Chapter 9 ENCOUNTER

CELESTINE’s POV

As soon as the shaking of the elevator started, I grabbed hold of the iron railing that was next to me. The light went out for a split second before going back on as the most horrifying thump filled my ears, but then it turned off once more. Oh, God… When everyone in the room started yelling, I found that I had no way to hold back the gasp that burst up from within me.

Someone yelled out, ‘‘What the hell is going on?’’

‘‘We have no way out!’’ a third party remarked.

‘‘Oh my God, I’m claustrophobic…’’ I could clearly hear the woman in front of me murmur.

Someone gave a response, and almost instantly… he pulled out his mobile phone and turned the lights on. He didn't spend any time and immediately punched the emergency button. Almost immediately, a booming voice could be heard emanating from the speaker located within the elevator.

‘‘Everyone, listen! Try not to freak out. Everything is operating as it should. The maintenance staff is currently on their way to perform elevator repairs. I will say it once more: Don't panic, stay calm, and everything will be fine in a short while…’’

And at that point, there was complete silence, yet I couldn't help but feel tense. I was under the impression that I was fortunate to board the elevator at the appropriate moment; nevertheless, it turned out that I was actually unlucky to be trapped in an elevator that was stuck with a number of strangers.

I heaved a sigh as the abrupt spin in my head caused me to trip and accidently step on the foot of a woman who was behind me. ‘‘Oh… I'm sorry... I didn’t mean it…’’

However, she didn’t accept my apology without a fight. It's possible that she was already frustrated with the predicament we find ourselves in right now, and that my stepping on her foot added fuel to the fire. The next thing I knew, she was forcibly pushing me, and I was once again slammed into that hard chest.

If the man hadn't caught me in time, I would have fallen to the ground and hurt myself. ‘‘Careful, Miss…’’ the man said and chills ran down my spine. It was as if I heard his voice before.

I turned to face him and strained my eyes to look into the darkness to see his face, but I was unable to do so. I was abruptly thrust back into his arms for a second time after the elevator was suddenly rocked by a tremendous bang, which also occurred suddenly.

‘‘Oh my, God!’’ Following one another in rapid succession, a variety of yells and cries immediately erupted.

‘‘Don't be afraid everyone. The elevator is currently down for maintenance. It will be working soon.’’ The speaker once more uttered words that were reassuring to the audience.

When I saw that the arm that wasn't holding my groceries was wrapped around the neck of the stranger, my eyes expanded to the size of saucers. ‘‘Uh…, I'm sorry...’’

Just as I was about to remove my arm from around his neck, he hooked his arms around my waist and began to pull me closer to him. ‘‘Stay still!’’

‘‘What?’’ I was completely at a loss for words. Is there a problem with the elevator again?

But a moment passed by before I heard a warm breathing sound that tickled my ear. ‘‘Your smell is so familiar…’’ he whispered. ‘‘That vanilla and strawberry scent…’’

And that’s when I realized that I knew this man. No wonder his voice was so familiar. He’s no other than Arnold Maxwell. My sister’s boyfriend whom I had slept with a week ago.

His words were echoing in my mind that made me stiffen, and I found myself instantly transforming into a human statue made of stone.

The feeling of panic that overcame me when I realized that the elevator was stuck… the claustrophobic darkness inside… and the trembling sensation caused by the screams and shouts of the people around me were not quite as terrible as the sensation that I was experiencing right at this precise moment.

This man was my worst nightmare and the reason that tied my heart in knots. As if on cue, the recollection of the shady agreement I had made with my sister immediately came flooding back to me the moment I thought of him.

‘‘I don’t want to see your face ever again in this city. Go back to the province where you currently live and stay there until you die.’’

‘‘Never show your face in this place again! You’re as disgusting as shit!’’

My brain was buzzing, a cacophony of thoughts. My heart was still bleeding from those words, and I could already anticipate the consequences if my father and his wife found out that I was in the city.

‘‘Who are you?’’ he asked, his arms were still wrapped around my waist. His voice was hoarse but calm and steady, and it wasn’t too loud but it was more than enough for me to hear it clearly.

At this very instant, the palms of my hands couldn't help but start to break out in a chilly sweat. Even though it was obviously cold outside, my back was still sweating like it had a mind of its own.

‘‘Hey! When are they going to finish the elevator's repair?’’ The woman who had pushed me yelled her disapproval into the air.

‘‘Yeah... when can we expect it to be fixed? It’s getting hot in here!’’ The person who pressed the emergency button yelled in an obnoxious manner, but the man who was holding my waist wasn’t affected by the noise. Instead, he pressed me closer against his body and his warm breath was now fanning my cheek.

My body reacted instantly. My mind and my hormones were now battling. My mind was telling me to push him away, but my hormones said stay still, don't move, and let him hold you.

Oh, dear God! Please help me…