The 18th Floor

Chapter Thirty Three

The next day mirrors the last. I don't say good morning to Lucien when he comes in, if he wants to act like I don't exist, I can do the same. The tension in the room isn't even awkward but livid and temperamental. Waiting for someone to do something that will trigger the next reaction.

At some point in the afternoon, Lucien leaves the room to go where ever he needs to go. A minute later Simon is knocking at the door and coming in.

"What is going on?"

"What do you mean Simon?", I question.

"Here", he says pointing to my table and Lucien's, "what is going on here, between you two?"

"Nothing."

"This is not nothing. I can see you two from my office and I have not seen anything."

"That doesn't even make sense Simon."

"You know exactly what I mean Cyrene. He's gone to the bathroom, you better start talking fast."

"I don't know Simon, he's your best friend, why don't you ask him?"

"Because he hasn't spoken a word to me outside of our meetings."

"Welcome to the club", I say back to Simon with a frustrated sigh.

"We need to figure this out."

I huff out a laugh, "have fun, but I'm not involved", I say as I turn back to my laptop.

"Don't act like you don't care Cyrene, it's not like you", Simon says as he moves over to get closer to my desk, with the sentence filling me with hurt. He's right, it's not like me. "Remember what I told you the other day?"

I nod.

"He will never ask for help Cyrene, never. I'm not saying you're the right person for any of this, hell, you weren't even in any of our lives a few months ago, but he's different around you. I know you've had your bad hands in life too, but I don't want that for either of you right now", Simon voices and I can feel the concern that coats his voice. Lucien is his best friend, but also his brother. I know how close they are and the fact that Lucien won't even turn to Simon for help is paining me. "Be patient, Cyrene. If not for him, then for me, please."

"I'm not going to tolerate him acting like a dick to me Simon", I tell him. I've been through enough shit in my life to know when to put up with shit.

"I know you won't Cyrene, which is why I need you to just keep being you so we can get through to him."

I watch him leave the office just as Lucien comes back into sight and enters. He shifts his eyes from me to where Simon left back to me again, I don't say anything. I turn back my head and look at the work in front of me, pretending to read what I have on the screen when in reality I can't stop the screaming that's happening in my head.

He clears his throat, "Cyrene," he says. I look up at him. He looks tired. His sharp features look cruder, gone is the joy and the dimple on his left cheek when he smiles, replaced by whatever weight he is carrying and refusing to share.

"Yes?", my heart beating a bit faster.

"I... never mind."

I turn my head back down and fight the tears pooling. I feel like I've been slapped.

As 5pm approaches, Reid enters our office and glances between us probably sensing the heavy, thick tension.

"Lucien. Cyrene", he nods as he approaches me.

"Reid", I say, refusing to look at Lucien as I look up at Reid. I feel Lucien's gaze follow mine.

"Ready to go home?", Reid asks. I nod. In Lucien's absence I found myself going to the station with Reid.

"I'm driving her home", I hear Lucien say and look to find him staring at me. I break eye contact first and turn to Reid whose eyebrows have raised in question.

"No, he isn't."

"Cyrene", I hear him say.

"Let me pack up, I'll be out in five Reid", I say refusing to look at Lucien who's eyes I feel all over me.

"Okayyyy", Reid says stretching out the word, glancing between me and Lucien before leaving the room.

"You're coming with me", Lucien says once Reid has left. I don't reply.

I control my breathing as I as shut down my station and start to pack my bag.

"Cyrene", he pleads.

"You've been ignoring me for days Lucien. Why would I want to go home with you?", I finally snap and I see the realisation slap across his face. I wait at the door. Wait for him to say something, to justify his rude and abrupt change in behaviour, but he doesn't.

"I thought we had something. But now you're acting like fucking dick, so I guess I was wrong. I don't know what's going on with you Lucien, but I would like to, but I also don't want to be here if I get hurt along the way", I say quietly, shocking myself with the admission. I watch as his breathing intensifies. He doesn't say anything. He looks defeated.

I leave the office and head to the lifts without saying anything else.

He offers to drive me home the next day; I refuse and take the train.

The next day follows the same pattern, no talking, cold shoulders, refusing to get driven home and then taking the train. And the next day.