Natalie's gaze drifted from her book to Charlotte, her eyes narrowing. "You've been staring at your phone since dinner. Waiting for a call?"
Charlotte's fingers drummed against the table, her eyes fixed on the screen. "Hmm."
Natalie's curiosity piqued, she set her book aside. "Everything okay?"
Charlotte's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug. "Mr. Sebastian mentioned we had a date tonight. I'm waiting for Taylor's call to confirm."
Natalie's eyebrows danced upward. "A date, huh?" She leaned in, a sly grin spreading. "Look at you, all excited for your second date with Handsome Baz."
Charlotte's frown deepened, her voice stern. "Stop calling him that."
Natalie chuckled, taking a sip from her glass. "If you insist, but you're definitely interested."
Charlotte's denial was swift. "I'm not excited for the date. I just want to discuss business with him."
At that moment, Lydia walked into the dining room, interrupting their conversation. "Aunt Charlie, Aunt Rach said you have a boyfriend and his name is Handsome Baz, what kind of name is that?" she asked, her voice tinged with amusement.
Charlotte's eyes darted from Lydia's inquiring face to Rachel, who was doubled over on the couch, laughter shaking her body.
"Go do your homework Lydia. Stop asking unnecessary questions." Natalie intervened, her expression stern.
Lydia's face fell, her lower lip protruding in a pout. "I was just asking a question!" she protested.
She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "I understand the 'Handsome' part," she said, a hint of sarcasm creeping into her tone, "but 'Baz'?" Her brow arched, skepticism written across her face. "Is that his real name?"
Natalie's warning was crisp. "Don't make me repeat myself, Lydia."
Lydia huffed, her shoulders sagging in defeat. "Okay, okay." She frowned, taking her phone from her pyjamas pocket.
As she turned to leave, she whispered to Charlotte, her voice barely audible, "We'll talk later."
Natalie's voice cut through the room, "Rach!"
Rachel's head jerked up, her face a picture of innocence. "What? I didn't tell her everything!" she protested, hands raised in defense.
Natalie's eyes narrowed, then shifted to Charlotte, who was still looking at her phone.
"Did he tell you where the date will take place?" Natalie asked, her gaze steady.
Charlotte's eyes didn't leave the screen. "No," she replied, rolling her eyes. "He said it's a surprise."
Natalie's brow furrowed, her fingers subconsciously smoothing stray strands of hair behind her ears. "Hmm," she murmured.
Her attention refocused on Charlotte, curiosity creeping in her eyes. "I haven't even asked you how last night's date went," Natalie said, leaning forward. "How did it go?"
"Let's start with yours," Charlotte said, her eyes locked on Natalie's. "You came home this morning looking like a mess." She paused, a hint of teasing in her voice. "Rach said she didn't see you when she came home from the hospital last night."
Natalie's lips curved into a sheepish grin. "Girl! I went to the club to celebrate getting the contract by myself since you and Rachel were out."
Charlotte's eyebrows shot up, her hands gesturing dramatically. "Okay, so you drank the whole night?"
Natalie leaned in, her voice barely audible over the TV's hum. "I had a one-night stand."
Charlotte's eyes widened, her voice bursting out in surprise. "What!"
Rachel's head snapped towards them, her brow furrowed. "Damn. What's going on?" She muted the TV, her attention now fully on the conversation.
Charlotte opened her mouth to respond, but paused seeing Natalie's fingers pressed against her lips.
"It's nothing," Charlotte said hastily, forcing a casual tone. "It's...just something I saw on my phone."
She swiftly grabbed her phone and began scrolling, her eyes fixed on the screen.
Rachel's gaze shifted between Natalie and Charlotte, her expression unreadable. After some seconds, she shrugged and returned her attention to the TV.
Charlotte's eyes locked onto Natalie's, her voice barely audible. "What did you do? How did you do it?"
Natalie's face drew into a pout, her voice filled with regret. "I don't know. I was drunk, next thing I know is waking up in his apartment..."
Her words trailed off, and she shook her head, as if trying to clear the fog.
"...and the first thing on his table, I see is a photo of him and a young girl who I think is his daughter." Natalie's eyes widened at the memory.
"Girl, I ran away without waking him up, I didn't even look at his face well," She continued, her voice barely above a whisper.
Charlotte's eyes grew larger, her mouth agape. "You slept with a married man,"
Natalie whispered urgently, nudging Charlotte with her elbow. "Close your mouth, before Rachel sees you."
Charlotte's jaw snapped shut, her gaze still fixed on Natalie.
Natalie shifted uncomfortably under Charlotte's intense stare. "Stop looking at me like that," she whispered, her voice laced with defensiveness.
"He might be a divorced husband or... I don't know," Natalie trailed off, her shoulders rising in a shrug.
"It was a mistake, either way." Her voice firmed, resolve etched on her face. "Never happening again."
"Yeah. It was a drunken mistake." Charlotte agreed, her tone sympathetic. Suddenly she felt encouraged to share her own story, since Natalie had confided in her.
She leaned in, a hint of disappointment on her lips. "Mine was also crazy..."
But before she could continue, Natalie suddenly stood up, her expression changing.
"Let me use the bathroom, I'll be back." Natalie said hastily, already heading towards the restroom.
Charlotte sighed, pushing herself off the chair to head to the fridge. As she opened the door, her phone buzzed on the table.
She swiftly returned to answer, her eyes scanning the screen: "Asshole" flashed on the display.
"Hello, Mr. Sebastian," Charlotte said, her voice low, glancing briefly at Rachel.
Sebastian's smooth voice poured through the line. "Quick to pick my call, Orchid, aren't you? You're eager for the date."
Charlotte's grip on the phone tightened, her lips compressing into a thin line.
"I thought it was Taylor who was going to inform me about when to be ready," She replied, avoiding his tease.
Sebastian's smooth voice poured through the line. "Well, change of plans, Orchid. We aren't having that date tonight. It's been postponed."
Charlotte's eyes widened, her breath catching. "Huh?"