“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
Elsida woke up the next morning with a hammering headache, the events of the last night surfaced in her memory.She went to a club after a long spell, danced with a stranger, and kissed two men.Well if she was being precise, she did more than kiss Julien she mused as she recalled how his hands made her feel last night.She sat up and picked up the glass of water next to her armoire but didn’t take a gulp as she rushed to the bathroom, retching into the toilet bowl.So much for making mistakes, she mused as she brushed the stench of alcohol from her breath.Returning to the room, she heard the blare of her phone and struggled to find it, not remembering the last time she had it with her.Finally retrieving it, she picked up the call on the last ring. “Hi Natasha” she rasped into the phone.“Dad collapsed again El,” Natasha sobbed into the phone.JULIEN“I need to see my Father Julien.” Elsida bellowed as she barged into his room, her eyes red-rimmed.Julien peeked a look at her from h
“Merde” Julien cursed as the elevator stopped moving.“What just happened, Julien?” Elsida asked as dread coursed through her bones.“Italians and their fucking inefficiency” Julien rasped as he stalked the small expanse of space.“We’re stuck El,” he said as his face scrunched into a grimace.“This may not be the best time to say this but I don't do well in small spaces,” Elsida said as her face started to turn red.Julien’s gaze snapped to her and his eyes lit up with remembrance.” Merde El are you okay?” he asked as his eyes roamed her face hurriedly for any signs of a panic attack.“I'm going to be fine, I just need a distraction,” she said her gaze focused on the ceiling as she counted the golden boxes. 1, 2, 3, 4, …12. “You’re going to have to look at me if you need me to distract you.”Elsida felt Julien’s heady gaze on her and she was starting to think she would be better at counting numbers.Reluctantly, she tilted her head to meet his deep blue eyes that were staring her do
Two days had passed since Armand caught Elsida and Julien in the past elevator together and Elsida was a confused mess.Just as she was starting to entertain the idea of being sexually involved with him, he completely shut her down, he had said nothing more than twenty words in the past two days, one of which was; “we are leaving for Vienna in two days.” Since then, it’s been radio silent.He was so keen on avoiding a conversation with her that she had to occupy herself, she had so much free time on her hands and it was the first time in weeks that she wasn't dragged to attend one ball or the other.She requested paint and brushes from her maid yesterday and since then, the only time she left the drawing room was to sleep.She had finished three pieces and she was exhilarated. When was the last time she had so much time in her hands to paint?She let out a satisfied laugh as she put the finishing touches to her fourth painting.“Thank you Mr. Clemntine, I look forward to working with
“Julien my boy come give your mother a hug,” Cressida Benoit the lady in the wheelchair mumbled as she beckoned for her son.Elsida felt rooted to the spot as memories surged through her veins all at once.She felt dizzy.“It's good to see you, Mum,” Julien murmured as he held onto her tightly.“I missed you, my boy,” Cressida Benoit said, placing a tender kiss on his forehead.“What kind of son gets married without even inviting his mother and to such a lovely girl!” Cressida Chastised and motioned towards Elsida.Julien spared Elsida a glance and it held nothing but warning. If Elsida had been shocked earlier, this felt like a slap on her face.Cressida Benoit did not remember Elsida and she was not sure what to think of it.“Come here Darling let me have a look at you!” Cressida murmured beckoning towards Elsida.“Hello Mrs Benoit,” she murmured as the frail lady enveloped her in a hug.“Oh please darling call me Cressy,” Cressida murmured in her ear.She smelled like cherry blosso
NATASHANatasha plucks an image from her bathroom wall, in this one she is nude and in a compromising position with the man she wanted to so desperately forget.Her hands started trembling as she plucked the other photos on the wall, her breath came out in puffs as tears streamed down her face.As she turned one of the pictures over, she sucked in a gasp and collapsed to the floor as she read what was written on it.ELSIDA“That was a beautiful show Cressida,” Elsida says as she comes up to her with a bright grin on her face.“Your art is amazing just like you Mum,” Julien says as he hands his mother a bouquet of Lillies and drops a kiss on her cheek.Elsida stares at Julien with utter shock on her face. It was the first time she heard him give outa compliment and she supposed it was only right if the compliment was doted on his mother.He was a mummy’s boy she mused as her shock morphed into amusement.“Thank you my lovelies now we must celebrate!” Cressida says with an excited clap
Elsida’s footsteps falter at the sound of Armand’s voice coming from the dining room, she tips her head downwards and is met by the sight of Armand Benoit whispering sweet nothings in a giggling Cressida’s ear.She felt her bones quiver at the sight of Armand, memories of him and Cressida rooting her to the spot.How did they work things out? She mused. “Elsida dear, come join us for dinner,” Cressida says as she tilts her head up mid-laughter to find Elsida’s curious eyes on them.Feeling caught in gear lights, Elsida’s cheeks turn crimson as she continues her ascent down the stairs.“Good Evening Mr Benoit,” Elsida murmured as she took her place on the table.Armand’s sharp gaze met with Elsida’s and his face transformed into the same sinister smile his son wore, the resemblance was eerie.“Hello Elsida how do you like Vienna so far? Cressy tells me you’re a bit of an art connoisseur.”“I did dabble in art once or twice,” she says sheepishly as her gaze roams between the pair; fro