Chapter 2: Trapped
The growing pressure in her bladder forced through her focus and concentration. With a sigh she shut her laptop and stood up. She was cursing at the inconvenient interruption as she made her way to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she was literally running back to her laptop, a new idea cooking in her brain. By the time she stretched and shut her laptop, four hours had passed and the office was all but empty. She had completely redone the campaign and was finally ready to call it a day.
She rubbed her eyes, shoved her laptop into her bag, and headed for the elevators. Her phone buzzed with a low battery warning. Of course.
She rounded the corner and almost ran into him.
Vikrant stood in front of the elevator panel, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, watch visible. He checked it once. Then again, thirty seconds later.
“Late night?” she asked.
“Strategy session,” he said smiling politely. “You?”
“Client presentation tomorrow and brainwave decided to wait till 5:30 pm before making an appearance.”
He smiled despite himself.
The elevator arrived.
He stepped aside and held the door open for her. As the doors started closing, she was leaning against the back wall, scrolling her phone with one foot crossed over the other while he stood perfectly centered, feet shoulder-width apart.
They both noticed the contrast and pretended not to as the elevator started making its way down.
Lights flickered. The elevator jerked. Everything stopped.
Meenal gasped. Her phone slipped from her hand as she grabbed the railing. “What the…”
Vikrant moved immediately. Pressed the emergency button. Calm. Efficient. Checked his watch.
She stared at him. “You’re not even reacting.”
“This happens,” he said. “It’s inconvenient, not dangerous.”
She rolled her eyes.
The intercom crackled. A distant voice in some call center apologized and promised to send help as soon as possible.