Chapter Seven: Flickers of light II
1049 Words
Nathaniel Hashlaw stood in his dimly lit office, his phone pressed to his ear.
"She thinks she's being followed," he said, his voice even. "I need confirmation."
The man on the other end responded without hesitation, "We'll start tonight."
Nathaniel's fingers tapped against the desk. "Find out who it is and why they're watching her. Report directly to me."
"Understood, sir."
Nathaniel ended the call and leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.
Charlotte was stepping into something dangerous-whether she realized it or not.
And he wasn't about to let her face it alone.
---
Charlotte heard the front door open and braced herself.
Her mother was home.
The clicking of heels echoed through the house before Laura appeared in the doorway of Charlotte's room, exhaustion written all over her face-but behind it, disappointment simmered.
Charlotte stood. "Mom-"
"Where were you last night?" Laura's voice was sharp, cutting through the room.
Charlotte swallowed. "I just needed some air. I wasn't gone long."
Laura scoffed. "Not gone long? Charlotte, do you even understand what's happening?" She ran a hand over her forehead. "Your father just lost his contract, and now you're sneaking out at night? Do you think this is the time for reckless behavior?"
Charlotte clenched her fists. "I wasn't being reckless."
Laura exhaled sharply. "Then explain."
Charlotte hesitated, then admitted, "I felt like someone was following me."
Laura's posture stiffened. "What?"
"I saw him," Charlotte said. "And it wasn't the first time."
For a moment, Laura said nothing. Then, slowly, she walked over and sat beside Charlotte on the bed.
"You're sure?"
Charlotte nodded.
Laura closed her eyes briefly, as if weighing something. Then, to Charlotte's surprise, she reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"I just want you safe, Charlie," she murmured.
Charlotte blinked.
Her mother wasn't just mad-she was scared.
And if Laura Blake was scared, then Charlotte knew this was bigger than she had thought.
---
At School
Charlotte and Jasmine sat in the cafeteria, their trays mostly untouched.
Jasmine poked Charlotte's arm. "You're zoning out again."
Charlotte sighed. "My mom was mad at me last night."
Jasmine raised a brow. "Because of the contract?"
Charlotte nodded. Deliberating on whether to tell Jasmine about the guy following her, but ended up pushing the thought aside.
Jasmine whistled. "Damn. That's serious."
Charlotte took a sip of her smoothie. "She was upset, but then... she just got worried."
Jasmine tilted her head. "That's kind of sweet, though."
Charlotte smirked. "You think everything is sweet."
Jasmine grinned. "It's a gift."
Reginald suddenly plopped down beside them. "What are we talking about?"
Jasmine nudged him. "Charlotte's mom had a minor freak-out."
Reginald raised a brow at Charlotte. "Over?"
Charlotte sighed. "Me leaving the house at night. And my dad's contract. And the fact that someone's been following me." Charlotte said before realizing it.
Reginald's playful expression shifted. "Wait. Someone's following you?"
Jasmine groaned. "Yes, but we're trying not to spiral."
Charlotte thought a little about Jasmine's nonchalance but then it occured to her that
Nathaniel Hashlaw could have told her.
Reginald frowned but didn't press. Instead, he casually grabbed one of Charlotte's fries.
Charlotte smacked his hand. "Excuse you."
Reginald grinned. "Consider it a friendship tax."
Jasmine laughed. "Oh, we're charging taxes now?"
Their playful banter continued, filling the space with warmth and ease.
And across the cafeteria-
Josephine watched.
Her fingers tightened around her fork, her knuckles whitening.
They were laughing.
They were talking.
Jasmine had never been this relaxed around anyone else before.
Josephine's jaw clenched as she watched them stand.
And then-
Charlotte, Jasmine, and Reginald moved, Josephine following them at a safe distance.
Josephine's breath hitched when she saw where they were headed
The Amazing D's lounge.
Her stomach twisted as she watched them step inside.
For a few seconds, she just stood there.
Then, without a word, she turned on her heel and disappeared.
---
Charlotte wasn't sure what she had expected, but this wasn't it.
The Amazing D's lounge was spacious yet intimate, filled with sleek furniture, low lighting, and an undeniable air of exclusivity.
It felt like stepping into a completely different world.
And at the center of it-
Damien, Duncan, Damran, and Dylan.
All of them turned at once, their sharp gazes locking onto the newcomers.
Duncan smirked first. "Well, well. Look what the wind blew in."
Damran arched a brow. "Did you get lost?"
Dylan leaned back against the couch. "Or are you here for an argument?"
Jasmine cleared her throat. "We're here to talk."
Damien, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Talk?" His voice was slow, deliberate. "Or plead?"
Charlotte's jaw tightened. "Does it matter?"
Damien's gaze flicked toward her, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. "I suppose not."
Reginald, sensing tension, smoothly stepped in. "Guys, let's keep it civil."
Duncan grinned. "Civil? That's no fun."
Charlotte exhaled sharply. "Look, we're not here to fight. I just want to-"
Damran cut her off. "You just want? Wow, entitled much?"
Charlotte groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Okay, fine-we're here to humbly ask you to reconsider the contract situation."
Dylan chuckled. "That was painful for you to say, huh?"
Charlotte rolled her shoulders, dramatically placing a hand over her chest. "So painful. I might faint."
Jasmine sighed. "Ignore her. The point is, we want to fix this."
Damien studied them for a long moment. Then, to Charlotte's frustration, he leaned back and smirked.
"Alright," he said lazily. "Go ahead. Impress us."
Charlotte inhaled, ready to argue-
But Jasmine placed a hand on her arm.
Charlotte turned to her, and Jasmine gave her a look. Calm down.
Charlotte exhaled through her nose, dramatically rolling her shoulders like she was shaking off her temper. "Fine."
Dylan snickered. "That was... oddly theatrical."
Charlotte shot him a look. "I am a theatrical person."
Duncan laughed. "No kidding."
The tension in the room shifted-less hostility, more amusement.
Reginald, who had been watching carefully, finally smirked. "See? We can be civil."
Damien didn't object. "Alright, Charlotte. Let's hear what you have to say."
Charlotte straightened.
The real conversation was about to begin.
---
Meanwhile...
Josephine paced in an empty hallway, her mind swirling.
Charlotte, Jasmine, and Reginald had entered the lounge.
Josephine clenched her fists.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
- Writer
