Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Ryan hurried through the night, his two bodyguards in tow, as they helped Ludwik into the Sheldon family's ancient mansion, taking him directly to Florence's bedroom on the second floor.

"What dosage did you administer?" Florence asked, laying the man on her bed, her gaze fixed on Ryan.

Ryan squinted. "Ms. Sheldon, given Ludwik's robust constitution, I had to use a heavy dose to ensure he'd be out."

"How long will he be under?"

"No more than an hour. But rest assured, the sedative won't harm his bodily functions."

Florence, looking down at Ludwik's striking features, couldn't help but smile, grateful for her and Ryan's meticulous planning. Despite Ludwik not touching the drugged meal, Ryan's concoction was foolproof.

Florence took a sip of milk, coughed lightly, and with a sharp look in her eyes, she pressed, "What did he ask you when he took you aside?" "Ludwik was genuinely seeking medical advice for his asthma..."

Ryan glanced towards the bed before lowering his voice, "The kid has it too; it's likely hereditary."

Florence frowned. "But I've never heard of Ludwik having asthma. You don't think he was fishing for information?"

Recalling his conversation with Ludwik, Ryan concealed the fact that he had discreetly prescribed asthma medication for Sammy.

"He didn't ask anything out of the ordinary, and there was nothing probing in his tone. You can trust me, Ms. Sheldon; I didn't give anything away." Despite her doubts, Florence had more pressing matters to attend to. She extended her hand, "Give me the aphrodisiac."

"Right away." Ryan turned to fetch it from his medical bag.

Florence remembered her meeting with Elaine, where she inquired about Ludwik's personal affairs, specifically whether Elaine had been intimate with him. Elaine's reaction was telling; she mocked Florence's ambition to secure her place by Ludwik's side through bearing his child.novelbin

Elaine's scornful departure didn't deter Florence. She believed in her own allure, confident in her vulnerability and grace. Yet, Ludwik's resolve was known to be strong.

Unsure, Florence's expression shifted as she called to Dr. Ryan, "Include a dose of hallucinogens."

She was determined to leave nothing to chance tonight.

An hour later, Ludwik awoke in a feverish haze, his body drenched in sweat, his shirt clinging to his well-defined torso. Disoriented, he stumbled towards the counter in search of water, just as Florence emerged from the bathroom, draped in a thin bathrobe, her skin glowing, her delicate figure barely concealed.

Ludwik's gaze fixed on her, his mind clouded and chaotic. Struggling to stand, he pointed at her, "You..."

Florence quickly closed the distance, taking his finger into her hand, her breath warm on his face, "Ludwik, it's Whitney."

His body tensed at her words.

Florence leaned closer, her voice soft and convincing, "I'm Whitney."

Her fingers traced his chest as she led him back to the bed.

Ludwik's vision was blurred, reality and illusion merging indistinguishably. The woman before him seemed to transform into the captivating Whitney. "Whitney, is that really you?"

"Who else could it be?" Florence's

laughter mimicked Whitney's clear, cool tone, "You stumbled into my hotel, remember? We're divorced now yet here you are, again.

swnc

Her words were designed to confuse and mislead.

Ludwik's grasp on reality shattered, seeing in Florence the anger and allure of Whitney herself.

He apologized, expressing his inability to stay away, his words heavy with sincerity but met with Florence's darkening gaze, consumed by jealousy.

As Florence worked to undo his tie and shirt buttons, Ludwik's discomfort grew. His memories clashed with the present, the intimacy felt misplaced.

He attempted to rise, his instincts telling him something was amiss, but Florence pressed on, determined to enact her plan.

Florence realized there was still a bit

of sanity left

him. With a sudden

move, she pinned him down. She then burst into a girlish giggle, "If you're not up for a shower, no

worries. Just take a seat. I've got a couple of fine bottles of red wine. I'll grab them, and we can have a little chat, sip a bit."

Alcohol would hasten the effect of the drugs in his system, numbing the last of his consciousness!

Ludwik didn't quite catch what she said.

But as she handed him a glass of red wine and was about to take a sip herself a voice in his head screamed, prompting him to snatch the glass from her hand, "Whitney! You can't drink!"

He remembered this prohibition vividly; she absolutely must not drink. "Why not?" Florence frowned, her scheme interrupted, visibly annoyed. Yet, she also found his reaction excessive. Why couldn't Whitney drink?

She stepped closer, mimicking Whitney's seductive manner, and nestled into his embrace, pouting, "Ludwik, what gives you the right to tell me I can't drink?"

"Because you're..." His intense, smoldering gaze dropped to her stomach.

Florence's eyes followed, resting on her flat belly.

She paused, slowly lifting her gaze to meet his deeply affectionate eyes, which were uncharacteristically gentle!

A thought exploded in Florence's mind.