Cigarettes After Sex (2)
Pairing: Sylus x Older!Non-MC reader
Genre: Fluff
Summary: You're an independent woman working as a lawyer that is stuck in the capitalistic grind to support your son - Artem the black cat and your reading addiction but quite content with her life. What happens when you run into Sylus with his charm in a chance encounter that is dead set on courting you. Or, in other words, what happens when an unstoppable force (Sylus) meets an immovable object (Non-MC)?
Part 1
A/N: Im back on my shit and just a quick reminder that I am making shit up as I go. Pray for me and this fic :)
You were having a good evening. I mean who wouldn’t when the company is giving free food and alcohol. You were celebrating the finalising of the investment and as the Deputy Head of Legal you were expected to show up and socialise (read: network). So, here you were at this fancy hotel with your team and the heads of every department at the company but talking only to your friend who also happened to be the Head of the IT department - Caleb.
The two of you met a few years after you started at this company as one of the Legal Associates and he was already known as the computer prodigy. Your laptop refused to cooperate with you no matter you did and kept rebooting like it was one of those trashy Netflix reality shows.
As much as you wanted to say he was your saviour and knight in shining armour, fixing your laptop, he was very much the opposite. He was that very stereotypical IT guy that thought you were just dumb and had come to him with an easy fix problem. Well joke was on him because in the end, he actually had to take it in to see what was actually wrong. To redeem himself, he did offer you coffee and stuck around to being your good and close friend from work.
You were giggling into your third glass of champagne, when one of your very eager, almost overenthusiastic employees walked up to you to let you know that your boss - Jack is looking for you. After sending him back on his way, you got off the couch with a groan.
“Tell me I look presentable enough for whatever it is he wants me for.” You asked him as you straightened your dress.
“You look like you’ve been drinking three shots of vodka.” Caleb said with a smirk.
“Are you calling me a lightweight, Xia?” You were offended at the implication even though it might be true, adorning a pout that did not look threatening in the slightest.
“I am calling you old.” He deadpanned. “Now go before he sends sics someone on you again.”
“That’s rich coming from someone with a bad back that can’t even lift a heavy box without needing massages.” Without waiting for a response, you turned around and walked in the general direction from where you could hear your boss’s fake laughter.
“Ah, here you are. I want you to meet Mr. Qin, our investor.” You boss said without missing a beat as soon as he saw you. The man he introduced you to looked familiar but you were not sure where you might have seen him before. Regardless, you donned a smile and introduced yourself to him with a firm handshake.
“I know. We’ve met.” He said with something that was between a smile and smirk on his face, his hand holding on to yours for an extra second before letting you go.
You knew that your face was making the ‘We have?’ look. Faced with the possibility of offending this big shot investor and your boss giving you the same look as yours, you very much wanted to crawl back under the rock you usually reside at.
With a full smirk, Mr. Qin dug into his suit and pulled out his lighter and it took you a few seconds to recognise the lighter and this man in front of you.
“Oh. Sylus?” You asked as if testing waters, still unsure. You blame the alcohol that made you scatter brained. In your defence, you were not expecting to actually socialise at this event.
“We meet again.” His smile turned softer than before as he pocketed his lighter. “Can I get you a drink?”
“From the open bar?” You retorted. And it took you a while to realise that you had left your filter back home with your impulse control medication.
Before you could say something as damage control, you heard Sylus chuckle lowly. “You can hold me to it the next time then.”
“Next time?” You mumbled as you let him lead you towards the bar.
“So, Deputy Head of Legal huh?” He asked after ordering your drinks, completely ignoring your previous question.
“You sound surprised.” You feel like you should feel offended by this but you were too buzzed to care.
“You look too young to be in an executive position.” He stated bluntly causing you to let out an ugly snort.
“How old do you think I am?” You asked after taking a moment to compose yourself. “Besides, you’re one to talk. When everyone was talking about this investor, I was expecting an old man in a sleazy suit that costs my yearly salary.”
“But instead, its me in a sleazy suit?” Sylus prompted you as he handed you his drink.
“I feel like you’re putting words in my mouth.” You took a sip of your drink. Oh this is strong but familiar. “You ordered me a Gin and Tonic?”
“Figured it was a safe option.” He said with a shrug, taking a sip of his drink.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” You asked, placing the drink back on the bar. Drinking this after already being buzzed from just champagne was a bad idea. Especially at a work event. No matter even if it was your favourite cocktail.
“What do you mean?” He angled himself to fully face you, giving you a look that you found to be hard to decipher.
