Chapter 24 Stuck in-between
Evelyn’s POV.
My throat tightened and I started suffocating in the elevator.
Adrian, who hadn't been paying attention before, turned to me. “Are you okay?” He asked.
I took in a deep breath, trying to stay fine. I survived the last time. I'll survive this too.
“I'll be fine,” I told him but my voice was shaky and my head spun as I tried to hold the wall for support.
Before I could react, Adrian moved to me and crouched down beside me, pulling me into himself.
I didn’t have the time to process how wrong that felt or how sudden and unexpected it was.
My face turned in surprise but I still couldn't forget the hatred I had for him.
“Don't hold me! Let go of me,” I breathed out with my shaky voice.
He breathed out in annoyance. “Stay still. You are having a panic attack!”
He was right. I needed someone to hold, someone to tell me it's okay and that I'll be fine.
I found myself tugging at Adrian and gripping his cloth tightly.
I leaned into him more and he pulled me even closer.
He didn't ask but I just spat the words. “The first time it happened, I was so scared ”
“I didn't know I would spend two days stuck in an elevator. I thought I was going to die, I barely believed I'd survive.”
“Since then, I've had a phobia for elevator rides. I'd rather take the staircase no matter how tall the building is,” I kept explaining.
He said nothing. He just listened. At least, he didn't tell me to stop disturbing his peace with my voice, he didn't shut me up.
“My family made me believe that was just meant to happen,” I paused. “They made me believe elevators aren't that bad,” I sniffled back the tears that threatened to fall off my eyes.
“But now….. again….” I stuttered.
Adrian didn't say a word. I wasn't expecting understanding or consolation from a cold hearted man. He isn't the type to show emotions like that.
He shifted and dug his phone out of his pocket then dialed a line.
I heard the ring tone sound for a while before the person on the other end of the phone picked up.
“My wife and I are stuck here in the elevator,” he said calmly. “Solve this problem quickly, you have less than fifteen minutes,” he said to the phone then ended the call.
I thought I was fine but suddenly, I started feeling suffocated. My chest tightened even more, I gasped even louder.
“I….. I can't breathe,” I choked out, holding my chest.
Adrian patted my back while I breathed heavily.
“Stay calm, Evelyn!” He said sternly. “Breathe in and breathe out!”
I shook my head. “I can't.”
He lifted me off the ground and made me rest my back on the wall. “Breathe,” he said.
“Look at me,” Adrian pulled me closer into himself by placing his hands on my lower back. “Breathe after me,” he said and did the breathing thing while I tried to follow.
Slowly, I regained myself. I took deep breaths and puffed them out while closing my eyes.
“Good,” he muttered.
“Now stay calm,” he said, more like an order.
We stayed close to each other like that for minutes before the automated voice came again.
“Sorry for the inconveniences. The elevator has been fixed,” the voice repeated.
The elevator floors started clicking again and Adrian moved away from me, standing with his hand in his pocket like nothing had happened just now.
The elevator doors opened and I was the first to step out, glad that I could finally breathe fresh air again.
If Adrian wasn't there with me, I wonder what my condition would have been.
Scratch that! That doesn't make him a good person.
He walked me to the car and the people in the lobby stared but I didn't have the time to stare back at them.
Edward moved out of the car when he saw us approach and bowed his head. “Boss.”
Adrian looked at him with unforgiving eyes. “No one permitted you to bring her here,”
Before Edward could reply, I stepped in.
“He did nothing wrong. I told him to bring me to you,” I said.
Adrian’s eyes snapped to me. “I don't need you to say a word,” he snapped.
He faced Edward again. “I'll let it slide this once. You don't bring anyone to my company unless I tell you to.”
Edward bowed. Adrian moved over to the car and held the door open for me.
“Get in!” He commanded.
I got into the car without complaint. Edward also moved into the car, driving out of Adrian’s sight immediately.
A few minutes into the drive, I suddenly snapped my gaze to Edward.
“Turn around,” I ordered.
His gaze flicked to the rear mirror. “Ma’am?”
“You heard me, Edward.”
“Turn around, I won't be heading home now. Take me to the Denklings Group first.” I said.
“The boss will…..” I cut him off with a wave of my hand.
“I'll handle the consequences. You just take me to the company.”
“We could say you dropped me off at home and I sneaked out of the house to go there even if I get caught,” I said. “Fair enough, isn't it?”
He went silent for a while before he turned the car around.
Soon, the car stopped in front of the Denklings company, the same building where the interview was held.
I got out of the car and stood in front of the company, staring at the tall building.
No matter how much I've thought about it since the previous night, I couldn't help but think that whoever the owner is had conned my family.
Even though the success rate is low, I was still going to try getting our fashion house back. It's the only lifeline our family has after all.
I stared up at the building.
The doors slid open on their own.
And every instinct in me screamed that I shouldn’t walk inside. But I had to take action.