No Longer Surprised

Class started with roll call, then a briefing and an activity, before moving on to consultation time. While the other groups had their consultation, Trinity’s group discussed whether they needed to meet for a rehearsal.

“I’m fine without one.” Olivia said. Drew and Timothy shrugged.

Trinity spoke up. “Can we have at least one rehearsal? I’m sure you guys have worked together before so you know each other styles, but this is my first time working with you guys?”

“That’s true.” Timothy said. They looked at Olivia and Olivia looked at Trinity.

“How about we just before tutorial then? 30 minutes should be enough.”

Trinity smiled gratefully. “Yep, that’d be great. Thanks!”

Olivia beamed. “Okay, let’s go then! Trinity, we’re going for a movie. Join us!”

“Oh! Thanks for inviting me but I have somewhere else I have to be at.” She smiled apologetically.

“Oh… Well, next time then! Okay?”

“Hopefully! Enjoy your movie!”

The group parted ways outside class. Trinity headed off in the opposite direction and again circled around to the carpark. She dragged her feet and walked very slowly. Since she left class early, Phil may not be here yet. For the first time, she was not rushing from one place to the next. She took a good look around campus and noticed the beauty of the plants and architecture that she had always missed.

“Trinity.”

She jumped at the clear and deep voice and looked at the tall man in front of her.

“Phil? You’re already here?”

He nodded. “Shall we go?”

Trinity nodded. “Do you ever leave school?”

“Not really. We attended school before. We know how classes are like.”

“Oh. … Still, how did you know I left class?”

Phil kept quiet.

Understanding the reason for this sort of response by now, Trinity quickly guessed the answer. “Is there a tracker on me?” Somehow, she was no longer angry. She felt more defeated than anything. She sighed.

Phil noticed that her sigh was heavier than usual. “Did something happen in class?”

Trinity passed Phil her phone that showed her Instagram profile. “This. Would this affect anything?”

“Someone created it for you?”

“Yeah.”

“Who?”

“Some groupmate. Does it matter?”

“It matters more than you creating a social media profile. So who was it? Timothy? Olivia? Drew?”

“Olivia. She- Wait. I don’t remember telling you who my group mates were. How do you know?”

Phil went quiet again.

Trinity no longer showed any reaction.

“You adapt fast.” Phil said in an attempt to change the topic.

“What else can I do?” She said in a flat tone. “I guess you should also know that Timothy was the one who taught me a little about how to use my MacBook. And that they’ve been calling me nice and cute since yesterday.”

Phil fell silent. Upon reaching the van, he finally spoke softly while opening the door for her. “Thank you. It actually does help.”

“Don’t mention it.” She mumbled.

During the drive, Phil tried to start a conversation. “Erm… How was class?”

“Normal.”

“How’s your work?”

“Same as usual.”

Phil caught the slight change in her tone. It sounded more emotionally charged.

“Not going well?”

Trinity hesitated but eventually gave in and ranted, “I worked the hardest and the longest on our project. They barely looked through a few sources and sites and WIKIPEDIA, yet I’M the one whose part needs further work on!” Tears sprung to her eyes in frustration.

“Ugh, forget it.” She roughly wiped her eyes. “This is why I hate joining groups like that.” She grumbled under her breath. She shut her eyes and slammed her head against the seat.

Phil understood her cue that the conversation had ended.

The moment the van parked, Trinity got off the van and headed to the main door. Phil quickly caught up to her. “I don’t feel like having dinner today.” Trinity said softly then left for her room.

When she did not hear footsteps following her, she relaxed. She frowned and sighed. “I need a nap…” She whispered to herself while pinching the area between her eyebrows.

She went straight into the attached bathroom and took a hot shower. Not wanting history to repeat itself, she avoided indulging herself in a hot bath.

Trinity slowly walked to the balcony while drying her hair. A forlorn look entered her eyes while she gazed at the sun setting beyond the horizon of the beach. The chirping of the birds returning home did nothing to cheer her up. Her hand gradually stopped moving and she turned away from the view.

She fell onto the bed face first then adjusted herself into a foetus position before falling asleep that way.

The next time she woke up, she could hear the faint sound of crickets outside the balcony. The room was covered in darkness with very faint moonlight streaming in from the balcony. She checked the time on her phone. “Alright, back to work.” Trinity lit her way to the switches with the flashlight on her phone, then turned on the light in her room.

She took out her study materials and revised her part for the group project.

The sound of footsteps attracted Trinity’s attention to the door. She jumped when she found Phil right behind her. “Care for some supper?” He lifted the silver tray in his hands. A steaming hot drink and fruit tart laid on it.

Trinity smiled a little. “Thank you, Phil.” She created some space on her bed for him to place the tray down.

“No need. Glad to see that you’re feeling better.”

“What tea is this?” She brought the cup close to her lips and breathed in the scent.

“Chamomile. Is that okay?”

“Yes it is.” She laughed lightly. “Thank you. You’re really thoughtful.”

Phil opened his mouth to say something but seemed to hesitate. He closed his mouth, then opened it again. “Please, don’t mention it. I’ll come back later.”

Trinity nodded and Phil took his leave.

She sipped on the hot tea. Her stomach started to grumble as her appetite kicked in. While she enjoyed the fruit tart, she wondered to herself if it was homemade or bought. /The serving’s large. They’re so generous with the fruits too./ She laughed a little as she took another bite.

When she was done, she picked up the tray and left her room. Dim light streamed out from the bottom of the door leading into Damien’s study. Phil appeared in the corridor. “I got this.” He said while taking the tray from her.

“Damien’s back?”

Phil nodded. “Since a while ago.”

“So there are days when he’s out for the whole day huh.”

“It’s rare but yes it happens.”

“Alright. Goodnight Phil.”

“Goodnight.” He nodded then watched her leave before taking his leave as well.

After Phil washed the dishes, he headed to Damien’s study. He knocked twice then entered without waiting to be summoned. The only light in the room came from Damien’s MacBook and table lamp. A rare smile graced Damien’s lips but his eyes looked as cold as ever.

“I see that it’s successful?”

“Naturally.” Damien turned his MacBook around so that Phil could see the screen. Reports about the downfall of the Lorraine Sisters made headlines. A competitor who was more youthful and talented had entered the tailoring scene and set up shop directly opposite all their branches. It was a blatant declaration of war. It received a lot of attention. The Lorraine Sisters steadily lost their customers. More and more bad reviews about their superficial, selective, and snobbish attitudes surfaced. Their reputation got completely ruined and their business finally closed with no hope of redemption.

“I’m always learning new things thanks to you.” Phil smiled brightly. His eyes lit up with joy and gratitude.

“Well, there’s just so many people to crush in so many ways.” Damien turned the MacBook back.

“New ones just keep serving themselves to us on a silver platter.”

“Exactly.”

Phil stood there with Damien, giddy with happiness. It was only after Phil calmed down did he speak again. “Trinity’s feeling better now.”

Damien nodded. “You can retire for the day if there’s nothing else.”

“Goodnight, Mr Wu.”

Damien looked up and saw Phil’s bright hopeful eyes. /Still so innocent./

He looked back down and mumbled. “Goodnight, Phil.”

Phil breathed in deeply and puffed up his chest then left with a spring in his step.