I was waiting to knock when the study door burst open. Alessandro looked messy and as though he had just been rumbling his hair. While he thought fervently or became jittery, he regularly showed this trait.
“Brianne-you heard my voice filled with a combination of shock and other feelings. I had planned to come and meet you. Zoe informed me about the progress in the trial.”
I gestured with my head while I struggled to hide the nervous feeling in my belly with him nearby. All of this is a complex event to understand. Can we talk?”
He moved away to invite me in. “Of course. Come in.”
Papers and books covered the desk and screens had varied data images mixed within. His demeanor was so characteristic of Alessandro that I could not remain expressionless.
We moved into the damaged leather chairs by the window which served as our reserved spot for serious conversations. For a time, both of us stayed silent with the heavy burden of last night’s almost-kiss and the day’s revelations weighing heavily on us.
He ended the silent pause by addressing me. “Brianne, about last night…”
I said my reply at the same moment as him.
A nervous laugh from both of us released part of the stress.
Your turn comes first; I pulled a strand of hair behind my ear.
He took a long pause and looked at me directly. Last night took a turn when we nearly… you know. You should understand that this wasn’t a random decision for me. I have grown progressively fond of you for an extended length.
His words caused my heart to jump. I also acknowledged my feelings. Isn’t everything quite intricate? We had a busy schedule and a trial along with everything else that occurred.
With understanding eyes, he nodded in response. “It is complicated. I do not plan to further burden you with more problems.
How does this put us? I questioned optimistically yet uncomfortably.
He pulled my hand into his. The faint sensation released warmth as it traveled through me. He stated definitively that we should recognize what is occurring between us. But we take it slow. No pressure, no expectations. Just… see where it leads?”
Ecstasy and ease flowed through my chest alongside each other. With a smile on my face, I grabbed his hand. I think going at this pace feels great.
A brilliant smile crossed Alessandro’s face, illuminating his eyes and, caught my breath. “Good,” he said. “That’s… good.”
For a brief period, we just joined hands with friendly smiles as though we were young lovers. This may seem ridiculous considering all the other challenges we face. It seemed acceptable; a minor surge of happiness in the sea of disorder.
Reluctantly, at last I removed my hand. It’s time to consider the trial as issues arise.
With a nod of affirmation, Alessandro began his ‘academic approach.’ “Yeah.” Zoe gave me the key details about it. How do you feel about the chance of becoming a witness at a trial?
I released an extended sigh while organizing my thoughts. “Honestly? I’m terrified. Facing Chase after months of avoidance was a temptation I had not considered. Still, another portion of me wonders if… I don’t know, vindicated? It finally surfaces what he really did.
Alessandro agreed that he understood the situation well. Taking this risk involves a real opportunity to correct the narrative.
I replied with thanks for his empathy. In what way does it affect our responsibilities? For the project?”
Alessandro reclined in his seat and thought deeply. It’s hard to say. If Chase’s trial is successful, it could question a lot of the foundational research. On the contrary, if we show that the basic principles hold true even with his questionable tactics.”
It seems feasible to carry on with our work free from the impact of his previous methods.
In his reply to me, he expressed his captivated joy. Although it carries risks, this could also present an opportunity. A possibility to reclaim our research with a better method.
While investigating potential outcomes alongside their attendant risks and rewards, I felt a renewed thrill of intellectual passion. From the start, our interest in Alessandro came from his dedication to the field and his unique perspective on opportunities.
The following hours were devoted to planning as we ignored the day passing. Finally, Zoe entered the study with a lighthearted expression and stopped us.
Capping her reply in dryness, she noted how interesting your debate might be, although we needed to eat. I’m ordering pizza. Any requests?”
I immediately recognized my appetite was quite strong. I announced that pizza would be fantastic when I got up. I didn’t notice how much time had passed while we were discussing.
While saving yourself and fondling your emotions, time seems to rush us, quipped Zoe before exiting.”,”Zoe remarked that as you battle evil and pursue your feelings a day seems to fly quickly!”
My cheeks turned pink as I turned to check on Alessandro; he was smiling.
She was right as he rose himself. However, I intend to suggest that we go beyond just dancing aimlessly; we are meandering through our emotions.
I started to chuckle at his words. “A leisurely stroll, huh? I like that.”
I discovered how easy and calm it was for our relationship to develop when we arrived in the kitchen. Recognizing our emotions does not create uncomfortable situations. A heaviness disappeared, and we could be our true selves with each other.
As we prioritized research and the potential impact of Chase’s trial, we gradually engaged in a collection of casual meetings.
Things began lightly by taking a walk near the park after an exhausting research round. We walked together while our hands touched briefly, and we exchanged ideas about anything and everything. As the sun set with brilliant hues of orange and pink, the sky brightened, and my concerns faded away briefly.
While we observed ducks waddling by, Alessandro mentioned he frequented this place frequently in the beginning of his time with Chase. I escaped to peace when the workload intensified.
I looked at him with surprise reflecting in his face. “I didn’t know that. Did you ever question anything? About Chase, I mean.”
For a second he remained still and reflected. As time passed, I began to question whether something felt off. I believed I was just overly suspicious that someone as talented as Chase could not engage in the behavior I was concerned about.
I agreed with what I knew. “It’s hard, isn’t it? Accepting that a fellow whom you honored and relied on might break that trust to an extreme extent feels hard.
