95. Sweet Charlotte
Seamus was at a stage where the first time in his life he didn’t know what to do with his relationship. He was walking on eggshells around his fiance. Charlotte had the right to be pissed off. But he loves her too much and has the most caveman urge to protect her. She was his and he was going to do everything to protect her.
The young Irish mob boss kept himself busy with their plan to pin down the chief of police. The man was proven tricky to handle and both Seamus and his dad have been working to dismantle his power with each passing week.
“It won’t be long now, son.” His dad uttered after he reminded him about the neat plan that they both had constructed months before. The father and son duo was talking in Braddock senior’s home office where Seamus was called in for updated details on their plan.This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.
The Chief of Police was going to fall and he was going to fall hard on his ass, where no one was going to help him. Not after the humiliation that he was going to be put through. He will be stripped of his power and put in jail with the rest of the scumbags, where Seamus and his dad had arranged his execution after a couple of months of torture, of course. After all the shit the man had put Seamus and Cormac through, the bastard deserved it.
“I do not doubt your ability, Dad. Now, if only you can make Charlotte be her sweet self again.” Seamus mumbled to his dad and the older man laughed and gave his son an affection pat on his shoulder.
“Every relationship has it’s up and down. You will get through this. You just need to talk it out. This is the one thing that you need to learn to navigate. But I trust that you’d make the right decision. Charlotte is a sweet young woman, you both deserve each other.”
“Do you think… I… I have men following her,”
His dad chuckled as if he would be crazy not to. “Of course you do, we have to protect our women.”
“Right, so… she’s been coming to this gathering at the town’s public library. My men assured me that I have nothing to worry about. But, the thing is… she’s talking to these strangers. Not me… them,” Seamus looked defeated and his dad poured him his best Whiskey and they both took a moment to appreciate their drinks.
“I think you should pop in there. Secretly, but then let her see you when she’s ready to go back. Just act casually as if you were picking her up after your working day.”
Seamus gave his dad his brightest smile, thinking the plan might actually work cause he had been thinking of listening to her talking. “I think that’s what I’m going to do. I wanted to be there for her, to listen to her. I don’t want to make her resent me, but these days that was all I’m getting from her.”
“She loves you,” His Mom chimed from behind Seamus when she interrupted them with one of their maid carrying assorted snacks and afternoon cake.
He didn’t reply to his mom until the maid left the room and leave them to their privacy. His mom poured herself a cup of tea before she continues. “Both of you are going to be fine. Take a vacation after everything is done, somewhere you know she loves. How about you check out the ballet performance schedule and make a night out of it.” She smiled easily and she knew just by seeing her son’s face lit up that he was truly considering her input.
“Dinner, performance, relaxing weekend away at the Markov hotel. That hotel chain had the spa done to perfection. You should try their private couple massage.” She winked at her husband and he laughed knowingly.
“Anything for my queen, we can go whenever your busy schedule allowed you to.”
Seamus shook his head and smiled at his parents because he wanted what they have. Their marriage can be rocky at times, but more often than not his parents are usually so happy and sickeningly sweet for a couple who had been married for decades.
“Alrighty then, I think that’s my cue to go home and talk to Charlotte.” Seamus got up and hugged his mom then let his dad give him another hug and a pat on his back.
When he arrived at his house Seamus couldn’t find Charlotte and when he called her driver Burke he told him that she at the town’s library. “We arrived half an hour ago. She went straight into the library as usual.”
“Thank you, Burke. Keep an eye on her. I’ll see you soon.”
“Of course, Sir.”
Seamus ended the call, grabbed his keys, and went out the door. When he arrived at the parking lot, Burke was there and he greeted his boss and took him to where the meeting was taking place.
“I’ll stay in the shadows for now. Thank you, Burke. You can go back to the house. I’ll be taking her back once she’s finished here.”
The driver nodded, then left Seamus at the small entrance of one of the meeting spaces in the library. Then his eyes zoned to Charlotte’s figure in the front. She was talking and everyone was listening to her. She looked happy as she was explaining their schedule and something Seamus didn’t even bother to listen to. Because when he saw her, all he saw was the Charlotte he once knew and more. She was confident, poised, and calm at the same time.
