Blind Spot by Sakshi C (the reader ebook TXT) 📕

Danzel, like a lightning, dashed in the direction she had run into. 

"Inessa," his gaze scanned the empty hallway carefully as he called her name. The woman had vanished into thin air. A flicker of irritation crossed his face. Gritting his teeth, he called her again while checking all the corners. She had run in this direction only.    

"Inessa," he called as he inspected the stairwell. 

His search brought her to the ladies' toilet. Without waiting, he opened the door. 

The toilet was empty just like the entire hallway. He got in and did a quick scan while walking in. A faint whiff of her dewy scent wafted through his nostrils, making him pause. He inhaled deeply to confirm. When he was sure, he searched the room again with his eyes.      

"Inessa," he called as he walked further in. No response came. 

There were a few cubicles in the loo.

"I know you are here. Come out," he opened the first door only to find it empty. She didn't come out. 

Danzel sighed in exasperation. He was trying his best to not let his control slip. 

"Come out now," he said with more force as he pushed the second door open. A fearful gasp echoed in the room. There was no way for him to catch it if he didn't have sharp ears.

He followed the noise that brought him in front of the last cubicle. He curled his long fingers around the handle and tried to open it only to meet with resistance. This one was locked.      

"I know you are in there. Open it," he stated as he let go of the handle and took a step back. All he received in return was a deep silence. 

Danzel clenched his jaw tightly at her disobedience. He had no idea why was she behaving like this. He had felt the whole crowd boring holes into his back as he had followed her out of the hall. Now the question will be asked and not talk about the damn media. 

"I said open the damn door," he roughly slapped the door in frustration. She didn't open the door. 

He clenched his fists and glared hard at the door. 

"So you want this hard way. Alright! then hard way what it will be," he stated cryptically and retreated a couple steps. Focusing on the door, he broke it open with just one hard kick. The door violently swung back, revealing her. 

He froze in shock when he found her huddled against the wall with her knees up to her chest. She had buried her face between her knees and was shaking violently. Her hair was a mess, it was obvious to figure that she had pulled at them. 

Not a moment later, she lifted her flustered face and met his gaze. There was so much pain in her bloodshot eyes. So much that it was hurting him physically. 

Inessa was having trouble breathing. She was looking at him with her imploring eyes for help as she constantly gasped for air. She was breathing but it wasn't reaching her lungs. The pitiful woman started dragging her body towards him as tears flowed down her eyes in quick succession. 

Danzel was quick to realize that she was undergoing a panic attack. In one large stride, he closed the remaining distance between them and crouched. He quickly gathered her cold, shivering body in his arms and pulled her onto his lap, hugging her close. 

" Listen to me, you will be fine....You will be fine, mon age," he told her as he cupped her cheeks.    

His assurance made her sob all the more helplessly. She was desperate to breathe. She touched her nose before waving her hand in no, more tears flooded down her eyes. Her lungs were close to bursting out.

" Look into my eyes, Inessa and follow my instructions, alright?" he wiped her tears with his thumb and spoke as gently as possible. there was also a hint of urgency in his composed tone. Seeing her like this was making his heart cry. 

She nodded vigorously, looking into his eyes. 

"Calm down. You are safe. No one is going to harm you, precious. I won't let anyone hurt you. Now take a deep breath for me," his words hit the spot. 

You are safe. No one is going to harm you, precious. I won't let anyone hurt you. 

How much she had longed to hear these words her whole life. No one had ever said this to her. No one. Not even her dad or Andrei. Ir sounded so good, so convincing. 

"Breath for me, star," he pleaded softly, holding her face closer. The concern in his eyes was unmistakable. 

She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. 

"Now exhale," she followed his soothing voice and exhaled. 

"Breathe in," she breathed and pressed her tear-stained cheek against his chest, under his chin. He gently tightened his hold around her, not much but just enough to let her know she wasn't alone in this. His other hand started stroking her back gently. She could hear the frantic beat of his heart. It was helping her ease off.   

He looked so calm from the outside but on the inside, he was going wild with concern. 

"Breath out," and she breathed out, 

Soon, her stiff shoulders drooped in relaxation as her breathing turned normal. Huddled in his arms, the woman didn't realize when her eyes shuttered close during their exercise.  

The exhaustion was weighing heavily on her eyelids and his hand tenderly caressing her back made it impossible for her to keep her eyes open. Without her knowledge, she fell into a dreamless slumber. 

He felt her body relaxing against his chest. 

He peered down and found her asleep. Doubt filled him. He tilted her face and she scrunched her brows in disapproval, it is then he relaxed. She was asleep not passed out. 

He placed her head back on his chest and kissed the top of her hair. He was sitting quietly on the floor with her on his lap. 

After a few moments, he hoisted her up in a bridal style and walked out of the bathroom. 

He attracted many curious glances as he crossed the crowded hall. This time he couldn't bring himself to care about the eyes that were stabbing questions on his back. He kept walking towards the exit, holding his heart's desire close to his heart.