Adam, in his quest to study time travel, pulled himself together from his disheveled appearance. Now, his urgent task was to race against time and solve the problems of the time curvature before that fateful day arrived.
Lily saw a completely different Adam—a man who smiled and worked late in the lab. He was no longer gloomy and depressed, resembling the man she had first met when she entered the lab.
"You've been working really hard lately, but I didn't know you were transitioning from applied physics to theory. Your dedication to reading papers seems like when I was in my doctoral stage," Lily teased.
"Yeah, I've had some inspiration recently and wanted to delve into more research theories," Adam smiled and continued reading the literature.
Seeing that he wasn't in the mood for small talk, Lily didn't interrupt him anymore. She grabbed her coat and headed out, asking, "Do you want a cup of coffee, Adam?"
"Sure, take a break and enjoy the nice weather. Thank you," Adam replied without looking up, making a grateful gesture.
Lily strolled through the campus in spring, feeling the gentle breeze on her face. The affectionate sight of students in love sitting on the grass had a pure essence. The campus coffee shop was run by a retired Italian professor, and Lily loved this place just as she loved Italy. Every day, she was willing to walk several blocks, crossing half the campus, to come here and drink the most authentic espresso, even though the shop was far from the lab. Of course, there had been some amusing incidents. With her black hair, emerald green eyes, and sensual lips, sitting at the counter drinking coffee, she was mistaken for a new foreign student by some students who tried to strike up a conversation.
Lily, this time, after enjoying her coffee at the counter and easing the tension in the lab, was ready to go to the second coffee shop—Adam's regular chain coffee shop—to get him a takeout.
Back in the lab, Adam was still reading papers at his desk. Lily placed the coffee she had brought without disturbing him and returned to her own experiment. During a break from reading, Adam took a sip of the coffee and suddenly realized that it was the exact flavor he always drank, but he had never told Lily. Since Adam always requested three shots, no sugar, and just milk, it wasn't common for Lily to randomly guess.
"This is my favorite flavor. How did you know?" Adam turned around and asked Lily.
"Oh, I've seen the labels on your coffee cups for years, and I have a photographic memory," Lily replied without looking up, engrossed in her experiment.
"You have a photographic memory? I didn't know that," Adam became interested and wanted to discuss the content of the physics papers.
"Yeah, don't you remember? I'm also a top student. Although I used some connections to get introduced to you in this lab, I went through a series of interviews at USC," Lily said, willing to engage in a conversation and take a break.
"If you're interested, I can discuss it with you. After all, I've spent more time in the lab than you, and there are some discoveries worth exploring. But if you invite me to have a meal, I might consider it when it's lunchtime. I'm too hungry to talk right now," Lily said.
Adam stood up and agreed, "Let's go. We'll eat what you want."
As they discussed theories while walking towards the school cafeteria, sitting on outdoor chairs, eating and debating academics, Adam felt like he had rediscovered his true self. This was the self he had lost before he started dating Emilia. Immersed in love, he saw a different side of life—Emilia's life—but at the same time, he had less time to be alone with himself. This discussion with Lily was relaxing. They could casually talk about academic terms without being seen as nitpicking. Although the discussions were theoretical and didn't provide substantial assistance to Adam's current research on time travel, they offered significant emotional support.
If he had more new thoughts in the future, Adam was willing to engage in such discussions with Lily again, exploring new perspectives.
Lily felt the same way. This man not only had academic achievements but was also interesting. Lily knew that Adam hadn't had much time since he lost his loved one and might not be interested in starting a new relationship. However, if the timing was right, she hoped she could be his date. Adam was different from the men she had dated before, who were only handsome and muscular.
Although their discussion was not finished, it was getting late. Adam took the initiative to walk Lily home that day. They bid each other farewell at the doorstep of Lily's mountain villa. Lily felt a bit reluctant but knew it wasn't the right time.
Adam returned to his apartment from Lily's secluded house. Seeing Emilia's belongings scattered throughout the room, the emotions of longing surged within him. Although he could travel back intime, he knew that he couldn't change the past. He had to make peace with his loss and continue moving forward. The conversation with Lily had reminded him of the joy of academic pursuits and the importance of human connections.
As Adam settled back into his apartment, he made a decision. He would focus on his research on time curvature, drawing inspiration from his discussions with Lily. He would immerse himself in the world of theoretical physics, exploring new ideas and possibilities. And perhaps, in the process, he would find a way to honor Emilia's memory and make a meaningful contribution to the field.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Adam dedicated himself to his research, spending long hours in the lab, analyzing data, formulating hypotheses, and conducting experiments. Lily became his trusted companion in this journey, engaging in intellectual discussions and providing valuable insights. Their friendship grew stronger, and they found solace and support in each other's company.
Adam's research progressed steadily, and he made significant breakthroughs in understanding the intricacies of time curvature. His findings started gaining attention from the scientific community, and he was invited to present his work at international conferences and symposiums. The recognition and validation he received for his research brought a sense of fulfillment and purpose to his life.
Throughout this process, Lily remained by his side, celebrating his achievements and offering unwavering support. Their bond deepened, and they discovered a profound connection beyond the realms of academia. They shared laughter, dreams, and even moments of vulnerability.
As time passed, Adam realized that he had found a new love in Lily—a love that was different from what he had shared with Emilia but equally meaningful and beautiful in its own way. He understood that moving forward didn't mean forgetting or betraying the past, but rather embracing the present and the future.
With Lily's love and support, Adam found solace and happiness once again. Together, they continued to explore the mysteries of the universe, making remarkable contributions to the field of theoretical physics. And as they embarked on this extraordinary journey together, they knew that their love and shared passion would transcend the boundaries of time, shaping their destinies in ways they could have never imagined.