Sebastian sat frozen, as did Carol while they digested this surprising, but oh so welcome news. The bodyguard was still talking excitedly on the phone, explaining things, but the two of them were not listening. They were staring at each other in shock and happiness. Without saying anything, Sebastian came over to where Carol was and gave her a big long hug.
“She’s waking up, Sebastian. Thank God.”“I’m so happy and relieved. You were right, Carol. You’re such a blessing.” He said, pulling back and looking at her in something akin to awe and reverence.“I’m sure that it wasn’t me or what I said that did it, but I’ll take the credit regardless.” Carol joked, happy to see him smiling once more. Suddenly, he looked much better. All the worries of the past month and even all the time since she knew him had dropped away from his face. Her gaze dropped to his luscious-looking, full lower lip. It was all she could do not to take it in between her own lips.That night, Carol slept in Sebastian’s room and in his arms. After he got back from Sacramento, he had told her everything about his visit there and how Jessica was. According to what he told her, Jessica was not really aware of her surroundings, but she seemed to recognize people that she knew before, and that was a good sign. The doctor was hopeful that she would go on to make a full recovery and even identify her attackers in no time.“Oh, that reminds me, I was thinking of going to visit her. I don’t think that it speaks well of me that she has been in the hospital for the length of time that she has and I’ve not yet gone to see her.” Carol told him, not mentioning that it was Melissa who had brought this to her notice.“That’s nice. I’ll inform the guards to let you see her. I left express instructions with the guards that no one was to be allowed access to her unless I gave express permission.”“Isn’t that a little extreme?”“No, it’s not, actually. I have managed to keep the new
“Look, I don’t know why you seem so eager to see Mr. James, but I don’t think it’s wise to take you along with me. I mean, the man is recovering from a sickness and he doesn’t know you. It would seem rude for me to just bring a stranger to visit him without even informing him about it.” An exasperated Carol protested finally, hoping that Melissa would see reason with her and get down from the vehicle to go back to wherever she had come from. Melissa was nodding her head as though she was listening and could understand Carol’s point perfectly well, but she made no move to get down from the vehicle. Carol’s driver left the car idling, looking from woman to woman as he waited for them to make a decision. “It’s not your fault, you sallow-faced nincompoop. By right, I should be closer to that bastard than you could ever think of being.” Charlotte wanted to say, but of course, she didn’t. Instead, she turned and faced the driver. “What are you waiting for, young man? Let’s get going.” She t
Within minutes, the driver delivered Carol and Charlotte to Mr. James’s residence, and then drove back to the house, after Carol told him to go, that she would give him a call when she was ready to leave. She was still not sure about bringing this Melissa lady along with her, especially as she had not informed Mr. James that she was doing so first, but they were already here and even if she wanted to change her mind, it was already too late. Carol glanced at Melissa, wondering at how strangely she was acting all of a sudden. She had a strange look on her face and was quiet … very quiet, especially for someone who was always talking.“Hey… Are you okay?” Carol asked, pausing and turning to face Melissa, who stopped and faced her too, staring at her blankly. They were standing between the lush lawns that led to the house itself.“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” Charlotte asked, visibly shaking herself out of whatever stupor she had been in.“I don’t know. You were looking strange j
“Um, uncle. I think it is best that she goes with me so that you can rest a little while we’re away.”“Oh, nonsense. All I ever do is rest nowadays. I’ll like to sit and chat with a lovely lady if that will not be too much trouble.” Mr. James said, waving away her concern.“Melissa, you don’t mind then?”“Of course not. I don’t mind one bit.” Charlotte replied, her heart beating rapidly. What she had longed for all her life was finally going to happen.“Oh, and while at it, kindly get me some flowers. I’ll send them over to Jessica with a driver. I heard that she’s starting to wake up.”“What?” Charlotte exclaimed loudly in shock and dismay, forgetting herself momentarily. Mr. James and Carol looked at her in surprise.“I mean, that’s really great. The poor thing has suffered a lot. I'm just happy that she’s finally waking up after such a long time. Has she said anything yet, about her captors or anything like that? I mean, that has to be one of the first things she'll talk about, righ
There was a tense silence in the room for some more minutes as the man and lady stared at each other. Charlotte stared at him without saying anything, not that there was anything that she could have said. It wasn’t every day that she was at a loss for words. Mr. James stared back at her, waiting her out, until she finally became uncomfortable with the silence and the staring competition, and just had to say something … anything.“How do you know who I am?” She asked him finally, her voice hard. If he thought that he could outsmart her, then he had better think again. She had come here on a mission, and she must fulfill it before she left.“What are you doing here?” He asked in turn, annoying her greatly.“No, no. We’re not going to do that. That is not how this is going to play out at all. I’ll tell you how it’s going to play out, though. I’ll ask the questions, and you’ll answer them. Got that?”“If you say so. Can you please stop being so loud, though? I’m getting a se
“Charlotte, dear. Do you mind if I explained my side of things? I don’t want you to keep going through life thinking that I purposely abandoned you and your brother. I would never do that.” Mr. James asked. “There’s no point. Carol will be back soon.” Charlotte replied tensely. All she wanted was for this to be all over and by all over, that meant that she should have dealt with Jessica too. Only then would she be happy and then she could disappear without anyone suspecting her of anything, after which she would reappear when it was time to claim her inheritance. Once she claimed it, she would ride off into the sunset to enjoy her newfound wealth and no one would be the wiser. She smiled happily to herself, just able to visualize the pleasing scenario, especially the ending part. Mr. James watched her quietly. There was something wrong with this lady. It was as clear as day. She did not look very stable. In the short time that he had interacted with her, he could see it clearly, alth
"I was the one who kidnapped and tortured Jessica,” Charlotte said, watching him closely and mischieously to see his reaction. He looked shell-shocked at first and then she saw doubt and pity creep into his eyes. He thought that she was crazy. Fuck him! She did not need his pity! “Excuse me?” “You heard me. I kidnapped and tortured Jessica, after which I lied to her that you were the one who asked me to do it and she, in turn, told Sebastian about it.” “Charlotte, why would you do that to poor Jessica?” Mr. James asked, beginning to realize just how much of a maniac this person was. It did not matter that she was related to him. She was a stranger and an evil one at that. “Why do you think? To get revenge against you, of course, and I can see that it’s working very well. To think that Sebastian caused you to have the heart attack that worsened your condition is really the best thing to happen to me in a long while. Oh, don’t look so surprised. Carol i
She turned while furiously wracking her brain for a plausible excuse, to find the maid from earlier standing in the doorway and watching her suspiciously. “Christ! You startled me. What am I doing? I’m not doing anything. I’m only tucking Mr. James into bed. He said he is feeling very tired and sleepy. Oh, and he asked me to get something to give to Carol from his room. I don’t know where his room is and I don't want to have to wake him up. Can you please point me in the right direction?” “Sure, I can.” The maid replied. The wary look was still on her face and it was only when Charlotte moved away from the side of the bed and the woman could see the uneven rise and fall of Mr. James' chest that she relaxed a little. “Alright. Come along. I’ll show you his room.” She said, waiting for Charlotte to move past her and then locking the door firmly behind her. Charlotte followed the woman, her heart beating really fast. If only this woman was not following