Severa's POV
The conference room was filled with the quiet hum of conversations, the shuffle of papers, and the occasional tapping of fingers against the polished mahogany table. It was the final meeting before we would head to the site and officially begin construction. Everything had to be in order—contracts, permits, schedules—no room for errors.
I inhaled deeply, my fingers lightly gripping the stack of documents in front of me. I had been through dozens of project meetings in my career, yet this one felt different. He was here.
Eugene Dominguez sat at the far end of the table, his expression unreadable as he reviewed the blueprints of the resort mall project. His presence was something I was still trying to get used to, despite weeks of working together. And while I told myself I had moved on, my body betrayed me. My heart still clenched in my chest whenever I caught a glimpse of him in my peripheral vision.
Ten years. It had been ten years since that summer. Ten years since I walked away from him, my heart shattered into pieces. And now, fate—or maybe just bad luck—had forced us to work together.
"Shall we begin?" Celine's voice cut through the murmur in the room. She sat at the head of the table, poised as ever, her gaze shifting between the key players in the meeting. "Severa, run us through the final details before we visit the site."
I nodded, clearing my throat. "As you all know, we've finalized the structural plans, and all necessary permits have been secured. The construction timeline is set for a total of twenty-four months, with the first phase focusing on the foundation and framework of the main buildings. ED Corp, under the guidance of Mr. Dominguez, will be supplying and consulting on the materials to ensure we meet our sustainability goals while maximizing efficiency."
I said his name as formally as I could, my tone devoid of any emotion. I refused to let my personal history interfere with my professionalism.
Eugene lifted his gaze, his dark eyes meeting mine for the briefest second before he leaned forward, his voice smooth and confident. "As Severa mentioned, our focus is not just on supplying materials but also on consulting throughout the process. Our latest innovations in composite materials will be used for this project, ensuring durability and reducing environmental impact. We'll also be conducting on-site evaluations throughout the construction phases to ensure smooth implementation."
His voice was just as I remembered—steady, controlled, the kind that could convince anyone of anything. Once upon a time, it had convinced me that he was someone I could trust.
I forced my attention back to the discussion as the team raised various concerns—logistics, budget, potential delays. Every now and then, I found myself hyper-aware of Eugene's presence, the way he handled the questions with ease, his unwavering confidence.
"As for the site visit," Celine interjected, "everyone on the core team is required to be there. We need all departments aligned before we move forward."
"Understood," I said, making a note on my tablet.
"When are we scheduled to leave?" One of the engineers asked.
"Saturday morning," Celine replied. "We'll be staying for a few days to oversee the initial ground preparations."
Saturday. Two days from now. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
I had already accepted that Eugene and I would be working together, but spending several days on-site with him? In an unfamiliar place? That was a different battle altogether.
"Any other concerns?" Celine asked, looking around the room.
Silence.
"Alright then, let's wrap this up." She stood, signaling the end of the meeting. The team began packing their things, murmuring amongst themselves about the upcoming site visit.
I gathered my papers quickly, eager to leave before I had to exchange any unnecessary words with him. But just as I stood, a voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Severa."
My breath hitched. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
I steeled myself before slowly looking up. Eugene stood there, hands in his pockets, watching me with that same unreadable expression he had mastered over the years.
"Do you have a moment?" His tone was neutral, but there was something in his eyes—something I couldn't quite place.
I hesitated. A part of me wanted to say no, to walk away and pretend he didn't exist outside of these meetings. But another part of me—the part that still carried the weight of the past—wanted answers.
Celine's curious gaze flickered between us before she turned to the others, keeping the conversation moving to give us space.
I exhaled sharply. "Fine. Make it quick."
He gestured towards the now-empty conference room, and I followed him inside. The door closed with a quiet click, sealing us in.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Eugene leaned against the table, arms crossed. "You've been avoiding me."
I scoffed. "We're working together, aren't we? What more do you want?"
His lips twitched as if amused. "I meant outside of meetings. You won't even look at me."
"Why should I?" My voice was sharper than I intended. "I don't see the need to interact with you more than necessary."
He tilted his head, studying me in that infuriatingly calm way of his. "Is it because of what happened back then?"
A dry laugh escaped me. "You're seriously asking me that?"
He didn't flinch. "It's been ten years, Severa."
"Exactly." I crossed my arms. "Ten years, and I still remember everything. Do you?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he let out a slow breath. "I do."
I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay composed. "Good. Then you understand why I have no interest in being friendly with you."
He was silent, his gaze heavy. Then, after a moment, he nodded. "Fair enough."
I turned to leave, gripping the doorknob. But before I could step out, his next words stopped me cold.
"I'm not the same person I was back then, Severa."
I swallowed. My fingers tightened around the knob, but I didn't turn back.
"Neither am I," I said before walking away, leaving him standing alone in the empty room.