Elevator Escape

The man held a firm expression even after the aching slap. Giselle's eyes could only widen upon realization. Her heartbeat could reach her ears, counting down the moments after her show of bravery. Her hand trembled on its way down, and she uses it to cover her mouth.

Although her hand ached from the impact, she did not react to the pain. She was left stunned by her choice of action. It never occurred to her that she could slap a stranger out of anger. It never occurred she would get physical tonight or ever. She is just not that type of person. 

All her rationality and calmness to handle the situation vanished into thin air, and she was left shaking with fear. Giselle felt that the pressure from the people staring at them with their reaction was also not helping with the circumstances.

Giselle hated that she'd act all tough in the spur of the moment and only retreat after the damage is done. It's one of the bad traits she had that she disliked the most. 

After trying to avoid the man's eyes but only to sinfully go through the man's appearance and physique, Giselle cursed herself and thought of a way out of this lobby in an instant. She could make a run toward the elevator once it reached the first floor.

She watch the decreasing number show that the elevator was on its way down. Giselle would need to wait for a few more before dashing toward it. 

You've screwed it, Giselle. You've screwed it big time.

"Darius, that's enough. Control yourself, people are watching." the older man urged Darius to stop.

Giselle remembers the man's name now. Yvonne had mentioned him a moment ago while they were at the cafe, but she paid no attention to her chatter about people that she never thought she'd meet.

Darius' cheeks flushed red, with Giselle's handprint becoming visible every unnerving second that passes. He held rageful eyes as he inched even closer to her, bringing his head down to meet her forehead. 

She could only gulp as he spoke in a way that gave her chills down her spine, "You're going to pay for what you've done tonight."

"You deserved that slap," she whispered back, not breaking eye contact with him but in all honesty, fear was creeping in. 

Then, Giselle waited for what would happen next. She expected Darius to slap her back or do even worse, but no matter what his plans were, it did not occur when he was pulled away by the older man that could look like his father.

"Emesto, bitawan mo nga ako," Darius warned to let him go, pushing away his guardian, but the man did not budge. The man looked much stronger than Darius. And while Emesto bought Giselle the time by pulling Darius away, distracting him, she makes a run for it.

By the corner of her eye, she caught the elevator door opening, and a couple came out together with their child. There was a perfect opportunity for her, and she took it without further hesitation. Her eagerness for escape gave her back the strength she needed to flee. 

Darius and his guardian, Emesto, became a blur when her legs took off. The whispering and shocked murmurs from people were never silenced in her ears until she got inside the elevator.

Her fingers quivered as she pressed the floor number she resided on, and quickly, spammed on the button to shut the door. She told herself not to look back out. Though, it’s impossible not to with the tension outside. 

She looks and gains instant regret. 

Giselle sees Darius making his way toward the elevator along with Emesto following on his trail and a nosy crowd behind him. She could only stare with frightened eyes. Her brain screamed the negativity and chances of not making it out of this alive. 

But the doors had successfully closed while Darius was still halfway through the lobby; he could not make it even when he quickened his pace. Giselle’s back hits the wall while breathes out a sigh of relief. The elevator starts moving, putting an end to whatever had just happened. 

She closes her eyes and huffs until they snapped back open when she realizes something. Darius would know what floor she would stop in by spectating from below.

Giselle bumbled and scampered towards the buttons and pressed on multiple floors before and after her floor. This way, Darius can never determine where she roomed just in case he plans on coming after her.

Weakened and exhausted, she waits until she reaches her floor. Not only had she lost her take-outs, but the incident with Darius will undoubtedly affect her concentration with studying later on.

That despicable person had to ruin her night and all before the big test she has tomorrow. However, she could say that she’s also at fault for trying to come to terms with him. He's impossible. Why did she ever think he would apologize?

As soon as the elevator door opened, she walks out at a quick pace. She swings her bag sideward to reach for the front pocket and dig for her keys. She gazes at the nearest CCTV facing her before pushing her door open. 

There’s no way Darius would go to all lengths to find her, she thought to herself. 

They would never allow him access to the CCTV of this condominium. She could also tell her aunt about him and the incident. Darius won't have any access to anything private around here once she gets the word. But telling her aunt would only cause her to worry and question what had happened.

And the word will reach her parents. They will worry about her. 

Giselle doesn’t plan to worry her parent ever.

"Oh my god, he was such a jerk!" She screams out in frustration, locking her door and checking it twice. She stomps her way toward her bedroom, dropping her bag on the ground and plopping onto the bed.

She groans in annoyance, pettily kicking her feet on her mattress, "That jerk will be the death of my grades. I won't be able to focus now. Hay nako!"

Giselle spends a moment of silence as her mind becomes an empty nothingness. She was trying to revive herself and her thoughts back. There were more important things she had to think about rather than Darius.

So she performed her way of calming down. She pushes herself up and sat down crossed-legged on her bed. Giselle closes her eyes, performing her exercise breathing while slowly crossing her arms on her chest.

Carefully, she taps her shoulders with the palm of her hand for self-comfort. Little by little, Giselle was slowly coming back to her senses, and a smile made its way toward her lips.

Her state of mind, once again, was in tranquility and focus.

That's until her phone started ringing loudly from inside her bag. She jumps out of her bed, diving into the ground to retrieve her ringing phone.

She should be expecting a call from her parents, knowing they'd want to wish her a stroke of good luck for her big test tomorrow. So, Giselle did not bother looking at the caller's name when she answered directly.

"Nay, how are you?" She forces a cheerful tone while she tries to minimize her hastened breaths.

But instead of her mother's voice, she cringes at the sound of Yvonne screaming through the phone, "Hoy Azura, you did not just become internet famous because of the stunt you pulled with Darius!"

"What are you saying?" she replies, horrified by her best friend’s sudden outburst.

"Girl, you're all over I*******m and F******k. Well, your video is all over I*******m and F******k!" Yvonne squealed almost too excitedly.

But all Giselle wanted to do was faint that instant.