The last thing Elsida recalls is leaning against the bathroom door, feeling as though her chest was swallowing her hole before she went blank.Fast forward to four hours later, she arose from the nap she had no intention of taking, a disheveled mess with her throat raw and an impending migraine.She has no clue how she got to the bed, let alone who picked her from the bathroom and she wished it remained that way, she’d rather live in oblivion.Sitting up, her eyes roamed the expansive bedroom and she noticed a glass of water placed on the bedside drawer and her hand reached for it before retracting almost immediately, for all she knew, the contents of the cup could be poisoned.A soft tap against the door lured her out of her skeptical thoughts, though she paid it no mind, she adjusted the silver dress that she still had on and pulled the duvet to her chest taking in a heavy breath as she braced the impact of whoever was behind the door.The door creaked open to reveal Cressida beari
The pungent smell of carbon dioxide, the rumble of cars, and the distant blare of sirens greet Elsida from the rolled-down window of the taxi car. She hadn’t realized she missed New York until the chaos around her filled her with nostalgia.Three months ago she made a grave decision she believed would save her Father’s life, little did she know it was all a farce.The mere thought of it made her clench her fists tightly and force herself to breathe through her mouth in a practiced motion.Her breathing picked up as they approached the street in Brooklyn where their townhouse was located, she shut her eyes tightly as she continued to breathe through her mouth to calm her racing heart.Elsida was terrified of what she was going to see when she arrived and she hoped it wasn’t worse than when she left.She muted her worrisome thoughts and paid the driver before stepping out of the taxi. With a sharp intake of breath, she marched toward the front porch and barely made it three steps before
Raphael was done with his father’s games, he was done hiding and awaiting his commands, he had done that for over nine years, and played the obedient son while his brother Julien continued to live his life oblivious to his existence.Being locked up in an empty mansion and getting brainwashed by his Father that it was for his good had only taken him so far, he was ready to execute the plan he spent years in solace toiling over and Armand happened to present him with the best opportunity.When Armand returns from London, he would find it rather difficult to discover his whereabouts seeing as he successfully dismantled the cameras in the mansion and poisoned the security personnel. They most likely would not survive it.He was not to be blamed though, Armand may have kept him away from the Public eye for a long time but he always let him in on his plans. His family had an unusual love for poison, after all, it was the slyest way to eliminate your counterpart.Raphael downed his shot of
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