Leading Lady | Charlie Barber x Reader.

Drugged.

You thought the lights on a movie set were bright, but they were nothing compared to the burning fluorescents of the hospital ceiling. The white light burned your retinas as you softly opened your eyes, squeezing them shut again immediately. 

Your whole body hurt, your head was consumed in an all mighty migraine, making you feel sick. You looked down at your body, covered in thin blue bed sheets. Snippets of last night flashed before your eyes...Mary...Gray...Vic. The blood, the ropes...the deal. 

"Angel...You're awake."

...

The after party was at an upscale club in west Hollywood. You spent most of the evening accepting flowers and cards from executive guests and esteemed journalists and bloggers. You were showered with compliments and well wishes, it was a wonderful feeling. But all you wanted was Charlie.

You managed to sneak away from Elizabeth and Harry, avoiding their attention as you crept to the busy bar. You took a seat on a stool and waited to be served.

"Let me." A voice from the left of you called out. You looked over to see a man, fitted snugly into a deep burgundy suit. He had a clean shaven face, slicked back black hair and bright blue eyes. A warm smile kissed his lips.

"Vodka and lime. Thank you." You said, looking cautiously at the stranger.

"It's my pleasure, the least I can do for a Hollywood starlet like yourself." He said, a flirtatious tone rippling in his words, playing with his rings that adorned his fingers.

"I wouldn't call myself that, but I appreciate it." You hummed.

The man looked you up and down, from the tip of your shoe to the top of your head, taking his bottom lip into his teeth. If it weren't for Charlie confessing his love to you, you would have probably taken this man home to warm your bed.

"You're more beautiful in the flesh..." He purred. "I'm Gray." 

You shook his hand lightly.

"You're too kind, it's nice to meet you Gray." You said between sips.

"A pretty, talented thing like you shouldn't be drinking alone..." He mused, one of his hands fell to your knee. You flinched away from his touch. "What's the matter, my brother told me you were a little slut." 

You didn't understand what he was saying until you looked over at the bar. You couldn't believe your eyes. Vic stood behind the bar, wearing a white shirt and bow black tie, shoveling ice into a drink. He gave you a dark smile. Gray was his brother. You'd never heard Vic mention his name before, only that he was in prison for fraud. 

Then you felt your eyelids begin to get heavy, your stomach swirling. Then you felt a pair of hands lift you up from under your armpits and walk you out of the club. You felt your body sway, your feet failing to work, you couldn't escape the grip.

"Charlie..." You whispered, before falling into the black abyss.

...

"Elizabeth, pleasure to see you again." Charlie said with a cheerful demeanor. 

"Likewise Charlie. What did you think of the film?" Elizabeth replied.

"It was perfect, speaking of, where is our Tammy? I wanted to congratulate her."

Elizabeth looked around the table, but you were gone. Charlie thought to check the bar but you weren't there either. Elizabeth checked the bathroom and the dance floor, but you were nowhere to be seen. Charlie's stomach dropped when he saw a familiar, blood chilling grin from the front door of the club. It was Mary. He rubbed his eyes, but she was real, laughing to herself as she went. 

Charlie ran to the door, following her out. A large black jaguar sped away leaving trails of dust behinds it, Mary in the driving seat. Through the back window he could make out the top of your head, sandwiched between two men. 

"Angel!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. But it was too late, you were gone. 

Charlie quickly memorised the registration plate of the car, burning it into his mind before going back inside to tell the others, and the cops.

...

Your head was heavy, hanging down as you let out small shallow breaths. 

You opened your eyes gently, looking down at your legs that were tied to a chair with black rope. You felt your arms, they were tied up to the chair too, behind your back. You looked around at your surroundings, your vision was blurry and foggy, but you could make out that you were in the centre of some sort of abandoned garage. A large black jaguar parked opposite you. Before you could focus the car lights came on, the lights burned your eyes, making you howl in disgust.

"She's awake..." Vic said in a sickly sweet voice. "I'm sorry about the drugging kitten, but I knew you wouldn't come willingly."

"Fuck. You." You hissed, spitting on the ground in front of you.

"Oh...pussycat grew some claws. That's Hollywood for you." He said, letting out a dark chuckle.

"What the fuck...do you want from me?" You said, you head lulling back with your eyes closed.

You saw Gray approach you, a woman by his side. You recognised her immediately.