Dmitri had definitely stayed true to his word. He'd accompanied her each day for the duration of their stay in Hawaii, planning everything meticulously starting from what activity they were going to do right down to the restaurant they were going to eat at.
They'd done everything one possibly could do on a vacation to Hawaii and much more. They'd gone for an open door helicopter ride, snorkeling, cliff diving, night diving, paragliding, sunset dinner sail, mountain tubing- you name it and they'd probably done it, all in the span of a week.
Only, they'd never spent the nights together.
Each evening after dinner, almost as if by an unspoken agreement, he'd leave the room and then return each morning before Trinity woke up.
No one talked about it. Trinity didn't ask what he did in his time away from her and Dmitri had extended her the same courtesy.
"Oh, honey, you didn't have to," Valéry smiled as Trinity handed her the black pearl pendant which she was told the place was famous for."And I've got chocolate covered macadamia nuts for the twins and a bottle of Hula O Maui for Stefan," Trinity said instead, taking the items out and placing them on the table as she did so.It was a weekday, the day just after the couple had returned from their trip. And Trinity had decided to meet up with everyone and hand over their gifts while Dmitri went back to work. That way she had the perfect excuse to see everyone. Since Valéry was one of the most important one and if she went to see her she'd also be able to see the twins and Stefan, she'd decided to come here first. Unfortunately for her though, she was only able to meet Valéry. The twins had gone to school while Stefan had gone to his office."That's so sweet of you, dear. What did you get for yourself though?" Valéry
"Took you long enough to get here. I take it I'm the last person you've come to see?" Casey tried to act offended as Trinity made her way into her former apartment but ended up giving her best friend a tight hug as soon as she was within arm's reach."I missed you too, Case," Trinity hugged her back just as tightly."Who said anything about missing you?" Came Casey's muffled reply, making Trinity chuckle."Okay, okay, no one missed anyone.""That's what I like to hear," Casey grinned, pulling back."Look at you, though, all tanned and stuff. Just how much time did you spend at the beach, huh?" Casey asked, a playful glint in her eyes as she took her best friend in.Trinity laughed. "Pretty much all of it? I did have twenty one years to make up for.""I knew it was the best place to take you to. Dmitri had actually want
"So, is that it?" Tyler asked, folding one leg over the other as he leaned back in his seat with a loud sigh."I think so," Trinity answered, going over the file once again just in case they'd missed something.Valéry had sent over her fully equipped planning committee to their penthouse first thing next morning as soon as she knew Dmitri had left for the day to plan for his upcoming party.Trinity had given all four of them a task each before sending them off. She herself had taken on the herculean task of finalising the guest list.Thanks to Tina and all the information about anyone and everyone important that she'd provided Trinity with before her first public appearance, she was able to draft a rough list. But she did need someone with an expert eye to go over it in case she'd missed someone.Since Tina and Valéry both had been busy with someth
"This is the last one on the list. I really hope this is the one or we're screwed," Trinity said as Tyler pulled up into the driveway of the last venue on the list of venues the planning committee had come up with for Trinity to go over and finalize on a venue.Sure, she could've just picked one out at random and be done with it, but she wanted everything to be as close to perfect as it could get. So she'd decided to go see them on her own.When she'd told Tyler that, he'd told her that he would come with her to keep her company and also help her decide on a place.The scene was set from the moment they turned into the driveway of Honeycomb Park. The magnificent mile long lime and beech avenue stood like a guard of honour gently guiding the pair to the graciously restored Palladian mansion.Enveloped within its own classical gardens and extensive parkland, the relaxed elegance of the quintessential
"What do you think about this one?" Casey asked, putting on a neon blue sparkly dress to her front and twirling around a little."If you're going for the hooker look, then sure.""Didn't know missing someone made you a fashion disaster too."Trinity pouted. "I'm not missing anyone.""Yeah, right. Then why, pray tell, are you here on a Friday night for a girls night out when you could've been sleeping or doing some wifely duties of your own?" Casey prompted, raising a brow at her best friend."Wifely duties? Really?" Trinity asked rhetorically."That's beside the point.""And the point is?""That you're missing Dmitri like crazy."Trinity huffed, throwing her hands up. "Fiiine. I am. There, I said it. You happy now?"Casey grinned. "Very. Now quit sulk
Trinity blinked at him. "What do you mean you want me to come home with you?""I mean exactly what you think I mean. I've always really liked you, Tri. But then I saw what you and Dmitri share and I thought I should leave you guys be. Let you guys have a chance at a happy life, ya know? I thought Dmitri would realise how great you are and leave Sam. But that's not happening and I can see that it's hurting you even though you try to hide it. He told me about what happened at your honeymoon. So I figured why not give us a try. I realise how amazing you are and I want to give you everything you deserve and much more," Tyler explained patiently.For someone who had had as many drinks as he had, he sure was articulate enough. "And before you go ahead and say something, no, I am not as drunk as you think you are. I have a very high tolerance for alcohol so these few shots haven't done much." He added, making sure she wouldn't think o
"Is something wrong?" Trinity rushed over to the group of people standing off to the side of the bar, worried over the fast forming crowd that something was wrong.Tina noticed her approaching and walked over to her. "Everything is just fine, Trinity! Calm the hell down! Six people standing in a circle isn't something to get worried over. They're just talking."Trinity sighed, smoothening her hands down her shimmering golden fishtail gown nervously. "I know. It's just that today is a really big day for Dmitri and I helped plan this party and I want everything to-""-go on smoothly. Yes, we know. You've only said it about a million times this past week. You need to calm down, Trinity. The party has already started, Dmitri is happy, his mom is happy, the board of directors is happy. Everyone is having a great time and you've done a great job. Now, sit back, relax and enjoy." Tina said, patting her shoulders f
Dmitri didn't come home that night.Even though he had returned a few minutes after he'd gone after Samantha and stood by Trinity's side for the rest of the night, he'd been distant. He was right there next to her the whole time, but at the same time, he wasn't. It wasn't that he was acting weird, but the difference was there and only someone who knew him closely could tell. The shift was much too subtle but it was there in the way his smile didn't reach his eyes or the way his laugh sounded almost plastic. Tyler noticed it too, for he shot Trinity a confused look, which she returned with an almost sad shake of her head.The hold Samantha had over her husband was much too strong for her to even think of competing with. She was delusional if she ever for a second thought Dmitri felt anything for her. If he had, he wouldn't be feeling as guilty as he was right then, so much so that he was almost hesitant when doing something as simple as ho