Charlotte's confusion deepened as the car wound through unfamiliar streets. Taylor's silence only heightened her unease.
"Taylor, where are we headed?" Charlotte asked, her voice laced with concern.
Taylor's gaze drifted, avoiding hers. "Somewhere ma'am"
Charlotte's thoughts flashed back to Natalie's words: "Just go, Charlie. Call me if anything goes wrong." Her hand instinctively went to her chest, her heart racing.
"Is my clothes suitable for... wherever we are going?" she asked, adjusting her glasses.
Taylor's responded cryptically. "No dress code was specified, ma'am."
Charlotte muttered under her breath, "This is insane."
As she struggled to compose herself, Taylor's voice cut through her thoughts. "We've arrived, ma'am."
As the car stopped, Charlotte's gaze fell upon a dazzling billboard written in bold, neon letters "The Aura Nightclub." Her jaw dropped in surprise.
"A club?" she exclaimed, dismay etched on her face. Clubs and bars had never been her scene and they were the last place she wanted to be in.
Taylor exited the car, her expression impassive. "We've arrived, ma'am. Fernando will escort you to the Vice President." She bowed slightly.
Charlotte's protest died on her lips as Taylor vanished from sight, replaced by a hulking figure in a tailored suit.
"Follow me, please," Fernando rumbled, his massive frame towering over her.
As he ushered her toward the rear entrance, Charlotte's unease escalated.
"Taylor, wait—" she began, but Fernando's gentle yet unyielding grip propelled her forward.
Swallowing hard, Charlotte felt a shiver run down her spine. What had she gotten herself into?
*****
Sebastian lounged in the dimly lit room, surrounded by the heavy scents of alcohol and cigarette smoke. Half-drowsy, he poured himself another glass of wine, lost in thought.
His mind was fixated on Charlotte, and his plans for her.
Initially, he'd thought her different from the other girls who played hard to get. But witnessing her gushing admiration for Daniel had changed his opinion.
In his eyes, Charlotte was now just like the others – eager to succumb to his charms.
Sebastian's lips curled into a sly smile as he contemplated his next move.
Get her drunk, lower her defenses, and reveal her true desires.
He would prove his point: that Charlotte, like all the others, was vulnerable to his seductive grasp.
A knock at the door shattered Sebastian's reverie. "Yes" he called out, downing his drink.
"She's here, sir," the voice outside announced.
A sly smile spread across Sebastian's face, anticipation coursing through his veins.
The door opened, and Charlotte stepped inside, her breathing uneven. Fear flickered in her eyes as she swept the room.
Her gaze settled on Sebastian, lounging on the couch, legs splayed in relaxed abandon.
"Join me, Orchid," he slurred, his voice tinged with alcohol. "No need to be shy."
Charlotte's knuckles whitened around her phone as she sat down, fighting to calm her racing breath.
Sebastian offered her a glass of wine, his tone soothing. "Take a sip, relax."
Charlotte's shaky hands accepted the glass, but as their fingers touched, it slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor.
Sebastian recoiled, startled. "What the—"
But his shock turned to concern as Charlotte's face contorted in distress. She gasped for air, her chest heaving.
"Help...me," she whispered, collapsing onto the couch.
Sebastian sprang up, bewildered. "What's happening? What do I do?" he exclaimed, rushing to her side.
Charlotte's strained voice barely audible, "A...Bag..."
But Sebastian didn't catch her words, his anxiety escalating.
Her gasps grew shallower, her body trembling.
"Charlotte, breathe! What's happening?" Sebastian urged, his hands hovering uncertainly above her.
He spun around to seek help outside , but Charlotte's hands shot out, grasping his with a desperate grip.
Her eyes locked onto his, filled with fear and pleading. She struggled to breathe, her chest heaving against his hands.
Sebastian's face was pasted in confusion and alarm as he watched Charlotte's futile attempts to draw air.
Seconds ticked by, and Charlotte's eyelids fluttered shut. Her body went limp, hands still clinging to Sebastian's.
"Orchid... Orchid... Charlotte!" Sebastian called out, panic etched on his face.
He swept her into his arms, cradling her against his chest, and hastily left the room.
****
Charlotte's eyelids fluttered open, allowing the room's light to flood in. Her gaze was hazy at first, then sharpened as she locked eyes with Sebastian.
Relief washed over his features, easing the creases.
"Thank heaven you're awake," Sebastian whispered, his breath escaping in a sigh. He rose to get a glass of water.
The doctor's earlier reassurances of her wellness still hadn't removed his concerns but seeing Charlotte awake quickly did that.
Charlotte's voice, weak but clear, broke the silence. "Where... am I?" She sat up, scanning her surroundings with growing awareness.
Sebastian handed her the glass. "You're at my apartment. Take. Drink."
"Your apartment?" Charlotte echoed, her eyes widening as she took in Sebastian's partially opened form. His chiseled chest and abs momentarily distracted her, but she swiftly pushed the thought aside.
Sebastian explained, settling beside her on the couch, "It was an emergency, Orchid. The doctor said you had a panic attack and needed rest. I brought you here to rest."
Charlotte's irritation flared. "You couldn't take me home?" Her resentment toward him intensified as memories of the club flooded back.
"If you hadn't dragged me to that club, I wouldn't have had a panic attack!" she thought, anger simmering beneath her words.
Sebastian sidestepped her question, his eyes probing hers. "Are you scared of me, or is it something else?"
Charlotte stood firm, demanding answers. "Why didn't you take me home?" Her gaze darted around frantically. "My phone... where is it? Natalie must have called."
He produced her phone, holding it out. "No calls, see?"
As Sebastian handed her phone over, Charlotte's gaze skipped past his bare chest, her discomfort growing.
"For goodness' sake, put some clothes on!"
A sly smile spread across Sebastian's face. "Am I distracting you? Should I cover up?"
Charlotte's irritation deepened, her frown intensifying. "Mr. Sebastian, please, put some clothes on. I want to go home, now."
As she rose to her feet, Sebastian swiftly stood up, gently grasping her arms.
"Hold on, do you know the time?" he asked, his eyes locking onto hers.
"It's already midnight," he announced, his gaze holding a hint of concern.
Charlotte's eyes darted to her phone, confirming Sebastian's words. The screen read 12:04 AM, with no missed calls from Natalie or anyone else.