With the sudden alarm, Charlotte was on edge. She sprinted out the room, Elliot following behind her, to find Sophia. Charlotte was sacred and her heart throbbed in her chest in anxiousness. That was the fire alarm. She was sure of it but what happened?
Charlotte dialled Sofia's number as she rushed out from one room to another. Elliot was running beside Charlotte. He grabbed her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Charlotte slowed down and smiled apologetically at him.
Right then, Sofia picked up the call. "Oh my god, Charlie!" Sofia's voice was anxious. There were loud shouts and the noise of many people running back and forth.
"Someone get the fire extinguisher!"
"Stop dilly dallying and call the fire brigade!"
"Sofia, talk to me! What's the matter?" Charlotte stopped walking and stood in the empty corridor with Elliot clenching her phone tightly.
"Y-your office. It's on fire!" Sofia breathed out.
Charlotte stopped blinking. "W-what?!! Any people injured?"
"Luckily no," Sofia confirmed.
Charlotte let out a breath. She rested her head on the wall and muttered, "Thank god! At least no one was injured."
Sofia and Charlotte conversed through the phone for a while longer as the former reported the situation.
Before Elliot left, he pressed a kiss to Charlotte's temple. "Be careful." He whispered to her as he pulled himself away from the hug. With one last peck on the lips he went in the opposite direction Charlotte went.
"I'll see you at home."
Charlotte nodded and went to find Sofia in the mess. She was on the other end of the building so it took her a little longer to walk to the scene since the lifts have been stopped. The fire had been extinguished seconds before the fire brigade arrived but to ensure everyone's safety everyone was evacuated from the building as they did their safety checks.
Sofia was busy communicating with everyone to make sure no-one was missing and at the same time cancelled any further plans for today. All the actors were given the thumbs to go and collect their belongings from the building so they could leave. All that remained was the filming crew and few cleaners.
"Everyone can go home. We can deal with this tomorrow," Charlotte announced afterwhile. They were still stuck in the aftermath and were making mistakes as their head was stuck elsewhere. People nodded absentmindedly and took their leave. Now there was only Charlotte left in the building with Sofia.
"You can leave too you know." Charlotte said as she started cleaning her office.
"No, it's okay. I'll accompany you." Sofia replied back as she helped Charlotte transfer all the furniture out of the room.
Charlotte didn't say anything further.The two silently worked into late night. Hoovering, dusting and wiping everything in the room. As Charlotte threw away all the burnt files, her heart stung a little. There were so many important things written in there. She didn't linger too long as she moved from one place to another.
It was already late into the night and Sofia still insisted on staying and helping. Just a few seconds ago she went out to get some food for the both of them. Taking advantage of this time Charlotte informed Elliot of her situation.
"I'll be late today so make sure to eat dinner and go to bed." Charlotte was worried that Elliot would wait for her. She didn't know what time she would be returning home since she wanted to sort her office out and make note of all the files that were missing.
"Alright but i'll leave some dinner for you if you do manage to come home okay."
Charlotte agreed and spoke to Elliot for a little while before she went back to cleaning. It was nearing half an hour and there was still no sign of Sofia. Charlotte tried calling but it was useless. Her phone was engaged.
Charlotte didn't think much and busied herself once again. This time she cleaned out her half burnt draw when she stumbled upon an envelope. She wasn't sure what it was. Thinking it might be something significant she opened it up but instantly dropped it on the floor.
The images spilled out and fell onto the floor. They were photos of Charlotte and Elliot along with all the people she interacts daily with.
There was one where Charlotte and Elliot met for the first time.
Another of them going out for dinner.
One where Scarlett and her were on the roller coaster.
Another of her going out shopping with Alexa.
Her guards, her house and everything she did in the past couple of months. There was an image there to account for every day. But the one that scared her the most was the picture representing today. Charlotte scrambled to find her phone and speed dialled the first person on her contacts.
"Hello. Didn't think you'd call back so soo–"
"Ellie! Elliot! Are you okay? Where are you right now?!" Charlotte asked. Panic settling everywhere.
"Charlie, sweetheart are you okay?" Elliot worriedly asked.
"Yeah! I'm fine. Totally fine. But where are you right now?"
"Still at home. Why? Did you need someone to pick you up."
Charlotte heard the speed of footsteps and the clattering of keys. She knew Elliot would be here if she said the words but she can't do that. Someone is spying on them and what if that person attacked him so late into the night. No! Absolutely not! That can never happen.
"No, its okay. I just missed you a lot." Charlotte rested her head against her her walls and sighed. "I'll be home soon. Make sure to lock all the windows and doors before you go bed."
Elliot had a hunch something was bothering Charlotte but he respected her so he wait for her to open up to him. "Alright, bye."