Chapter 4: Fraternizing with the Enemy
“What are you insinuating Julien?” Elsida asks, turning to stare at him, her heart beating rapidly with trepidation. “I have business to take care of in Europe till next year, how can I possibly leave my wife behind? We leave for France in three days” Julien states matter of factly, his face masking a stoic expression, seemingly unfazed by Elsida’s reaction. Elsida’s hold on the doorknob tightens shock coursing through her body, rendering her helpless. In her twenty-six years of living, she hadn’t met anyone that wore cruelty like an armor like Julien Benoit she thought. Sighing weakly, she muttered, “I understand” as she twisted the door knob, Briskly walking out of the room. ✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ “What do you mean you signed a marriage contract with Julien Benoit Elsida?” Natasha asks disbelievingly. “Keep your voice down Nat” Elsida says, scouring the hallway to make sure there’s no passerby. “ How can I keep my voice down? You’ve somehow managed to fall into that depraved man's hands again after everything he did” “You don’t understand, I did it for Dad, The doctor said Dad is getting worse and I'd do anything to save Dad Nat”. Natasha sighs, her resolve crumpling at the implication of her Father’s deteriorating health. “I’m still shocked you believe what that man utters” “I just-” Elsida begins to say but is interrupted by a nurse approaching them. “Your father just regained consciousness. I'm sure you would like to see him” the nurse says, giving them an encouraging smile. “My girls,” William says as his daughters enter the room. Elsida rushes to her Father’s side as she starts to sob with Natasha on her tail. “Why would you do that Dad, you scared us” She hiccups. Her Father holds onto her, not meeting her eyes, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “I was tired of being a burden, I couldn't bear to see you break your back just for me” “Don’t say such Daddy, there’s nothing I won’t do to keep you with us for as long as possible” Her Father sighs sadly “It’s okay El” he says. “No Dad, it's not you’re going to survive this I promise you” “El stop” her Father Begins to say before Elsida interrupts him. “I signed a marriage contract with Julien Benoit in exchange he will cover all your medical expenses but I will have to travel Europe with him” Elsida blurts, not being able to hold it in anymore. Her Father’s eyes nearly bulge out of his skull. “Elsida what have you done?” he reprimands. “How convenient is that “ Natasha mutters sarcastically. ✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ “I’ll be fine Dad I promise,” Elsida says, kissing her Father on the cheek. Her Father was discharged from the hospital yesterday and since then, she has been trying to calm his nerves. “Call me once you are settled,” he says with a pleading look in his eyes as he wraps his arms around her. “Be careful El” Natasha says as they place her luggage in the taxi. “I’ll be fine okay ?” Elsida says fighting the urge to sob, she gives her family one last hug before she enters the taxi. “Your name please,” a deep voice says from the intercom. “Elsida Dalton.” At the sound of her name, the gold-tipped gates open up to reveal the Benoit Mansion. The word mansion wasn't adequate to describe the grandiosity she set her eyes upon. A castle would suffice, she thought. As she steps out of the taxi, two maids clad in uniform rush to her side. “Welcome Madam,” they say in unison. “Hello,” she says, offering them a grateful smile as they extract her luggage from the cab. “This way” one mutters motioning towards the enormous gold door. “For a second I thought you’d rather watch your father die,” Julien says cruelly, sprawled out on a White mahogany couch. “Let’s not do this Julien,” Elsida says, doing everything in her power to not insult him. “I’m merely curious,” he says, taking a walk and stopping right in front of her,” I'm dying to see if you will last a week here”. Elsida pressed her fingernails to the back of her palm until they started to hurt, her gaze roaming the large expanse of the living room anywhere but at Julien. The air felt stifling, he was trying to see her break and he knew he was succeeding. “Go away,” Elsida says, a soft whimper unintentionally escaping her lips. “Ahh don’t be like that El, we’re merely chatting” Julien says, letting out an amused chuckle. The sound of it made Elsida shiver uncomfortably, her repulsion seeping through. After what felt like forever, he moved away from her and she visibly sighed. “Your room is the second