The 18th Floor

Chapter Thirty One

9:05, and Lucien still isn't in the office. Everyone else except Simon is, and nobody has said anything about Lucien. It's not out of habit for him to arrive late.

9:30, still no Lucien or Simon.

9:45, I go to Abbi and Reid's office.

"Hey, do you guys know when Simon and Lucien are coming in?", I ask them both from the door.

"Oh, I didn't realise they hadn't come in yet. Does that mean we have to reschedule the meeting at 10?", Abbi asks me and then turns to Reid. Their office is set up in a similar set up to mine and Lucien's, just with a few more filing cabinets and coffee table in the middle.

"They haven't sent anything in, they're probably just running late", Reid says unfazed. His lack of concern agitates me in a way I didn't know I was capable of. He doesn't even look up from his laptop and I almost want to shout at him to explain how concerning the situation is. How Lucien hasn't messaged me in over two weeks and how it makes me feel like my chest is going to explode.

Just as I open my mouth to speak, I hear the lift doors ping open. I breathe a sigh of relief as I see Simon walking down the hall, but no Lucien behind him. I can't help but constrict up again.

"Is everything ok?", I ask Simon before he even reaches me.

"Is everyone else in there?", he asks, and I nod as I go in and he follows me.

"Sorry for being late without notice, but just to let you guys know Lucien will be on leave for a while, I was just talking to him. I'm not sure for how long, he is still in Greece and has some personal matters to deal with. He said in the meantime he trusts everyone to get on with what they've been assigned and will send out an email in the next few days", Simon announces to us all.

Panic starts to build rapidly within me.

"Oh no, poor thing", Abbi mutters.

Simon nods and goes to leave the room, holding the door open for me to follow.

When we're out the room and by Simon's office doors, I ask, "be honest, is he ok?"

"I...I don't know Cyrene. We hadn't messaged since Christmas and then he called me this morning as if he realised what day it was to say he isn't going to be able to come and he'll explain it later."

"Do you think something happened to him? Or his family?", I ask flustered.

"Lucien has a complex relationship with his family, it wouldn't be the first time they've caused issues but I can't say I know why he still hasn't come back. Or why he isn't replying."

I nod, taking it all in. Not knowing what I can do to help when I don't know what the problem is.

"When was the last time you spoke to him?", Simon asks me curiously.

"Christmas", I tell him honestly. "I sent him a message on New Year's but he didn't respond", I admit.

"Me too", Simon sighs. "I'll give you any updates when I hear them, just try and focus on your work, don't stress too much, I'm sure he's fine", he says reassuringly. "Lucien keeps to himself a lot. He's not been dealt one of the best hands in life. I... I don't know what he's told you Cyrene, but he needs people, but he will always think he needs space."

I nod at Simon's words, not sure what I'm meant to do about the heart inside my chest that beats a little faster every time I hear Lucien's name.

---

I don't know how I get through the rest of the day, but I do. I start on my new projects and plan them out. I get through my emails and check on my previous projects and before I know it, it's 5pm.

I realise for the first time in a long time, I have to take the train home.