Page 65 of My Boss

“So?”

“The safest place is inside. An elevator cabin with the doors open is a classic guillotine. It would be a shame if something happened to your pretty head, so leave them alone already. You won’t be able to open them yourself anyway; besides, you’re unnecessarily wasting energy. We don’t have anything to eat or drink, and waiting for maintenance workers to arrive during an evening like tonight may take a while.”

“How long is a while?”

“No clue,” he replies, then sits down against the wall.

It is rare to hear such words from Jan’s mouth. Just now, when he could show his brilliance and intelligence, he claims he has no fucking clue. I think I should record him. But I don’t have a phone. I’m cut off from the world. Trapped in an elevator.

I’m getting breathless again.

“What if we run out of air?” My voice trembles.

“We won’t.”

“How can you be sure? The air conditioning is not working.”

“There’s gravity ventilation in the shaft.” He points at the holes in the ceiling.

I’m biting the cuticle on my thumb. These few holes are supposed to give us the right amount of oxygen?

Jan apparently notices my anxiety because he speaks up a bit more softly,

“Calm down, Maria.”

“Calm down is the most annoying phrase in the world,” I growl.

“Nothing is happening.”

“Nothing’s happening, right? We’re stuck in the elevator, Jan! I don’t know how often something like this happens to you, but for me it’s the first time.”

“For me as well.”

“At least we agree on something.” I rub my forehead with my hand as I feel the fatigue of this whole day swallowing me whole.

I sit down opposite Jan, stretch my legs out in front of me and glance at the camera.

“Surveillance isn’t working. Maybe the security guard will figure out that something is wrong since there will be no video from the elevator?”

“There is a good chance for that. Just try to wait patiently. Someone will surely help us.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.” I lean my head against the wall.

Silence creeps up on us, which extends from a few seconds into several minutes, or even longer? The all-around twilight induces drowsiness. I yawn and snuggle into the collar of my jacket. I try not to look at Jan, but it’s hard to avoid his gaze when he looks at me. Besides, we are sitting in a can, facing each other, so what am I supposed to look at, his shoes? It’s normal that his face attracts my gaze, especially since even in the twilight, he looks damn gorgeous.

Maria, remember, Jan is a total asshole. He told you to finish some dumb report, even though he knew perfectly well that you were in a hurry for Christmas Eve supper. It was as if the calculations were a matter of life and death.

“Why is this report so important?” I ask.

“It’s an annual summary for the client. Our company exists because of our clients, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“I have not forgotten; just what kind of nutty client needs a report during Christmas? Aren’t such statements sent at the end of the year?”

“They are,” he replies, not taking his eyes off me.

I squint. Wait, what’s going on?

“Then why couldn’t I finish it after Christmas?”

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