CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39 ELEVATOR SCARE2

Ryan’s POV

I WATCHED HER carefully from across the elevator, admiring how the emergency lights cast blue shadows across her face. Even disheveled and angry, Serena was breathtaking. The way her chest rose and fell with each breath, how she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear—habits I’d memorized years ago.

"You can’t stand there forever," I said, breaking the silence that had stretched between us.

"Watch me," she shot back, arms still crossed defensively.

The temperature in the elevator was dropping steadily. I could already see goosebumps forming on her exposed arms.

"You’re cold," I stated flatly.

"I’m fine."

"Always so fucking stubborn," I muttered, shrugging off my suit jacket. I extended it toward her. "Take it."

She eyed the jacket suspiciously, like it might bite her.

"I don’t need your—"

A loud metallic groan cut through her words, and the elevator lurched suddenly. Serena gasped, instinctively reaching out to steady herself against the wall.

"What was that?" Her voice trembled slightly.

"Probably just the cables settling," I answered, though I wasn’t entirely convinced. The building was old—this hotel had been scheduled for maintenance next month.

Another loud creak echoed through the small space, followed by a more violent jolt. This time, Serena couldn’t hide her fear. Her eyes widened, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow.

"Ryan..." The way she said my name—half accusation, half plea—made something twist inside my chest.

I moved across the elevator in two strides, standing close enough that she could reach for me if she wanted.

"It’s going to be alright," I said firmly. "These systems have multiple safety backups."

She nodded jerkily, but I could see she wasn’t convinced. Serena had always hated confined spaces—a fact I’d almost forgotten until now.

The elevator groaned again, and this time she did reach for me, fingers clutching my shirt sleeve.

"Hey," I said softly, placing my hand over hers. "Look at me."

Her eyes met mine, pupils dilated with fear.

"Want me to distract you?" I asked, keeping my voice low and steady. "Tell you a story?"

"Please," she whispered.

I thought for a moment, then smiled wryly. "Alright. Did I ever tell you about the time I set off the fire alarm in my dorm kitchen during sophomore year?"

Her brow furrowed slightly, curious despite herself. "No."

I said with a shrug. "Thought I’d cook me dinner. Pasta seemed safe enough. Turns out, you’re supposed to boil water before adding the noodles. Who knew?"

Serena blinked. "...Everyone?"

"Yeah, well. Not me," I said, deadpan. "I dumped the dry pasta into a cold pot, poured in too much oil, walked away to light some candles—and came back to smoke, a flaming dish towel, and two RA’s screaming at me through the alarm."

She gave a choked laugh, her grip on my sleeve loosening just a little.

"Then?" she asked.

"Campus security made me take a fire safety class," I said. "Can’t blame her. The hallway smelled like burnt regret for a week."

Serena smiled, just faintly, but it was enough. The tension in her shoulders eased.

"You’re ridiculous," she murmured.

"But I made you laugh," I said softly.

Another lurch rocked the elevator. She instinctively buried herself against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her without hesitation.

"I’ve got you," I whispered against her hair. "I won’t let anything happen to you."

Her body trembled against mine, and I kept one hand moving slowly up and down her back—something I remembered used to calm her when words wouldn’t.

"Talk more," she whispered. "Please."

I searched for something—anything—to keep her mind occupied.

"Okay," I said, exhaling slowly. "Did you know penguins propose to their mates with pebbles?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "...What?"

"Yeah," I nodded, managing a small smile. "They find the smoothest pebble they can and present it to the one they like. If the other penguin accepts it, they mate for life."

Serena stared at me. "Are you seriously telling me penguin trivia right now?"

"You told me to talk," I said, shrugging. "I’m doing my best to be romantic and educational under pressure."

She let out a shaky laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little.

"That is... the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard," she whispered, but there was a smile tugging at her lips.

"Yeah?" I said softly. "Still worked, didn’t it?"

Another violent lurch, the elevator creaked ominously, swaying slightly. Serena whimpered, burying her face against my shirt.

"I’m scared," she whispered.

"I know, baby," the endearment slipped out naturally. "But I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise."

She looked up at me, those beautiful brown eyes swimming with tears. "How can you promise that? We’re trapped in a metal box hanging by cables."

I cupped her face in my hands, making her focus on me and not our surroundings.

"Because I’d tear this whole fucking elevator apart with my bare hands before I’d let it hurt you," I said, meaning every word. "I’ve failed you before. I won’t fail you again."

Something changed in her expression—a softening, a recognition of the truth in my words.

Without thinking, I leaned down and pressed my forehead against hers, our breath mingling in the small space between us.

"Ryan," she whispered, my name a question on her lips.

Before she could say more, the elevator jerked sharply, lights flickering wildly. Serena cried out, and I pressed her against the corner, shielding her body with mine.

Then suddenly—blessedly—the main lights came back on, and the elevator hummed to life, resuming its descent.

"Oh thank God," Serena breathed, sagging against me in relief.

The intercom crackled again. "We’ve successfully restored power and stabilized the system. We apologize for the inconvenience and distress. The elevator will now proceed to the lobby level where maintenance staff will assist you."

I kept my arm firmly around Serena’s waist as the elevator descended smoothly to the ground floor. When the doors finally opened, we were met by concerned hotel staff and maintenance personnel.

"Are you both alright?" the building manager asked anxiously, rushing over.

"We’re fine," I answered curtly, keeping a steady hand on Serena’s back as I guided her out of the elevator.

"Though your building’s maintenance leaves much to be desired."

"I’m so terribly sorry, Mr. Blackwood. This has never happened before—"

I gave him a hard look. "Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again."

Then I turned my attention back to Serena, gently guiding her through the lobby toward the main doors.

"Come on. I’ll drive you home."

She hesitated, then gave a small nod, too exhausted to argue.

My car waited at the curb, gleaming beneath the streetlights. I opened the passenger door for her, and she slid in without a word.

The drive was quiet.

She didn’t lean away from me, but she didn’t say much either. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap, her shoulders still stiff from tension. I kept my eyes on the road, but my thoughts were entirely on her.

When we pulled up outside her apartment building, I shifted the car into park and turned to her."I’ll walk you up."

She blinked, surprised. "You don’t have to."

"You just got stuck in an elevator, Serena. You’re still shaking," I said gently. "I’m not letting you go upstairs alone."

She hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Okay."

We got out of the car in silence.

When we reached her floor, I walked her to her room, waiting as she unlocked the door.

She paused in the doorway, looking up at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For... keeping me calm in there."

I nodded, suddenly reluctant to leave her. "Will you be alright?"

She bit her lower lip, hesitating before meeting my eyes again.

"Could you... would you mind staying? Just for a little while?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I’m still a bit shaken."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "Are you sure?"

Instead of answering, she stepped aside, holding the door open wider—an invitation I’d been waiting years to receive.

I stepped inside, hearing the door close behind me with a soft click that sounded like the beginning of something new.