The Elevator kiss

Chapter 8 - The Elevator Kiss

Two weeks had passed since the accident. It felt like a dream now, it felt distant but never truly gone. Sometimes, when I closed my eyes at night, I could still feel the jolt of the car, the way the steering wheel fought against my grip, the burning scent of the airbag's powdery release but in the daylight, everything had returned to a sort of rhythm and a forced version of the normal.

I was back in my house now, though not without the daily presence of two bodyguards who shadowed me like ghosts. Nathan had insisted. He'd hired a private security firm and even sent over his driver. I was thankful, though sometimes the overprotection made me feel like a trapped bird.

Mrs. Rivers had done a full 180. It was as though almost dying suddenly made me royalty in her eyes. Every morning she prepared breakfast and left little notes by my door with motivational quotes and scripture verses. I appreciated the effort, though I wasn’t naive. Her sudden admiration was drenched in the knowledge that Nathan Cain had become a regular part of my life.

Cas, on the other hand, couldn't hide her jealousy. It seeped from her like cheap perfume, clinging to every comment she made but she didn’t dare say anything directly. Not when her mother had declared me "an angel among mortals" after hearing that Nathan had personally carried me to the hospital.

They didn’t understand. Nathan wasn’t my lover. He was the one man I couldn’t figure out.

He had told me I shouldn't read too much into his kindness. That I shouldn't get the wrong idea but how could I not? The way he looked at me when he thought I wasn't watching, the quiet check-ins and even the way his voice would soften whenever he said my name. I tried not to fall, I really did but the more I resisted, the more I found myself dreaming about him.

Today was my big day, my graduation.

I had made it through hell and still stood tall. That meant something to me. I wore the most beautiful outfit in my closet which was a rich emerald green dress that hugged my figure without screaming for attention. I paired it with nude heels that Ava got me as a gift and a matching clutch. My hair fell in soft waves and I kept my makeup minimal, just enough to enhance my features.

When Ava arrived to pick me up, she let out a long whistle. “Damn, Elena. If you don’t steal the spotlight today, I’ll demand a refund on that dress.”

I laughed, suddenly lighter. She always knew how to make things feel less heavy.

The ride to school was filled with nostalgic banter and emotional reflection. We talked about our first year, how we almost flunked statistics, how I cried after getting an A minus in creative writing.

As we arrived and walked into the campus, my chest tightened. This was it........ The final chapter of university and I was crossing into another amazing chapter.

We were walking toward the elevator when Ava suddenly stopped.

“Shoot,” she muttered, patting her pockets. “I left my phone in the car, go on ahead, I’ll meet you upstairs.”

I hesitated. “You sure?”

“Yes, ma’am. Go slay.”

I smiled and walked toward the elevator alone, my heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. The doors opened with a ding and I stepped inside, pressing the button for the auditorium floor.

The elevator hummed to life.

But then it stopped, not at my floor but at another.

The doors slid open, and in, walked the last person I expected to see.

Nathan Cain.

He looked... unreal. He was dressed in a dark brown suit that fit his tall frame like it had been sculpted onto him. A black tie knotted perfectly at his collar. His hair was slicked back, though a strand had rebelliously fallen over his forehead.

He was holding a leather folder and a bouquet of white roses.

Our eyes met and there was an awkward, thick silence.

He moved to the opposite side of the elevator and the doors closed.

We stood there, trapped in a small metal box with our past, our fears, and the unsaid words crackling in the air between us.

We both tried to speak at once.

“You go first,” he said quickly.

“No,” I replied, clearing my throat. “You start.”

He smiled slightly. “Ladies first.”

I gave a small nervous chuckle. “Okay. Um... you look good. I mean, really good, maybe you should have been the one graduating today.”

He chuckled, the sound soft and warm. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”

I tilted my head. “Why are you here?”

He held up the folder. “Your university invited me as a chief guest since we have a charity partnership.”

“Oh,” I said, trying to hide my sudden nervousness.

He cleared his throat and looked down. “Earlier... I was going to say something before you asked me to speak first.”

I nodded slowly. “And?”

He raised his eyes to mine, and for a moment, the elevator felt too small.

“You look beautiful, Elena.”

I blinked.

He stepped a little closer.

“No,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “Beautiful is too small a word. You look... stunning. Your beauty is glowing like the morning sun......... And i can bet that the world has no idea of what to do with someone like you.”

My breath caught in my throat and I could swear that my cheeks were as red as a tomato. “Thank you,” I whispered.

We kept staring at each other. The air buzzed with electricity. I could hear my own heartbeat echoing in my ears.

Then it happened.

A sudden jolt.

The elevator shook violently and jerked downward for a split second.

I stumbled, losing my balance but before I could hit the wall, Nathan’s strong arms caught me.

He pulled me into his chest, wrapping his arms around me. I gripped his suit tightly, feeling terrified.

He held me like that and i felt safe, warm and steady.

The elevator returned to normal but neither of us moved.

I was acutely aware of everything. His scent, the beat of his heart and the way his thumb gently rubbed my back.

He eventually pulled back slightly, his hands still on my waist.

“I’m sorry,” he said, voice husky. “For hugging you like that. I just... I wanted to.............”

I shook my head and interrupted him.

“Don’t,” I said, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. “Don’t make excuses for how you feel.”

He looked down.

I was tired of it. Tired of pretending and tired of him, pretending.

So I did the one thing that felt truer than anything.

I kissed him.

I didn’t plan it nor did I think about it. I just leaned in and pressed my lips to his.

For a heartbeat, he didn’t respond but then he kissed me back.

It was soft, it felt hesitant. Like we were both afraid the moment would vanish.

But it didn’t.

It deepened, slow and aching, like every missed opportunity was unravelling in that one embrace.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless, we stared at each other like strangers in a world only we understood.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened.

We didn’t move.

I spoke first.

“I know you said you’re not falling for me but I am falling for you, Nathan Cain and I’m not afraid to admit it.”

He didn’t respond.

He just stared at me.

A mixture of longing and denial in his eyes.

Then he stepped out without a word.

I followed, my heart thudding.