Healing Together

Chapter - 9

The Panic Attack

Harper P.O.V

I groan and then open my eyes. Due to the glaring light, I cursed under my breath before closing my eyes again. When I opened my eyes again, I noticed my surroundings. I was lying on the bed in my temporary room. I recall every single detail that happened before he injected me.

While recalling the incident, I was overcome with rage. Why couldn't he simply let me go? Why did he want me here? I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh. When I opened my eyes again, I looked to my left and gasped in surprise as I saw the gorgeous woman from earlier with amusement dancing in her eyes. What is she doing here? She saw my shocked expression and decided to speak.

"Hello, my name is Charlotte Vincent, and I am Nicholas Vincent's wife." I made an 'O' motion. But what is she doing here? But instead of expressing my thought, I just nodded and gazed at the closed door.

"Where is Xavier?" Before responding, she became more amused.

"Xavier and Nicholas went to an important meeting to attend," an idea formed in my head. I nodded and got out of the bed. I move fast towards the locked door. I turned the knob, but nothing happened. I frowned and tried again, but the effect was the same.

"Don't waste your strength because it's locked," she said as she noticed my stunned look.

"Yes, Xavier had locked the door before leaving for the meeting. He assumed you'd attempt to leave again, so he locked us both in here." I lifted my brows.

"How come he locked you up?" She smiles before responding.

"He thought if he didn't lock me too, I'd try to help you escape, so he locked us both," I grumble, mumbling under my breath, "That Bastard." I looked around, and my gaze was drawn to the balcony. Charlotte looks in my way before her eyes widen.

"Don't even consider it. We're on the third floor, and if you try to jump, you'll not only fail to escape, but you'll also break your bones." I winced as I realized she was right. I sat on the bed when a thought hit me. I take a bobby pin out of my hair. I believe this will work because when I lived with my father and his family, they used to lock me in the storeroom if I didn't finish the chorus on time and to teach me a lesson. And I used to get away by picking locks. I was about to insert the bobby pin in the lock when Charlotte interrupted.

"Your strength will be wasted."

"Why?" I questioned as I proceeded with my work.

"Because this house had high security, you just can't pick a lock...with a bobby pin" I chose to ignore her and focus on my task........I gave up after 15 minutes of trying. I sighed in frustration and sat on the bed with a defeated sigh. Charlotte, on the other hand, watched the entire incident with glee in her eyes.

"Can I know your name?" That surprised me. I thought she knows my name, but I was totally wrong.

"It's Harper...Harper White" she nodded before grinning.

"Nice name. So, Harper, tell me how you ended up at Xavier's Mansion. If I'm right, he doesn't want outsiders staying in his house, especially in his room," my eyes widen. When I glance around, it appears to be a man's room. But why did he allow me stay in his room when he could provide me with a guest room?

"This is Xavier's room?" I asked her to check before making my own conclusions.

"Yes, it is" My mind was racing with thoughts as such, why did he let me stay in his room? Why did he provide me with medical care? Why does he treat me like a human yet my father does not? Why couldn't he simply let me go? And the most significant question that comes to mind is how he managed to save me from those monsters. Just thinking about them brings back all the pain and suffering. I recollect all the awful things that happened to me.

I began hyperventilating. I can hear Charlotte's panicked voice, but I was far gone to my nightmare, from which it is difficult for me to return. I closed my eyes and could clearly see their faces and hear my screams begging them to stop, but they never did. They beat me to death while laughing at my misery. My tears are falling down my cheeks, and suddenly I feel something warm and reassuring. Something that made me feel at ease and relaxed.

"Shhhhhhh...you're with me and safe. I promise you that they will never come to harm you. Corazoncito, I will make sure of that." His words made me feel more at ease in his arm. I'm not sure why he's holding me and making promises he'll never keep, but it's obvious that his hug and words helped me relax and forget about those horrific events.

"Are you feeling well?" I nodded into his chest before lifting my head to see Nicholas and Charlotte staring at us with an expression I couldn't quite place.

"I'm sorry," I said, staring at his wet suit, which had been stained by my tears. He made a shaky motion with his head.

"It's nothing, so don't apologies" I wanted to smile but couldn't. Why is he acting as though he cared about me? I merely nodded and averted my gaze.

"Are you guys hungry?" Nicholas decided to lighten the mood around us.

"Yes, we are," Charlotte said as they exited the room, leaving us alone. We remained with an awkward silence between us, and he was about to leave when I uttered the question that had been on my mind since I came here.

"How did you manage to bring me here from my kidnappers?" When he heard my question, he was shocked, but his demeanor quickly went emotionless and serious.

"You don't want to know that," my mouth agape. Who is he to say whether I want to know or not?

"You..." he didn't even let me complete the sentence before moving towards me, causing me to back up. When he trapped me between the wall and him, I gulped.

"What...are...are...are you doing?" When I shuttered in front of him, I cursed myself internally. He didn't say anything, but he had a smile on his face before dipping his lips and kissing the side of my neck making my eyes widen. What is he doing? I pondered.

"You don't need to know that. Am I clear?" he asks in a seductive tone.

"Yes," I respond quietly.

"Good," he replied as he exited the room. I exhaled as soon as he walked away. I entered the restroom to wash my face before proceeding to the dining room, where Xavier, Nicholas, and Charlotte awaited me at the table. I attempted to smile but because of an earlier encounter, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I took a seat on the empty chair before we started eating. Xavier and Nicholas were discussing about business-related matters, while Charlotte and I were discussing our likes and dislikes. After speaking with her, I can tell that she is a pleasing woman who is enjoyable to be around. They decided to leave after dinner. I'll miss Charlotte because every time I talk with her, I think of Kate. While recalling my closest friend, I blinked back tears. I looked up to try to keep my tears at bay, and it succeeded. I embraced Charlotte.

"Take care," she said quietly.

"I will" she smile before looking between Xavier and me.

"I will come back to meet you" that made me smile.

"Really," she chuckles before nodding.

"Really," I smile as they walk out of the house together. I was about to go to my room when Xavier called my name. I tense up and slow down.

"Yes," I can see him from the corner of my eyes. He was looking intimidating while tucking his hands into his pocket.

"Sleep well," he said as he climbed the stairs and entered his room, I mean one of the guest rooms, while I remained stuck in place. When I came to my sense I climbed upstairs and directly went to the bedroom and soon the sleep consumes me.

…………

The next morning, I was eating breakfast while Xavier was on his phone after finishing his meal. I was wondering when he was going to leave for work so that I could plan my escape route. I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear Xavier call out me.

"Corazoncito" Why does he keep calling me that? I have no idea what that means. I frown and turn to face him, who is looking at me with amusement in his eyes.

"Yes," he chuckles before folding his arms across his chest.

"Finish your breakfast. We will leave for my work then" my eyes widen. What does he mean by that?

"What?" I voice my thought.

"You are coming with me" I shook my head upon hearing him.

"But why?" I cried out.

"I know you'll try to run away after I'm gone, so you're coming with me, and that's final," he said sternly.

"But..." he didn't even give me the opportunity to object.

"If you don't come, I'll lock you in a room. It's up to you whether you want to come with me or be locked in your room for the entire day." I gasp before nodding.

"Fine. I will come"

"Good. Finish your breakfast, and then we'll leave," I had just one thought in my mind.

'What have I gotten myself into?'