Christopher waved at his driver to dismiss him and watched as his driver faded into the distance, his attention now fully on Emilia, who was gently guiding her bike by her side. He couldn't help but notice the way her lips curled up, revealing a stunning smile that had occupied his thoughts for weeks. It was a smile he tried to dismiss, but now it was freshly imprinted in his mind, refusing to be ignored.
As they strolled together, Christopher felt a slight awkwardness, unsure of what to do with his hands. He casually slipped them into his pockets, matching his pace with Emilia's. She looked effortlessly beautiful in her summer dress, her long hair cascading down in loose waves. Her skin appeared smooth and kissed by the sun, adding an intimate glow to her presence. Christopher couldn't help but be drawn to her, and not only because he found her so pleasant to look at, but also because he was increasingly intrigued by her mind.
Glancing at his wrist, Emilia broke the silence, attempting to divert their attention to a different subject. "Omega watches are the only watches certified by NASA to be used by astronauts in space," she remarked. He followed her gaze and examined his watch. "The Speedmaster Professional, specifically."
"I had no idea you were interested in watches," Christopher responded, genuinely intrigued.
"I'm interested in everything, Mr. Hayden," Emilia replied with a hint of playfulness. "Besides, back in university, we were assigned a presentation to practice our public speaking skills. One of my colleagues chose Omega watches as his topic since it was his hobby. I found it quite fascinating."
Curiosity piqued, Christopher inquired, "What was your presentation about?"
Emilia let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, dear. I did a presentation on the aerodynamics of different animals. I wanted to choose something relevant to the subject but also entertaining for the audience. And who doesn't love pictures of cats?"
Christopher chuckled, a smile slowly creeping onto his face. "Do you still have that presentation? I would love to see it."
Emilia shook her head, causing her hair to tumble into a charmingly disheveled state. "Absolutely not! I've improved my presentation skills since then, and I now know it was quite terrible. I can't let you see that, Mr. Hayden. What would you think of me?"
Christopher's smile widened "Well, who doesn't love pictures of cats?"
"Fair point," Emilia conceded, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "But you must promise not to judge me based on what you find in that presentation, Mr. Hayden."
"I promise, Emilia," he assured her. Emilia felt secretly thrilled by the way his voice caressed her name. It gave her goosebumps.
"Then you shall receive it tonight," Emilia declared, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Thank you, Emilia," Christopher felt a rush of warmth within him.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Hayden," Emilia bid him farewell as they reached the courtyard. She waved at him before gracefully walking away.
Christopher watched her walk away, his face still adorned with a radiant smile.
Christopher knew he was supposed to keep his distance, to let her go and spare her any misery. Yet, there were days when he found it impossible to resist the pull of his emotions. He had succeeded in maintaining a month of no contact with her, but with each passing day, the self-imposed restraint became increasingly unbearable, transforming into a torment that gnawed at his very soul.
He made his way through the grand oak doors, heading towards his study. The room exuded an air of intellectual prowess, with shelves lining the walls, adorned with countless books. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the room.
As he entered the study, his eyes were immediately drawn to the mountainous stack of documents that loomed on his mahogany desk. The papers seemed to multiply at an alarming rate, a testament to the ceaseless demands of his position.
Just as he settled into his chair, a familiar chime echoed through the room, signaling the arrival of an email. It was from Emilia who had managed to extract his email address from one of the documents Patrick had entrusted to her.
Emilia never questioned that she was divulged in more information, exposing Emilia to the secrets that lay concealed within Crimson Tech and himself.
A sense of curiosity surged within him with anticipation. Christopher clicked open the email and Emilia's carefully crafted presentation materialized before him. Almost instantaneously, an euphoric laughter erupted from deep within him, cascading through the hallowed space of an incredibly large room.
Startled by the uproarious sound, Patrick poked his head into the study. Concern etched across his face. It was a sight he had never before witnessed—a sight that seemed to defy the gravity of the weight Christopher bore on his shoulders.