door on the third floor, Dinner is at 7 don't be late I don't entertain tardiness” he said storming off without sparing her another glance. ✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ Elsida missed dinner. Once she got to her room, she collapsed on the plush bed, its warmth enveloping her in a deep sleep, the chaos of the past two days wearing her down. Her eyes roam the room as if just realizing where she is. Her gaze drifts from the art on the gray walls to the large armoire in the center of the room. She rested her feet on the floor in search of her luggage instead, she was met with the opulence and isolation of the large room. Heading to the armoire, she didn't find her luggage, she was met by a set of nightgowns spanning the space. She picked a pink dress enveloped in lace, without giving it much thought, she stripped, staring at her reflection in the large mirror stretching across her room. Settling in bed she picked up her phone and called her father, he answered on the first ring. “You scared me El” “I’m so sorry Dad, I fell asleep I'm fine I swear” She says, doing her best to calm his nerves. “Have you settled in? I hope you're not getting maltreated” her Father asks. “Dad stop wor-” she begins to say but lets out a startled gasp as the large mirror slides open.“What the hell are you doing here Julien” Elisa seethes as Julien steps into her room from the mirror that also serves as a door.Julien appearing unfazed by her reaction lets out a humorless chuckle.“You seem to forget I own this mansion,” Julien says wryly.“Besides, I’m not beneath placing you in a room that gives me direct access to you, we can’t have you too far off after all you are my wife,” he says nonchalantly but the scathing look he offers her begs to differ. “Elsida, are you still there? What happened, are you okay?” her father blurts out from the phone.Elsida jerks, as if just remembering her father was still on the line.“I'm fine Dad it’s just Julien I'll call you tomorrow okay?” Elsida says ending the call immediately, not allowing him to respond.All the while, Julien’s hardened gaze rested on her.“You said I couldn't see my father for a year, not that I couldn't talk to him” Elsida snaps as she notices his gaze.“Here I was thinking you had no regard for the con
JULIEN“Patient as ever I see” Julien mutters to his father sarcastically.“We do not have time for games we need to” his father starts to say but Julien cuts him off abruptly.“We cannot rush this Father, I need to gain Elsida’s trust once I do that, everything else will fall into place” he muttered dryly, pacing the expanse of the grandiose corridor.Armand Benoit was a controlling man who would stop at nothing to make sure things went his way and unfortunately, Julien was the ultimate bearer of his father's incessant need to control.“I suppose you’re right but you cannot blame me for being so skeptical you do have a palpable history with the girl”Julien tensed and clenched his fists, “That's enough Father, I assure you, I’ll stick to your plan” he said abruptly ending the call and storming into the ballroom. ELSIDAOnce Julien stepped out of the ballroom, Elsida angrily left the dance floor, in search of the cocktail bar hoping desperately to drown h
“Why is my face plastered on that magazine?” Elsida asks, feeling an inkling of dread coursing through her.Noticing the tension, the maid scurries past Julien giving them privacy.“You're asking the wrong question!” “I would like to know what came over you last night that prompted you to behave so childishly” Julien snarls.Elsida's cheeks turn crimson, she stares at the duvet, not being able to meet Julien’s scalding glare.Last night was the first time in a while she let herself drink with reckless abandon.It gave her momentary relief but she couldn't help but feel shame as Julien scolded her.“I'm sorry” she mutters.Julien takes a step closer to her, and kneels so he they are at eye level.Elsida’s breath comes out bated as she grips her chin, forcing her to look at him.“Europe is nothing like America, the press is brutal here and will not hesitate to feed on your weakness.” “I’ve apologized Julien let it go” she says her eyes blazing with unshed tears.Julien lets go of her c
