Chapter 3

Trinity looked triumphantly at her parents' disbelief. Now all she needed was to find a good excuse to get out of that place. She looked at the glass of wine right in front of her and deliberately tripped it over, pretending to reach out for more of the potatoes placed in front of her. The red drink immediately stained the cream coloured dress she wore.

"How clumsy of you! You can't even act right in another's home." Her mother chided glaringly while her father simply shook his head and took another bite of his food.

"This is a lifetime opportunity for you, Trinity. I dare you to screw it up." Mr Everton spoke icily with a piercing gaze. Trinity knew that look, it was a look of unconcealed disdain, with a subtle promise of making sure she suffered. Even though Regina was hateful, her father, Paul, was something worse. Underlying the fake smiles and persona he showed people, there was a hidden ruthlessness about him nobody except his family saw.

"I'll get myself cleaned." Trinity said, averting her eyes and excusing herself as she asked one of the maids for directions to the bathroom, not that she was really going there.

Sneaking out into the salon and out the front door, she took a stroll while trying to enjoy the night air. She had to hand it to the D'alores, their taste in architecture was very well refined. On the drive into the mansion, she had spotted a nice looking garden just a minute after the security booth. She thought about going there to clear her head and maybe smoke a stick or two of the cigarettes she had packed into her purse. She also thought about how angry she would make her controlling parents if she did that.

"Fuck it." She sighed as pulled out a cigarette stick and lighter from her purse. She flicked the metal spark wheel and lighted the roll, and soon she was exhaling thick white smoke into the wind. She walked towards the garden she had seen earlier in hopes to calm her nerves.

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Daniel cursed himself in aggravation as the black sports car he drove slowly came to a halt. Of all the times he desperately needed to take his car for a drive, this was when it decided to have a flat tire. His conversation on the phone earlier had been with his friend Troy who also worked with him back in Washington. He had told Troy to book him an immediate flight back to his place at Seattle and he was supposed to be on his way to the airport at that moment but instead, he was stuck groaning in frustration beside the security cabin. He brought out his phone and texted Troy.

Nevermind, cancel the flight.

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As She approached the willow trees in the garden, Trinity didn't feel like stopping to soak in the feel of the breeze against her skin. She didn't want to hear the leaves rustling in the little shrubs or smell the tulips that surrounded the environment, she just wanted to walk and not have to stop walking. Maybe if she could get far enough, they wouldn't bother to look for her in the end. Her legs, cold from being exposed to the wind because of the short dress she wore, carried her towards the beginning of the entryway to the D'alores mansion. She kept walking until she spotted the white lights at the security booth and a black Aston Martin. Her pace slowed, realising in nervousness that she was about to get caught escaping. Just then, the front door of the car opened and someone's right leg reluctantly stepped out. For a moment all she saw was the person's one leg before whoever it was decided to fully step out. Even with the lights from the cabin, it was still dark from where she stood but she caught the frame of a tall male, about six and a half foot tall, wearing a black shirt. He combed through his hair with his fingers and cursed slightly while seemingly texting someone on his phone.

"Shit." Trinity said as she realised who that was. She stepped forward into the light.

"So you're running away too I guess." She said aloud.

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Daniel turned to look at the person who suddenly said something out of the dark. He was startled and even almost bracing himself in case there was an abrupt attack. But….. she was just a girl. A young and fairy looking female with brown hair, brown eyes and a little too much makeup. Daniel squinted his eyes in confusion, who was she and where did she come from? Or was she one of the guests? Could she possibly be…?

"I see you're running away too." She said again as she walked closer to him. "Why? Do you not find your soon to be bride attractive?" She smiled a little.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Daniel asked in honest cluelessness.

"I'm guessing I'm your supposed wife to be." She extended her hand for a shake "and you must be Mr. Husband."

Daniel was lost for words. He looked at her from head to toe, the attitude offending her. She retracted her hand and put them into the little pockets of her jacket. She looked like she was in her mid twenties, beautiful and ageless and one wouldn't have guessed she was the one who had all the scandals about her. She looked so innocent to him.

"It's impolite to stare." She cleared her throat but all he did was look at her still. "Don't worry about it, I don't plan on marrying you either. My parents can be very controlling but this is crossing the line. I won't get in your way. Heck, you probably won't even see me after tonight."

"And where do you plan on going?" Daniel spoke for the first time since seeing her.

"You, sir, do not have to worry about that." She said and there was silence. He had his hands in his pockets while she stared down at her heels as she rested against the car.

The silence was awkward but they both felt safe in it. "Hey, since you're on your way to God knows where, do you mind giving me a ride?"