"Is everything alright, sir?" Patrick timidly inquired.
Christopher's laughter persisted, tears now streaming down his face as he struggled to catch his breath. His eyes twinkled as he motioned for Patrick to join him. In haste, Christopher connected his laptop to the projector, casting the vibrant display onto the wall behind his desk.
With the clicker in hand, he started showing Emilia's presentation.
Each slide unveiled a whimsical world of aerodynamics, with animals taking centre stage. Patrick, unable to suppress his amusement, chuckled with growing fervor, attempting to veil his mirth behind a façade of composure. Perplexed, Patrick managed to interject between bouts of laughter, "What even is this?"
"It's a presentation about the aerodynamics of different animals," Christopher managed to reply, still grappling with fits of laughter.
A moment of silence hung in the air as Patrick processed the unconventional content before him. With a quizzical expression, he probed further, "But why?"
A glimmer of childlike delight sparkled in Christopher's eyes as he shrugged. "Why not? I adore its brilliance—a masterstroke of employing the ludicrous to elucidate complex concepts, making them accessible and captivating to all."
"But aerodynamics of a cow?" Patrick's bemusement was evident, yet he couldn't help but be captivated by the infectious joy emanating from Christopher.
With cheeks flushed, Christopher exclaimed, "Precisely! It's utterly marvelous!" Gradually, a tranquil calm settled upon Christopher, his laughter subsiding into a contented sigh. "She is marvelous."
Perceiving a hint of something unfamiliar flickering across Christopher's countenance, Patrick couldn't help but pry further "Excuse me, Sir?".
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Christopher replied, "It's nothing. You may take your leave for the night, Patrick. Send me the schedule for Monday."
Patrick, though perplexed, nodded in acknowledgment. "Of course, sir," he replied, his voice laced with an unspoken curiosity that lingered long after he exited the study, leaving Christopher to ponder the enigmatic revelations that had unfolded before him.
And as more days have passed, he searched for more. He explored the deepest and furthest parts of the internet, finding articles published with her name in scientific journals and the old recordings from various conferences. Although her scientific nature was undeniable, he found that she wove her humour and her very essence into everything she has ever shown. Every time she presented the complex topic, she made it interesting, and funny, and memorable.
And as he traversed the intricate corridors of her intellect, a profound change unfurled within him. Each layer showed an exquisite tapestry of thoughts, ideas, and emotions that captivated him beyond measure. He marvelled at the complexities that lay hidden within her. The knowledge that he was yet to discover. As he reflected on the symphony of her thoughts, he realised just how they resonated within him, striking chords he never knew existed.
The more he learnt of her, the more his admiration grew, a fire kindled within his heart. Like a celestial cartographer mapping uncharted constellations, he embarked on a relentless quest to uncover the nuances of her mind, savoring the delicate interplay of intellect and emotion that defined her essence.
With each revelation, he witnessed the unfolding of a masterpiece.
In her intricacies, he found solace. In her complexities, he found inspiration. And with each passing day, his love for the captivating intricacies of her mind grew, blooming like a rare and exquisite flower in the vast garden of his heart.
But he imprisoned his feelings within the depths of his heart, concealed behind a stoic façade. He was a master of silence, guarding his emotions with unwavering determination. Though his heart ached with growing affection, he chose to keep his sentiments locked away, veiled in the shadows of unspoken words. Every beat of his heart whispered her name, yet he remained steadfast in his resolve to remain silent, fearing the vulnerability that lay in baring his soul and threat of what would become if he had spoken. He carried his new love as a precious secret, a flame that burned within him, known only to the depths of his own being. A secret that was never to be revealed. Not fully.
There was nothing wrong with being kind to her and speaking of the wonders that were hidden inside of her. There was nothing wrong with partnership and maybe even friendship. But they were never going to be a romantic relationship. Never.