The last thing Elsida wanted to do was return to the escort agency she worked at, it was tainted and held memories she’d rather not relive so, she did the next best thing.In other words, she got a job at the Cafe Natasha worked at once her Father regained mobility, though she was not on the best terms with Natasha, she couldn’t just sit around doing nothing while she was trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life.It’s not as though she had a degree having dropped out of medical school shortly after her Father got indebted and then ill. Medicine wasn’t her passion but she was good with sciences, However, she loved art, specifically illustration.Maybe she could take an illustration course? She mused as she approached a table to note down their order.“Welcome to Suzy’s Cafe, What can I get you?”The blonde-haired girl’s eyes widened when she pulled her eyes from her phone, she let out a gasp. “Isn’t this you? Julien Benoit’s Wife right?” the girl asked, shoving her phon
Natasha serves the last customer and scurries towards the staff locker room in search of Elsida. “Elsida,” she calls out as she walks past each locker till she reaches the wall. She calls out her name again but her voice only echoes back to her.Natasha’s eyes narrow slightly as she makes another round of the room, Elsida seemingly nowhere to be found. The door to the locker room is pulled open and relief washes through her, “Elsida are you okay i’ve been looking for you,” she says as she turns to face the door.Her nose scrunches up and disappointment fills her as she takes in the sight of her apologetic-looking co-worker.“Do you happen to know where Elsida is?”The pink-haired girl grimaces slightly, “I saw her go through the kitchens to the backyard, she didn’t look too good.”“Shit I need to go find her. Can you cover for me?” Natasha mumbles but doesn’t give the girl the opportunity to reply as she hastily brushes past her.“El, are you good, Julien left “ Natasha starts to sa
“Who knew all I needed was this flimsy notebook to finally kickstart my plans?” Raphael Hummed as she pulled Elsida’s journal from beneath a pillow.Elsida inhales sharply and stark panic courses through her bones from the site of the brown journal.“Raphael Please I beg you,” she sobs as tears trail down her cheekbones.If she could stop him from reading that journal, if he hadn't already, then the likelihood of making it out of here alive would be greater.Unfortunately, from the teary blaze his eyes took when he stared at the journal, she had an inkling that hope was too fickle to save her.“Shhh, it's time for my story,” Raphael murmurs as his gaze sweeps through the journal in his hands.From the other side of the room, Anne stirs and her eyes fling open. As soon as she spots Elsida, her face contorts, her voice cracking as she tries to form coherent words from her dry throat.“Elsida, I'm so sorry. It’s my fault you're here,” she croaks, her eyes shining with unshed tears.“Wond
JULY 24TH 2014, MANHATTAN NEW YORK.Elsida steps out of the black Jaguar XJ as the Chauffeur opens the door with a wide smile plastered across her face. It felt exhilarating to be out of Luton prep, even if it was just for a week. She’d savor every moment she had outside that foreboding school.Maybe she would convince her parents to change her school. She crossed her fingers as the thought plagued her mind.Her smile morphed into a slight frown and a furrow of her brows as she took in the unfamiliar black Porsche parked in the driveway. Her parents didn't drive Porsches.“Mum, Dad?” she uttered as she stepped into the grand living room, her eyes flickering from one corner to another.“Welcome home Elsida,” A chirpy voice rasped, Elsida's face lit up in a ginormous smile which dissipated quickly when she took in her Nanny’s scrunched-up nose.“What’s wrong Nanny Margo?” she eyed her warily.“It's your mother please stop her,” Margo said in a hushed tone as her eyes flickered back and
JULIEN Julien ignores the protest of his father’s secretary when he barges into Armand Benoit’s Office. He was indeed in a meeting. The stern frown that spreads along Armand’s lips does nothing to curb the fury surging through Julien’s veins.“Julien, I’m in a meeting,” Armand announces as he eyes his son and attempts to plaster a smile across his face. He manages a grimace.Julien struts to a plush white chair and takes a seat, his eyes glaring daggers at Armand.“I’m sure cutting it short won’t be a major inconvenience,” he drawls.The businessman seated in front of Armand gazes at the pair with his eyes widened. He clears his throat.” I can come back another time,” he murmured, already rising to his feet.Once the door closed behind the associate, in three steps Julien was standing in front of his father’s table, hands gripping the mahogany tightly.“I don't have time for your antics, Son,” Armand rasps as his gaze settles on the monitor beside him, he begins to type.Julien’s kn
“Raphael is alive,” Armand mutters as he looks Julien square in the eye. Julien’s eyes widened as he processed his Father's words When was the last time he heard that name?His gaze traveled through Armand’s facial features for any tell-tale sign of the game he was playing. As their eyes met, he saw nothing but stark sincerity with a hint of fear.“That is impossible Father.” He finally uttered. Although, he could hardly believe his own words.“He escaped the fire, narrowly, he was in shock for months a lot of intensive care was administered.”Julien’s throat went dry, as he spoke, he barely recognized his voice. It sounded raw and gravelly.“So you’re telling me that for eleven years you Raphael?“Precisely my point,” Armand rasped but didn’t meet his eyes.Julien thought of a hundred words he could use to describe his Father, Armand was debased, Selfish and manipulative. However, with this revelation he wasn’t sure any of them would suffice.He clenched his fists and gritted his tee
“We have to stop him Elsida,” Anne sobs, breaking the stark silence in the bedroom.Elsida’s head remains bowed as she focuses her gaze on the marble tiles, “We can’t stop him, Anne. There’s no way.”Elsida’s voice comes out even, all traces of nerves dissipated and replaced with a hollowness so deep in her stomach. She had accepted their fate, death seemed more appealing as she pondered over it.No more pain.No more nightmares.Anne let out a heavy sigh, “Look behind your seat Elsida.”Elsida’s head snapped up and she wrinkled her nose as her gaze focused on Anne.”What are you talking about?”“Just turn your head Elsida,” Anne said, her voice coming out rushed.Sighing reluctantly, Elsida twisted her head. She was starting to think Natasha had lost it until her gaze collided with metal.Perched precariously close to the edge of a mahogany drawer was a pair of scissors. If she leaned in just enough, she would be able to grasp onto it.“That's Hope Elsida,” Anne rasped as her eyes sho
A gasp escapes Elsida’s lips as Anne’s body falls to the floor.” Anne!” she bellows as tears slide down her face.Raphael’s face blanches as he takes in the blood pooling around them. In a fleeting second, he’s on his knees. He cradles her limp body in his hands desperately as he starts to sob.“You’re not supposed to die, Anne, it was meant to be her,” he murmurs with one hand placed firmly against her skull.“Raph I..” Anne sputters as blood rushes past her mouth. “I love you… save my Father please,” she says with one last pleading look at him before her body goes still.“No!” Raphael bellows as he shakes her limp body.“Do something Elsida, don't just stand there.” he sobs as his eyes bore holes into her skull.Elsida remains stiff as she takes in the bloody scene. Her hands tremble at her side but she is unable to move. In a haze, her mind catapults back to the death of her mother. Her limbs give in on her and she falters to the ground. Sobs vibrate within her as she crawls to Ann