Chapter 36 Are you mad?

The lift stopped midway, startling Sandy and Clara.

"What's happening?" Sandy screamed in the lift call but got no response. He looked at Clara's side where she was just into another world of panic.

She started hyperventilating as the thought of a small room killing her came alive again. Her hands and legs started shaking in fear.

"Are you okay?" Sandy asked suddenly when he saw Clara's tensed face. He couldn't read the volcano inside her but could feel the depth of her fear.

"I am not" Clara started taking fast breaths as the light went off and on constantly. She started beating the lift door fast as she couldn't take breath. Why the hell couldn't she breathe out? She is taking in too much of air and it started suffocating her.

"Relax. Relax. Relax." Sandy is now concerned with her state. He can't afford to take the name of the murderer. Alex might even tag him if Clara dies here.

"Okay, yesterday, I talked with my friend about Paxton" Sandy started the conversation to divert her attention so that she gets relaxed. It will take quite some time to repair the lift. He needs to get her occupied till then "You didn't ask me how I knew about your evil Grandma" Sandy asked. She slowly looked at him as he raised his eyebrow in a question. He slightly rubbed her shoulder to make her calm down. And just like that Clara's attention went to their yesterday's conversation.

Yesterday flashback "That was wonderful" Sandy's presence just behind her made her freeze. She turned abruptly.

"Relax. I just came to see why the lights are still on." Sandy cleared the misunderstanding.

"It's pretty late. You should leave the office." Sandy told her and Clara agreed to them instantly. She got a call before she could wrap her things.

"Hello" She answered as the number was new and she had no idea if anyone would even call her.

"You little thing." Elena's words made Clara stop her tracks. She was not talking on the phone. Instead, she was scolding Paxton and Clara started shivering with the thought alone.

"Cut the call before you scare my sister for fake." Paxton's words made Clara widen her eyes at the voice of him. His strong powerful voice was evident that he needed no one to protect him.

"Any problem?" Sandy asked as Clara jumped in fear. She wiped down the sweat from her forehead as she tried to divert the talk.

"Your phone was on speakers. In case you wanted to lie." Sandy quickly replied as Clara widened her eyes. Damn her day and fate. Why out of all the people, Sandy should know this?

"It's nothing. Thanks." Clara tried to leave the place.

"It's Mr Brain." Sandy gave a card quickly.

"I am aware of your grandma, Mrs. Elena Martin. Don't ask me how. So, in case your brother needs any help, he can contact this person." Sandy's words made her completely paralysed. She doesn't want any cop's help to make the issue bigger. It's just a matter of a few days and she will get custody of Paxton to get him.

But he explained that Brain is a cop for sure. But we can take his help without any legal formalities. Clara felt like she hit some jackpot.

"Are you sure that it cost no harm?" Clara does not at all believe his words.

"I might be bad but I am not an evil person to plot something so stupid." Sandy scoffed.

"About your husband and me, we have a history together. So, I can be an evil venomous person in front of him." His words made her chuckle a bit. Somehow, she felt relaxed with his presence and most importantly, she is a little relieved about Paxton now. Elena can't bully people forever.

Flashback ends.

Clara smiled recalling their little conversation. If someone knew about Elena, it's Sandy. And she got some little strength with his support. Maybe he is not that bad.

"I gave Paxton that number. Thanks for your help" Clara mumbled, totally forgetting

the fact that she is locked inside the lift. His little effort of rubbing her shoulder made it even easier for her to relax.

"Ahh" both are startled with the sound. Clara looked up where the sound was coming from and widened her eyes in shock.

"Omg" Sandy also screamed and both ran to the left-side corner so that they wouldn't get hurt.

A loud screaming sound and a floor-scratching sound echoed all around as the lift mechanic started panicking to see the happenings.

*********

"Sir. Please. Wait till they detect the fault." The security guard was continuously begging Alex to step away. But he almost opened the closed door of life halfway. As he was in 6th floor, he knew that the lift must be just below. He peeped inside and there was a small fan in the top. He didn't have to jump and all as the lift was just below the floor. He walked to them and opened the fan.

"Sir, it's dangerous" The security guard is surprised by his actions. Who the hell would do something like this?

Alex jumped inside from that big hole and got inside the lift, startling Sandy, and Clara.

"Are you mad?" Sandy yelled at Alex when he saw that it was him who pulled that heroic stunt.

"Yeah, don't you know?" Alex asked as he dusted his coat and turned to Clara who was closing her eyes till now.

"Are you okay?" He asked gently, grabbing her to his side.

"Why did you do this?" Clara asked terrified with his actions. It's not any Jackie Chan Film.

"You were trapped inside and I don't think I shouldn't have done this. Especially when you made a fuss yesterday" Alex's words made Clara shocked. Did he pull this stunt for her? To stop her from breaking down like the previous day.

A loud noise from upside down made them jump in fear. The lights went off suddenly and the trio were as scared as hell.

"Who the hell is pressing my right shoulder?" Clara yelled in pain.

"Sorry" There comes Sandy, starling Alex.

"So, on the left side?" Clara asked suspiciously.

"It's me." Alex whispered near her ears as she turned the red tomato. He was not just

holding her but patting her in between to help her calm down.

Before she could feel the warmth of those thoughts, she heard some little slaps.

"Stay away" Alex yelled at Sandy as he removed his hand from Clara's side.

"Then, give me your hand" Sandy didn't feel ashamed at all to grab Alex's hand as he literally can't handle his terrified heart. He has never been in a lift like this and the time is really long to get back to normal.

"Leave me, idiot" Alex yelled as he tried to take his hand away.

Clara moved front as she can't be sandwiched between these men in this lonely lift. Thanks to their cat fight, she didn't feel like she was trapped there.

"Don't touch me." Alex is getting mad now. But thank God he is there. If not, he would have grabbed Clara for help. Such a snob he is The lift started moving fast and both Sandy and Alex screamed with the effect of its speed. Clara couldn't even get the opportunity to show her fear. The show is stolen by these men for sure.

The lift door opened and the people there looked inside the lift with wide eyes. Sandy and Alex were almost hugging each other while Clara was in one corner eyeing these people as if she doesn't know these maniac people.

"Ahh" Sandy screamed again as he pushed Alex instantly and walked away from the lift Fastly.

"I thought you both don't like each other." Clara was surprised as Alex cleared his throat embarrassingly. That was not supposed to be like that.

"Both of you hugged each other once you realise you are in danger. And I don't think one can be comfortable with anyone just like that." Alex's jaws dropped to the ground with her sharp notice. She is surely one smart lady. She left the lift without saying anything but the nagging of their relationship started worrying her.

Just like that Alex and Sandy avoided each other for a full day and even meeting with Clara made them so embarrassed. The liftman should be put behind bars for the last stunt he has pulled.

******

Next day evening:

Elsa and Elena entered the home where the engagement arrangements were made perfectly.

They looked at Clara who was roaming around the hall as if she owned the entire place. Her attitude and happiness were evident in her face.

"She didn't know how deep the pit was going to be this time. This little courage of hers would cost her life time pain" Elena smirked at Clara as her mind is full of corrupted plans to which Elsa joined her grandma with a hope that one day or another, Alex would be hers.

"Just like Stella, she will face her hell soon." Elena smirks at Clara. She looked at Sharon who nodded her head positively to show that she had done what she asked for. Now it will be fun.