“Well, I figured you must have had a reason to pull me aside on the pretence of getting me a drink. That’s all.” You might not be the best at reading a person based on just their facial expressions but you were good at sussing out the vibes of the person based on their body language and tone. But he was just an overall hard person to read and that frustrated you a little.
“Can I not just enjoy the company of this wonderful lady that judged my wardrobe within minutes of meeting me?” He retorted with a smirk causing you to let out a groan.
“I can already tell that you’re never letting that go. Also, is that why you changed your colour scheme this time?” He was wearing black button down with black trousers paired with a white-navy gradient blazer and a bunch of silver accessories to go with it. This made him look more approachable and younger than the previous red-black combination.
“Does the fashion master approve of this change?” Sylus asked you with a playful tone but the look he was giving you was more intense than the tone implied.
“And what if I don’t approve?” You asked as you unconsciously leaned towards him.
“Then I will finally concede and accept that it is time to hire a stylist for myself.” He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink.
That was not the response you were expecting and that made you let out a chuckle. You honestly did not know what you were expecting but something about him made you want to challenge him. “A bit of an extreme move don’t you think?”
“A good investor knows when to bow out.” He replied, looking pleased with himself.
Before you could respond, you felt a familiar presence behind you.
“Our ride is here.” Caleb announced, in lieu of a greeting.
“Oh, it’s time already?” You checked the time and it was already close to midnight. “Alright, give me five. I’ll let Jack know and I’ll find you outside.”
Caleb just nodded and walked towards the exit.
“It was really nice running into you again, Sylus.” You got off the stool slowly, making sure you don’t trip. But despite your best efforts, you still did but instead of breaking your face, you noticed that Sylus had caught your arm just in time to compensate for your lack of balance. Embarrassed, you mumbled a quick thanks as you held on the bar top to steady yourself.
“Why don’t I walk you out and then let your boss know that you had to leave?” Sylus offered, looking ready to catch you if you fell.
“Oh nooo. I can’t possibly treat our investor like he’s my personal errand boy. I got this. You don’t have to worry about me.” You reassured him with a pat on his shoulder. “Have a lovely night.”
“How about you text me once you’re home so that I don’t have to worry?” He offered again, seeming unrelenting.
“Oh? I mean, I guess. Sure.” You were a little confused but you still gave him your business card. “This is my work number but you can text me anytime. Although I might answer only when I’m working. You know, work-life balance and all. But if you text me tonight, I might respond because I don’t like worrying anyone.”
“Thank you.” He sounded so sincere when he said those words that you were stunned. It took you a few seconds to reorient yourself before you bid your farewell to him and then your boss and cautiously made your way outside.
“You sure took your time.” Caleb said from the passenger seat of the car.
“Well, thats what happens when you know more than just two people.” You got in the backseat of the car, not sparing him another glance. “Kenzieee, the love of my life!! I missed you so much.” You rambled at the driver, giving her the best hug you can with all the physical structural barriers.
You loved McKenzie, Caleb’s wife more than what Caleb was comfortable with. She was a sweet angel and you say that not just because she married him and puts up with his nonsense. Even though you met her through Caleb, you were closer to her than you were with him. Some might even say that you were the single friend that they adopted as a third wheel and they would be right.
“I missed you too, my love. Did you have fun at this stuffy party?” She chuckled, already knowing the answer that you liked these parties just as much you liked wet socks.
“Stop hitting on my wife.” Caleb scolded you with no bite in his tone. “I missed you so much, pips. She ditched me halfway to go talk to some hot guy. I was so bored and lonely.” He pouted, trying to gain his wife’s sympathy.
“Oh woe is you. How will you ever recover from having to sit through ten minutes of all the gorgeous women at work flirting with you?” You retorted with a roll of your eyes.
“Say what now?” McKenzie snapped to look at Caleb while he looked like a kicked puppy. These two were a couple of jealous freaks and every time their jealousy flared, it was always peak entertainment for you.
“I swear I was not flirting with any of them. They were trying to but I told them right off the bat that I am a happily married man. Besides, you are focusing on the wrong thing right now. She was talking to some hot dude that looked like he walked from a Vogue magazine.” He tried redirecting her ire toward you and it seemed like it worked. For now at least.
“This is not over.” She told him sternly before speaking to you, her voice softening. “And who is this ‘hot guy walking out of a Vogue magazine’?”
“Oh him. Sylus. He’s the investor and for whom this whole party was organised.” You made yourself comfortable before telling them about your encounter.
