Elevator tension

“Merde” Julien cursed as the elevator stopped moving.

“What just happened, Julien?” Elsida asked as dread coursed through her bones.

“Italians and their fucking inefficiency” Julien rasped as he stalked the small expanse of space.

“We’re stuck El,” he said as his face scrunched into a grimace.

“This may not be the best time to say this but I don't do well in small spaces,” Elsida said as her face started to turn red.

Julien’s gaze snapped to her and his eyes lit up with remembrance.” Merde El are you okay?” he asked as his eyes roamed her face hurriedly for any signs of a panic attack.

“I'm going to be fine, I just need a distraction,” she said her gaze focused on the ceiling as she counted the golden boxes.

1, 2, 3, 4, …12. “You’re going to have to look at me if you need me to distract you.”

Elsida felt Julien’s heady gaze on her and she was starting to think she would be better at counting numbers.

Reluctantly, she tilted her head to meet his deep blue eyes that were staring her do