Chapter 111: I Am Here Too

The ride in the elevator that morning was the most awkward.

They stood side by side and Corrine wished she had taken the stairs instead.

He literally stopped the elevator just so he could ride up with her. Corrine could never forget how quickly and aggressively she tapped on the close button of the elevator when he swayed towards her with that mischievous smile. Her blood pressure raised and her mind instantly went to survival mode.

She thought she had finally escaped him when the doors slid close. She even let out a deep sigh of relief. But she found out that the elevator wasn’t ascending the floors to the top.

It stopped and reopened for him to enter the tube like a king.

Corrine could never forget the evil smirk he gave her as she stumbled back to create enough space for him to enter.

It had been awkward ever since.

What was even the most awkward was that they had been in the elevator for the past half an hour. It had been slowly rising toward the top, yet they seemed to be getting nowhere.

She regretted ever allowing him to operate the buttons. She should have left when he entered and before he had her trapped in here with him.

What a shameless divine monster he was.

She eyed him once more. He looked the least bothered by how ridiculously slow the tube was in reaching the top. As if he had a reason for the delay or he probably had something sinister to do with it.

Whatever it was, she was determined not to initiate any unwanted conversation with him. He had been so relaxed and patient and so far he hadn’t bothered her with anything. He acted as if she wasn’t also trapped in here beside him.

Or maybe he really didn’t care.

She eyed him bitterly again.

’’What’s the reason behind your smile?’’

She found herself saying after a while. Her hands curved to rest under her breast as she turned away from him.

But the prolonged silence she got made her turn slowly at him again in disbelief.

He didn’t have any earbuds or headphones on, so there was no reason he shouldn’t have heard her.

Corrine frowned when he was clearly ignoring her.

They were also standing close enough for him to hear even the sound she made while she breathed!

What was with the cold shoulder he was suddenly giving her after she had agreed to become his captive flower.

’’Hey,’’ she called out again, turning around fully to stare at him. He stood there waiting for the long elevator ride to stop. His hands were folded before him as he looked everywhere else except where she was.

Corrine parted her lips and moved just enough to stand before him.

’’I am talking to you,’’ she demanded with a cute frown. A small smile curved on his lips as he observed her in quiet amusement.

Then the long ride paused with a soft ding and the doors slid open to welcome them both to the top floor.

She stood in his way, stubbornly preventing him from leaving until he acknowledged her.

Grim smiled and turned to her left but she moved quickly to block him.

Grim paused to give her an amused look before turning to the right and she was quick to move and block his way.

He paused, unable to hold back his smile. Corrine felt that strange heat rise and move throughout her body as his golden eyes locked on hers.

’’I will bite you if you don’t move,’’ he teased but to her it sounded like a serious threat. One that made her heart drop and her entire body to tense up a bit.

And without any further hesitation, she moved out of his way looking partly scared and withdrawn. He thought she was so fun to tease but at the same time that look she had on her face was so adorable. It moved and softened his resolve to keep ignoring her.

Corrine raised her head slowly when she felt one of his gloved hands wrap around hers gently. It was soft and warm. It made her stare at him dumbly for a whole minute.

And for other weird reasons...she found herself unable to remove her hands from him. Not that his grip around her hand was hard or tight. It was more heart fluttering. It was one she found herself hating and loving at the same time.

The strange feelings confused her. Her lips parting slowly in shock.

’’Are you scared?’’ He asked so softly it was becoming hard to hate and feel disgusted by him.

Control yourself dammit!

You can’t afford to go soft on something that could grow super hungry one day and decide that you are his next meal!

Control yourself!

She gently pulled her hands from his although she hesitated a few times and said in that signature strong tone of hers.

’’And why would I be scared of you?’’

Grim curved one interesting eyebrow down at her. Another reason to be so obsessed with this cute little once more. He remembered when she last said the same thing to him. It was beautiful but never romantic after she collapsed on him and he thought he would never see her again.

The back of her throat dried up as she said the next thing, trying her best to sound brave.

’’You are currently the least terrible monster in my life. I have nothing to fear from you.’’

His smile fell softly, his expression turned serious but sympathetic.

Her eyes glistened as she regarded him with false bravery. She must be hurting so badly inside...his own heart bled for her.

Then he reached for her hands again. This time, not giving her an opportunity to let go or turn from him.

’’Well, with me here, you indeed have nothing to be afraid of.’’

She blinked, a tear slipping from her eyes.

’’I am here to get rid of every monster in your life before I let go.’’

’’This second life of yours, I will be taking every monster surrounding you down along with me to Hell soon. So you can live this life the way you want it and live it freely without any threat.’’

His thumb caressed the back of her hands softly. She found herself staring at that single act of affection from him.

Then he suddenly pulled her out of the elevator and began to lead her down the long and beautiful hallway.

She moved behind him with her eyes glued on their joined hands and for a long moment it was the only thing she saw and thought about.

She was surprised by how quickly they reached the front door of the room. Her eyes moved and stared at him when he separated his hand from her. And she slowly had to bring her hand back to her side.

A few seconds passed and Corrine wondered why they were still standing in front of the door. She turned to him in confusion and wondered if he had other plans in mind or was just going to make them wait here until eternity.

’’Don’t pretend with me, Anais. I know you know the passcode.’’

He turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow, waiting to see if she would keep pretending not to know the passcode.

Corrine gave him a sharp glare and moved close to open the door.

Grim stood behind her, loving her with his whole heart. He wondered if she would love being pinned to this door and have that sharp mouth of hers tamed by his.

The door opened with a soft click and she stared at him briefly before entering.

Grim smiled.

Kissing her this morning wasn’t such a bad idea.

Was it?