AN: Hi Readers,
Greetings!
I would like to thank you guys for your patience reading my story. It will be posted once a week though it was finished already 😅
If you're a Red Velvet fan as well you can check out my other stories.
Happy Pride month 😊
~iamtemperancemoon
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@Office building, late afternoon.
The office building buzzes with the usual end-of-day activity. Phones ring intermittently, mingling with the low hum of conversations and the tapping of keyboards.
Outside, the sun dips towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the cityscape visible through the large, glass windows. Inside, artificial lights begin to flicker on, casting a sterile glow over the rows of cubicles and offices.
Nana sits at her desk, her focus divided between the documents sprawled in front of her and the clock ticking ominously on the wall. Her workspace is meticulously organized, a stark contrast to her home office. Files are neatly stacked, pens aligned perfectly, and a small potted plant adds a touch of green to the otherwise monochromatic setting.The tranquility of the late afternoon is abruptly shattered as the ground begins to tremble.
The initial tremor is mild, a barely perceptible vibration that causes Nana to pause and look around, confusion etched on her face. But within seconds, the mild tremor escalates into a violent shaking that sends her and her colleagues into a state of panic.The building groans under the strain, its metal and concrete frame creaking ominously. Desks rattle, and the once orderly stacks of paper are thrown into disarray, fluttering to the floor like frightened birds. Computer monitors wobble precariously, and the overhead lights sway, casting erratic shadows that add to the chaos.
NANA'S POV
Nana (voice trembling): Oh my god, what's happening?!Her eyes widen in terror as she grips the edge of her desk, knuckles white from the pressure. Around her, the office descends into pandemonium. Colleagues scream and scramble for cover, diving under desks or making futile attempts to hold onto something stable. The air is thick with fear and the sound of objects crashing to the ground.In the midst of the turmoil, Gehlee appears. Her usually composed demeanor is replaced by a look of urgency as she scans the room for Nana.
Spotting her frozen in place, Gehlee wastes no time. She rushes over, her movements steady despite the quaking floor beneath her.Gehlee: It's okay, stay calm. It'll pass soon.Without hesitation, Gehlee grabs Nana's hand, her grip firm and reassuring. She pulls Nana away from her desk and towards a sturdy table nearby.
The two women dive underneath it, Gehlee positioning herself protectively between Nana and the outside chaos.Under the table, the noise is somewhat muffled, but the violent shaking continues. Dust and debris fall from the ceiling, coating the floor in a fine layer of gray. Nana clutches Gehlee's hand tightly, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. The world outside their small refuge seems to blur into a cacophony of sound and movement.
Gehlee (calmly): Just breathe, Nana. It'll be over soon. Nana tries to steady her breathing, focusing on Gehlee's calm voice. The seconds stretch into what feels like an eternity, each one marked by the relentless shaking of the building. Finally, after what seems like an age, the tremors begin to subside. The violent shaking diminishes to a gentle sway, and then, mercifully, stops altogether.
A tense silence follows, broken only by the sound of distant car alarms and the muted cries of people outside. Nana and Gehlee remain under the table for a few moments longer, both of them processing what just happened. When they finally emerge, the office is unrecognizable. Desks are overturned, papers and office supplies litter the floor, and the once neatly arranged space is in total disarray.
Nana (voice shaky): Th-thank you... Gehlee offers her a reassuring smile, brushing dust from her clothes. She checks Nana over for any injuries, her eyes filled with concern.
Gehlee: No problem. Are you alright?Nana nods slowly, though her eyes betray the lingering fear. She looks around the devastated office, her mind struggling to grasp the full extent of the disaster.
Her colleagues are beginning to emerge from their hiding places, dazed and shaken but mostly unharmed.
Nana (still shaky): I-I think so. Just... a bit shaken. Gehlee nods, understanding. She gently guides Nana to a nearby chair that has miraculously remained upright.Gehlee: Sit down for a moment. It's important to stay calm.
Nana sinks into the chair, her hands still trembling slightly. Gehlee stands beside her, keeping a watchful eye on her as she begins to take stock of the situation.
The office intercom crackles to life, the voice of their manager coming through, steady but urgent.
Manager (over intercom): Attention everyone. Please evacuate the building calmly and quickly. Use the stairs, not the elevators. Make sure to assist anyone who needs help.
Gehlee looks at Nana, who nods in agreement. Together, they join the stream of employees heading for the emergency exits. The stairwell is crowded but orderly, the sense of shared crisis uniting everyone in a common purpose.
As they descend, the walls tremble occasionally with aftershocks, but nothing like the initial quake.Outside, the evening sky is tinged with the orange glow of the setting sun. The streets are filled with people, some looking bewildered, others checking on friends and family.
Emergency sirens wail in the distance, and the atmosphere is charged with a mix of relief and anxiety.
Nana takes a deep breath of the cool evening air, feeling a bit more grounded now that she's out of the building. She turns to Gehlee, who is scanning the crowd, presumably looking for any stragglers from their office.
Nana: Gehlee, I... I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there. Gehlee gives her a warm smile, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Gehlee: You would have managed. But I'm glad I was there to help. The two stand together for a moment, watching as their colleagues reunite with loved ones or make phone calls to check in with family.
Nana feels a newfound sense of gratitude towards Gehlee, whose calm presence had made a terrifying situation bearable.
Nana (softly): Thank you, truly. Gehlee nods, her expression serious but kind.
Gehlee: We're a team, Nana. We look out for each other. As the emergency crews begin to arrive and assess the damage, Nana and Gehlee step aside to make room.
The night ahead will be long, filled with aftershocks and uncertainty, but Nana feels a little less afraid knowing she's not facing it alone.They find a quiet spot away from the main crowd, sitting on a low wall that borders a small garden. The chaos of the city feels distant here, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the soft murmur of concerned voices. Nana leans back, taking a moment to process everything.
Nana: You know, I never thought I'd experience something like this.
Gehlee: Earthquakes can be pretty terrifying. But you handled it well.
Nana laughs softly, the sound tinged with a mix of relief and exhaustion.
Nana: I don't know about that. I was pretty much frozen until you showed up.
Gehlee: That's natural. It's a scary situation. But you're safe now, and that's what matters.
Nana nods, feeling the truth of Gehlee's words. As they sit together, the first stars begin to appear in the sky, twinkling faintly against the deepening blue. The world feels a little less intimidating with Gehlee by her side, and Nana allows herself to hope that, whatever comes next, she won't have to face it alone.
