His Gentle Darkness

Chapter Three:The Elevator Between Breaths

when I heard the footsteps

" Hold it"The voice was low commanding i pressed the open button immediately without thinking. the metal doors slid back slowly, Adrian stepped inside and suddenly the small space felt too small. Too quiet Too… aware

“Good evening, sir,” I said softly he nodded once Going home?

Yes, sir.

The elevator began descending silence settled between us like a living thing I could feel his presence beside me without looking at him. It was strange I had worked under strict supervisors before. but none of them made my awareness of my own breathing feel so loud,

But Adrian he is so different.

Are you afraid of elevators? he asked suddenly.

"I blinked" and I speak gentle.

“No, sir.”

Silence once again then he said quietly,you were standing too close to the emergency exit panel earlier my heart skipped slightly.

I was checking the security camera position, I said. Another silence followed,then he spoke. you are observant. my fingers tightened around my folder design requires observation.

The elevator lights reflected faintly in the glass panel walls. I could see his silhouette beside me tall broad shouldered imposing even when quiet.

The elevator stopped briefly at the 25th floor and no one entered the doors closed again and then it happened. The sudden flicker of the lights once twice.

My breath caught slightly, Power fluctuation, I said automatically but when I turned slightly, I noticed something else.

Adrian was watching me not my face my mouth. The realization sent a strange warmth spreading across my chest.

Are you cold? he asked “No, sir.” The air inside the elevator suddenly felt heavier. Like something invisible was pulling oxygen away slowly.

The elevator slowed as it approached the ground floor. And then I felt it the faint brush of something against my hand.

I froze slowly, I looked down his fingers were touching mine. Not grabbing not holding Just resting there. Like he was testing whether I would pull away. my heart began pounding painfully inside my chest. I did not move the contact was warm, unexpectedly gentle.

Do you enjoy working here? he asked quietly “Yes,” I whispered.

Silence........

Then he said something that made my breathing uneven.You do not seem afraid of me. I swallowed.

I should be, sir?

The corner of his lips moved slightly most people are. The elevator stopped ground floor the doors began opening slowly. but I did not move immediately neither did he remove his hand.

The night air from outside slipped into the elevator like a soft invitation. Ms. Rivers.

Yes, sir?

His voice was lower than before almost a whisper. If I step closer to you now…

My chest tightened painfully …will you step back? The question hung between us like a fragile glass thread.

I did not answer immediately because I did not know what answer he wanted. Or what answer I was afraid to give slowly, I shook my head.

No, sir.

He inhaled quietly, Then he did something I was not prepared for his free hand moved slowly gently.

Until his fingers touched the side of my face, not forcing not pulling Just resting there.

My heart felt too loud inside my chest too aware of the warmth of his touch.

“Goodnight, Elena,” he whispered.

And for a moment… I thought he was going to kiss me.his gaze dropped to my lips again.

The air between us felt suspended Breathing became harder. The world outside the elevator seemed distant but then, after a long heartbeat…

He lowered his hand Stepped back

Go home safely, he said

I nodded.

My legs felt slightly weak as I walked out of the elevator. but as I stepped into the night street outside the building…

I had the terrifying, confusing, beautiful feeling that something had almost happened inside that elevator. Something that neither of us was ready to finish. and somewhere behind me…

I felt the same sensation again Someone was watching.