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It would be fun, they said, it will help you socialize, they said. Well she was now walking out of her car to the hotel. Business parties were not her cup of tea. And to think that her colleague pushed to go was worse. She knew that they didn’t want to go to this place and socialized so they all collectively chose her to represent their department. She too, hated gatherings but she was the bravest out of all. Not that she was scared of people, it only depended on her social battery and recently, she had none due to work.
But she had to go and with that, she hid her anxiety with fake confidence and entered the hotel. She thought of how terrible she looked, a white dress with glitter and a small bag. Her hair was up but she would’ve much rather to have them down. And her heels, her poor feet were starting to choke on how tight they were. But nonetheless she pressed the elevator button and had to suffer for the few hours she was staying at the party.
At the front of the elevator she paused, she was reluctant but she pressed the up button and entered the elevator as she recalled their conversations.
“But ! You are the prettiest of all of us and plus you are the bravest!”
“She is right heh, You’ll do great!”
“Fine I will, just because I’m tired of you both harassing me!”
What a bunch of bitches, she thought. Remembering their faces that she saw from the corner of her eyes made her more mad about going to this party than she should be. Their evil smiles as they knew that she would ridicule herself, their chuckles every time they passed next to her office, it drove her mad sometimes. But she kept her cool, why worry about people like that when you can worry about yourself. As the elevator closed its doors, she heard a yell outside of the elevator.
“HEY! WAIT!” a man said running to the elevator. She pushes the elevator door and they open again and the man slows down and takes a deep breath while walking to the elevator.
“Thank you.” He said as he fixed his suit’s sleeve. She only smiled at him and nodded. A silent had been restored and now both looked away at whatever was mildly interesting. He fidgets his suit’s jacket as he quickly looked in at her in the corner of his eyes. She looked at his figure first. He was tall and strong looking fella, but, somehow, he felt comforting. His face was stern and he was concentrated, but boy could she not get her eyes off him. And when he looked at her physique, and her eyes to mouth to- It made him blush. This handsome stranger fixed his hair and spoke up.
“Excuse me, are you going up?” He asked with a gentle voice.
“I’m going to the party, so up please.” She said with a smile. He stood watching her for a few seconds and then turned his head to the elevator buttons with a blush on his cheeks. He was next to an angel, her voice made him leave this earth to the heavens and he never wanted to end.
“What are you going to the party for?” She assumed because of his attire. He quickly glanced at her and responded.
“I am- I'm security.” Of course he was, he had the body of one and looked intimidating but that was not he was trying to project on her. The silence invaded the elevator once more, which suffocated them. The elevator light flickered and set an ambience that both didn’t intend to create.
‘Ask her name, ask her name!’ He thought to himself as he tightened the grip of his fist. Without any moment to think back he asked.
“I’m sorry but, what is your name?” She tells him and asks the same question.
“In- I mean… Koichi, I’m Koichi.” He said as he raised his hand for a hand shake. She hesitated but gently slipped her hand between his. He gripped her hand as gently as he could and put his other hand oh hers and let go with a smile. She already missed his warm hands and looked at where the elevator was. It was only the 10th floor.
They were waiting, waiting for the 30th floor but it has seemed forever since they got in the elevator. At some stage they would be there right?
As the air conditioner hits, she feels shivers down her spine.
‘That stupid dress’ she thought to herself. He let his eyes off the elevators floor numbers and looked at her. He saw her cold skin and frown to himself as she crossed her arms to get warmer. While she was focusing on getting warmer, she felt fabric on her shoulder and looked at the stranger. With a silence, she grabbed his jacket on her shoulders and wrapped it around herself.
“You didn’t have to.” She shyly said.
“I was starting to get hot anyway.” He said with a smile. What a liar, he was starting to get cold now.
21, 22, 23, 24…. As the elevator went up, They both felt the elevator floor and shake and then,
Nothing.
No movement.
No lights.
They could almost see nothing until the light opened again. They were closer as their shoulders were almost touching. It startled her as she excused herself. He didn’t pay attention, he was more worried about what the hell happened to the elevator.
“I think we're stuck here.” He said with frustration.
“I can’t be stuck here!” He said as started walking around in circles in the elevator. She gently grabbed his shoulder and spoke.
“We’ll find a way, I'm sure.” As his cheeks blushed he nodded and directed himself to the elevators buttons and she joined him. Being so close to him just felt so comforting and she felt warmer. He tried not to think on how close they both were and to focus on fixing the elevator. They tried everything, the emergency call didn’t work or nobody was on line, pressing all the buttons didn’t work as well, and to yell on top of their lungs also didn’t help much.
She sat down and sighed. She gently took her shoes and hissed. He sat down next to her and really wanted to smoke to get the stress out. What he didn’t expect was her head on his shoulder, she sighed and chuckled to herself.
“This is a good story I’ll tell my co-workers.”
“Oh really.”
“Yeah, stuck in an elevator with a handsome security guy, what a twist.” She covered her face with his jacket and he turned his head the opposite way to both hide their pink shaded cheeks.
“I never asked but, why are you going to this party?” He asked with a curious look on his face. She only chuckled and followed it by a sigh.
“Kinda got peer pressured to it. I’m not regretting it.” she said as she turned her head and smiled at him.
“I think this is much better than this stupid party.” ‘ it is, but Lupin..., but it is..’ He said to himself.
“Yeah.. I guess it might be.” He finally answered. He tried to be as vague as possible in fear that she might know, just might know who he was and his crazy life. He just wanted to be indifferent.
She checked her phone for any service and sighed, there was nothing. She untied her hair and took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The smell of her perfume suddenly got stronger and made Koichi start to feel light headed. He didn’t want to say anything until she did.
“Your aftershave… it smells.. Nice.” She said as she squeezed. He swallowed and tried to respond as best he could.
“..Th-thank you.” he turned his head away to hide his red cheeks. He gently put his hand on her arm and brought her closer to heat her up a bit. With their eventful days, this situation was best and silence was healing them both from a none stop life. But both didn’t know, and both took this opportunity.
They both heard some loud steps and before they knew the door of the elevators were forced open by a bunch of guards.
“Inspector! We finally found you!” One of the guards said.
‘Inspector?’ she thought to herself. He stood up and held his hand to her which she gladly took and got up as well. He gave her a card and stood in front of her.
“I will see you soon, hopefully.” She said speechless.
“Inspector? You lied?!” She said.
“Haft lied.” he said, looking away. His guards were starting to be impatient.
“Sir-” One said. Koichi looked back at them and signed them to go without him and they followed the orders.
“Look-” He took her hand and covered it with his.
“It was an honor meeting you Madam”
“It was a pleasure as well but-” She paused and looked away and gripped his jacket she was still wearing as she hesitated to ask when they would see each other again.
“I mean- you should get your jacket back-”
“I’ll get it later.” And with that he left.
She got off of the elevator and walked down stairs with her shoes in one hand, her bag in the other and his jacket covering her shoulder. She thought of the card and what he said, does that mean that maybe, they will see each other?