The Next Morning
I avoided the mirror. I avoided the window. I avoided everything that reminded me of that moment.
I dressed extra fast and arrived at the office earlier than usual. I moved like a ghost, slipping through corridors, dodging shadows.
I couldn't face him. Not yet.
I stepped into the staff elevator, grateful it was empty. The doors began to close — then suddenly stopped.
A hand reached in.
No. Not now. Not him.
Cassian Ward.
He didn't take his usual private elevator. No, he stepped into mine — the staff elevator. Into the same small space.
My body stiffened.
Good Lord, the universe hates me.
"Good morning, Miss Quinn," he said coolly, adjusting the sleeve of his navy suit.
I nodded, trying to keep my gaze on the ceiling.
The doors closed. The elevator began to move.
Silence.
It wasn't just awkward. It was suffocating. The tension sat between us like a third body — loud, heavy, aware.
My palms grew damp.
He was right there — tall, unbothered, and standing just inches away. I could smell the spice of his cologne. Hear the steady sound of his breath.
Why was it so quiet? Everything felt so quiet like a graveyard.
I watched the elevator count numbers, but right now, it felt like it wasn't counting at all. I wanted to disappear that moment… but I couldn't.
Then—
The lights flickered.
The elevator jolted.
And everything went still.
Pitch black. Still air. A creak above. Then a metal clank like death announcing itself.
"No, no, no…" I whimpered.
I stepped back, heart pounding, and instinctively reached for something — someone.
My hand landed on the one thing I shouldn't have touched:
Cassian.
He didn't move.
My arms wrapped around his middle, my face pressed to his chest.
I couldn't help it. My fear was too real, too raw. Darkness terrified me.
I once had a darkness trauma, so I'm always scared of dark.
Trapped spaces? Even worse. The walls were too tight, the air too thin.
"Miss Quinn?" His voice was calm. Too calm.
"I… I can't— I don't like the dark. I—I can't breathe— HELLLLLLP HELLLP!" I screamed at the top of my voice.
"Azaria," he said, this time gently. "It's just a technical hitch. The elevator will resume in a moment."
But I was trembling. Crying, even. I didn't care if he was my boss.
I needed to feel safe. And right now, that meant staying close.
I grabbed onto his trousers as I continued screaming and sweating.
He didn't push me away. Instead, he reached around and pressed the alarm.
A buzz rang out above. A voice crackled through the speaker:
"We're aware of the situation. Hold tight. Help is on the way."
Minutes passed.
Maybe five. Maybe fifteen.
I didn't move. My fingers gripped his shirt. My breath came out in small shudders.
I didn't even realize I was still crying until he wiped something off my cheek.
He gently placed a hand on my head and patted it lightly.
Then, from his pocket, he pulled out an earphone and slid one side into my ear.
A song began to play —
"Praying" by Kesha.
My breathing slowed. My heartbeat softened. The lyrics poured into my ears like an apology from the world.
"It'll be alright."
Those three words.
They shouldn't have felt like anything.
But they did.
They held weight. Warmth. Safety.
Eventually, the lights blinked back on, and with another sudden jerk, the elevator doors slid open.
Fresh air.
Two technicians stood waiting. I quickly peeled myself away, my cheeks burning with shame.
Cassian stepped out first, adjusting his suit like nothing had happened.
I followed in silence.
Back at My Desk
I collapsed into my seat, unable to process what just happened.
I kept banging my hands on my desk saying,
"Why does it have to be him that would be there that moment? Aiiiish, maybe I screamed too much. Oooh, he already knows I have a trauma."
Stephanie popped her head over the partition.
"Girl. Why do you look like someone just proposed to you and then slapped you after?"
I blinked. "What?"
"Your face. You're… flushed. Sweaty. And glowing?"
"I—It's nothing. Just… elevator issues."
Stephanie narrowed her eyes. "Elevator issues, my ass. Who else was in there with you?"
I looked away. "No one worth mentioning. Just other staff from other departments."
She gasped dramatically. "Wait… wait. Don't tell me you were stuck with someone you have a crush on. GIRLLLLL. Are you having office romance?"
I groaned and buried my face in my hands.
"I'm not," I said out sharply, trying to hide it. But it was written all over my face.
"Oh my God. I'm right. Who is he? Is he in our department? Which department is he?"
"Please, Stephanie… I said I'm not stuck with any crush."
She pulled her chair close. "You're not escaping this gist."
Stephanie wouldn't stop pressing me. I didn't know what to say anymore.
But I was finally able to get away from her as Mr. Ward stepped in — and she rushed back to her seat.
Later That Day
As I packed up, ready to leave the office and bury the memory of today in a grave somewhere, my phone buzzed.
Anna.
Girl, you've been quiet since the Cassian Chronicles. If you fainted in that office, I swear I'll sue him on your behalf.
I laughed, the sound weak but real.
I texted back:
"I didn't faint… but something in me definitely collapsed."