Chapter 26
My hands are still trembling as I step into Ethan’s office, my heart pounding in my chest. Being trapped alone in that elevator triggered my claustrophobia like never before.
And even though I’m out, I still can’t shake off the feeling of suffocation and darkness that casts a shadow over me that I can’t seem to shake.
Last time, it wasn’t this bad because Ethan was there with me, but this time it felt like the air in my lungs was being snuffed out, and it was hard to breathe.
My whole body is shaking, and the blanket draped around my shoulders is not doing any good at keeping me warm.
I glance around the office, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. Ethan isn’t here yet, and I can’t help but wonder why he asked for me to be brought in here.
“Would you like some water?” one of the maintenance crew members who accompanied me to Ethan’s office asks, holding out a bottle of water.
“Thanks,” I manage to say, taking the bottle of water from her.
A few minutes later, the door swings open, and Ethan strides in, his expression unreadable.
“Could you excuse us, please?” he says to the two maintenance crew members who were in his office with me. Even though his voice is firm and composed, I sense his anger.
They nod and file out of the room, leaving me alone with Ethan. My nerves spike at the sight of him.
He has discarded his suit jacket and has the sleeves of his shirt rolled up, showing his toned arms, and I struggle to maintain my composure. Suddenly, I’m no longer shivering, and I feel heat creeping up my body.
He takes a seat on the edge of his desk beside me, his gaze fixed on me. “Jessy, are you all right?” he asks, his voice laced with concern and worry.
I swallow hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes. “I—I’m okay,” I try to say confidently, though the tremor in my voice betrays me.
He studies me for a moment, not saying a word, his expression softening.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that again. I should have ensured the elevator was properly maintained myself. I took Lysa’s word for it when she told me that the maintenance had been carried out. I had no idea she lied about it.”
I shake my head. “Don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. But thank you for your concern.”
He nods, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”
I can see the look of worry in his eyes, and I almost tear up at the thought of him being worried about my safety.
“Are you sure you are all right? Maybe we should take you to a hospital,” he suggests.
“I think I’m fine, Ethan,” I reply, attempting to reassure him. “I don’t need to go to the hospital. I just need a moment to catch my breath.”
He nods, but I can tell he’s not entirely convinced. “I still think we should take you to the hospital, just to be safe. I know you have claustrophobia, and yet another elevator incident must have been terrifying for you.”
I shake my head, grateful for his concern, but not wanting to cause any more trouble. “I really think I’m okay, Ethan. I just need some fresh air.”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “All right, but please, take the rest of the day off. It’s the least I can do since it was my fault this happened.”
I hesitate, feeling guilty about leaving my work unfinished. “I appreciate it, Ethan, but I don’t want to leave everything for the others to handle.”
He gives me a stern look, his eyes softening. “Jessy, your health is more important than work. And besides, this wouldn’t have happened if Lysa had done her job. But I’m sure now she will be wishing she had taken it seriously.”
I furrow my brow. “Please, don’t be angry at Lysa because of me,” I say softly, reaching out to touch his arm.
Ethan shakes his head, his expression serious. “I’m not just angry, Jessy. I’ve already fired her.”
“You fired her? Ethan…” I trail off at a loss for words because I don’t know what to say as I didn’t see that coming.
Ethan brings his hand to my face, brushing a tendril of hair away, and the feel of his fingers against my skin sends a sweet sensation through my body.
“Look, Jessy, I know you might feel bad about Lysa getting fired, but the truth is, she hasn’t been taking her job seriously for quite some time. She lied about carrying out maintenance tasks that are crucial for the safety of our guests and the smooth operation of the hotel.”
“But firing her seems a bit harsh, doesn’t it?” I know Lysa can be really mean, but did he do it because of me?
Ethan shakes his head, his expression serious. “It’s not. She had it coming and this isn’t the first time this happened due to her negligence. It’s not just about her neglecting her duties. Her actions could cost us our customers, and we could even face lawsuits if something goes wrong.
“We can’t afford to overlook that kind of negligence. This isn’t the first time this is happening due to her negligence.”
I chew on my bottom lip, digesting his words. “I understand, Ethan. It’s just…”
He reaches out and places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I know what you are thinking, Jessy. I didn’t do this because it was you trapped in the elevator.
“I should have fired her a long time ago. I was just giving her time to change because I know she needed this job. But this is the last straw that broke the camel’s back, and I had to make a tough decision for the greater good of the hotel.”
I nod slowly, realizing the gravity of the situation. “Well, I guess you’re right, Ethan. Thanks for explaining it to me.”
He gives me a small smile, his eyes reflecting understanding. “Now, go home and take care of yourself.”
“Thanks.”
“My driver will take you home.”
“No, there is no need for that. I will just take a cab.”
“No, I insist.”
Not having the willpower to argue with him, I acquiesce. “Fine.”
“Good.” He rubs his knuckles gently against my face before standing. “I will call him now. He will meet you at the entrance.”
“Thanks, Ethan.” I get on my feet and start walking away.
“Jessy…let me know if you need anything. I’m sorry you had to go through that again.”
