Chapter 23 The Elevator Ride
Evelyn’s POV.
Their steps were hastened but after a while they dispersed into two rows, revealing their boss.
Adrian walked through them.
With his hands in his pocket, he was approaching the reception.
Adrian got to us and walked past me with a swift motion, acting like I was invisible.
He had his eyes locked on the receptionist, those blue eyes of his, darkened.
The lady stood and bowed. “Welcome, boss.”
“Did you say she was crazy?” He asked, ignoring her greetings.
The receptionist froze, blinking rapidly as she rubbed her palms on her dress.
I stayed quiet beside the counter.
“You were going to tell the security to throw her out?” He continued.
Silence.
“That's my fucking wife you're talking about!” He roared at her and that attracted eyes.
“And you just treated her like nothing?”
I didn't know if it was right to feel special that Adrian Kane was acknowledging me but that was how I felt at the moment.
“I…. I…” the receptionist stuttered, her eyes darting between Adrian and I.
“I want you out of this building before I take my next breath,” Adrian announced.
“You had the guts to disrespect my wife. You can't work here.”
I blinked. The receptionist's eyes widened, a gasp escaping her lips.
People in neat corporate attire began to gather around us. She quickly moved out of her desk and stood in front of Adrian, rubbing her hands together.
“Please…..Sir, don't take this job away from me.” she pleaded. “I didn't recognize her”
“Exactly. I don't condone carelessness.” Adrian's dark voice said.
“I'm sorry.” The receptionist cried. “I'll never make that mistake again”
“I don't want to see you here by the end of the day,” he emphasized.
Before the receptionist could beg any further, he grabbed my hand and walked me towards the man at the checkpoint that had redirected me earlier.
I was confused. Adrian really laid off his receptionist for disrespecting me?
We got into the elevator together but didn't say a word to each other.
I only hugged the lunchpack to my chest and watched his back in the elevator. When we got out, he held my hand again and walked me past his secretary’s desk into his office, ignoring the lady’s greetings.
In his office, he let go of me roughly, almost pushing me to the floor.
“And why the fucking hell are you here?” He asked, his face almost turning red instantly.
Wait! Holding my hand and talking back to the receptionist was all an act?
“Because I came to drop you lunch,” I said.
He ran his hand through his hair, took off his suit and unbuttoned his shirt slightly. “And who the fucking hell told you you’re allowed to do that?”
“I wanted to apologize for spying on you!” I spat back at him, also looking pissed.
Adrian went back into his chair and settled down, leaving me to stand and watch him.
“That isn't necessary. I don't need your apology,” he said. “You won't be let off easy the next time this happens.”
I didn't argue because I was here to make peace and not escalate matters.
I placed the lunchpack on his table and set it out for him.
“You didn't need to do that to the receptionist, she didn't know who I was.”
He lifted his eyes. “It's my company, I decide who stays and who leaves.”
Arrogant!
“Yes, and that's why you abuse your power,” I said.
“My company, my rules,” he stated.
“And the people from the mall?” I decided to finally take the bold step and bring the matter up.
“You ruined their lives by taking their jobs away from them because you control them too?”
Adrian chuckled. “He told you to talk to me, didn't he?”
I had forgotten for a brief moment that I was wearing the diamond necklace he gifted me when I had the conversation with the store manager.
I didn't reply to Adrian's words but only stared back at him.
“That mall has been closed.” He said, voice hoarse. “It is now in the past, the staff should go kill themselves for all I care,” he added nonchalantly.
I folded my fists but I knew there was nothing my anger could do to solve this.
“Never show up in my company without my permission,” he warned.
“I'll obey,” I also replied quickly, hating the fact that I showed up here in the first place. Because of me, someone just lost her job.
“Time to leave, I'll see you to the car,” he stood up from his desk.
“The meal?” I asked.
He looked at the plates of meals on his table. “Who made it?”
“I did,” I lied, hoping he'd appreciate the effort I made on it.
He packed them up carelessly.
“Then I'm sure it's trash,” he walked over to the trash can and dropped it inside.
My eyes widened in disbelief. He didn't just throw that out.
I imagined myself spending hours in the kitchen doing that instead of Mira and bringing it here only to watch it get thrown into the trashcan.
Adrian Kane is an unbelievable asshole.
He walked out of his office and that forced me to move behind him.
Inside the elevator, I stood behind him, staring at him furiously because of what he did with the lunch I brought him.
Suddenly, the elevator jerked, making the both of us lose balance.
Adrian was able to steady himself while I fell to the floor, arching into the wall.
What happened?
My eyes shot up to look at the floors and realized that the elevator had gotten stuck in the middle of nowhere.
“Fuck,” Adrian muttered with a groan.
An automated voice rang out. “Attention everyone! Please refrain from using the elevators for the meantime, the issue will be resolved soon,” The voice repeated.
My breath came in ragged gasps, the tingling sensation in my ear suddenly got louder as my body trembled.
It was the second time this was happening and the first time, it left a scar.
The first time it happened, I was stuck for forty eight hours.