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.
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• “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.
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• “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.
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• 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.