Chapter 28
I extended my hand towards her, catching a glimpse of fear flashing in her eyes. "John, what are you trying to do?" she questioned, her voice laced with panic.
"Remember, this is a professional environment," she warned sternly. "If you dare to cross any boundaries, I won't hesitate to have you fired, even arrested."
"Alright," I replied, retracting my hand. "I can see the pain etched on your face with every step you take. Why put on a brave front? Once we meet the vice president, I'll help you. I assure you, my intentions are pure. If I cross the line, you have my permission to fire me."
I pondered over my actions, realizing that winning her heart was going to be a slow process, requiring me to chip away at her defenses gradually.
"No means no, John!" she snapped. "If you dare to lay a hand on my waist, you'll regret it!"
Ignoring her stern warning, I allowed the silence to engulf us. The elevator seemed to be taking longer than usual to reach the boss's office, which was only two floors above. We both felt a sense of unease creeping in.
Suddenly, the elevator lights flickered and went out, the cool air blasting from the vents above stopped.
The power was out!
Lily gasped, "Oh no, I completely forgot! The power company sent a notice this morning about a scheduled power outage at one o'clock!"
She berated herself, "How could I forget something so crucial!"
In the pitch-black elevator, she began pounding on the walls, calling for help. "Someone, please! We're trapped in the elevator!"
The elevator jolted violently, the metallic creaking sound making my heart skip a beat. "Stop banging, Lily! Do you want us to plummet to our deaths?" I warned her. With the power outage, the elevator shaft had ceased functioning. Any sudden movements could prove fatal.
She seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. "Alright, I'll stop. But what do we do now?"
"Come here, don't be scared. Stay close to me."
I reached out in the darkness, my hand finding hers. She didn't resist. Her body was trembling, her voice shaky. She had once mentioned her fear of the dark and mild claustrophobia.
"Don't worry, I'm here," I assured her, seizing the opportunity to hold her hand. Under normal circumstances, she would have slapped me, but in this moment of fear, she clung to me tightly.
"I didn't bring my phone. Do you have yours?" she asked.
I did have my phone, but could I risk showing her the compromising photos with Mia? And how could I let go of such a golden opportunity? Ten Mias couldn't compare to one Lily.
"No, I left in a hurry. My phone is on my desk," I lied.
"What do we do now? Everyone's probably taking a nap at this hour. I doubt anyone will hear us," she worried.
Her body trembled more violently. "Lily, are you alright? Is your back causing you discomfort again?" I asked, concerned.
She remained silent, refusing to show any signs of weakness in front of me.
We sat in silence, the only sound in the elevator was our labored breathing. Lily's breaths grew more rapid, and the elevator seemed to grow hotter.
"Lily, do you suffer from claustrophobia?" I asked, breaking the silence.
I expected her to remain silent, but she finally responded, "How... how did you know?" Her voice was shaky.
Of course, I knew because she had told me. But I decided to play along.
"I guessed," I said casually. "If it was just your back pain, you wouldn't be trembling so violently. Plus, you started shaking the moment the elevator went dark. If it was just the darkness, you wouldn't be this scared, especially with me by your side."
"So, I concluded it must be claustrophobia. The trembling, rapid breathing, sweaty palms - these are all classic symptoms."
She didn't respond, and I continued, "I know a way to alleviate your anxiety and make you feel less uncomfortable."
"Quick, what is it?" she asked, her voice filled with desperation.
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