READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 7: PANIC!
Charlotte's confusion deepened as the car wound through unfamiliar streets, and Taylor's silence only heightened her unease.
"Taylor, where are we headed?" She asked, furrowing her brows.
Taylor averted her gaze, 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, feeling her heart race.
"Is my dress suitable for... wherever we are going?" she asked, adjusting her glasses.
Taylor's responded vaguely,. "No dress code was specified, ma'am."
"This is insane." Charlotte muttered under her breath,
As she struggled to compose herself, Taylor's voice cut through her thoughts. "We've arrived, ma'am."
As the car stopped, her gaze fell upon a dazzling billboard written in bold, neon letters "The Aura Nightclub." Her jaw dropped in surprise.
"A club?" she exclaimed, dismay imprinted on her face. Clubs and bars had never been her thing and they were the last place she wanted to be in.
Taylor stepped out of the car wearing a neutral expression . "We've arrived, ma'am." she repeated, "Fernando will escort you to the Vice President." She bowed slightly.
Her 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, her discomfort escalated..
Swallowing hard, she felt a shiver run down her spine. What had she gotten herself into?
*****
Inside the club, 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 expected knock came at the door, shattering his reverie. "Yes" he called out, downing his drink.
"She's here, sir," the voice outside announced.
A sly smile crept onto his face, fueled by the thrill of anticipation, "Let her in." he instructed, swirling the glass in his hand.
The door opened, and Charlotte stepped inside breathing uneven. Fear flickered in her eyes as she swept the room. Her gaze settled on Sebastian, lounging on the couch, splaying the legs 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.
"Take a sip, relax." Sebastian soothed, offering her a glass of wine.
Charlotte's hands shook as she accepted the glass, but as their fingers touched, it slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor.
"What the—" Sebastian recoiled, startled.
But his shock turned to concern as Charlotte's face contorted in distress.
She gasped for air, "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 was by a hair breadth hearable, "A...bag..." she squeezed.
But he didn't catch her words and his anxiety spiraled out of control as he watched her gasps grew shallower while her body trembled.
"Hey 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 hands with a desperate grip.
Her eyes met with his, filled with fear and pleading, as struggled to breathe using his hand as an aid.
Sebastian grew pale as he watched Charlotte's futile attempts to draw air. Seconds ticked by, and her eyelids slowly shut down. Her body went limp but her hands still clinged to Sebastian's.
"Hey Orchid... Orchid... Charlotte!" He called out panicking. He swept her into his arms, cradling her against his chest, and hastily left the room.
****
Charlotte opened her eyes allowing the room's light to flood in. Her gaze was hazy at first, then sharpened as she locked eyes with Sebastian.
Relief flooded his face, easing the creases. "Thank heaven you're awake," he whispered, his breath escaping in a sigh.
Then he rose to get a glass of water.
The doctor's earlier reassurances of her being better still hadn't removed his concerns but seeing Charlotte awake quickly did that.
"Where... am I?" Charlotte asked in a weak but clear tone as she sat up, looking around with growing awareness.
"You're at my apartment. Take. Drink." Sebastian replied, handing her the glass of water.
"Your apartment?" She 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 sighed, settling on the small counch in front of her, "It was an emergency, Orchid. The doctor said you had a panic attack and needed rest. I brought you here to rest." He explained,
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, leaning closer to her, "Were you scared of me, or is it something else?"
Charlotte sprang up, avoiding his question. "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. "Calm down, No calls, see? Now answer my question."
As Sebastian handed her phone over, Charlotte's gaze skipped past his bare chest and her discomfort grew.
"Oh, for goodness' sake, put some clothes on!"
Sebastian flashed out a cheeky grin, "Am I distracting you? Should I cover up?"
Feeling irritated by his expression, Charlotte rolled her eyes, climbing out of the bed, "Mr. Sebastian, please, put some clothes on. I want to go home, now."
As she start to move, Sebastian swiftly stood up and gently grasped her arms.
"Hold on, do you know the time?" he asked, It's already midnight," he continued, 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.