The day at the lab began with an important presentation that Emily and her colleagues were required to attend. They gathered in the meeting room, a large, bright space that could accommodate most researchers on the floor. A large screen at the front displayed a high-resolution image of a vibrant plant cell, showcasing its intricate details. The chairs were neatly arranged in rows, facing the screen, ready for the presentation to begin.
Taking her seat, Emily exchanged a polite "Good morning" with Mark, who sat beside her, holding two cups of steaming coffee. He placed one cup in front of her, his warm smile momentarily meeting her gaze. ''Good morning to you too,'' he said. Emily's cheeks flushed as memories of the thoughts she had about Mark resurfaced. She inwardly hoped that her blush went unnoticed beneath the thin veil of makeup.
As the young colleague began the presentation before them, Emily struggled to maintain her focus. The presenter's nervous demeanor and stumbling words only heightened her distraction. Her mind repeatedly wandered back to the exchange with Thomas, replaying the scenes like a broken record. The room around her blurred into insignificance as her thoughts consumed her.
Suddenly, Mark's hand gently tapped her arm, bringing her attention back to the present. Startled by the unexpected touch, Emily turned her head to meet his gaze. In that brief connection, she felt a flicker of attraction pass between them. It was as if he glanced at her a little longer than usual, and it stirred something within her. Her lips curved into a small, appreciative smile, her heart racing. She quickly composed herself, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. Struggling to refocus on the presentation, Emily couldn't help but wonder if Mark had noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor. Did he sense the undercurrents of tension and desire that had begun to surface? Suppressing those thoughts, she reminded herself of the importance of professionalism and maintaining boundaries in the workplace. Yet, sitting beside Mark at that moment, a wave of curiosity and possibility washed over her. Deep within, a part of her wondered if she was ready to explore uncharted territories.
She remembered the words of Dr. Lecter, and perhaps she had to finally embrace the person that made her feel validated. Even if that one was outside her marriage. It was a daunting thought. As the meeting came to an end, Emily was momentarily overwhelmed by the sound of polite applause. Trying to shake off her thoughts, she quickly joined in, clapping along to avoid appearing distracted. When the meeting concluded, Emily rose from her seat along with her colleagues, moving with the crowd towards the exit. Her mind seemed to operate on autopilot, still lost in her own thoughts.
Outside in the hallway, she slowly came back to her senses. She ran her hands over her tight ponytail, momentarily imagining her hair loose as she played with the strands in her tail. Lost in contemplation, she looked up and noticed Mark walking by. Without thinking, she called out to him, "Mark, do you have a moment?" Her eyes had a distant, contemplative look as she gazed at her colleague.
As Emily entered her office, she felt a sudden rush of anticipation. Her heart raced, and she was all too aware of the impulse that had taken root within her. She knew she had to regain control of her emotions, at least for the sake of maintaining professionalism. Taking a deep breath, she closed the door behind her and proceeded to quickly clean up her workspace, as if tidying her physical surroundings could help bring clarity to her jumbled thoughts.
As she arranged her papers and organized her desk, Emily tried to come up with reasonable excuses for wanting to talk to Mark. She knew she couldn't simply walk into his office and admit she wanted him. That would be too forward and inappropriate, risking both their professional dynamics and her marriage. She needed a valid reason, a plausible topic of conversation that would mask her underlying feelings. As she arranged a few folders on her desk, Emily's mind raced, concocting plausible explanations. She considered discussing potential collaboration on a project or seeking his input on a recent experiment. Each idea seemed reasonable enough.
Emily straightened a photograph on her desk, her eyes fixed on the image of her and Thomas smiling at their wedding. She had never liked the photo, not the color of the dress. She had held a boring bouquet of flowers, that had welted soon after the wedding.
With a deep breath, Emily forced herself to focus. Her office was organized, her excuses carefully crafted, and her emotions, momentarily tucked away. She sat on her desk, awaiting his arrival.
As the door to her office opened, and Mark stepped in, Emily's heart pounded loudly in her chest. The moment their eyes met, an overwhelming rush of emotion washed over her. In an instant, the carefully constructed barriers around her feelings crumbled, and the unspoken attraction that had been simmering between them erupted like wildfire.
'Emily,' he spoke softly, recognizing the look they now shared. He slowly moved to her desk.
Unable to resist the magnetic pull, Emily took a step closer to Mark, and before either of them could fully comprehend what was happening, their lips met in a fervent, passionate kiss. Time seemed to stand still as their bodies pressed against each other, and all the walls she had built to protect themselves fell away.
In the intensity of the moment, their embrace became uncontrollable, and as their bodies swayed, they accidentally knocked over the photograph on her desk. The frame hit the ground, and the glass shattered, the picture now lying face down on the floor. Reality came crashing back, and the weight of what had just occurred hit Emily like a ton of bricks. She pulled away, her eyes wide with shock and guilt, her breaths heavy and uneven. The image of her wedding photo, once a symbol of love and commitment, now lay broken beneath her feet.
"I... I'm sorry," Emily stammered, her voice trembling as she struggled to find the right words. "I don't know what came over me."
Mark, too, seemed taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. He ran a hand through his hair, his expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "I didn't mean to..." he began, but his words trailed off, unable to fully articulate the whirlwind of emotions that had just transpired. For a few moments, they stood in silence, the air heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. The reality of their actions crashed down on them, and both knew that they had crossed a line that should never have been approached.
"I should go," Mark finally said, his voice low and filled with regret. He turned and walked towards the door, not daring to look back. Emily remained rooted to the spot, her mind racing with confusion, guilt, and a whirlwind of emotions she couldn't comprehend. As the door started to close behind Mark, she yelled out. As much as Emily knew that they were treading on dangerous ground, she also knew that she couldn't walk away from what she felt. Mark had awakened something within her
'Mark, don't go.' She said softly. She grabbed the hair tie that held her ponytail tight and pulled it. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders. 'Please.'
YOU ARE READING
Irreparable - Hannibal Lecter
FanfictionEmily, trapped in a failing marriage, seeks solace and guidance through counseling sessions with the renowned Dr. Lecter. However, what begins as an attempt to salvage her fractured relationship quickly takes an unexpected turn. As Emily delves int...
