Chapter 6 Tipsy Conversations

• 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.
• ELSIDA
• Once Julien stepped out of the ballroom, Elsida angrily left the dance floor, in search of the cocktail bar hoping desperately to drown her embarrassment and anger with alcohol.
• After her first drink, she pulled out a stool and now she’s lost count of the number of drinks she has had.
• “Salut '', a gorgeous lady clad in a satin dress with bright auburn hair said, taking a seat next to her.
• “Uh sorry I- I don't “
• “ Ahh American, yes?” the lady asked, smiling widely.
• “Yes, I'm American,” Elsida said, smiling sheepishly.
• “Well, what brings you here? I'm usually familiar with the faces of my guests but I can’t quite place your face” the lady said, squinting her eyes in an attempt to decipher Elsida’s face.
• “ I’m uh- I'm here with my fiance,” Elsida said, gazing around the ballroom in a tipsy haze, attempting to spot said fiance.
• “Come tell me who is the lucky man?” she asked, leaning in with an amused glint in her eyes.
• “It's Julien Benoit,” Elsida said, unable to meet her eyes.
• The lady was startlingly beautiful, with a charming demeanor and piercing gray eyes that looked perceptive.
• Elsida was certain that if she held eyes with this woman, she would know something was amiss.
• “Julien Benoit?, Merde!” she cursed in French.
• “Pray tell how did you manage to capture that man’s heart? I must know”
• “Ahh well..” Elsida started before the lady interrupted her.
• “Oh where are my manners, I'm Anne Laurent and why don't we finish this conversation with a drink or two?” Anne said, summoning the bartender.
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• “And that is how I ended up in Prince Afonso’s bed,” Anne said, shrugging as she downed another glass of mojito.
• “Damn,” Elsida said, letting out a tipsy laugh.
• “You’re quite adventurous, unfortunately, I cannot say the same for myself,” she said, sighing melodramatically.
• “Nonsense you must come with -”
• “Elsida I’ve been looking all over for you,” Julien said, coming to stand behind her with a charming smile masking his rage.
• “I can’t believe my eyes, the one and only Julien Benoit, you made it to my party, “ Anne said, her eyes glinting with amusement.
• “Hello Anne, it’s good to see you,” he said, walking toward her and kissing her cheeks.
• “ I would love to chat but I think Elsida has had too much to drink” Julien said abruptly as he motioned towards Elsida’s drunken state.
• “But we were just getting started” Elsida started to protest before Julien silenced her with a glare.
• “Bye Anneee it was nice meetinggg you” Elsida slurred as Julien pulled her across the strum of people waltzing.
• “Where are you taking me?” Elsida asked Eying Julien.
• Julien ignored her until they entered a private lobby, with cozy Victorian style furniture spread across the large expanse and nude art splattered on the walls.
• “Sit” Julien said as he headed to the Victorian style center table, picking up a bottle of water.
• “Look at yourself, “ Julien says,his voice etched with irritation as he walks toward Elsida, handing her the bottle of water.
• “ I'm an adult Julien, I'm free to drink as I please” Elsida scoffs.
• “The hell you’re not,” he says, coming to stand precariously close to her.
• “You are my fiance, a future Benoit need I remind you, you cannot behave as you please at such events with the risk of tarnishing my family name”
• “Go to hell, ” Elsida spat, glaring at him.
• “Drink up, you are too drunk for this conversation,” Julien said, ignoring her jab.
• “ You say it like I will want to talk to you on a normal day”
• “Given your unfortunate circumstances I'm afraid you’re stuck with me,” Julien says as takes out his phone from his pocket, dialing his chauffeur.
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• They made it briefly to the car before Elsida passed out across the plush leather interior, now they had arrived at the penthouse and Julien was scowling at her slumped body.
• Without giving it much thought, Julien carried her all the way to her bedroom, dropping her on the plush duvet.
• “Stop touching me Julien” Elsida stirred.
• As Julien summoned her maids, he wondered just how deep her hatred ran for him. If he was going to carry out his Father’s plan, he needed to think of a way to make her trust him soon.
• His Father was right, he was running out of time.
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• “Ow” Elsida muttered as she woke up to the incessant buzzing of her head.
• The memories of last night flooded her mind and she wasn’t particularly annoyed at her hungover state, it was the most fun she had in a while and she knew she needed it.
• “Good morning Madam, your bath is ready” a maid said coming out of her bathroom.
• “ Good morning” Elsida said whilst noticing the glass of water and aspirin on her bedside drawer.
• She gave the maid a grateful smile as she swallowed the pain killer.
• “Do you think-” she started to say but was interrupted by the sudden opening of the door.
• “You have managed to surpass yourself,”' Julien barked as he barged into the room holding a magazine as all the color drained from Elsida’s face.