Chapter Nine: My Pseudo Family

Trina’s POV

My heart was racing as I hurriedly made my way back to our table at the coffeehouse. However, to my surprise, both Justin and his fan or rather, lady admirer were nowhere to be found.

Without wasting another second, I quickly exited the coffeehouse and walked as fast as I could to Justin's waiting car. As soon as the Mercedes came into view, I saw Justin and Eleanor high fiving each other with huge grins on their faces. Hmm, something seems fishy here…

I quickly scanned my eyes all over the area, searching for the lady who had been fan-girling over Justin earlier but she was nowhere to be seen and that only heightened my suspicions. Momentarily forgetting about the embarrassing scene I just left behind, I asked them in a suspicious tone.

“What's going on here? And where's that pretty lady I left you chatting with, Justin? Your huge fan?”

Running a hand through his blonde hair, Justin chuckled, "Oh, she already left. You wouldn't believe what happened."

My head instantly snapped towards Eleanor, giving her a questioning look with one of my brows raised. Even without being told, I know my mischievous little munchkin has been up to no good once again.

“What did you do this time around, Ella?”

The grin on her cute face widened as those light blue eyes, identical to mine, sparkled with mischief.

“Nothing much, mommy! I just put that woman into her rightful place. Right, Daddy?” she concluded, with a conspiratorial smile at Justin, emphasizing on the “Daddy”.

“Quite true, my little princess!” He played along, winking at her

before adding, “We make such a great team, don’t we?”

“Oh yes, we do!” Eleanor enthusiastically agreed, high fiving him once again.

Crossing my arms across my chest, I tried to put on an intimidating pose as I said in a voice that wasn't as stern as I wanted it to be. “You had better start explaining. Both of you.”

Eleanor just looked at Justin, as if silently asking him to do the honors and so he chuckled once again. “You really missed out, Tri! After you left, I texted Jeffrey, my chauffeur, to send Ella over. And this sweet little angel understood the situation and what she needed to do as soon as she arrived. The first thing she did upon her arrival was to address me as ‘daddy’ and ask me where her mommy is. Then, turning to the lady, she asked her if she had met her mom and had she seen what a perfect couple her parents— you and I make, blablabla. That we are the world's most perfectly matched couple ever!”

As I turned to face Eleanor with widened eyes, Justin quickly added. “That's not all. She even told the lady that we're expecting our second baby– her younger brother!”

My jaw dropped in shock but to my surprise, Justin was just grinning like a Cheshire cat. "You should have seen it, Trina!" he added, barely containing his laughter. "Ella was really so convincing! That woman couldn't leave fast enough!"

Shaking my head, I sighed deeply, torn between amusement and embarrassment. "Ella, sweetie, what did we say about lying? That wasn't very nice..."

"But it was cute, very cute!" interjected Justin, ruffling Eleanor's hair affectionately.

Scoffing, I just shook my head in resignation before getting into the car, making a mental note to talk to Eleanor later. Though I hate disappointing my beloved daughter, I just have to do so this time around. Justin is way beyond our league so he can't be her daddy.

As the chauffeur drove along the familiar streets, I couldn't even bring myself to look through the window at the homeland I’m returning to after six years as my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead of me now that I’m back. On the contrary, Eleanor was excitedly chatting with Justin, asking him countless questions about everything and everywhere we passed. As if sensing my inner turmoil, Justin turned to me and asked.

"So, what are your plans now, Trina? Have you thought about what you're going to do?"

I took a deep breath before responding to him. "I can't depend on my father anymore, that's for sure. He and that greedy witch of a stepmother... I'll get everything back from them one day, I swear it. But for now, I need to make my own way."

Justin nodded in understanding, his expression serious. "Listen, if you need any help, I'd be more than happy to lend you some money to get started..."

"That's so sweet and kind of you, Justin, but I've already got something lined up. I have an interview slated for tomorrow for a managerial position at Sunnyville Hotel. You remember my mentor in France, Mr. Pierre? Well, he's the one who set it up for me."

Justin's eyebrows shot up, clearly impressed. "Wow, The Sunnyville Hotel? That's highly impressive, Trina! It's the best hotel in the whole United States of America! Congratulations! I always knew you had it in you."

I smiled at him. “Well, don't congratulate me just yet, Justin. Wait until I get the job first. “

“Oh, but I know you would get it, Trina. I have faith in you!”

As I gave him another grateful smile, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps tomorrow would be a new beginning, a chance for the new Katrina Jacqueline Ryder to emerge…

But if I could have predicted what would happen the next day, I don't know if I would have been as confident and made the same choice.