Elsida’s lips move on their own accord, beckoning to Julien’s seeking tongue, and together, they collide in a tangle of hushed breaths, their surroundings momentarily dissipating.“Perfect oh, you’re both so in love,” the photographer says startling them out of their stupor.“That’s enough photos now” Julien commands, his gaze turning heady as it takes Elsida.Elsida doesn't meet Julien’s gaze as her heart thrums wildly, her eyes roaming the room.She turns her back on him and as her hands languidly trace her lips, shock courses through her veins.“Come now, look at the masterpiece you both created” the photographer murmurs.“Excuse me” Elsida mumbles as she sprints past the room.“What was I thinking?” Elsida murmurs as she shuts the door to her room, leaning against it.She figured out that at some point, her and Julien will be required to share intimate moments in public but she did not expect it so soon.She also never anticipated the surge of pleasure that coursed through her wh
“Elsida!” Julien barked as he pulled her to his chest away from the curb.“Do you have a death wish?” Julien rasped, his eyes roaming Elsida’s face for any trace of the thoughts swirling in her head.Elsida’s heart thrummed wildly, fear evident in her features, “I’m fine, i just slipped” she said blinking rapidly.“Let’s go back to the car” she said, stepping out of his arms and avoiding his searching gaze.Elsida felt her chest tighten with trepidation.How could she let her feelings control her like that?She almost got herself killed because she let Julien mess with her head, she wasn’t planning on initiating any conversation that wasn’t necessary with him again, her priority is her Father and it would remain so.When they got to the car, they found the chauffeur waiting readily for them, “the car is ready to go sir” he said as he opened the door for them.Elsida slid into the car after Julien wordlessly, she leaned against the window through the whole ride, taking in the scenery i
Elsida wakes up with a loud gasp, she clutches her nightdress at the sides as she breathes heavily feeling the onslaught of a panic attack.She sprints from her bed to the bathroom and turns on the shower immediately in an attempt to clear her mind.Her breath comes out in heavy puffs as the hot water scorches her skin, she stays like that until her breathing calms. Stepping out of the shower she wrapped a towel around herself, staring at her rattled reflection.It seemed as though even in her dreams, she couldn't run away from Julien although she had to admit, the dream was a rude awakening her tumultuous feelings needed.♡♡♡JULIEN“I’m glad of how you’ve handled the ‘exquisite chateau’ launch so far,” Armand Benoit said as he sipped his coffee.“I would not have put so much effort if I knew you were coming to make a power move” Julien snarked.Julien was deeply aggravated at his Father, the man could not catch a break, he handed over his Empire to Julien a long time ago but he alw
“Let go of me” Elsida murmurs to the man and his grip on her waist loosens.“You should know better than to grab a lady without consent,” she says as she turns to face him.Some of her anger dissipates when her eyes take him in. To his advantage, he genuinely looked sorry and he was above-average-looking suddenly, an idea struck in Elsida’s head.“I'm sorry, I wanted to ask you for a dance” he murmured sheepishly as he ran his hands through curly hair that lightly shaded his face.He wasn't just average-looking he was handsome and Elsida knew he was just what she needed. After all, Julien had his fair share of fun too.“I’ll take you up on that dance offer,” she said with a surly smirk spread across her lips. His face spread into a wide grin as he took her hand and led her to a chamber. As they stalked to a red cube, she felt Julien’s lingering gaze at the back of her skull and a surge of adrenaline bolted down her spine.“Show me what you can do Mia Cara” her dance partner murmure
Elsida sluggishly sat up, rolling down the window and locked gazes with Julien’s Chauffeur.“How can I help you?” she asked, feigning ignorance. “Mr Benoit has asked me to fetch you, he’s waiting in the car for you.”Elsida looked at Anne helplessly heaving a reluctant sigh. “I’m sorry darling it’s out of my hands now” Anne said as she scrunched her face up in pity.“Let me know you made it safe okay?” she said as she pulled Elsida for a hug, placing a kiss on her cheek.“Good night Anne” Elsida muttered as she walked to the waiting Porsche, fuming silently.“What do you want, Julien?” Elsida asked as she slid into the car keeping her distance from him.“That's a funny question El because I'm trying to understand why my Wife decided to go home with someone else”She let out an incredulous scoff. “Oh please Julien stop with the selfless act we both know you wouldn't care even if I went home with another man.Julien’e gaze darkened as he pushed himself off his spot inching towards Els