Alessandro grabbed my hand deliberately. “It is. But you know what? I’m grateful for it, in a way.
But for it all, I guess we would not have been this close to each other if I had not taken the step of helping them out.
The fact that he said it without any extravagance or false emotion, literature made my heart leap with happiness. I grabbed his hand, because I couldn’t find words in my head.
Regardless of this, Alessandro and I remained silent for some time with our hands linked, embracing standing and watching the sky growing darker with the first twinkling of stars. We weren’t on a proper date, hadn’t been on a proper date. We could not consider this a date. But when we were heading back home, hand in hand, it was definitely like one, I told him.
After that, we only continued having our non-dates quite often. The seven clips basically depict a typical day in Asha and Jay’s daily American life where a farmer’s market experience turns into a spur of the moment cook off with Zoe as the guest judge. To fully realize how important the souffle is to the operation of a restaurant, one should have seen Alessandro try to make one; the kitchen is filled with smoke and laughter.
“I am great at chemistry,” I chuckled at her as we opened the windows to let the smoke out.
“Well, school chemistry and kitchen chemistry are two completely different things” he exclaimed, but if a slight sprinkle of flour accentuated his appearance adorably, I would never know.
I did not even realize what I was doing when I reached up and tried to wash the flour off. We looked into each other’s eyes and time ceased to exist. It would have been so easy to close the distance and to continue doing what we had begun in the kitchen that night.
But Alessandro just smiled, he took my hand and gently kissed my palm. “Slow, remember?” he whispered to me.
I simply agreed because I was still hung up on the feeling of his lips against my skin. “Slow,” I echoed the words, although I felt anything but slow inside me.
During the following days, our meetings resembled real dates even though we never actually used the word. While walking through backstreets visiting secret bookstores, Alessandro grew illuminated at talks found in scientific-related books. I took him to an art show, having fun watching him trying to analyze abstract paintings from a scientific point of view.
“What does that imply?” he inquired as he stared impishly at the wild artwork.
I smiled and wrapped my arm around his. It can mean nothing. That’s the beauty of it. It just makes you feel.”
His gaze met mine with a gentle spread on his lips. I am starting to comprehend that thought.
Each experience together helped us inch forward in our relationship. We developed something worthwhile piece by piece laying a foundation of confidence and camaraderie.
It wasn’t always easy. Days approached when the trial loomed long and our job added strain. I felt Alessandro’s presence was most valuable during those times. It looked like he felt my urge for personal space or emotional comfort and gave it freely.
After a tough day getting ready for my trial session, the following evening I stood on the back porch and gazed at the stars. He arrived beside me without saying a word and presented me with a cup of hot tea.
Softly he asked what I was thinking about.
I released a deep breath as I leaned slightly into him. I doubt we are making the best decision. Giving testimony and pursuing my beliefs sometimes seems excessive.
He entwined his arms around me and I allowed myself to feel his warmth. I don’t have the answer whether it’s acceptable or not. I can assure you that you have company in this situation. No matter the eventuality, we address it as a couple.
I looked directly at him and felt a deep sense of concern in his eyes. I said it again as a confirmation.
While we were together in the cold night air, I became aware of something. Small moments that enhance our awareness together were what I’d always wanted. Chase’s dramatic expressions and sudden passion didn’t appeal to me; instead, I sought something kinder and more sustained.
We constructed an authentic foundation that would survive the difficulties approaching. Despite its scary aspects, I wanted to see what the future held. I had trust that we would address the new obstacles side by side.
Our relationship is built slowly without flashy gestures. I felt it would last in a heated way for much longer and glow more intensely than any fleeting infatuation.
Once we entered the building together, my mind felt calm. Sure enough; we had decided to advance in a measured manner. At times, the process is equally vital as the outcome. How has my time with Alessandro proved to be an experience? This journey was becoming remarkably interesting.
I moved forward to look at the document on the screen. I found myself admiring particular terms amidst the unwieldy technical jargon in the brief. Manipulation of results was intentional and unethical in trials on humans.
I took a deep breath and shuddered as a shock of cold raced through me. When we were captured and released, I knew there was something fishy, but I nodded it off because I thought The Raven was just playing mind games with us.
Zoe closed her eyes and returned a serious
Nod. “I thought as much. There is a possibility you will be asked to testify in that court proceeding.
The moment her words played out seemed unsettling as the world shifted slightly. It could bring danger from the entities we had wanted to escape.
It would also allow us to clarify the situation and reveal Chase’s unethical activities.
I urgently want to speak to Alessandro. It is important that we determine its significance for us and the project.
Zoe looked at me knowingly with a faint smile appearing on her face. “He’s in the study. He said that he wants to provide you with space this morning, but I feel he is really interested in having a chat with you.
My cheeks turned red while I thought about the extent to which Zoe had noticed. The moment was not right to consider that issue. We face greater concerns.
Making my way to studies propelled my thoughts with possibilities. Facing the trial and the chance to testify felt intense to me. This feeling of strength and determination circulated under the surface.
For a long time now, I’ve been second-guessing myself due to Chase’s tactics. I have to assert my voice and my reality now. Together with Alessandro and Zoe, I was empowered to make that happen.
I stood in the hallway by the study door and inhaled. The paths we create today will be molded by what we decide now. It gave me both anxiety and joy. For the first time in a long time, I sensed certainty and preparedness to take risks.
Taking a deep breath, and then I checked the door while being ready to confront our future.