. I made it sound pretty dire. If he can't be bothered to even glance your way, that speaks volumes about your so-called friendship. Save yourself the trouble of any grand gestures in the future."
The corner of Christian's mouth twitched. "Trying to rile me up? Setting a trap, are you?"
Ashley prayed that Christian would actually have an emergency within the next twenty minutes, better yet, that someone would come to drag him away.
"Sometimes I wonder if you're secretly infatuated with Damian. Ever since he and I tied the knot, you had been nothing but antagonistic toward me; it reeked of jealousy. If you can’t admit it, I'm happy to do it for you."
Cool and unhurried, Christian was all about portraying the tough guy, and this was a contest of toughness. "Oh? You figured that out, huh?"
Ashley persisted, saying, "It's rather unfortunate if you’re the one left grieving."
"To be honest I am quite taken with Damian’s intelligence, good looks, amazing physique, and let’s not forget he's insanely wealthy. If he were a woman, I’d chase him to the ends of the earth. Not for anything else, but just having someone with his level of charisma at home would be a feast for the eyes."
Slightly turning her head, Ashley smiled at him, "Oh, look at that, we do have something in common, 'Chase someone to the ends of the earth'. Been there, done that. And guess what? I succeeded."
Her guard was up, though her nonchalant manner and languid grace hid it well.
Christian stroked his chin, eyes moving from her furrowed brow to her lips. "You know what, Ashley, if it weren't for that thing with Damian, who knows, I might have fallen for you."
