005

The Proposal

"Mr. Astor?" Brandon called, his voice steady but careful as he stood outside the heavy wooden door.

There was a pause before the door cracked open, just enough for Astor’s sharp gaze to meet Brandon’s. His expression was unreadable, though his presence alone carried an air of command. Without a word, he gestured for Brandon to send Charlotte in.

Brandon turned to Charlotte, who had been lingering just a few feet away, her arms folded tightly across her chest. She stiffened when their eyes met.

“He’s ready for you,” Brandon said softly, gesturing toward the door.

Charlotte hesitated for a moment, her fingers curling into the fabric of her sweater before she straightened her spine and took a step forward and entered the room.

The door closed behind her with a soft click, sealing her in with Astor Harrington.

Astor stood by the window, his back to her, his tall frame silhouetted against the faint afternoon light that streamed through the glass. He didn’t turn to face her immediately, instead staring out at the sprawling estate grounds as if lost in thought.

“Take a seat,” he said finally, his voice calm but laced with authority.

Charlotte ignored the command, remaining where she stood. “What do you want from me, Mr. Harrington?” she asked, her tone sharp and unyielding.

Astor turned slowly, his piercing grey-brown eyes locking onto hers. The corner of his mouth twitched in what could barely be called a smile, though it lacked any warmth. “You’re as stubborn as ever,” he remarked, his voice cool.

“I’m not here for pleasantries,” Charlotte shot back. “If you have something to say, say it.”

Astor raised a brow, amused by her authoritative voice, though it didn’t show in his tone when he finally spoke. “Fine,” he said, stepping closer to the desk and leaning casually against its edge. “Let’s get straight to the point.”

He gestured toward the chair opposite him, but when Charlotte didn’t move, he continued as if she had moved.

“You know who I am,” he began, his tone steady and businesslike. “And you know what I stand to inherit.”

Charlotte’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing, waiting for him to elaborate.

“My father has made his terms clear,” Astor continued, his gaze unwavering. “A wife and a child, those are the conditions for me to take over the family empire.”

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, her unease growing. “And what does that have to do with me?”

Astor’s smirk returned, colder this time. “Everything,” he said simply. “You’re the mother of my child, Charlotte. And whether you like it or not, that child is now part of my plan.”

Charlotte’s stomach churned, her anger bubbling to the surface. “Jasmine isn’t some tool for you to use,” she snapped, her voice trembling with fury.

“I’m not interested in emotional attachments,” Astor said bluntly, cutting her off. “I need her as proof to secure my inheritance. That’s all.”

Charlotte stared at him, her disbelief quickly giving way to rage. “Do you even hear yourself?” she said, her voice rising. “You want to use your own daughter to play some twisted game with your father?”

Astor’s expression didn’t waver. “It’s not a game, Charlotte. It’s business.”

“It’s disgusting,” she spat, taking a step closer.

Astor remained unfazed, his gaze steady as he reached for a folder on the desk. He opened it, pulling out a document and sliding it toward her. “I’m offering you a deal,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “Thirty days. You and Jasmine stay here, play the roles I need you to play, and when it’s over, you walk away with this.”

Charlotte glanced at the document, her breath catching when she saw the figure written there. It was an amount of money she could never have imagined, enough to secure a stable future for Jasmine, to escape the struggles that had haunted them for years.

But the price...

She shook her head, her fists clenching at her sides. “You think you can just buy us?” she said, her voice trembling with anger.

“I think I’m offering you a solution,” Astor countered, his voice cool and measured. “A solution that benefits both of us.”

Charlotte’s jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palms. “You don’t get it, do you?” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “Jasmine isn’t just a means to an end. She’s a person. A child. Your child.”

Astor’s expression flickered, just for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. “This isn’t about that for now, Charlotte,” he said, his tone hardening. “It’s about what’s necessary.”

Charlotte stared at him, her chest heaving as she tried to process the situation. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, none of them offering a clear answer.

Astor watched her silently, his cold demeanor unshaken as he waited for her response.

Finally, Charlotte found her voice, though it was quieter now, tinged with exhaustion. “And if I say no?”

Astor’s eyes darkened, his tone dropping. “I won't advise you to say that, you won't like it..” he said simply.

The threat hung in the air, unspoken but understood. Charlotte felt her heart sink.

She turned away, unable to look at him any longer, her thoughts a whirlwind of anger, fear, and desperation. How did it come to this?

As she stood there, trying to collect herself, a voice broke through the silence, muffled but unmistakably Astor’s.

“No, that’s not what I agreed to,” he said sharply, his tone colder than she’d ever heard it.

Charlotte turned slightly, her curiosity piqued.

Astor was on the phone now, his back to her, his posture tense.

“Don’t threaten me,” he snapped, his voice low.

Charlotte’s breath hitched, her heart pounding as she strained to hear more.

“You think you can blackmail me?” Astor continued, his tone venomous. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

The words sent a chill down Charlotte’s spine. She stepped closer to the door, her mind racing. Who was on the other end of that call? What were they threatening him with?

Astor’s voice dropped further, his words barely audible. “If you try to expose me, you won’t live to see the consequences.”

Charlotte’s blood ran cold, the weight of his words sinking in. Whatever Astor was involved in, it was far more dangerous than she’d realized.

She turned and slipped out of the room quietly, her thoughts spinning.

Charlotte moved swiftly to where Jasmine was sitting. She crouched down, grabbed Jasmine by the hand, and pulled her up gently but firmly. “Let’s go,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Jasmine blinked up at her, confused by her mother’s sudden urgency but obediently following as Charlotte began walking. Her pace was brisk, almost hurried, as though she was trying to escape something or someone.

Ofcourse, she was. She didn't want Astor to come out and meet them. Besides, she wants to clear her head because everything is happening so fast.

As they stepped outside, Charlotte glanced at her phone, her heart sinking when she saw the battery indicator flashing red. There was no time to waste.

She scrolled quickly through her contacts and pressed Elaine’s number, praying it wouldn’t die before the call connected.

“Charlotte?” Elaine’s voice came through, slightly muffled but clear enough.

“Elaine, book me an Uber now,” Charlotte said, her voice firm and almost frantic. She glanced behind her, her steps quickening as they neared the gate. “My phone’s almost dead, and I need to get home.”

“An Uber? What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Elaine asked.

“I’ll explain later,” Charlotte replied curtly, gripping Jasmine’s hand tighter as she pushed through the gate. “Just do it, please.”

Elaine didn’t press further. “Alright. I’m on it.”

The call ended just as her phone screen dimmed, the device barely clinging to life. Charlotte let out a shaky breath trying to walk away from Astor's gate.

She kept walking, her eyes scanning the road for any sign of the car Elaine had promised. The tension in her chest eased slightly when she spotted the approaching vehicle a few minutes later.

The Uber pulled up smoothly, and Charlotte wasted no time ushering Jasmine inside. She shut the door firmly behind them, her hands trembling as she buckled her daughter in.

The driver gave her a polite nod, confirming the destination Elaine had provided. Without a word, the car pulled away from the curb.

“Mommy, are we not going to see daddy again?” Jasmine asked, trying to free herself from Charlotte's grip.

Charlotte held her hands still, “listen to me.. Can you just forget about this daddy thing for God's sake?” Charlotte said, her voice almost cracked.

Jasmine shook her head, her face dim as though she wanted to cry, “why can't I have a daddy? I just need a daddy!” She folded her arms looking away from Charlotte.

“Okay! Let's get home first then you can have a daddy…” Charlotte said gesturing for an embrace but Jasmine wasn't giving it.

“Fine then..” Charlotte signed.