Side Story: A peek into the past 4

'She took over the stage' Elias thought as he snapped out of his trance. The moment Sarah started talking he was Transferred to another dimension through her words. He could actually see the plant mutating and transforming in his mind.

He didn't know what to think when she stepped into the stage looking uncomfortable and almost scared. But as soon as she started talking she transformed, like the plant she was talking about, she completely bloomed into a new person under their eyes.

He could imagine how her student must enjoy her lectures a lot. Her reasoning and explanation flow was so easy to follow that he found himself in the middle of the lecture without realizing it. She must be one of the institute's favorite instructors.

He watched as she walked toward the Professor handing him the Microphone. her eyes were still shining bright and she looked truly radiant, Elias realized in that moment that he was attracted to her, to her passion and drive.

as he watched her as she chatted with the other assistant, she turned and this time he was sure that their eyes met. he found himself automatically smiling at her, she returned his smile with a light one that was almost imperceptible. Shaking his head at his own wistfulness he switched his gaze back to the stage.

P. Wattani was standing there with his impassive expression, he responded curtly to the asked question, and sometimes even rudely. But that didn't seem to dissuade everyone from asking more. Sarah's presentation had captivated their interest, and given it value in their eyes. and when this community thinks of a research as valuable, it'll be like a jumpstart to their success.

When Sarah made the presentation, she made a point of highlighting that their research went beyond studying a new-found species. she talked about the potential of the new discovered molecules, how they could be industrialized and used, how the mutation can be studied up close and how the plant itself will most likely have some useful aromatic or medial substances that the world didn't know about. She left them with their minds open to so many possibilities that they were filled with curiosity. Even Elias felt his fingers twitching wanting to look into what she talked about today, and he was planning to, as soon as he returned to his office.

P.Wattani announced the end of his session leaving half of the question asked unanswered, and the other half answered with some level of ambiguity. the man sure knew how to be tight lipped and Elias didn't even bother to participate in the charade he was making out of the other attendants. Standing up, he decided to head to the adjacent room where the after party was being held, thinking that he could use the silence. If P. Kinsley knew how to do something, it would be how to create a good social event.

jus when he reached the last step toward the door, he saw Sarah heading his way in a hurry. his heart skipped a beat and he wondered, like a school boy, if he should talk to her. He didn't have to ponder much because Sarah stumbled on her heels and started to fall. His body moved of its own accord catching hers. For a moment, he was speechless, the feel of her in his arms shocked him beyond his expectation, it's been a long time since he was attracted to someone this much.

he reluctantly helped her steady herself, and could almost hear the dejected internal whine she probably made as she looked longingly at the door. she looked up at him with almond blue eyes that widened and kept staring into his in dumfounded silence. Elias couldn't help but chuckle at the cute expression she was making, it seemed like from her surprise she'd forgotten her escape plan.

"Weren't you heading somewhere?" Elias said smiling down at her.

She blinked once, then twice, as if it was taking longer to process his words, then as if snapping out of a trance she steadied herself before speaking in a hurried tone "Oh, Right. My escape was interrupted."

Elias almost burst out laughing at her honesty, the woman sure didn't hold back. and rather than making her seem unsocial, it just made her look adorable and endearing.

"Far be it from me interrupting your plans, Please allow me." he said ceremoniously opening the door for her. Already deciding how he was going to spend the rest of this event. perhaps this kind of event aren't so predictable after all...