I give him a curt nod before walking out of his office.
As I sitin the back of Ethan’s car, I try to forget about the elevator incident, but when I close my eyes, it’s all I can see. So, I decide to keep my eyes open.
As the car comes to a halt in front of a hospital, I turn to the driver, confusion knitting my brows. “Um, excuse me, but why are we here?” I ask, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
I had been too preoccupied with my thoughts to notice that the driver had taken a different route from the one that led to my apartment.
The driver meets my gaze through the rearview mirror, his eyes soft with empathy. “Miss Martin, Mr. Reid instructed me to bring you here—the staff hospital,” he explains gently.
I blink in surprise, the realization sinking in. “But I told him, I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital.”
The driver’s expression is sympathetic. “Mr. Reid insisted I bring you here. He’s worried about you.”
I swallow hard, feeling a lump form in my throat, touched by Ethan’s concern for me. “I guess I will just have to get checked then,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
As if on cue, my phone buzzes with Ethan’s call. I hesitantly pick up, pressing it to my ear.
“Hello? I see that you asked your driver to bring me to the hospital even after I told you that I’m all right.”
There’s a brief pause on the other end of the line before Ethan speaks again, his voice soft yet determined.
“I know you said you’re okay, but I just want to be sure. Please, Jessy, humor me and go into the hospital to get checked out. It’ll put my mind at ease.”
His words tug at my heartstrings, and I find myself relenting, unable to deny him the peace of mind he seeks. “Okay, Ethan,” I concede, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll go in and get checked.”
A sense of fondness relief floods through me as I hear Ethan’s seemingly grateful response. “Thank you, Jessy. I will give you a call later to find out how it goes.”
“All right,” I reply, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
Later that night,as I lie in bed, surrounded by the comforting darkness of my apartment, I find myself unable to shake off the lingering sense of unease that has settled over me like a heavy blanket.
Despite the exhaustion weighing down my limbs, sleep eludes me, and each time I close my eyes, all I can see is the suffocating darkness of the elevator, the walls closing in around me.
The medications the doctor hospital had prescribed me seem to do little to ease my racing thoughts, and I toss and turn restlessly in bed.
If not for fear of overdosing, I would take more than was prescribed just so I could be able to get some sleep.
Instead, I try to focus on my breathing, willing myself to relax, but the memories of the suffocating darkness and of being trapped in that confined space refuse to fade.
Each breath feels shallow and constricting as if the walls of the elevator are still closing in on me, threatening to swallow me whole.
With a frustrated sigh, I reach for my phone, hoping that maybe a distraction will help ease my troubled mind.
As I unlock it, a new message from Ethan pops up.
Ethan: How are you holding up?
I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how to articulate the jumble of emotions swirling inside me. But then, with a sigh, I type out a response.
Me: Can’t seem to shake off this feeling.
I confess, my fingers hovering over the screen before hitting send.
Almost immediately, another message from him appears.
Ethan: Sorry to hear that. What can I do to help?
I smile faintly, grateful for his presence, even if it’s just through a screen.
Me: Can you sing me a lullaby?
Ethan: I thought we already established the fact that I have a terrible voice?
Me: I can’t remember when you said that.
Ethan: I have a terrible voice.
Me: No, you don’t. I think you have a sexy voice.
Ethan: Jessy, are you flirting with your boss?
His response causes me to giggle.
And as seconds turn into minutes, and I continue to exchange messages with Ethan, his words gradually ease the knots of anxiety that have wound themselves tight within me.
However, thirty minutes later, I’m surprised by the next message that pops up on my screen.
Ethan: I’m at your door.
For a moment, I’m frozen in disbelief. Did I read that correctly? Did Ethan really just say he’s at my door?
With a mixture of surprise and curiosity coursing through me, I set my phone down and cautiously make my way to the front door.
As I slowly turn the handle and swing the door open, my breath catches in my throat at the sight before me.
There he stands, with that familiar lopsided grin and those warm, reassuring eyes that never fail to make my heart flutter. I blink, almost unable to believe my eyes.
“Ethan? What are you doing here?” I manage to stammer out, my voice tinged with both confusion and delight.
He simply smiles, his gaze softening as he looks at me. “Since you can’t sleep, I’m here to keep you company,” he says gently, his words carrying a warmth that seeps into the very depths of my soul.
A rush of gratitude floods through me, mingling with the disbelief that he would go out of his way to check on me like this. Without a second thought, I throw my arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice muffled against his shoulder.
As I hold on to him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine, I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort wash over me.
“How about we order some pizza?” he asks.
“Yeah, I would like that.”
A few minutes later, as we settle in on the couch, the warm glow of the television casts flickering shadows across the room. Ethan orders a pizza and selects a movie for us to watch.
I can’t help but feel a sense of ease wash over me as we sit side by side, the comforting presence of his company making me feel better.
Before I know it, the exhaustion of the day begins to catch up with me, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. I try to fight it, wanting to stay awake and savor every moment with Ethan, but eventually, sleep finally claims me.