BASH
I stare at her as I try to process what I just found out, but she doesn't meet my gaze anymore. Her attention is on the fucking iPad that I tossed down the chair.
I can't stay with her in the same room anymore as jealousy seared me from inside.
I sprint towards the door and slam it behind me. I almost collide with Lizzy when I walk my way to the conference room.
"Bash, we are about to start in less than two minutes. Get inside and take a seat."
I shove my hand in my pocket and look at the monolithic view of the building outside, ignoring Lizzy's voice.
Pressing my lips into a thin line and slumping my shoulders in defeat, I swallow hard the lump in my throat.
The shocking truth I discovered is another reality I must face. And it hurts like a motherfucker.
I lost Trinity forever.
What's the point of coming back?
I don't answer my sister.
"Bash, you okay?" she asks with a worried tone of a sister like she used to when we were just kids. I feel a hand rubbing my back.
I debate whether I tell her what I found out, but knowing Lizzy, she might have figured it out already.
I look down at her five-foot-eight inches frame.
I shake my head. "I will never be okay, Lizzy."
"You will be, Bash. You will be, and you should be. It's never been too late," she says and walks away, leaving me alone with these glass windows.
The meeting goes well, as I expect, and I can't help but steal glances at Trinity, whose busy writing something on the notepad.
I found out she didn't follow her dream of being an architect. Instead, she chose to study business management.
She must have studied hard to pass them because she hated numbers in every way possible.
I walk out of the conference door after talking with Dad for a few minutes.
"Leaving already?"
I Look at Dean, marching toward me.
I give him a smile and a nod. "Yeah. First day sucks, and I still have jet-lagged. I think I'm excused, right?"
He laughs. "Bash, you owned 15% of this company, and your family owns the majority. You can work your fat ass on the yacht in the middle of the Caribbean. Nobody cares."
I shake my head in amusement. "Like my dad would agree."
"I'm always free for a good talk, Bash. Just call me." He pats my shoulder.
"I keep that in mind. Thanks, Dean. You're not bad, after all."
"I know you don't like me, or maybe you don't trust me for your sister, but I can't blame you for being an overprotective brother over her, but man, I love her with all my life, and I don't care if you are against us or not, and it's not that you are gonna stop me from loving Liz."
"Got to go before we fall in love with each other."
He laughs again. "You will be fine. It's not too late, Bash."
Remind me to strangle my big sister.
***
"Bash, I think we should go home now. You've wasted, man." Edmund grips my arms as he guides me out of the bar.
I've been drinking my ass and getting into the tequila shots challenge with the girls. I'm lightweight. Maybe that's why the alcohol kicks in quickly.
"I can still handle some shots, Edmund boy," I slur.
"Say no more, drunk-ass. I'll lose my job because of you, baby bash."
I punch his arm. "Stop calling me baby Bash, or I will light your ass on fire."
He chuckles. My half-opened eyes flutter close as soon as I get in the car.
"Night, Edmund."
"Just give it a rest." He barks out laughing from the front seat. Then I hear the music playing in the speaker.
***
My hundred pounds of eyes are forced to crack open when I hear the doorbell ring repeatedly. My head is pounding with headaches when I abruptly sit on the edge of my bed.
I rub my throbbing temples. Whoever is on that door better have a good reason to bombard my penthouse. I'm sure it's my family. They are the only ones who have passed to be here without interfering with security.
I swallow the two tablets on my nightstand and gulp the still-cold water in the glass. I feel relief as the water runs down my parch and achy throat.
I lick my dry lips as I walk with a lazy pace to my living room toward the door, still rubbing my heavy eyes. I hear the doorbell goes off again.
"Coming. Damn it!"
I press some keys to unlock and open the door.
"Can't you be a little patient?" My voice is still groggy.
I narrow my eyes as I irritably leave the door open and turn around on my heel without looking at whoever is at the door.
My body stiffens when hearing a gasp at my back. I turn only to see Trinity looks shocked with her hands on her mouth.
I stand frozen in my place as if I have turned into an ice statue under the blazing sun. I remember not wearing a shirt, only my pants from yesterday.
Trinity doesn't move a muscle, but she keeps staring at me without blinking.
"Trinity, please, come in. And close the door behind you. I'll just put a shirt on." I clear my throat before walking away from her.
"Oh, my God."
I ignored the flutter in my belly to her reaction. For whatever it is, I know my body is in good shape. "Have a seat, Trinity. Be down in a bit."
I wash my face with cold water when I feel stings on my back. I stretch my arms wider, and it pricks my skin as if I get a sunburn. I reach my hand to touch my back, which hurts a lot.
I groan in annoyance.
My jaw ticks when last night's vague events flash back at me like cold water.
"Fuck! What the hell have I done?" I turn to let my back face the mirror.
I gape when I see what's on my back.
A fucking tattoo.