Emilia's excitement persisted as she embarked on her MBA course, eagerly anticipating the challenges but also the new knowledge that she was going to gain. However, her enthusiasm took a swift turn down when she was tackling the first assignment. Despite dedicating several hours to it already, she found herself making minimal progress, leaving her feeling frustrated and disheartened.
Yearning for a change of scenery, she hoped the shift would breathe new life into her stagnant productivity. Taking advantage of Christopher's absence, as he was expected to return much later, she moved to the inviting confines of the living room.
As Christopher walked through the door of the manor, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. It had been a long day, filled with meetings and deadlines, and then even more meetings. All he wanted was to collapse into the armchair. His footsteps barely made a sound on the wooden floor as he slowly walked through the hallway.
He noticed a soft glow emanating from the living room.
Curiosity piqued, he followed the gentle light. And as he stepped further into the room, he noticed a hushed stillness that permeated the air, broken only by the soft sound of Emilia's gentle breathing. Emilia laid nestled on the sofa after she had fallen victim to her fatigue, succumbing to slumber while studying.
His heart skipped a beat as his gaze settled upon her. Her delicate features were relaxed, softened by the warm glow of the lamp nearby. A delicate wisp of hair had escaped her loose bun, cascading over her serene face.
Her laptop was still powered and rested on her lap, displaying a multitude of open tabs and documents. Stacks of books towered around Emilia, their pages filled with handwritten notes. It was evident that she had been engrossed in her studies for hours.
A gentle smile tugged at the corners of Christopher's lips as he took in the sight before him, the sight of her in this vulnerable state only heightened his feelings that he tried to bury so much.
He approached her cautiously, as if afraid to disturb the spell that enveloped the room. He couldn't help but steal glances at the delicate arch of her brow, the way a stray lock of hair caressed her cheek, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Christopher's gaze traced the lines of her face, admiring the delicate curve of her cheek and the flutter of her long lashes against her porcelain skin.
Quietly, he reached out and took the laptop, careful to save her work, and then placed it on the coffee table beside her. He then organised the scattered books, stacking them neatly next to the laptop, creating a semblance of order. Christopher's eyes traced the titles, his heart quickening at the realisation that she was delving into a subject well known to him. This stirred a sense of connection deep within him.
As Christopher stood there, silently observing Emilia, a mix of emotions swirled within him. There was the undeniable admiration for her dedication and intellect, but also a subtle ache of unrequited affection.
The room seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the quiet tension that lingered between them.
Christopher retrieved a cozy blanket from the nearby armchair and he draped it gently over Emilia, ensuring she remained warm and comfortable in her slumber. It was a small act, but one that spoke volumes of his growing feelings.
With a soft smile on his face, he bent down and tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair away from Emilia's face, his heart aching from the depth of emotion.
Just as Christopher finished, Emilia stirred, her eyelids fluttering open in surprise. Her gaze met his, and a hint of a blush tinged her cheeks. "Oh, Mr Hayden," she said, her voice filled with both sleepiness and surprise, "I'm so sorry for falling asleep here. I didn't mean to intrude on your space." She hurriedly says up.
Christopher's heart skipped a beat again at the sound of her voice, and the way her eyes met his. He shook his head gently, his voice warm and reassuring, "No need to apologise, Emilia. You are more than welcome here."
"Oh, no, sir. I shall retreat to my room. It was an accident. I do not wish to trouble you." Emilia mumbled as she started picking up the stacks of her books.
"What makes you think that it would trouble me?" Christopher asked as he straightened up. His gaze was burning the top of Emilia's head.
"I-… I presume that my presence will be bothersome to you at the end of your long day of work, Mr Hayden. Please, forgive me." She picked the last of the books and laptop and rushed out of the room, leaving Christopher in a silent battle. He couldn't decided whether he should run after her and ask her to accompany him for a while longer, or let her be as he always intended.
Over two months of marriage and he only saw her a handful of times, and spoke with her less. And she was certainly worth exploring more than anyone else.
Troubled by his conflicting thoughts he retreated to his study where he procrastinated from his sleep for many more hours.