Chapter 9: A Taste of Forbidden Pleasure

 Elsie started sneaky excursions

With neon lights in the background, throbbing music, and a sense of danger and excitement in the air, the city was alive at night and in all its beauty. These overshadowed the calm of the village night life she was used to, added to Leo's overwhelming charm, which was a stark contrast to anything Elsie had ever seen.

Elsie started late-night excursions from the penthouse under the pretext of study groups or networking events. In reality, she was rendezvousing with Leo at elitist clubs, underground parties, and hidden lounges where the city's socialites gathered to drink and dance away their wildest desires.

Leo one time took Elsie to a private club that lay concealed behind high walls in a nondescript building. Plush with crystal chandeliers, velvet drapes, and an elite clientele blissfully indulging in drinks and laughter, the club offered Elsie a rather wholesome experience. Leo led the girl to a secluded booth from where they would be served champagne while indulging in exotic delicacies.

"This is what life is about, Elsie," Leo spoke in his sultry tone, so low she could barely hear him. "Living without limits, taking what you want, and enjoying every moment."

A rippling thrill coursed through Elsie as she sipped her champagne. The tingling bubbles felt good on her throat. She felt free, lucent to the core, out from under Damian's hard cast toward the woman of her own designs.

Elsie fascinated by the intoxicating power of attention

Nightlife drew Elsie in, but attention from men drew her on to another spectrum. She was a magnet to men-all because of her beauty, charm, and the air of mystery around her. Finding herself in this mixed situation at first became awkward.

"You're a queen, Elsie," Leo said one night as they watched a group of men vying for her attention. "And queens deserve to be adored. Don't hold back. Let them worship you."

With renewed confidence, Elsie began to soak in the attention. She flirted with the men, laughed, and danced - well aware of how each man silently wanted her, hung on her every word, before leaving her to pursue the next in line. Here she was feeling powerfully wanted and certainly felt in control - an entirely new feeling for her.

One night, after one very loud house party, a crowd of admirers surrounded Elsie. They heaped on her compliments, gifts, and promises for more. She felt like the focus of the universe, and she loved it.

During the long hours of that night, she caught Leo staring at her from across the room. Perhaps she was unwilling to decipher his expression, but there was a troubling twinkle in his eye that sent her heart racing. Only he had been pulling strings behind this whole game. Yet, she had not the courage to abdicate the thrill because it was too much fun.

Damian was unaware of everything

Back at the penthouse, Damian knew nothing of Elsie's double life. He had noticed the differences in her-perhaps some newfound confidence, an elegant demeanor, or growing independence-but all he put down to her time at the university. He glorified her for becoming the empowered, refined woman of his dreamed future.

Once in a while, in the company of their quiet living room, with no one else present, he would grasp her hand and say, "You've changed, Elsie," filled with admiration. "You've grown so much. I'm so proud of you."

With a heavy heart, Elsie managed to smile. "Thanks, Damian. I mean to be the best version of myself."

Damian nodded, still looking at her with much warmth. "And you are. You really are everything I ever wanted in a wife."

Hearing those words made Elsie sick to her stomach. She knew she was betraying him, yet she couldn't stop. The exhilarating thrill of her secret life was just too intoxicating, too addictive.

That night, much later, when Damian slept soundly beside her, Elsie slipped from the bed, searching the penthouse for her clothes, silent as she could manage. One last glance at him sent shocks and combustion through her heart - from guilt, elation. Gently she squeezed her heels into her bag, tiptoed across the Persian rug and French tiles, toward the red door of the elevator.

Leo was waiting downstairs, the engine of his car idling by the curb. He grinned at her as she slid in, eyes shimmering with satisfaction. "Ready for yet another adventure?" he said in a voice thick with promise.

In the silent, exhilarating night, Elsie nodded, heart racing. "Always." 

Another shot of excitement accompanied them as they drove off into the early moring hours. It was her story that she was living a double life, with every moment rippling across her heart with sheer pleasure. Yet deep down, she knew it wouldn't last forever. The only question was how long she could drag out her charade before it came crashing down.