Chapter 224 - Trapped Together

Alex was bouncing with every step as she followed the game staff. Jasper looked at his girlfriend strangely. The cheerful vibes didn't suit the gloomy prison cell atmosphere. It was actually cold and the air-conditioning made him shiver. He didn't often take her out for dates because of how busy he was. Their dates usually consisted of her coming over to the office for a visit and buying his employees coffee while tidying his desk or him just napping on her lap while she watched the latest movies at home. As a boyfriend, he didn't do a good job of pleasing so he agreed to clear the day for a double date Alex planned. He should have known things were never as simple as they sounded when Alex went all out. He really wished his working dress code was not as casual as a thin t-shirt and some rugged jeans.

Alex who was in high spirits looked back and saw her boyfriend rubbing his arms. She frowned for a bit before realising that he was cold. He was too thinly dressed and the air-conditioning was at full blast. Poor guy! Then again, her devious mind supplied that there was no better opportunity to snuggle up with him in their lovely prison cell. It didn't matter how small or cramped a house was. Alex might always complain about how tiny his apartment was but honestly, she never cared too much about it. Anywhere could be home for her as long as she was with Jasper. Too bad he would never get to know about it. After all, she had to find some way to keep him motivated and catch up to her so that her father wouldn't disapprove of handing her over to Jasper. Her mother might not mind the disparity in their social status but Alex knew it bothered Jasper a lot. Wilmer was also thinking of finding a successor for the Wilde Empire and Alex wanted her boyfriend to be ready for that role.

"This is the holding area and the starting room for the game. Please hold out the hands you wish to be cuffed together. For most of the game, you will be cuffed so we advise you to discuss it among yourselves before we begin. It's a light metal handcuff with rubber lining on the inside that can only be unlocked with the key that Team B finds. Does anyone wish to go to the washroom before we begin?"

Jasper shook his head but Alex raised her hand. "Do you have a jacket or sweater or something? The air-conditioning is too strong."

The staff lady looked slightly fl.u.s.tered and apologised. Then, she had an idea. "In that waiting room, there is a blanket. Although it is part of the prop I think you can use it. Any other questions?"

With no more questions or request, Alex offered to be cuffed on her right and Jasper agreed to be cuffed on his left. This was a no-brainer decision as the artist was predominantly a left-hander although she was often seen signing autographs with her right hand in public. Jasper would know because he had been watching her since they were children. Alex drew and played tennis with her left hand but wrote with her right because some of her previous tutors preferred her to write with her right hand.

Once they were cuffed together, the staff ushered them into a realistic-looking prison cell that only had a small blanket at a corner and a single mattress. There wasn't anything else and Jasper leaned against the fake wall, closing his eyes.

Alex looked over to her boyfriend and grinned. She eyed the blanket and snatched it before pushing the startled CEO down onto the mattress. Jasper who was resting yelped at the sudden aggressiveness. He knew that Alex was bold but he never thought she would be this bold to pounce on him in public. Sure, Alex would often initiate their romantic progress and Jasper usually went with the flow but this... this was too much!

"Better?" she asked once they were both snuggled underneath the prop blanket on the mattress. The game hadn't started but already they were sleeping. Jasper frowned. He wondered who taught Alex to be this cheeky and what the game master would think of them. Yet, he nodded it was warmer now. The blanket helped but the real reason was because of Alex being so close to him.

From the elevator, the game master didn't comment about Team A's couple. They could sort themselves out. Instead, he was more focussed on Team B's couple in front of him. They had a greater role in this escape room game because of how physically and mentally intensive it was.

"Alright, are you ready? Team A is ready so we will start the briefing shortly. Does anyone need the washroom before we begin?"

They shook their heads so Nook gave his staff the green light to start briefing Team A about their first mission while he explained what Team B needed to do.

"Here is our first objective. The elevator is currently stuck so you have to find a way to escape it and open the door to your left to get to the mansion where the murder has taken place. Your identities here will be detectives undercover trying to clear the name of your framed clients. Your partners have tried and failed so they are currently in prison. They have gotten a map of the mansion's layout and can communicate with you if you find a walkie talkie after you escape. They will also be able to advise you when there are patrol officers coming your way. Any questions?"

Edward smirked. Escape an elevator? This should be simple. Scarlet could handle it.

Seeing that Team B didn't have questions, Nook wished them luck, took his leave and started the countdown. He observed both couples from the restricted staff room and gave everyone instructions to standby. The actors and stagehands were in position and the clock counted down with the lights dimming to make the game more realistic. Jasper heard the robotic voice count down and decided that they had plenty of time. He could afford a cat nap while Scarlet and Edward figured how to escape their elevator. He could leave getting the keys out of their cell to Alex.

While Edward observed the play area, Scarlet was already forming plans in her head. The game seemed simple but also realistic. It made her excited but also slightly nervous. How would Alex and Jasper fare being handcuffed together throughout most of the game? What would happen if she took too long to get to them? Would she be able to successfully complete this game in 90 minutes?

"Don't worry, I'll be right by your side," Edward said and his words calmed her down effectively. He already knew how to escape the elevator and if Scarlet still couldn't figure it, he would assist her discreetly. It was always delightful to watch Scarlet hard at work.

Alex yawned. This was too easy. Find the map, read a book and break out of the cell? Easy. Before they started Jasper already noticed the book and Alex accidentally discovered the hidden map beneath the mattress when they were messing around. Call her the Pea Princess because Alex instantly knew there was something beneath this mattress when she lied on it.

The timer went off and Alex groaned. She was too lazy to get out of bed now that she was in it with Jasper.

"Are you not going to start?" Jasper asked lazily. He didn't feel like moving.

"No, it's too easy. I don't feel like reading the journal and I already know where the map is."

"You do?" Now that was a surprise. He knew the journal and how to get the key but not where the map was.

Alex grinned. "Why? Impressed? Call me princess and I'll tell you where it is."

The young CEO rolled his eyes and kissed her on the nose. She just wanted him to call her princess. Normally, he did it out of sarcasm to mock her bratty attitude but today, he would indulge her. Going for the prince charming act, he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.

"Won't you tell me where the map is, princess?"

Alex blushed when Jasper went all serious with the role play on her. She didn't expect him to do it but her maiden heart was thrilled by the affection.

"It's underneath where we're sleeping, my knight. How about you get the key and I read the book aloud. You should be used to multitasking by now."

Jasper nodded, his bangs falling to a side, revealing his eyes. "We shouldn't keep them waiting for too long. They might have gotten out by now while we're lazing in bed. Do you think we can bring the bed and mattress along after we get out?"

Alex laughed. "Might as well. They said no destroying of props. I don't think relocating them counts as destroying."

From the control room, the game master heard everything but he didn't stop them. Team A had the right idea and he turned back to Team B. The couple was making little progress at finding a method to escape the trapped lift. The door shouldn't be forced open and Scarlet sighed. The control panel was their only option but she didn't know how to open it either.

"There should be something to open this. We should search for a key," she told Edward who nodded.

"I'll search in this corner, you should try that corner. If I were the game master, I would hide the key under something sneaky to camouflage it."

Nook choked on his water when he heard that. Was Team B's boyfriend a mind reader?! He started sweating. Was this really the unbeatable escape game that many couples couldn't finish within 90 minutes? The client requested for the hardest trial but neither teams appeared to be struggling much. The average time taken to figure out where the keys are and to get out of the first room was fifteen minutes. Not even two minutes had passed but they were already making significant progress.