Chapter 3 Unlikely Revelations

"Mr. Benoit awaits your company Miss" one of the tall figures to her right says.

Elsida lets out an incredulous scoff," I'm not even going to ask questions, lead the way" she says motioning toward the congested sidewalk.

The bodyguards divert their attention to the footpath, guiding her to a black Porsche Panamera.

"Tell me now El, why did you have to keep me waiting?" Julien says once Elsida is situated next to him.

"You masochistic hypocrite" Elsida seethes and it causes Julien to let out a deep chuckle, finding amusement in her obvious exasperation.

"Now that wouldn't earn you a place in my good books, would it? and because a few hours ago you rejected my offer, I'm quite certain the only hypocrite here is you" Julien says, his malicious smirk settling across his lips.

"Go to hell" Elsida mutters.

"Right after you, El" Julien retorts his chest reverberating with laughter.

"Enough of the niceties Julien, let me know the terms of this offer," Elsida says, worn out from the conversation.

"Ahh as much as I would love to proceed you must know I never make an offer without a contract, my lawyer is waiting at my office"

The word contract rang warning bells in Elsida's head but she ignored it, she was beyond desperate and willing to do whatever it took to save her father, even making a deal with the devil she thought.

"Well, why are we still here?" Elsida asks impatiently, feeling her anxiety start to surge, being near Julien made her palms sweaty with unease.

As if on cue the Porsche roared to life, veering into the bustling street.

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As the car came to a screeching halt Julien stepped out of it immediately not bothering to see if Elsida was right behind him.

Elsida scurried out of the car, doing her best to match his pace in the torturous heels she had on.

As they made it to the entrance of the large building enveloped in dark hues of glass, Julien muttered snarkily without looking back, "Match my pace El, will you? I'd hate for you to get lost."

Elsida did everything in her power to keep her fists to herself on a good day, she would throw a punch or two she thought as they made it to the elevator.

"Good day Mr Benoit," the lawyer said as they walked into the office.

"Do you have the contract ready?" Julien asked, ignoring the greeting and taking a seat on his plush chair.

"Yes sir"

"That's not very convincing because it's not on my desk"

The lawyer flinches and reaches for his briefcase, pulling out the contract and handing it to Julien.

"By all means make yourself at home El"

Julien says as if just remembering she was in the room.

Elsida's gaze roamed the expansive office, from the luxurious smell to the white hue coating every single piece of furniture, the space fed the illusion of heaven which was a contradiction to the owner Elsida thought as she settled on the nearest white cushion.

As Julien flips through the contract, without wasting time, he inscribes his signature on where it is needed and the lawyer retrieves it, handing it over to Elsida.

Elsida notices the weight of the contract and lets out a reluctant sigh.

As her gaze roams the contract, she notices a section that states;

"The agreeing party must move into the Benoit mansion within forty-eight hours of signing this marriage contract and agree to all directives instated upon her "

Just as she is about to object, disliking the injustice of the contract, the door to the office creaks open, revealing a man with the formidable features as Julien apart from the tinge of gray coloring his hair.

JULIEN

Julien looks up and his smirk is wiped off his face replaced with a blank look.

"To what do I owe this visit, Father"

Julien says focusing his eyes on anywhere but him.

Armand Benoit knew he was very capable of handling this but he loved to make power moves now and then, Julien thought.

"I was wondering what was keeping you out after office hours," his father said, Casting him a warning glare.

Julien noticed as Elsida's demeanor changed, her gaze flickering around the room as if sensing the tension in the room.

Good, she should be scared, he thought.

He almost laughed at the entirety of the predicament, he found it gravely entertaining.

Julien knew what he had to do and would not waste any time executing it. Once Elsida signed the contract, he was certain his plan would work.

However, he thought his Father coming here couldn't be any more obvious.

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Elsida shifted uncomfortably noticing the air thickening in the room, she tried to focus her gaze on the absurd contract in front of her but was struggling greatly.

"I don't want to keep you waiting Father, we'll be out once we've wrapped up," Julien says, eying his Father skeptically.

Without uttering a word, Julien's Father leaves the office and Elsida visibly relaxes her gaze focusing on the contract before her.

"The contents of this contract are fucking prejudiced," Elsida says glaring daggers at Julien.

"Come on El, the contract is generous enough, you haven't even taken a look at how much you'll be making out of it, check the last page"

Elsida flips over the last page and her eyes nearly bulge out of her skull.

The number of zeros was above her father's previous net worth heck, she was sure her father would get the treatment he needed and they'd be able to start afresh.

"One hundred and fifty million dollars for a one-year marriage contract, what's the catch, Julien? Elsida asks skeptically.

"Please don't insult me, that's merely substantial"

Julien says dismissively.

This was it, Elsida thought, sacrificing her happiness for one year meant nothing if her father was going to make it out alive, She was going to endure Julien for the next year she thought.

She picked up the pen next to her and scribbled her signature on the appropriate pages letting out an overwhelmed sigh. Placing the contract on the cushion, she stood up ready to take her leave.

"I can work with the terms, I will move in within forty-eight hours but I have to go see my Father first so if you'll excuse me," she says, rising to her feet and making a move for the door.

"Of course seeing as you will not see him for the next year," Julien says, causing Elsida to come to a halt.