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Uninvited 

"She is not picking up!" Brandon lamented, holding his phone to his ear as he tried Charlotte's number again. The line rang endlessly before disconnecting, leaving a frustrating silence.

Brandon stood, his eyes fixed on the phone, “how do I reach her now? Who can I contact?” He murmured to himself.

Astor, who had been pacing, stopped abruptly. His piercing grey-brown eyes locked on Brandon. “Let me have it,” he said, his tone cold and impatient as he extended his hand for the phone.

Brandon hesitated, but he handed it over. Astor quickly typed the number into his own device, his fingers moving swiftly. He hit the dial, but there was still no answer. 

“And her address?” Astor demanded, his voice sharp and cold.

“Address? Oh! Address!” Brandon exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he remembered. “Thank goodness! She wrote that in her CV.”

He hurried off, nearly tripping over himself in his rush to retrieve Charlotte’s file. It didn’t take long for him to return, a manila folder clutched tightly in his hands. He handed it over to Astor, who took it without a word and began scanning through it.

Astor’s eyes settled on the address, and his expression hardened. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone again, dialing a new number.

"15 Windsor avenue." Astor said into the phone, his voice leaving no room for argument. He ended the call abruptly, slipping the phone into his pocket. “We’re leaving,” he said curtly, his tone a little commanding as he strode out of the room.

Brandon stood confused whether to go after Astor or to stay behind, “after you…” he murmured.

When he got outside, he saw Astor standing by the car, his phone on his ear, talking to someone.

“Sir..?” Brandon called.
“Are you daft to see that I'm on a call ?” Astor barked and continued his phone call.

Brandon stood rooted on a stop without uttering any words further.

When Astor was done, Brandon motioned forward but Astor stared dangerously at him, a glare that could send one thinking.

“You said, we're leaving so I thought uhm…” Brandon couldn't continue any further.

“Stay back..” Astor said, stepping inside the car as the driver drove off.

Brandon heaved, placing a hand on his chest as a sign of relief, “oh my God! Thank God he went alone…” he said, walking back inside.

“Roda? Quinn?” Brandon called as he stepped inside. They rushed out almost immediately.

“Is Mr Astor's dress ready?” He asked.

“Almost ready… in the next 15 minutes..” Roda replied as Quinn nodded in response.

“Please, I don't want any mistakes! Unless you want to lose your jobs, Quinn?” Brandon said, but his eyes were more fixed on Quinn.

“Understood.” Quinn replied.

Brandon waved at them to continue their duties as he strode off.

\---

Meanwhile, at her modest apartment, Charlotte crouched in front of Jasmine, brushing the little girl’s hair with gentle strokes. Jasmine squirmed slightly, her pout visible in the reflection of the small mirror on the table.

“Baby, you have to go to school, okay?” Charlotte said softly, her tone laced with concern. “You’ve missed a lot already.”

“No!” Jasmine protested, crossing her arms stubbornly. “I want Daddy to take me to school.”

Charlotte froze, her chest tightening. “Jasmine…” she began, but before she could continue, the sound of a knock on the door interrupted her.

Before Charlotte could rise to check, a voice rang out, deep and calm.

“And I’ll take you to school.”

Charlotte’s heart stopped. She turned slowly, her eyes widening in disbelief as Astor Harrington stepped into her small living room as if he owned it.

On hearing his voice, Jasmine lit up like a Christmas tree. She ran to him, her little arms outstretched. “Oh, Daddy, you came!”

Astor crouched just enough to scoop her into his arms, his expression softening as he held her close.

Charlotte, however, remained rooted to the spot, her face a mask of shock. “Astor?” she finally managed to say, her voice trembling. “What are you doing here?”

Astor chuckled, the sound low. “Jasmine wants me here,” he said smoothly, his gaze flicking to Charlotte. “So why not?”

Charlotte heaved staring straight at him trying to fathom what he had planned this time around, she didn't know what to say.

Wait! How did he know where they live? 
“How did you find us?” Charlotte asked, her hands akimbo.

Astor chuckled, “I can always find anyone no matter where they are…” 

“That isn't the question you know?” Charlotte said, raising a brow.

“Well, I guess you wrote your address in your CV…” 

Astor was right, she had submitted her CV for the job offer, but this didn't seem like a job offer anymore, it was something else.

Jasmine got out of his arms, her excitement expressively shown. “I’ll go put my clothes on!” she said, dashing off toward her room. “Daddy, did you really come to pick me up?”

Astor straightened, his lips curling into a faint smile as he called after her. “Of course, I’m here for you.”

The smile vanished the moment Jasmine disappeared from view. His gaze snapped back to Charlotte, his expression hardening.

“Charlotte,” he began, his tone low and commanding. “Don’t make this difficult or complicated. I’ll be waiting for you this evening. Don’t keep me waiting.”

Charlotte stared at him, her fists clenched at her sides. She wanted to argue, to push back, but the words wouldn’t come.

Jasmine returned moments later, dressed and ready, her small hand slipping easily into Astor’s. His demeanor softened once again as he looked down at her, a chuckle escaping his lips.

“Bye, Mom!” Jasmine called, waving as she followed Astor toward the door.

“Wait!” Charlotte said as she dashed to the kitchen and brought Jasmine's food flask.

“Thank you mommy.” Jasmine greeted with a smile. “Bye..” she said finally as Astor pulled her over.

Charlotte stood frozen, watching helplessly as they left.

\---

Not long after, Elaine entered the house, her usual cheerful expression faltering when she saw the look on Charlotte’s face. “Charlotte? Are you alright?” she asked, her tone filled with concern.

Charlotte didn’t respond immediately, her gaze still fixed on the door.

“Where’s Jasmine?” Elaine pressed, stepping closer.

Charlotte finally turned to her, her voice hollow. “She left… with Astor.”

Elaine’s jaw dropped. “Astor Harrington?”