07:
Sebastian leaned against the doorframe of the lab, his gaze fixed on Amelia as she moved about the room with frenetic energy. He’d agreed to work abroad, seeking fresh experiences and new challenges, but he hadn’t anticipated crossing paths with Amelia in this high-profile facility. It was a shock, a twist of fate he hadn't expected.
Amelia was still tall and striking, her presence commanding attention even without a word. But she had transformed. Her once pristine appearance had given way to a more chaotic aura. Eyebags marked the toll of countless sleepless nights, and her lab coat was perpetually disheveled, a stark contrast to her previously meticulous demeanor.
She was engrossed in her work, but there was a marked difference in her approach. She was talkative now, her voice carrying through the lab in a way that was both commanding and oddly exuberant. Her laughter, though frequent, was tinged with a dark humor that left her colleagues exchanging uneasy glances. It was a smile that could be charming one moment and unnervingly cold the next.
Sebastian watched her with a mix of curiosity, confusion, and something more primal. He found himself staring at her in a way he hadn't before, his eyes tracing the lines of her tall frame, the messiness of her hair, the intensity of her expressions. Her chaotic demeanor now gave her an unpredictable allure that was both unsettling and captivating.
He didn't know how to feel about her changes. What had happened to her? Was it a man? Did someone make her like this? Did that man make her happy? The questions gnawed at him, and he felt a surge of anger and jealousy. The Amelia he wished to get to know years ago seemed to be standing in front of him now, more real and vibrant than ever before.
As he continued to stare, his thoughts grew darker. She was still so smart, so competent, but there was a wildness to her now that he couldn't ignore. It made her even more gorgeous, a unique beauty that seemed to radiate from her every move. She was still tall, now standing at over 5'11", almost reaching his 6'3" height.
Amelia looked up, catching him staring. She walked over, a playful smirk on her lips. "Sebastian, I didn’t realize you’d be joining us. Still as grumpy as ever, I see."
He straightened, forcing a cold expression onto his face. "And you're still as unfiltered. Quite the change from the person I remember."
Amelia tilted her head, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and challenge. "Well, people change. If you’re here to work, I suppose I’ll have to get used to having you around. Just don’t expect any special treatment."
Sebastian nodded, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary. "Wouldn't dream of it."
As Amelia continued to talk, explaining the project and assigning tasks, Sebastian remained cold and detached, his responses clipped and distant. Yet, inside, he was a turmoil of conflicting emotions. He found Amelia so fucking gorgeous now, her messy and chaotic demeanor only enhancing her unique beauty.
"Sebastian, are you even listening?" Amelia asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.
He snapped back to reality, his expression hardening. "Of course. Just trying to process all the... changes."
Amelia raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying his act, but she let it slide. "Good. Because we have a lot of work to do."
As they fell into a rhythm, working together despite their changed dynamics, Sebastian found himself both challenged and intrigued by Amelia’s transformation. She was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve, and that made her all the more fascinating. Yet, he couldn't shake the anger and confusion that simmered beneath the surface, making every interaction a test of his self-control.
******
Sebastian watched Amelia intently as she argued with Derek. The younger researcher, handsome and brilliant but clumsy, was the only one who could match Amelia's weird energy. Their banter was always intense, filled with dark humor and strange inside jokes that no one else understood. Amelia was visibly frustrated, but there was also an undeniable spark in her eyes.
Sebastian sipped his coffee, the taste of milk and sugar a stark contrast to the strong, black coffee that both Amelia and Derek drank like champs. He hated that he couldn't stand the taste of her coffee, yet Derek could drink it effortlessly. The sight of them together, sharing that bond, made his stomach churn with a mix of emotions.
As Derek pestered Amelia about a mathematical problem, she frowned, clearly stumped. "I don't get it, Derek. This variable isn't making sense."
Derek grinned. "Come on, Amelia. You're the genius here. You can figure it out."
Sebastian decided it was time to step in. He pushed away from the doorframe and approached them, his presence commanding attention. "The variable is off because you're not accounting for the decay rate in your calculations," he said coolly.
Both Amelia and Derek turned to look at him. Derek's smile faltered, and he quickly retreated. "Thanks, Sebastian. I'll leave you two to it," he said, backing away.
Amelia barely noticed Derek's departure, too busy scrutinizing Sebastian. "Decay rate, huh? That makes sense. Thanks."
Sebastian took another sip of his coffee, masking his irritation. "No problem. You might want to double-check your constants as well. Just a suggestion."
Amelia nodded, already lost in thought. "Got it. By the way, remember the new kiss experiment they want us to do? It's insane. I don't even know where to start with it."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Kiss experiment? Yeah... Sounds... unconventional."
Amelia snorted. "Unconventional is putting it lightly. It's biology, chemistry, psychology all rolled into one. They're asking us to quantify and analyze the effects of a kiss on various physiological and psychological parameters. It's a mess."
Sebastian found himself smirking despite his best efforts. "Sounds like you're in for a challenge."
