"Are you sure about this?" I asked, following him closely as we stepped into the quiet elevator. My voice came out softer than I intended, almost hesitant, and I hated how nervous I sounded. The elevator doors slid shut behind us with a quiet metallic sound, sealing us inside the small space.
"Of course," he replied easily, reaching out and holding my hands like it was the most natural thing in the world.
His grip was warm and steady, and somehow that made me even more aware of where we were going.
"Am I even allowed in a place like this?" I asked, lowering my voice as the elevator began to move upward.
I didn't know why I felt so out of place already. Maybe it was because this was his world—his territory. Everything about it felt important and official, and I wasn't sure where I fit into that.
"It's my office," he replied calmly. "No one can complain about who I bring in except me."