“Wait, he asked for your number and you gave him your work number?” Caleb interrupted you before you were done narrating.
“Yea, I was not going to give a stranger my personal number. I’m sure my detective will agree with me on this.” You annoyed at his interruption.
“She’s not your detective.” “I agree.”
Caleb and McKenzie spoke at the same time.
“I agree.” McKenzie repeated herself. “Although it seems like he was flirting with you.”
“What? Why would he? He looks so much younger than me. Besides, he’s rich rich. Pretty sure he has a girlfriend. Multiple even, maybe. Who knows.”
“So, if he didn’t have all those presumed girlfriends, you might be inclined to flirt back with him?” Caleb asked with a playful smirk.
“I barely know the man.”
“You don’t need to know him to flirt with him.” McKenzie piped in.
“Is this your guys’ way of saying three is a crowd?” You asked, sounding fake offended.
“Yes.” “Of course not, darling.”
The two of them spoke at the same time again.
“You guys are in sync but like in the opposite direction.” You announced with a giggle.
“That makes no sense.” Caleb retorted. “Also, you’re deflecting.”
“Listen, I don’t know if we will ever run into each other again. Maybe if that happens, I might. But I also might not. I don’t know.”
“You told him the same thing after your first meeting and look at where that landed you. All I’m saying is just keep that window open.” McKenzie said with a soft smile.
The conversation after that drifted into other topics and after what felt like an eternity, you were dropped off at the entrance of your apartment. You said your goodbyes and professed your love for McKenzie yet again (this time it was just to piss Caleb off) and walked towards the elevator. You couldn’t wait to get out of this dress and get into your comfy pyjamas.
As the elevator was going up to your floor, your work phone started buzzing incessantly. You were getting a call from an unknown number. You only answered it because it was your work phone. If it was your personal phone, you’d never answer calls or texts from unknown numbers.
Before you could say anything, you heard a deep voice from the other end, introducing himself as Sylus.
“Oh hey! Great timing. I’m just in the elevator of my apartment.” You informed him as the elevator stopped at your floor.
“I am relieved to hear that.” Sylus said, his voice again dripping with so much sincerity that you didn’t know how to respond.
Shaking your head lightly, you redirected the conversation to him. “Are you still at the party?”
“No, I left a few minutes after you did, actually. I just got home a few minutes ago and decided I’d check in with you.”
“Do you like live in a club?” You couldn’t help but ask because of all the noise that was coming from his end. You knew it was a personal question but then again, you were a naturally curious and nosy person.
“That would be calmer than what’s going on right now.” He replied with a chuckle. “It’s just my younger brothers who are fighting over something trivial with some battle music to hype themselves up.”
“They sound really lively.” You couldn’t help letting a chuckle at the visual of two boys fighting while Sylus just sits on the couch letting chaos unfold around him. “What are their names?”
“They’re twins - Luke and Kieran. Lively is one word for them.” His voice sounded really soft talking about his brothers and you were able to tell that he really adored them.
This man had the ability to make you speechless and pause. Because yet again in a conversation with him, you did not know how to respond to him and there was a lull in the conversation but the silence did not seem awkward.
“You must be tired. I’ll let you rest.” Sylus bid you goodnight, still with the same soft voice before hanging up.
As soon as you entered your apartment, you quickly showered and changed into comfy pyjamas just as you had fantasised not too long ago. With a cigarette in hand, you sat in the balcony, looking at the night sky with cool breeze caressing your face.
As you lit your cigarette, you stared at the lighter and couldn’t help but think about Sylus and what Caleb and McKenzie said. You were not being self-deprecating when you brushed them off when they mentioned his flirting and nor were you deliberately avoiding romantic relationships. You just did not give romance too much importance when you had so many things in your life you enjoyed. Besides, you did have a history of being oblivious about romantic interests that others expressed towards you.
You couldn’t tell if Sylus was being flirty or if he was just being a social person. Flirty was not how you perceived the conversation. You did not know how he perceived it and you were definitely not going to presume for him. I mean you did work really hard in therapy to stop doing just that and it was reassuring to see that it stuck.
As you were spiralling, you felt a familiar, comforting weight settle on your lap and you noticed that it was your cat - Artem. You slowly scratched his neck and back after snuffing your cigarette. He definitely knew how to stop your spirals and comfort you with just his presence and you loved him so much. You were easy for your Artie to figure out and it was just the same for you with him.
But Sylus… You had no idea about what to think of this man and that unsettled you a bit.
