14:
Amelia sat at her kitchen table, sipping on her coffee, the warmth doing little to calm the whirlwind in her mind. She had left Sebastian’s place as soon as he fell asleep, the weight of his embrace too heavy to bear. The memories of his touch lingered on her skin, but instead of comfort, they brought an ache to her heart.
She was home now, in the dim light of her apartment. The curtains were drawn, casting shadows across the room, creating an atmosphere that matched her mood. Her cat, a gray tabby with curious green eyes, lay sprawled across her lap, purring softly as Amelia absentmindedly stroked its fur.
Her gaze was fixed on the ceiling, her thoughts racing. Why is he acting like this? she wondered, her mind replaying every moment from earlier. The way he looked at her, touched her, spoke to her—it was all too much. It was as if the years of distance between them had vanished, leaving only a raw intensity that she didn’t know how to handle.
She took another sip of coffee, the bitterness grounding her momentarily. I don’t like this, she thought, her fingers tightening around the mug. I don’t like the way he makes me feel.
Her mind wandered back to the past, to the countless times Sebastian had shattered her heart. She had been young, naïve, and desperately seeking connection. When her parents asked her, in a casual conversation over dinner, whom she would marry if given the chance, she had pointed to the boy sitting across from her. She had no friends, no one to turn to, and in her loneliness, she had chosen him—someone who never seemed to care.
And now, years later, he was back in her life, acting as if nothing had happened. He’s lying, she told herself, the familiar sting of doubt creeping into her chest. He has to be.
The cat shifted on her lap, its purring louder now, as if sensing her distress. She scratched behind its ears, trying to focus on the comforting rhythm of its breathing, but the silence of her apartment only amplified her thoughts. She felt isolated, as she had so many times before, with only her cat for company.
I can’t deal with this, she thought, a lump forming in her throat. I can’t deal with him.
The tears came before she could stop them, rolling down her cheeks as she continued to stare at the ceiling. Her coffee grew cold, forgotten on the table, as she let herself feel the weight of her loneliness. It was a familiar feeling, one she had learned to live with, but it was never any less painful.
Her cat nudged her hand, its soft fur brushing against her skin, pulling her out of her thoughts. She wiped her tears away, taking a shaky breath. It’s just you and me, she thought, looking down at the little creature in her lap. It’s always been just you and me.
Amelia tried to shake off the unease that had settled over her since she left Sebastian’s place. She'd ignored the way he looked at her, the intensity in his eyes that made her feel as if he could see right through her. She kept telling herself it was just her imagination, that she was overthinking everything.
The first time they shared a kiss, she dismissed it as an experiment, a study to satisfy her curiosity. But when they talked on the couch, and he fell asleep, she got scared. The emotions that had long been buried resurfaced, and she wasn't ready to confront them. The only solution she could think of was to retreat.
So, she filed for a week off, something she hadn’t done in years. The request was approved immediately, and she found herself holed up in her apartment, surrounded by the familiar solitude. Her only company was her cat, who purred softly on her lap as she stared blankly at the ceiling.
Amelia clung to the isolation, feeling safer within the walls of her home. The ice cream she ate offered little comfort, but it was better than facing the confusion and fear that swirled inside her. Sebastian’s actions had stirred something in her, something she didn’t want to deal with.
She sighed, brushing a hand through her cat’s fur, trying to push away the lingering thoughts of him. “I don’t like any of this,” she whispered to the quiet room. “I don’t like him making me feel this way... I am used to being alone...”
But even as she said the words, a part of her knew that avoiding Sebastian wouldn’t be easy. And that realization scared her more than anything.
******
Amelia's return to the lab was met with a mix of curiosity and concern. She walked in, her posture rigid, her face an unreadable mask. Her co-workers exchanged glances, whispering among themselves. They had grown accustomed to the livelier, more chaotic version of Amelia, but now, it was as if the old Amelia had returned—cold, organized, and indifferent.
Sebastian noticed immediately. He watched her from across the room, his brows furrowing as she moved with precision, her steps calculated. She didn't look at him, didn't speak to anyone, not even Derek, who usually managed to draw out some reaction from her.
Amelia's usual workspace, once cluttered with scattered notes and half-empty coffee cups, was now meticulously organized. Not a single piece of paper was out of place. Her glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights, gave her an even more distant aura.
When she was appointed to lead a new research project, she took charge with a calm authority that demanded respect. Her instructions were clear, her analysis sharp. People followed her lead, but there was an underlying tension. She was competent—brilliant even—but the warmth and unpredictability that had recently characterized her were gone.
As Sebastian watched her, he felt a pang of guilt. He knew this Amelia—had known her for years—but the return of her old self felt like a step backward. It was as if she had built a wall around herself again, shutting everyone out, including him.
"Amelia," Derek approached cautiously during a break, his voice soft. "You okay?"
She looked up at him, her expression blank. "I'm fine, Derek. Just busy."
Derek frowned but didn't push further. He could sense that something was wrong, but he knew better than to pry when Amelia was like this.
Sebastian, on the other hand, couldn’t ignore it. He watched her meticulously work, her every movement a reflection of the walls she had put up. She was leading the team with efficiency, but her indifference was palpable. He missed the Amelia who would smile, who would challenge him with her wit and sarcasm.
As the day wore on, the lab buzzed with activity, but Amelia was like a ghost, moving through the motions without truly engaging. It was as if she had retreated into herself, and Sebastian couldn't shake the feeling that it was his fault.
*******
The lab was nearly empty now, the soft hum of machines and the distant ticking of a clock the only sounds that remained. Amelia was methodically packing up her things, her movements precise and deliberate. She kept her focus on the task, her back to the door, hoping to avoid any more interactions for the day.
But she wasn’t alone.
She heard the soft click of the door closing behind her and knew instantly who it was. Her shoulders tensed, but she didn’t turn around.
"Amelia." Sebastian’s voice cut through the silence, low and intense.
She pretended not to notice the edge in his tone, continuing to organize her workspace. "What is it, Sebastian?"
There was a pause, and Amelia could feel the weight of his gaze on her back. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken words. Finally, he stepped closer, his presence unmistakable behind her.
"Why are you avoiding me?" His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the seriousness of his question.
Amelia’s hands stilled, her breath catching in her throat. She could feel the tension between them, the charged air that had been building since the moment he walked in.
"I’m not avoiding you," she replied, keeping her voice as steady as she could manage. "I’ve just been busy."
"Liar." The word was harsh, but his tone wasn’t. It was almost...pained.
Amelia felt a chill run down her spine, but she didn’t turn to face him. Instead, she continued packing her things, trying to keep her focus on anything but him.
Sebastian stepped even closer, and she could feel the heat of his presence now, just inches away. "Look at me," he said softly.
She hesitated, then slowly turned to face him. His eyes were dark and intense, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence between them speaking volumes.
Sebastian’s gaze searched hers, as if looking for something he couldn’t quite find. His eyes softened, and Amelia could see the concern and confusion there. But he didn’t press her further.
Instead, he stepped back, giving her space. The intensity in his eyes faded, replaced by something gentler, something almost…regretful. He nodded slightly, as if acknowledging her unspoken need for distance, and then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
Amelia watched him go, her heart heavy, her mind racing. She had expected him to push, to demand answers, but instead, he had left her alone.
The door clicked shut behind him, and the lab was silent once more. Amelia was left standing there, alone with her thoughts and the ghost of their conversation hanging in the air. She exhaled, long and slow, her chest tightening with a mix of relief and sadness.
***********