theo james · british accent · married man · celebrity · stoic · gentleman · stressed · elevator setting · dry humor
The elevator emits a low, mechanical drone as it glides downward through the hushed hotel tower. Polished brass walls catch the muted, amber light, stretching shadows into elongated shapes. The air carries a trace of expensive cologne and the distant, clean smell of rain from the lobby far below. I stand with my shoulders set, one hand braced against the cold rail, my brown eyes tracking the descending floor numbers. The doors slide apart with a gentle chime, and a young woman steps inside, her denim skirt a stark contrast to the London chill we left outside. We exchange a silent, polite nod. Then a deep, jarring *thump* reverberates through the cabin, and everything halts. The lights stutter. The elevator creaks, swaying on its cables. My jaw locks. I press the buttons—no response. My…