Last night was a sleepless night for Charlotte as well as Elliot but both for completely different reasons. One was fantasising the beginning of a new relationship while the other was have a nightmare, hearing a voice from the past.
As soon as the colours of sky changed from the dark ebony to a pale shade of blue, Charlotte got out of bed. She had a quick shower, changed into some new clothes and was about to rush to the police station when words from last night refrained her from stepping out.
— Soon, my love.
Charlotte was scared. She felt like tiny little ants were crawling on her body and heart trying to tear apart her life. The fear he was trying to install, he successed. She was afraid. Afraid that he moment she opened her door, he would be standing there, waiting for to come out of her house. Charlotte then brought out her phone and called her elder brother, Carson Davies. He was her half-brother. They had the same mother but different fathers but they were very close.
"Carson, I need help."
"What's the matter, tell me?" Carson was concerned. He had never heard Charlottes voice sound like that. Her pitch was shaky and high.
Charlotte explained the situation and sent the video she recorded last night to him. After finally sharing it with her brother she felt like a huge burden has been lifted from her shoulders. She no longer felt insecure.
"Don't worry that bastard won't ever come near you again, I will make sure of it. For now stay in your house, activate all the security alarms. I'll make a call to the Australian police and inform them so they can make sure he stays there and I'll also contact the authorities here too so they can keep a look out for him as well."
"What shall I do about my work?"
"Don't go out this week, ask Sofia if you need anything. I'll send you some trained professional bodyguards to protect you 24/7. After We've figured out a plan to keep the bastard away, you then can come out of your house. Don't worry Charlie, your older brother won't fail this time."
"Hmm."
After talking to her brother Charlotte felt reassured. She climbed up her glass stairs and back into her room, exhaustion taking over, she hadn't slept a wink last night. But before she could sleep to her hearts content, she had to do a couple of things.
Charlotte entered her walk in wardrobe, it was huge with shelves of designer shoes and bags, and rows of clothes. Charlotte then walked over to a full body mirror that was fitted on the wall. She gently pushed the mirror, and it instantly recognised her revealing a security system behind the glass. Charlotte typed on it and locked all her windows, doors and activated her CCTV cameras that were everywhere in and out her house except from bathrooms and her room.
Charlotte then called her assistant Sofia, informing her that she won't be coming into work for a while and will be handling everything from home. She also told her to cancel all her meetings with the cast, crews and the producer.
Sofia was worried. "Are you okay Charlie?"
"Yeah. Just really tired and have a minor cold." Charlotte partly lied.
"Oh, then get well soon, I'll handle everything here."
"Thank you, bye."
Charlotte didn't bother to change her clothes but collapsed on her bed. She stared at the white, blank ceiling and sighed. Soon, she felt her muscles relax and not long after drowsiness took over.
–—
Charlotte woke up when her body was fully recharged and with the growls from her stomach. She laughed at herself before going into the bathroom and washing up. She changed her work clothes for something casual, a black, cotton, short-sleeve crop top with matching black shorts. To top it off, an oversized grey cardigan and her hair neatly tied in a bun.
Walking out from the wardrobe, Charlotte picked up her phone and checked the time. It was 1:45, she slept the whole morning and into lunch. There were multiple messages too, from Elliot.
11:12 pm
Elliot: I'll see you tmro then?
11:15 pm
Elliot: Good night!
9:00 am
Elliot: Morning.
10:26 am
Elliot: Are u busy?
10:27 am
Elliot: Text me when ur free?
1:04 pm
Elliot: Do you want to have lunch with me?
1:30 pm
Elliot: Please don't ignore me? If you changed your mind its okay.
Charlotte laughed and dialed his phone number. The phone was instantly received as if the other person was waiting for her to call.
"Hi, Elliot! I'm sorry I didn't reply to your messages. I couldn't sleep last night and overslept." As Charlotte finished speaking. She could hear Elliot sighing in relief.
"It's okay I don't mind."
"Where are you now?" Charlotte asked, if he was not out then the two can have lunch together.
"At home."
"Have you had lunch?"
"No...I was waiting for your reply."
Charlotte smiled. The butterflys in her stomach fluttered. It seemed to happen everytime she was doing something with Elliot.
"Aw! You're so cute How does food made by me sound?"
"Tempting but I doubt the food would be edible, after what you said last night."
Charlotte laughed and also was touched he remembered that she doesn't cook. More specifically she couldn't.
"Okay, Okay. Let me rephrase that. How about we cook together?"
"Hmm...Sure."
"Come over then. My house cleaner came in yesterday to fill up the pantry. I'll try to find a recipe that I have ingredients of and is easy to make. Only God knows how much help I need."
Charlotte thought that was the best solution
although she could get Elliot to take a trip out to get them food from elsewhere, she just didn't want to stay in this big house alone.
"Sure, I'll be there soon." Elliot was beyond ecstatic to spend some time with Charlotte so he agreed without any hesitation.
After a good rest, Charlotte was able to think properly again. Why should she compromise her happiness over a fear? They were building countermeasures, there wasn't a need for her to be constantly on edge.
While she waited for Elliot to arrive she used her ipad to surf the internet. After careful thinking, she chose a recipe and took the ingredients out, laying it on her marble kitchen island.
Not long after the doorbell rang, thinking it was Elliot she ran to the door only stopping at the last second before grabbing her phone and making sure the person outside was the one she was waiting for and not an unexpected guest