Emilia put her phone away and took a deep breath readying herself to go back in a crowd. As she turned around, Christopher entered the room, holding an almost empty glass of champagne. He drank the remainder of the liquid courage and put the glass on the small table on the side.
"Emilia…" he said her name with softness that Emilia hasn't heard in a long time.
"Mr Hayden." Emilia forced the smile onto her face.
"I was looking for you."
"Is something wrong, Mr Hayden?" There was an instant worry in Emilia's voice.
"No, absolutely not. I was just hoping for your presence." Christopher started to close the distance between them
"If you wish, sir." Emilia nodded as she started to walk towards the door, about to pass by Christopher to return to the crowd. "I was just about to return, Mr Hayden."
"Why are you so formal with me?" Christopher asked, still hurt by this seemingly small thing. He grabbed her by her forearm, stopping her in her track. His touch was gentle but yet it was enough to make Emilia freeze.
"Formal?" Emilia repeated in surprise.
"Call me by my first name. Please."
"If you wish." Emilia nodded in agreement. "Christopher."
Christopher smiled at how his name sounded from her lips. It was intoxicating.
"Thank you." He said in almost a whisper. He was so close.
An aura of enchantment seemed to encapsulate them. Emilia didn't dare to move. Her heart was pounding in her chest. The silent intimacy of the moment was exactly what she dreamt of and hoped for. And now, from this close, she saw every crease on his beautiful face. His eyes seemed to allow her to drown in their depth. Maybe it was her vulnerability, but she yearned for him, for his touch, for him to say her name again. She wanted someone to hold her. And especially him.
Christopher moved the loose strand of Emilia's hair. His fingers brushed against her cheek. It was like a spell. A mere touch that seemed to evoke a fire deep inside.
Emilia's breath sped up, she had goosebumps going down her spine. She looked down nervously but yet… she couldn't ever describe how much she wanted him. She closed her eyes as she drew a deep breath in. Steady.
She could never know that Christopher was in equal if not greater turmoil.
Emilia's enticing smell was intoxicating. Her perfume was sweet and delicate - just like her.
Emilia reopened her eyes, not expecting to meet his gaze so directly, not expecting him to lean in even closer. She could feel his warm breath tickling her blushing face.
He moved closer, his warm lips unexpectedly touched the hollow of her cheek in the form of a peck. Instant rush of adrenaline caused Emilia's ears to buzz.
But she quickly sobered up. It was wrong. He was married. She reminded herself. And that thought was a reassurance that what she was about to do was right.
She pushed Christopher away from her, her hands pushing against his chest. He least expected it as he stumbled back and barely balanced on his feet. He looked at her surprised then confused and then hurt. He considered her rejection to be a possibility when he imagined this scenario but perhaps his hope was much greater than ever before as he sincerely thought that it was unlikely.
"This is wrong, Mr Hayden." Emilia uttered. Her hands were shaking from sudden onset of stress. Her thoughts quickly reminded her that he could easily destroy her. He was rich and with influence that she could never imagine. And he was married. She hated herself for ever thinking of him, yearning for him. "You're clearly under the influence of alcohol." Emilia stated before she walked away in a hurry.
Christopher looked behind her, his heart and hope shattered at once.
In an instant, he has lost his wife.
Emilia's words struck him. She was upset because he had a drink. But he wasn't completely drunk. He was well aware of his actions. Those few drinks he had so far were enough to give him courage, not enough to make him incapable of clear thought.
But yet, he made himself believe that the rejection was because of his use of alcohol. It was more bearable that way. It was something he could fix.