"I'm planning my getaway, figure yours out." He replied and looked at his ringing phone. It was the umpteenth time his parents were calling and texting him, wondering about his whereabouts.

He shoved his phone back into his pocket and turned around to kick his flat tire in annoyance. Just then, a man walked up to them. He was gruffly built and muscular, towering Daniel just a few inches taller and having a toned skin complexion. It was Daniel's bodyguard Ron, and he had come looking for his boss by strict orders of Mr and Mrs D'alore.

"Everyone is looking for you, sir." He said in a deep voice and handed his phone over to Daniel. His mother was on the other end of the call. Daniel reluctantly took it from him

"Danny? Danny?! Are you there?" His mother screeched hysterically.

"Yes mother." Daniel answered, pinching his forehead. He swore he was losing his mind.

"What is wrong with you?" Margerie bickered.

"What is wrong with me? What's wrong with you?"

Trinity smiled to herself. Ron, the bodyguard watched her judgingly. Figuring from the reputation she already had, Trinity guessed the buff guy wasn't a fan of hers.

Daniel heard his father collect the phone and was immediately hit with the loud angry voice of the old man. "You're out of your mind for pulling this stunt. I'm going to -"

Daniel didn't wait to hear the rest of what he was going to say and cut the call. He gave Ron his phone back and they all stood in silence.

"What are your other options now?" Trinity asked, breaking the silence.

Daniel looked carefully at her, it made her cringe.

"My other option is to get rid of you. For good." He said blankly while closing in on her, his eyes fixed directly into hers as she looked up into his.

To her, he looked extremely good looking. His black hair fell out of place, covering a part of his face. A muscle worked in his jaw and Trinity wished she was more alarmed than she felt in the moment.

Daniel looked at his trusted bodyguard who was ready to do anything he wanted him to do. Ron was always at his beck and call. What if he actually made her disappear?

"Wait wait wait wait." Trinity laughed as she suddenly realised a part of him might have been serious. "Hold up. You can't possibly think you'll get rid of me. Do you know who my father is?" She chirped naively.

"From the looks of it, I think your parents already want to get rid of you. I think I might be able to make it a lot more easier for them."

He wasn't really thinking about murdering her, he just wanted her gone. He thought about sending her somewhere off in his other car, and Ron could be the one to drive her there- wherever it was she would go.

Trinity stared at him for a moment. "Or what if we got legally married instead?"

"What a smart idea, I wish someone had mentioned that earlier before." Daniel said mockingly.

"That's all what it would be. We wouldn't have to see each other afterwards. We would see other people and divorce when the deal has been settled.

"You really think my father won't hesitate to cross out the entire deal the second he knows we got divorced."

"It doesn't have to be public knowledge."

The silence continued again.

"I mean, what other choice do you have?"

It was the last thing Trinity said when they saw two cars drive up to the cabin. The white jeep in front came to a stop and the windows slowly rolled down, revealing the angry faces of Mr and Mrs Everton. The second car behind stopped immediately and the first person to step out was Margerie. She looked very anxious but also relieved.

"Oh my, Daniel." She said breathlessly as she walked up to him. Daniel could tell that they had been panicking as they stood a chance to lose the contract. That was what mattered to them.

Margerie looked surprised as she saw Trinity beside her son. "It seems you've finally met."

Regina and Paul got down from their jeep and approached the couple. They had run out of patience and they were shooting daggers at Trinity.

"And where have you been?" Paul asked Trinity furiously.

"Just getting to know the love of my life." Trinity replied and Daniel shook his head while losing the last thread that held his temper together.

"I'm so sorry about tonight, Regina." Margerie begged on behalf of her son. The Evertons looked like they could be spared the unnecessary begging. All they needed to know was if this was happening or not.

Trinity read the looks on their faces. She knew this was going to end up bad for everyone. Daniel was thinking the same thing.

"We've decided." Daniel spoke, barely looking anyone in the face. "We're gonna do it."

Trinity smiled in relief as Mrs D'alore made a shrill noise in excitement. George himself was laughing out of relief as he turned to give a reassuring glance at Paul. They wouldn't lose the contract after all.

The Evertons simply gave a "hmph" and went back into their cars. "Get in Trinity", ordered Paul sternly.

The D'alores hoped they would hear from them soon as the jeep's engine revved on.

"The preparations will be made for Wednesday" Paul said. "Make sure your son doesn't try to run away again."

They all watched as the jeep drove off. Daniel was already squinting at the words he was yet to receive. Margerie gave him a look of unbelief first, then his father gave him a murderous look.