Chapter 255: Upper East Side

Thursday, January 26th Evening

That morning she dropped an overnight bag off at the Legrand's. Trin reassured herself she would pack tomorrow night as she got into the shower. She's in a rush; getting out of work late will do that to you, especially since they're doing a full-court press for New York Fashion Week.

Getting out of the shower, she started to dry her hair and didn't even bother to put a towel around herself. Trin moved in hast and made mistakes, including tripping over the rug and landing on the bed. Frustrated, she got herself up in a sitting position and got up. Walking over to her closet, she picked out what she wanted to wear and laid them on the bed. Next, she went to her dresser for her intimates; they were from an exclusive line she likes, Rúnda Mhuire, and were custom fitted.

Quickly drying herself off, she took a seat at her vanity and quickly put on light makeup. Once finished, she put on her Rúnda Mhuire intimates and went after what she laid out on the bed. She slipped on a pair of stockings; she connected them to the garter belt. Putting on her white silk button-up shirt and black skirt, Trin made sure to drop a few buttons. Next, she found her favorite knee-high high-heeled boots and put them on. Once finished, she looked at herself in her full-length mirror and decided she looked like most professional women out on the city, and maybe even on the prowl. Trin smiled and ordered the UBER and grabbed her pocketbook and coat.

Trin rode the elevator down to the lobby. Once there, she talked with the desk person and the doorman. Neither commented or batted an eyelash at her or how she's dressed. They were veterans of this building, and probably other local women went out wearing worse, at one time probably one of her older sisters. Once her UBER arrived, Trin excused herself and went out to meet it.

Without exchanging words between Trin and the driver was her ride across. That's how she liked it. The local sports radio station played, and they were discussing the local hockey. Trin wasn't interested in the Rangers or the Islanders, definitely not the Devils; she was ride or die Hurricanes fan. Trin decided to maybe half-paid attention, only because they would play her beloved Hurricane's eventually.

Upon arrival, Trin settled up with the driver and headed towards her final destination. It was a small pub she liked named The Dutch Rose Pub. It was nice because the owner added a few decorations that harkened back to the days of New Amsterdam.

Trin walked into the basic pub and headed to the bar. She looked around to check out the patrons. Zav hadn't arrived yet, so she took a seat at the bar. She caught the bar tender's attention right away.

"Well, hello," the bartender said, trying to be suave, "What can I get you?"

"A Smithwicks," Trin said.

"Right away," The bartender said and went about pouring her a pint. He brought it over to her, and she paid cash. "Wow, cash," he said.

"Cash is king," Trin said.

"Just didn't expect it," the bartender said.

"Why wouldn't a queen use the king to pay?" Trin asked.

The bartender chuckled, "Good point," he said, hearing lines like that all the time.

"I'm good, and please make sure I'm not bothered," Trin said, her boss bitch voice tinted her speech.

"Yes, Ma'am," the bartender said, probably having heard the request before, and checked out his tip, shook his head, and walked away, not believing his luck. Trin figured he probably thought she was an Upper East Side Trophy Wife out for some excitement. Which to his credit, he was mostly right.

A woman in a business suit walked up and took a seat next to Trin. She looked over at Trin and nodded, knowing Trin didn't see her.

"How did I know you'd darken my doorstep sooner or later?" she asked.

Trin didn't move, took a sip from her pint glass, and stared ahead. Eventually, Trin's stone face cracked into a smile. "Hello, Ercilia," she said.

"What brings you here of all places?" Ercilia asked.

"It's small, intimate, and out of the way," Trin said.

"In other words, a hookup," Ercilia said.

Trin's smile grew broader. "Why are you so crass?" she asked, with a bit of a chuckle in her tone.

"Because I can," Ercilia laughed; Trin turned and looked at the woman and kept smiling.

"It's been too long, See," Trin said.

Ercilia laughed, "How's my favorite man?" she asked.

"Wyatt's great; I just needed a night before heading to Tree Hill," Trin said.

"What brings you back there?" Ercilia asked.

The bartender walked over, "Is there anything I can get you, Ms. Da-vid?" he asked.

"A bottle of water and privacy, Sean," Ercilia said, in a confident and commanding voice.

"Yes, Ms. Da-vid," the bartender said.

"Before we were interrupted, what sends you back to Tree Hill?" Ercilia asked.

"Something involving the local basketball team and an honor or something like that," Trin said.

"So, they're honoring your step-father," Ercilia said.

"He's not my step-father; he just lives in my mom's house," Trin said.

"I've seen them together; they have to be married," Ercilia said.

"They're not even together, See, and that would be weird as my sister is married to his son," Trin said.

Ercilia laughed, "What's wrong with that?" she asked.

"Nothing," Trin said, shrugging in defeat.

Ercilia smiled, knowing she beat Trin again. That was when Zav entered the bar and walked over to Trin.

"Hi Trin," Zav said.

Ercilia looked at him, "Who do we have here?" she asked.

Trin turned to look at Zav; she smiled, that famous dimpled smile of her family, "Zav, this is Ercilia Da-vid," she said, "See, this is my date, Zav."

"A pleasure, as you know, I detest being the third wheel, in most situations. So, please enjoy The Dutch Rose," Ercilia David id, and got up.

Zav smiled, "She seems, well, interesting," he said.

"See, is unique," Trin said.

"How do you know her?" Zav asked.

"We went to college together," Trin said, telling most of the truth.

"Ah!" Zav said.

Trin got off her stool, took her drink and coat. "Let's get a table, the food here is excellent, and I'm starving," she said.

"Does Ms. Da-vid have something to do with it?" Zav asked.

"Of course, it's her place," Trin said.

"Who don't you know?" Zav asked.

"I'll have to get back to you on that," Trin said, jokingly, as they headed towards the hostess station to request a table.

"You look stunning," Zav said.

"Thank you," Trin said.

"You're welcome," Zav said.

"Also, you've not seen anything yet," Trin said, wickedly.

"Yet?" Zav asked.

"Yes," Trin said, keeping her tone suggestive.

Zav swallowed hard as Trin requested a table.