Amelia shrugged. "Yeah, well, it wouldn't be the first time. But honestly, I don't know how to start."
Sebastian stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "We can work together. You can do your research and observations by testing it yourself," he said, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Using me as a test subject."
Amelia stared at him for a long moment, her mind racing. His messy blonde hair, thick glasses, and grumpy demeanor only added to his rugged, almost dangerous appeal. She could feel his gaze burning into her, making her pulse quicken. Maybe it's the coffee, she thought.
"Are you nuts?" she finally said, breaking the tension.
Sebastian smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement. "Maybe. But it might just work."
Amelia shook her head. The chaos of the lab buzzed around them. The experiment loomed ahead, promising more than just scientific discovery. And as the weight of their unresolved past hung in the air, neither of them could deny the electric possibility that lay ahead.
Amelia took a deep breath, the chaotic hum of the lab suddenly feeling overwhelming. She glanced around, watching her colleagues move with purpose, the flurry of activity a stark contrast to the stillness between her and Sebastian. She turned back to him, her expression shifting from playful to serious.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice barely audible above the noise of the lab.
Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt. He just watched her, his gaze intense and unyielding.
Amelia looked down, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "For leaving years ago. For not saying anything. I... I felt like a failure."
She glanced up, meeting his eyes briefly before looking away again. "I couldn't be what everyone expected of me. The judgments, the pressure... it was suffocating. I felt like I was losing myself, trying to fit into a mold that wasn't made for me."
Sebastian remained silent, his expression unreadable. Amelia's guilt seemed to deepen as she continued, her voice trembling slightly.
"But here," she gestured around the lab, "I can be whoever I want to be. I can embrace my weirdness, my quirks, without worrying about what others think. I can be messy, chaotic, and still be respected for my intelligence. It's liberating."
She took a shaky breath, finally looking him in the eye. "I know it doesn't excuse what I did. But I needed to find myself, to become the person I am now."
Sebastian's gaze softened just a fraction, but he remained silent, letting her words hang in the air. Amelia swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her confession settle between them. She had bared her soul, exposed her vulnerabilities, and now all she could do was wait.
The lab continued its relentless pace around them, researchers bustling about, machines humming, data streaming in. But in that moment, it felt like time had slowed, the chaos of the outside world fading into the background as they stood facing each other.
Amelia watched him, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't expect forgiveness, but she hoped for understanding. And as Sebastian continued to stare at her, his expression inscrutable. Sebastian watched Amelia intently, the weight of her words hanging between them. His mind raced, grappling with the flood of emotions her apology had stirred. Finally, he broke his silence, his voice low and measured.
"And what about our marriage?" he asked, his gaze unwavering.
Amelia blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question. She opened her mouth, then closed it, searching for the right words. After a moment, she smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Well," she began, a hint of humor creeping into her tone, "maybe we can move forward...?"
Sebastian's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. He stepped closer, the intensity of his stare making Amelia's breath hitch. "Move forward about what?" he asked, his voice a rough whisper that sent shivers down her spine.
"Move forward as co-workers?" Amelia replied, completely clueless about the storm brewing inside Sebastian.
His frustration boiled over. Without thinking, he squeezed his coffee cup too hard, the hot liquid spilling over his hand. The sudden motion drew the attention of the entire lab, and everyone stared at him in shock.
"Are you stupid as fuck?" Amelia blurted out, completely baffled by his reaction.
Sebastian's jaw clenched as he fought the urge to pull her close and claim her right there. He exuded an aura of raw, magnetic intensity that left the room in a stunned silence. His messy blonde hair fell into his eyes, and the mix of irritation and desire in his expression was almost palpable.
"Seriously, what is wrong with you?" Amelia continued, genuinely perplexed by his behavior.
Sebastian took a deep breath, his eyes locked on hers. He didn't know whether to be angry or amused, but he couldn't deny the magnetic pull he felt toward her. She was driving him crazy, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could maintain his composure.
The other researchers exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether to intervene or let the bizarre scene play out. Finally, Derek, who had been watching with wide eyes, took a tentative step forward.
"Uh, maybe we should, um, clean up that spill?" he suggested, pointing to the mess on the floor.
Sebastian's gaze flicked to Derek, and for a moment, it looked like he might snap at him too. But then he took another deep breath and forced himself to relax.
"Good idea," he muttered through gritted teeth.
Amelia shook her head, still completely confused by his reaction. "Honestly, Sebastian, sometimes I think you're just impossible to understand."
He looked back at her, his eyes smoldering. "You have no idea," he said, his voice laced with frustration and something else she couldn't quite identify.
As the tension hung thick in the air, the other researchers slowly returned to their work, though they couldn't help but steal glances at the enigmatic pair in the middle of the lab.
Sebastian finally turned away, his mind racing. Amelia might be a puzzle, but she was a puzzle he was determined to solve—even if it drove him mad in the process.
*******