Chapter 4
Everything surrounding Trinidad Aleman sparks great curiosity in Eliot Galvan, perhaps that's why he likes the woman not only for her attractiveness but for all the air of mystery around her.
The subtle perfume emanating from her and her elegant way of moving only increase this fascination.
Since he's known her, he's barely managed to learn anything about her beyond the little Trinidad has told him.
He's searched for her on social media and can't find her, though this doesn't worry him because she's probably using initials or some code name so only her closest contacts can find her, but what has surprised him is that she wouldn't tell him where she lives so he could pick her up as he's used to doing, instead, she and her driver picked him up at his house to go together to the charity gala.
In any case, Eliot hasn't made any comment about it, he's satisfied that Trinidad has finally agreed to go out with him.
"You don't know how happy it makes me that you're accompanying me," Eliot says smiling sincerely and kindly, while observing the dress that Trinidad wears with a seeming natural elegance.
Trinidad returns a smile without showing her teeth.
She doesn't feel entirely comfortable despite Eliot being very polite and respecting her space at all times, but Trinidad has avoided going out for too long unless absolutely necessary because she doesn't want to take unnecessary risks.
However, the other day, when talking with Adrian and he reminded her that she needs to clear her mind and do something not only related to work, she felt like disconnecting, and most importantly, Benjamin agreed when she mentioned it to him.
"You hired me for something, you focus on enjoying yourself, I'll take care of the rest," he assured her while driving, adjusting the rearview mirror for a better view of the surroundings, something he always does.
The rest is simply being her shadow, never losing sight of her under any circumstances, because Trinidad is very aware that a single second could cost her dearly.
"Where will the raised funds go?" Trinidad asks avoiding responding to Eliot.
"To various centers helping abused women."
Benjamin and Trinidad exchange a quick look through the central rearview mirror. Eliot, without knowing it, has just captured the businesswoman's full attention.
"The organizer is Ursula Monte, I don't know if you've heard of her," Eliot continues explaining, "she inherited an empire from her father that her late husband managed while she dedicated herself to creating charitable organizations.
She has quite a few, and most are intended for women.
My family has been making donations for five years and we usually attend all the fundraisers, this one fell to me, and I'll be the envy of everyone when they see me enter with such a spectacular woman like you," he says, and smiles again.
Trinidad sighs a bit uncomfortable. In Eliot's gaze there isn't a hint of lewdness or perversion, only admiration and happiness.
Somehow, with him she feels safe, she senses he'll never try anything if she doesn't give him reason to, that's why she feels bad with herself, because she's aware that the man in front of her feels something for her, and she's only used him to leave the cave where she secludes herself after work to socialize a little before returning to it.
When they arrive, Eliot makes no mention of having Benjamin stuck to them.
Trinidad has already told him he's her bodyguard and will go anywhere she goes.
Like Adrian, Eliot understands that Trinidad doesn't feel secure given her financial status, but it seems excessive that she won't dismiss her man at an event that already has hired security.
Eliot introduces her to some people and they both have cocktails during the appetizer while chatting. Trinidad doesn't feel uncomfortable with him, if she doesn't want to answer something, she deflects the topic and Eliot doesn't insist, which she appreciates.
"That's Ursula Monte," Eliot explains nodding toward a group of three women, "the one in the center."
Trinidad looks and sees that the woman he's talking about is holding hands with the one on her left and that the one on her right is whispering things discretely while checking something on a tablet.
"I'll introduce you later if we have the chance, she's very pleasant, I'm sure you'll like meeting her."
Trinidad nods and they sit down for dinner. When they finish, it's time for the speech and Ursula, elegant and with her usual confidence, stands up and climbs onto the small stage to position herself in front of a podium.
For the next eight minutes, all the diners listen to her with rapt attention, especially Trinidad, to whom Ursula hasn't seemed like the typical rich and boring woman seeking her minutes of glory by organizing dinners like this.
The woman who started the speech with a script and in the end left it and continues speaking from her heart, does what she does because she feels it, because she truly believes in what she's created and wants to help all those women.
"Excuse me for a moment?" Trinidad says to Eliot as soon as Ursula finishes her speech.
He nods to nothing, because Trinidad hasn't waited for his response and has already stood up and started walking with Benjamin stuck to her back.
"I loved it, even though you completely ignored the speech we prepared," Maria tells Ursula when she comes down from the stage.
"Sorry, you know sometimes I get emotional and go off on my own," the hostess apologizes while looking for Mildred.
"Excuse me," a woman who appears in front of them captures Ursula's attention, "my name is Trinidad Aleman, could I speak with you alone for a moment?"
"It's a pleasure, Trinidad," Ursula says while shaking her hand, "you can speak in front of Maria, she's my personal assistant and a good friend."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to do it alone," Trinidad insists, who distrusts everyone, "I'd like to propose something to you."
"It's fine, Ursula, I'll go find Mildred," Maria says drilling Trinidad with her gaze.
The assistant reaches the table where Mildred is and sits next to her without hiding her bad mood.
"What an idiot," she mutters crossing one leg over the other while watching the two women.
"Who is she?" Mildred asks intrigued.
"I have no idea. A stuck-up trying to be interesting. Can you believe she asked Ursula to speak alone? What does she think? That she won't tell me afterward? I'm her lawyer, Ursula won't do anything that doesn't go through me first," she concludes angrily.
"Relax, you'll talk to Ursula later," Mildred tries to downplay it, knowing how much it bothers Maria to feel excluded when it comes to work.
"I am relaxed," Maria snorts.
"I can see that," Mildred holds back her laughter.
"Shall we sit?" Ursula asks Trinidad.
The businesswoman nods and they both head to an empty table. Ursula notices the gray-haired man in a suit who remains standing right behind Trinidad's chair, but makes no comment.
"Go ahead," Ursula invites her to speak.
"I've seen what you do and I like it," Trinidad gets straight to the point.
"Thank you."
"I propose taking it a step further," she says and this time she captures Ursula's attention.
"I'm listening."
"I've been thinking for quite some time about buying buildings abroad, countries like France, England or Italy, we'd have to look into it, to help women at extreme risk, those who have nowhere to hide from their psychopathic husbands.
The idea would be to convert these buildings into a kind of hostel, like a community, where they can stay while they get new identities, learn the language and are helped to find employment. "
"Get them a new life to start from scratch somewhere else," Ursula summarizes.
"Exactly. They would be supervised buildings, I suppose, with staff to help them with everything. I don't understand this, Ursula, I don't know how it works, but you're already deeply involved. With your knowledge and my money, we could help all those women."
"I like it," Ursula nods and Trinidad smiles.
"Great, then I won't take up more of your time since you're in high demand tonight. If you'd like, we can meet another time and discuss it more carefully."
"Of course," Ursula doesn't have cards or her phone with her, so Trinidad gestures to Benjamin and he gives her one of his.
"Here, call me when you can," Trinidad says. "Now, get all the money you can from them."
"I assure you I will," Ursula smiles and shakes her hand again.
Maria, who hasn't stopped watching them, narrows her eyes and stands up with the intention of interrogating her boss as soon as she can.