CHAPTER 92: COLD SHOULDERS

Braelyn’s POV

I drew in a sharp breath before walking towards him with the best smile I could muster.

"I was expecting you to come more fashionably late." I chimed. He scoffed then slid his phone into his pocket. His eyes slowly scanned me.

"If I had come any later, by the time we got to the venue, the gala would already be over." He replied then pulled the passenger’s seat for me.

I chuckled, "That’s quite an outfit you have there. Don’t tell me you plan on wearing that." I commented. His lips twitched, he pulled out his hand from his pocket then backed away from the car

"I know what is appropriate for the event. You don’t have to school me." His voice carried a mocking tone. There was definitely something wrong with him tonight

Was it just my imagination? I wonder as I step into the car. Lucien slipped in through the other door. Then started the engine. He was quieter than his usual self.

Lucien didn’t say a word after starting the engine. The soft hum of the car filled the silence between us, stretching thin in that uncomfortable way that made my chest tighten.

He normally had something to say, or throw a random teasing comment, some sarcastic remark, that left me flustered.

Tonight, he just kept his eyes on the road, one hand loose on the wheel, the other drumming faintly against his thigh like he was counting the seconds that passed by.

I tried to focus on the road so as not to bother about the man who sat across. The tapping sounds were distracting. Normally, I would not have noticed, but tonight was different. Even the road couldn’t distract me and the silence between us stretched further

I found myself staring back at him. Noticing how the dim light contoured his face. His gaze remained on the road unfazed.

"Did you eat before coming?" I asked gently, hoping he would loosen up just trying to break the silence.

"Nope," he gave a sharp one-syllable answer that felt distant.

"Why? You didn’t feel like it." I muttered, trying to chip off the ice.

"Yeah."

’ You must be kidding me.’ My eyes twitched at the thought. A thin smile graced my lips. Two can play this game.

"Are you nervous about the gala? It’s your first public appearance as an executive." I tried and as expected he gave a single half ass reply again

"No,"

Seriously, was he still mad about last time? I didn’t do anything wrong. All I said was he should remember where we stand. After all, he was the one who said I should use him. Why is he giving me attitude now?

My thoughts were about to explode. My hands twitched but I drew in a deep breath. I wasn’t a temperamental person.

I swallowed hard and tried again. "Did you sleep well..." he didn’t even let me finish this time when he cut me off with his reply.

"Fine." Another single syllable. My lips pressed together as I leaned back into the leather seat.

The tension rolling off him was thick enough to choke on. I was starting to think this wasn’t just because of me. After all, we all have bad days. But the thought that the faint warmth he offered was about to disappear stung in a way I didn’t like.

Was I getting dependent on him?

"Lucien?" I tried again.

He hummed but didn’t turn his head. It was barely even a sound. More like a reminder he was forced to acknowledge I existed.

I bit the inside of my cheek. "What’s wrong with you tonight?"

"Nothing," he answered calmly, eyes still fixed on the road. "I’ve always been like this. You’re just used to the chatty version of me." His tone was flat, distant but not cruel. Just unfamiliar like a stranger.

My chest tightened. "So you’re not in the mood to be chatty tonight."

"No," he said simply. No hesitation. No attempt to soften it. So he wanted to talk but not just to me. Then why did he bother even showing up tonight?

I nodded slowly and turned to the window before he could see the disappointment flash over my face. I didn’t want him to think I needed his attention. Still, the silence crept under my skin.

"Are you mad at me?" I finally asked in a voice that came out smaller than I intended.

Lucien actually glanced at me then, his eyes unreadable. "Do I have a reason to be?" His tone wasn’t accusing, but the question hit harder than I expected. I exhaled slowly, not trusting myself to answer. He didn’t push.

He just turned back to the road and continued driving like the two of us hadn’t been wrapped in awkward tension for the last fifteen minutes.

"There’s no need to keep playing the role," he added a moment later, his voice lower than before. "No one’s here to watch. All of that was just for show anyway."

My fingers curled in my lap. So that was it. Something was bothering him. He just didn’t want to say it. His jaw flexed slightly, the muscle ticking whenever the streetlights illuminated his face.

He wasn’t fidgety or dramatic, Lucien never was, but the signs were there. The way his grip tightened briefly on the steering wheel. The way his gaze flickered in the mirror was like he was thinking too much. The way his breathing changed whenever I shifted beside him, like the air between us carried more weight than he wanted to admit.

I tried not to stare, but the silence was unbearable. It pressed down on my shoulders until I felt like I was suffocating. I hated it. I hated feeling shut out.

"Lucien," I whispered, gathering the courage to ask again. "Tell me what is wrong..."

Before I could finish, the car slowed to a smooth stop.

"We’re here," he interrupted. The words dropped like a wall between us.

I blinked at the building outside. Bright lights. Glass walls. A high-end stylist boutique with staff already lined up at the entrance as if they had been warned beforehand.

Lucien stepped out immediately, not sparing me a glance. The cold air rushed in when the door opened, and before I could gather my thoughts, one of the stylists pulled my door open and offered a polished smile.

"Mr Volkov we been expecting you. This must be the lady," one of the stylists chimed, pulling me into a hug.

I barely had time to look back at the car. Lucien was already walking around to the other side, shoulders tense, jaw clenched, refusing to look at me.

And before I could call out to him, I was whisked away inside, swallowed by bright lights, fabric racks, and stylists already circling me like bees.

But even with all the noise and movement, my mind stayed locked on the way he didn’t look back. He looked like he was fighting something he didn’t want to share. A silent battle only he could figure out

Seconds turned into minutes then almost an hour had arrived. Everything was a blur. I couldn’t focus on what the stylist said, lost in a trance.

"Doesn’t she look gorgeous?" A lady asked. She was the owner of the shop and the one who personally attended to me. I was standing before a long mirror admiring the final appearance.

It was a torquiose blue dress. The design wasn’t loud but elegant with soft gold patterns. My black hair was styled up, giving me a complete cheeky look. Even though the makeup was loud, it was softly done to enhance my features. I looked graceful.

"She is always the brightest in the room." My shoulders froze when I heard him. I slowly glanced around and met his hazel eyes. Lucien was dressed in a matching tux, tailored to his size. It fitted perfectly on short, he looked good in everything but tonight

While wearing that tux, there wasn’t that arrogant air which always spoke of mischief and danger radiating from him.

Instead, there was this usual aura of temperance and maturity. I had to blink twice to be sure it was Lucien. He stalked towards me, his presence towering over me. "Stop staring like I am a Ghost." He joked but something still felt off.

I shrugged, "No, it’s not..." I stuttered then drew in a breath to calm myself. "You seem different but still as handsome as ever." I finally said.

He smiled, it was soft and gentle. "That is the first compliment I have ever got from you." He said leaving me stunned. My gaze lowered, and I heard him pull in a deep breath.

He took my hand and pressed his lips gently against it. His touch still burned from where it touched. "We shouldn’t keep them waiting, Lynn." I nodded mindlessly at Lucien as he led me away

The drama was about to start.