Lena sat alone in the cafeteria, savoring her grilled chicken sandwich and crispy fries, her mind preoccupied with the upcoming research project. As a scientist at the prestigious research institute, she was no stranger to challenging tasks, but this one had her stumped.
Just as she was about to take a bite of her sandwich, she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Mind if I join you, Lena?"
She turned to see Lucas, her coworker from the lab next door, standing with a warm smile. His impeccable dress sense caught her attention, as always. His crisp white shirt, dark trousers, and blazer exuded a sense of professionalism, making him stand out among their casually dressed colleagues.
Lucas's neatness was legendary in their department. His hair was always perfectly styled, his shoes polished, and his clothes pressed. It was as if he had stepped out of a fashion magazine, ready to grace the cover.
Lena smiled, gesturing to the empty chair across from her. "Please do, Lucas," she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Lucas sat down, his eyes sparkling with interest. "What's on your mind, Lena? You look like you're tackling a complex problem."
As Lucas sat down, Lena felt a flutter in her chest. She was inwardly happy that he had chosen to join her, and she couldn't help but notice how his presence made her feel more at ease.
"Thanks for joining me, Lucas," she said, her voice a little softer than usual. "I was just lost in thought, trying to figure out this research project."
Lucas nodded sympathetically, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know the feeling," he said. "But I'm sure we can tackle it together. We make a great team, after all."
Lena smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at his words. She had always appreciated Lucas's kindness and support, and she felt grateful to have him as a colleague and friend.
As they began to discuss the project, Lena found herself feeling more and more comfortable in Lucas's presence. She was impressed by his insights and ideas, and she couldn't help but admire the way he approached problems with a clear and logical mind.
As they delved deeper into the project, Lena found herself stealing glances at Lucas, her eyes drawn to the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck, and the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled. She felt a flutter in her chest, and her heart raced with excitement.
She quickly looked away, trying to focus on the conversation, but she couldn't help sneaking another peek at him. Lucas was oblivious to her gaze, too engrossed in the discussion to notice.
Lena's thoughts were a jumbled mix of project details and fleeting impressions of Lucas's warm smile and kind eyes. She felt a pang of guilt for her distraction, but she couldn't help the way she felt.
As they wrapped up their discussion, Lucas turned to her with a smile. "Thanks for your input, Lena. You always bring a fresh perspective to the table."
Lena's heart skipped a beat at his praise, and she felt her face grow warm. "Thanks, Lucas," she replied, trying to sound casual despite her inner excitement.
As Dr. Patel approached, Lucas turned to him with a friendly smile. "Hey, what's up? Got some news about the Smith project?"
Lena felt a slight pang of disappointment that the moment was broken, but she pushed it aside and focused on the conversation.
YOU ARE READING
"In the Dark"
Bilim Kurgu"What if the darkness that surrounds us is not just an absence of light, but a presence that whispers our deepest fears? What if the only way to find the truth is to embrace the shadows within? Join me on a journey to the depths of my mind, where th...