There was a slight hurt in his chest, thinking she looked happy in front of strangers than she was in front of him. Then, jealousy hits when a man a couple of years older than him whispers something in her ear that made her face shine brighter than he’d seen her since the day he got arrested.
“Seamus!”
He must’ve made a sound when he stumbled back and decided that he couldn’t witness her happiness anymore. He needed to do something, maybe kill someone. But he just couldn’t confront her, not right now. Maybe later, after he had channeled his rage. Yes, it’ll definitely be safer when he’d calm himself down.
He was almost at the door when Charlotte managed to catch up to him and grabbed his arm. She could feel him vibrating with anger when she released her hold on him.
“Seamus, what are you doing here?” Her voice was soft, hesitant, and carefully uttered as if she didn’t want him to get angry. Once again Seamus hated that she needed to be like this with him.
“It has been months, Charlotte, I’ve kept my distance. But here you are, happy, in front of all these strangers, while you’re… are you afraid of me?” His eyes focused on hers, he needed the truth. He loves her with all his heart. But he will let her go if it’ll make her happy again.
“No, Seamus, I love you.”
He shook his head feeling defeated already. How does his dad do this, he thought. “No, beautiful. I love you. Too much that I’m considering letting you go,” his smile was weak but when he saw her tears falling he just couldn’t help but pull her into his arms.
“I will let you go, you just need to say the words then I’m gone from your life and you can be happy again.” He kissed the top of her head before pulling back and cupping her cheek, wiping her tears away.
“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” An understanding flickered in her eyes, and she gave him the sweetest smile. “His name is Walter Hayes. He’s the doctor who runs this meeting. Well, Gabby, his assistant does. But he’s behind the whole thing. He’s also a well-known psychiatrist in his field who has a wife and two beautiful children.” Charlotte kissed his cheek and told him she loves him. “I don’t want you to let me go. You don’t need to be jealous. Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I want to introduce you to him and Gabby.” She didn’t wait for his reply when she took his hand and entwined their fingers and led him back into the room.
“Ah, the man himself. Charlotte talked about you. A lot.” Gabby blurted, there was an amused smile on the older woman’s face. The meeting had ended and they were talking by the long table.
“And this is our cult leader Dr. Walter Hayes, though he goes by Walter. Two syllables like Batman.” Gabby proudly introduced the man and Walter chuckled as he warmly greeted him with a handshake.
The introduction finally got Seamus to laugh. He could already feel that he was being stupid for his jealousy. It was clear that this was a very safe environment for Charlotte and Gabby reminded him of his old nanny growing up. Yes, his mom had done a great job taking care of him, but when she was too busy with her social life, he was stuck with his nanny.
“Gabby, you always think too highly of me. Now, Mr. Braddock,”
“Please, call me Seamus.”
“Seamus, thank you for coming here. I’ve been waiting to meet the man behind the name. And yes, Charlotte talked a lot about you,” he paused with a genuine smile on his face and he couldn’t help but smile back at him. “A lot.” He added, then both Gabby and Walter chuckled when they saw Charlotte roll her eyes.
It didn’t take long before the four of them fell into an easy conversation. Up until Gabby dragged Charlotte back into the group to do her duties.
“She’s been a great help, Seamus.”
Seamus looked puzzled thinking that she was here to get help not for giving help.
“Wait, I’m not saying this right, am I? Walter asked when he saw confusion in his eyes. “Look, she’s been doing voluntary work with us. I personally think it’ll get her to focus and deal with her health issues. Mentally and physically.”
“W-what?”
“I don’t know how much she’s telling you, but she’s getting better. And in my professional opinion, she needed to talk it out and learn to deal with her mental health. For some reason, she doesn’t want to talk to a professional. But helping others seemed to help her cope with her issues. Keeping busy made her feel better.”
Seamus was still processing Walter’s words when Charlotte walked towards them and he looked at her features, carefully. He noticed the prominent collarbone and her slightly hollow cheeks. She was losing weight and he didn’t even notice.
It was hard not to blame himself though Walter told him not to. On their way back to his car, he couldn’t help noticing the fragile grip of her dainty fingers as he reached for her hand. Guilt gnawed on his insides but he kept quiet.
Patience. His dad told him to slow down and take care of her. Seamus intended to do so. Whatever it takes. He wants her back. His sweet Charlotte.