12:
Sebastian staggered into the lab the next morning, his head pounding with a relentless headache. He'd had a bit too much to drink the previous night, and the aftermath of the revelry was now catching up with him. The events of the evening were a blur, mostly centered around Amelia and his inexplicable attraction to her in his drunken state.
He shuffled to his desk, trying to shake off the fog of his hangover, when Amelia walked in, her demeanor as calm and collected as ever. She had her usual serious expression but seemed oddly more approachable today. Noticing Sebastian’s disheveled appearance, she approached him with a warm smile and a steaming cup of coffee.
“Here,” she said, placing the coffee beside him on the desk. “Thought you might need this.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened slightly. He stared at the coffee cup, his thoughts racing. Black coffee from Amelia? This was a curveball. He had expected something strong and bitter, just like her usual taste, but this one had milk and sugar.
His face flushed a deep red as he realized she had gone out of her way to make it more palatable for him. It was a simple gesture, but it hit him harder than he anticipated. He cleared his throat, trying to maintain his usual composed demeanor despite the discomfort he was feeling.
“Uh, thanks,” he mumbled, his voice unusually soft as he took the cup. The warmth of the coffee in his hands seemed to only add to the heat he felt rising to his cheeks. He tried to avoid Amelia’s gaze, focusing on the coffee as he took a careful sip. The mixture of milk and sugar was surprisingly pleasant.
Amelia watched him with a puzzled expression, noting how he seemed to be struggling with something. "Is something wrong with the coffee?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity.
Sebastian, caught off guard by her question, fumbled for words. "No, it’s... it’s fine. Just didn’t expect... this," he said, gesturing vaguely at the coffee. He took another sip, trying to appear casual, but his discomfort was evident.
Amelia raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by his reaction. She took a seat beside him, her eyes studying his flushed face with an amused glint. "Are you okay? You seem... a bit off."
Sebastian, feeling the weight of her scrutiny, tried to focus on his work, but his mind kept drifting back to the events of the previous night and the warmth of Amelia’s presence. He was acutely aware of her proximity, her scent, and the gentle kindness she had shown him in the form of this coffee.
"I’m fine," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably. His awkwardness only seemed to make him more attractive, the contrast between his disheveled appearance and his intense, smoldering gaze creating a compelling aura around him.
Amelia, still puzzled but sensing that he was uncomfortable for reasons beyond just a hangover, decided to let it go. She turned her attention back to her work, her curiosity about Sebastian’s strange reaction mixing with her usual focus and determination.
As Sebastian sipped his coffee, trying to steady his nerves and regain his composure, he stole glances at Amelia. The sight of her working quietly beside him, the calm after the chaotic night, only made him more aware of how much he had been affected by her. It was a realization he wasn’t quite ready to confront, but it lingered in his mind, adding an unexpected layer of tension to their daily interactions.
The office buzzed around them, the usual hum of productivity filling the air. Yet, for Sebastian, the moment felt charged with an unspoken connection, a subtle shift in their dynamic that left him both flustered and intrigued.
As Amelia and Sebastian continued their awkward interaction, Derek stood at a distance, leaning casually against the doorway with a knowing smirk on his face. It was clear to him that Amelia had a significant effect on Sebastian, who was blushing like a teenager caught in a romantic moment.
Derek’s gaze shifted to Tim, who had just joined him. Tim nudged him, a grin spreading across his face. “Looks like our ship is sailing,” he said, barely containing his amusement.
Derek chuckled, his eyes flickering back to the pair. “Yeah, I see that. I told you the Alexandra thing was a misunderstanding. Look at that reddened face of Sebastian—he’s down bad.”
Tim laughed, shaking his head. “You’re right. It’s pretty obvious now. I mean, who knew the big, grumpy guy could be so… smitten?”
Derek watched as Sebastian awkwardly shifted in his seat, still struggling with the hangover but evidently flustered by Amelia’s presence. He could barely focus on his work, his attention perpetually drawn to Amelia, who remained blissfully unaware of the effect she was having on him.
“Seems like Sebastian’s all in,” Derek said with a laugh. “And Amelia? She’s got no idea.”
Tim nodded in agreement, a playful glint in his eye. “Well, it looks like you’ve got a front-row seat to a live soap opera. Enjoy the show.”
Derek grinned, enjoying the playful banter. “Oh, I plan to. This is better than any drama I’ve seen in a long time. Watching Sebastian fumble like this is worth every second.”
As they continued to observe from the sidelines, Amelia finally seemed to sense the charged atmosphere between her and Sebastian. She glanced over at Derek and Tim, who were trying hard to contain their laughter. Her brows furrowed in confusion, but she chose to ignore them, focusing instead on her work.
