Chapter Two

Lorien Reeves knew he was dreaming, but he couldn't help it. 

He knew he wasn't climbing onto the balcony of an empty apartment, he knew he wasn't watching a young teenager smoke away.

Lorien opened his mouth to talk, but nothing came out. Finally, he screamed out as the young boy hurtled off the railing, his hands reaching out.

"Jonah." Lorien gasped as he jolted up right, his arm reaching out into nothing. 

He sit there panting, running a hand up and down his face which was coated with sweat. 

Lorien felt around for the packet of Stuyvesant cigarettes, the only brand he smokes ever since that day. 

Since the event, Lorien had relocated to another apartment in Bradford, buying a flat on Floor 13.

There was a small bedroom, a large bathroom, a kitchen and a small entertainment room.

He was happy with it, it was cozy, something he began lacking in his life since he became a barista. 

Lorien showered and dressed himself, heading downstairs and buying himself a can of Monster to get him started for the day.

He always admired how friendly everyone in his complex was, when he first arrived he was scared that they would chew his head off, but it was quite the opposite. 

Now, the old lady staying on Floor 10 saved supper for him every night. 

After getting his Monster, Lorien hopped into his two-door Audi and began driving down to the café, playing Bon Jovi softly in the background as he drove.

When he arrived, he was greeted by his co-worker, someone he considered his sister in her twenties, and a woman Louis, his best friend, had become very fond of. 

He greeted her with a nod of the head, "Mr. Delano is already here." she said. 

Lorien chuckled, "Already?" he asked. 

Delano was a new recruit flying in under Lorien's wing. Lorien had no problem with it, he particularly was excited due to the fact that the boy was young, and fresh, he could keep Lorien on his toes.

The café was quiet enough as it is. 

Lorien was only 24 this year, but still felt like an old man. 

He stepped into the small locker room, smiling as he saw a head of cascading brown curls, and broad shoulders seated on the island.

Lorien closed the door with a click, smiling at Delano when he turned around, "Hello, Delano" he said. 

Delano got up and held a hand out, shaking his new coworkers hand, "Sir," 

Lorien flicked his hand at him, "Call me Lorien," he laughed out.

"So, ma'am told me you're of 18 years of age, recently moved to London from Bradford, yes?" he asked as he recalled his boss's words.

Delano nodded, "Yes, moved here last month, starting the job today." he said. 

Lorien nodded, "Alright, well everything is really basic. You'll work the front desk, I'll waiter. If you have any questions for the rest of the week, my imaginary door is always open." he said. 

Delano smiled and got up, opening the door, quietly closing the locker door behind him.

Lorien sighed out a heavy breath and flopped back onto his back. He began scrolling through his messages, blue-ticking the people who were irrelevant.  

He looked up as his door opened, seeing Eleanor walk in with a mug of coffee, "You're the best."  

Eleanor laughed and sat down, handing Lorien the mug and sipping on her own, "How was your sleep last night?" she asked. 

Lorien sighed, "It was the same." he said. 

Eleanor tsked and frowned, "You need to go and see someone, a therapist maybe, make some friends. You watched-"

Lorien slammed his hand on the locker next to him as he sat up, the coffee flying out of his hands, "You think I don't know this?!" he yelled out.

Eleanor didn't flinch, just looked at Lorien with a straight face, "Don't raise your voice at me, I am trying to help you. It's been a year and you still haven't let it go."

Lorien sighed, "What do you expect me to do El?" he asked dejectedly.

Eleanor smiled, "Delano is here, try and become friends with him, it won't kill you." she said. 

Lorien snorted, "He's younger than me, he'll get bored, and how do you know?" he asked.

"You're 24, not 40, and it's in the file idiot." she replied. 

Lorien raised his hands in defense, "Fine, fine, I'll try and become his friend. He's my co-worker now the so it shouldn't be too hard." he said. 

Eleanor smiled as she got up, "That's more like it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have documents to submit to the recruitment firm down in Cheshire, they want to know if Delano reached and what not." 

Lorien smiled at her as she walked out. 

He raised an eyebrow when Eleanor popped her small head back in, "Oh, also, there was a call in for you at the small law firm downtown, I sent you the address to get there."

Lorien opened his WhatsApp and looked at the address, "I've never heard of this place, and why?" he spoke.

"Take Delano with you, at least if you get lost you won't die alone, also, I don't know." she said, shrugging her shoulders behind the door.