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
“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