In the next few days, Emilia sat at her desk, surrounded by textbooks and notebooks. Her concentration wavered as her thoughts inevitably drifted towards Christopher again. She tried to immerse herself in her studies, but his image kept creeping into her mind, especially their brief exchange in the gallery. The way he carried himself with an air of mystery, and the intelligence that emanated from him. She shook her head, attempting to dispel the thoughts that distracted her from her academic pursuits. But it was difficult to forget about the man while she was living in his home. As she walked out in the morning, passing the sculptures and paintings, she couldn't stop but wonder whether he chose them all himself, and if so, she couldn't ignore his impeccable taste and eye for beauty.
Determined to regain control of her thoughts, Emilia decided to pay a visit to her mother. The familiar surroundings of her childhood home and a responsibility of taking care of someone else temporarily pushed aside the thoughts of Christopher that persisted in her mind. Not for long, as she saw the news on the tv where they spoke of the tax mistake made by Crimson Tech followed by public statement and apology. As Patrick mentioned, it was much easier to admit to it and rectify the issue than trying to conceal it.
Meanwhile, in his meticulously organised office, Christopher buried himself in business reports and financial analysis. He delved into the complexities of the corporate world, striving to keep his focus intact. Yet, despite his best efforts, his mind kept wandering back to Emilia. He tried to suppress the memory of her infectious smile and the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her passions, such as when she spoke of the sculptures and paintings ever so briefly during their exchange in the gallery.
He sighed inwardly, frustrated by his inability to fully concentrate on his work. But the complexity of the corporate realm offered a temporary respite, a distraction from the magnetic pull he felt towards her.
Days turned into weeks, and both Emilia and Christopher found themselves engaged in activities that kept their minds occupied.
When she could, Emilia continued spending hours repairing and refurbishing the bike she found in the shed one day, pouring her energy into the task at hand. The physical exertion and focus required by the project provided a brief reprieve from continuous study now that she fully decided to enrol on the MBA course.
She started cycling again, for the first time since she was a teenager. She used the bike to go visit her mum as it made for a quicker journey than a bus and a walk. And when she didn't, she used the bike for her leisure.
Christopher saw her occasionally cycle down the estate while he was heading out to work, but never close enough to catch her smile again.
Emilia rode her newly repaired bicycle along a picturesque country road, the sun shining brightly above her. It was a warm June day, and the landscape unfolded before her in all its summer glory. Lush green fields stretched out on either side, adorned with colorful wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze.
As she pedaled along, Emilia felt a sense of liberation, her worries momentarily forgotten.
Emilia couldn't resist the urge to pause and admire the peaceful scene. She parked her bicycle by the side of the road and walked into the meadow. She sat in the field, her fingers gently trailing through the tall grass.
She closed her eyes, laid down on the soft and cold ground, letting the warmth of the sun caress her face. Birds chirped melodiously in the nearby trees, their songs harmonizing with the gentle rustle of leaves. Emilia breathed in deeply, filling her lungs with the crisp, fresh air. It was in moments like these that she felt truly alive, connected to nature and the world around her.
She heard the car in a distance but she didn't take much care of it.
She opened her eyes and screamed in terror, seeing the least of what she expected.
"Oh my God!" Emilia exclaimed, springing to her feet. "Mr. Hayden!" She put a hand on her chest, trying to steady her heart rate and breathing.
Christopher's voice rose in anger, his face still pale. "What were you doing lying in the grass like that? The way you left the bike by the road, it looked like you had been knocked off it!" He was angry for all the right reasons. He was coming back from work when he noticed the bike on the side of the road, the very bike Emilia was using for the last few weeks. His heart stopped as he broke harshly and hopped out of the car, rushing in fear of seeing her harmed. And at first, while she was laying motionless in the grass, she looked as if something might have been seriously wrong. Christopher felt his entire soul leave his body as his anxiety made him believe that she was dead. It might've been splits of a second, but to him it felt like eternity.
"Oh no! I'm sorry. I didn't think much of it," Emilia blushed, embarrassed, as she hurried toward the bike, picking it up and carrying it further into the field, concealing it among the tall grass. "I apologize, Mr. Hayden. It was careless and thoughtless of me. I didn't even consider how it might appear to passersby."
Emilia then flopped back onto the grass, returning to her previous activity of laying down. But now she was watching the passing clouds.
"What are you even doing?" Christopher asked perplexed.
"I'm watching the sky and the clouds," she replied honestly.
"Why?"
"Why not?" she mumbled in response.
Christopher looked at her with curiosity before taking a few steps closer and lying down on the grass himself. "Oh, Mr. Hayden?" Emilia turned to the side in shock.
"I'm not sure if I see the appeal of this activity."
"Perhaps it doesn't have that much appeal to everyone." Emilia laid back down and looked at the bright blue sky. "Research suggests that looking at nature alone speeds up mental restoration and improves cognitive functioning. People who are more connected with nature tend to be happier, feel more vital, and find more meaning in their lives."
"Where did you get this information?"
"There was an article in the Journal of Psychology from 2011, and another one in the Journal of Environmental Psychology from 2005, and finally one from Psychological Science in 2008," Emilia said excitedly. Sharing her incredible knowledge was one thing she could do, and she often did it well.
"Tell me what it looks like through your eyes," Christopher requested.
"Hmm... the sky is like a movie to me. I never tire of watching what's happening up there. There are clouds racing, some dancing a tango in the wild wind. A swift passes by, faster and smoother each time. A butterfly flutters its wings. Oh, and the scent of flowers is so intoxicating. But most of all, it's the knowledge of the infinite beyond all of this that makes me truly ponder how unlikely it is that we're here in this moment."
Christopher was speechless as Emilia spoke in her soothing tone. "It's beautiful," he said, referring to Emilia herself.
Emilia looked at him with her charming smile, trying to conceal her nervousness as she spoke of what she saw and heard. Sharing her knowledge allowed her to mask how intimidated she felt in his presence. But then she turned her gaze and saw him right beside her. She could see his blue eyes up close, a depth of blue richer than the sky. He was perfectly handsome with his well-defined jawline, thick eyebrows, and stubble that only made him look very masculine.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Hayden. I have been babbling on about nonsense. I'm sure you have much more important matters to attend to," Emilia said, jumping up to her feet and brushing off her dress.
"It didn't feel like nonsense," Christopher replied, rising as well. "Are you going back to the manor?"
"Yes, Mr. Hayden."
"Would you like a lift?"
"No, thank you," Emilia said, picking up her bike.
"May I walk back with you?"
"Of course, Mr. Hayden."