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.