Meanwhile, Sebastian’s blush had only deepened, and he was desperately trying to regain his composure. The gentle smile Amelia had given him, the unexpected kindness in the coffee, and the subtle way she had sat beside him—all of it was making his head spin.
Derek and Tim exchanged knowing glances, their amusement evident. They were witnessing a transformation in Sebastian that was both hilarious and endearing. The grumpy physicist was clearly out of his element, and it was all thanks to Amelia’s unassuming charm.
As the office carried on with its usual rhythm, Derek’s smirk never faded. He knew that the real fun was just beginning, and he was more than ready to enjoy the unfolding drama between the two.
The coffee break ended with a burst of laughter from Derek, Tim, and a few other co-workers who had caught onto the situation. Amelia, still oblivious to the full extent of the spectacle she had become, continued her work, the subtle tension between her and Sebastian adding a new layer to their daily interactions.
The office buzzed with its usual end of shift rhythm, and Amelia was focused on her tasks when she approached Sebastian’s desk. He was immersed in his work, but as she drew closer, he looked up, his eyes meeting hers with an unexpected shyness that quickly vanished. He realized that it's time to go home, after all.
“Hey,” Amelia said, her tone brisk. “We need to continue our test. I still have more observations to make.”
Sebastian’s expression shifted from hesitant to intensely focused. The moment he heard her, his demeanor changed dramatically. He straightened up, his eyes locking onto Amelia with a smoldering intensity that seemed to penetrate right through her.
“Alright,” Sebastian replied, his voice low and suggestive. “But how about we do it somewhere more private? My place, perhaps? It would be... less distracting.”
Amelia blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the shift in Sebastian’s demeanor. She looked up at him, his height and presence suddenly feeling overwhelming. His gaze was filled with a heat that made her heart race, though she remained oblivious to its full implications.
“Uh, okay,” Amelia said, brushing off his tone. “Sure, if it’s easier for you. I just need to get this done.”
Sebastian’s face lit up with a smirk, clearly pleased by her willingness. He stood up, towering over her, and his body language exuded a confidence that was both commanding and intimidating.
Amelia noticed his change in posture but remained focused on the task at hand. “So, let’s get going then. I’m ready whenever you are.”
As they made their way out of the office, Sebastian’s thoughts were clearly fixated on the prospect of continuing the experiment. His gaze followed Amelia with a barely concealed desire, a stark contrast to her casual indifference.
Amelia and Sebastian made their way out of the office, Sebastian’s intent clear despite Amelia’s cluelessness. His demeanor was a mix of eagerness and raw desire, which contrasted sharply with Amelia’s straightforwardness.
Once they were outside, Amelia looked over at Sebastian. “So, where to? Your place?”
Sebastian’s eyes sparkled with a predatory glint as he nodded, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. “Yes, let’s go.”
The drive to Sebastian’s place was filled with an unspoken tension, though Amelia remained completely oblivious to the effect she had on him. Sebastian’s mind raced with thoughts of how the experiment could take a more... personal turn, but Amelia remained focused on the practical aspects.
When they arrived at his place, Amelia was ready to get started. She turned to Sebastian, who was now visibly more intense, his eyes still fixed on her with an almost palpable desire.
“What are you waiting for?” Amelia asked, clearly ready to proceed with the experiment. “Let’s get this over with.”
Sebastian’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he took a deep breath, trying to rein in his overwhelming attraction. He led Amelia inside, his mind still racing with thoughts he didn’t fully understand himself.
As Amelia settled into his workspace, she remained completely unaware of the effect she was having on him. Sebastian’s thoughts were consumed by his desire to be close to her, but Amelia remained focused on her notes and observations.
“Okay, let’s get started,” Amelia said, taking out her notepad and preparing for the next phase of their experiment.
Sebastian’s eyes lingered on her, his thoughts a whirlwind of desire and anticipation. He leaned in closer, the air between them charged with unspoken tension.
Amelia, oblivious to his inner turmoil, glanced at him with a hint of confusion. “Why are you staring at me like that? Are you okay?”
Sebastian forced himself to focus on the task at hand, though his thoughts were clearly elsewhere. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he managed to say, trying to keep his voice steady.
As Amelia continued with her observations, Sebastian couldn’t help but be drawn to her, his thoughts wandering far from the experiment. The tension between them was palpable, but Amelia remained blissfully unaware of the effect she was having on him.
With a final glance at Amelia, Sebastian knew that this experiment was about to become far more personal than he had initially anticipated. And Amelia, completely oblivious to the storm of emotions within him, simply carried on with her work.
*********