Weeks had passed since the design plans were finalized. The once vague vision of Artistica’s ambitious project was now sharpened into blueprints—three bold structures that would soon rise over East City: a concert arena, a prestigious art gallery, and a sleek headquarters for Artistica’s entertainment arm.
Selene poured herself into the revisions, refining every curve, window, and support beam. Late nights became routine, her team rotating through shifts just to meet every deadline and ensure every line of the design reflected excellence.
Now, construction was ready to begin.
Before breaking ground, Artistica Corporation had arranged a grand groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the milestone. Invitations were sent to key partners, city officials, project engineers, and stakeholders. It wasn’t just a launch—it was a statement to East City that something big was coming.
Selene arrived early, as always. The venue—a cleared construction site now decorated with banners, an elevated stage, and a large tent for the guests—buzzed with quiet preparation. At the front, a long table stood on the stage facing rows of neatly arranged chairs.
Jameson Grey was already there when she arrived, dressed in a tailored navy suit, talking to his assistant. He turned and waved as Selene approached.
“Architect Mondiego,” he greeted with a charismatic smile, “always early.”
“I believe punctuality speaks louder than any welcome speech,” Selene replied, shaking his hand.
They took their seats at the stage table, reviewing the finalized design documents on Selene’s tablet. Jameson leaned closer, discussing a few aesthetic adjustments to the gallery’s interior, proposing subtle additions that would give it a stronger modern art identity.
They were still deep in conversation when the murmurs in the crowd shifted—the signal that someone important had arrived.
A few flashes of camera phones followed as a black SUV pulled up to the site. A tall man stepped out, dressed in a dark formal suit, sleek shoes, and a face mask. He wore tinted sunglasses that hid his expression, his confident stride giving no hint of hesitation as he moved toward the stage.
Jameson stood and gestured toward the man. “Ah, here comes the third pillar of our project.”
Selene glanced up, still scrolling on her tablet.
“Ms. Selene,” Jameson said with enthusiasm, “please meet the CEO of SF Construction—your partners in this build.”
Selene stood and extended her hand politely. But the moment her eyes landed on the man behind the sunglasses, her breath hitched in her throat.
He stopped in front of her, just as she froze mid-motion. Even with the mask, she knew. The way he stood. The posture. That familiar gaze—even if it was hidden.
“Nice to finally meet you again, Engineer Sebastian Ford,” Selene said, her voice even, though her heart thundered inside her chest.
There was a faint shift in his expression behind the sunglasses. A pause. Then he took her hand and responded with a voice that felt like a chill wind from the past.
“Same here, Architect Selene Parker… or shall I say, Architect Selene Mondiego.”
Her name from his lips stung more than she expected. The calm mask she wore faltered—just for a second—but she recovered quickly, pulling her hand away and standing straighter.
Jameson blinked at them both. “You two knew each other?”
Sebastian answered smoothly. “We went to the same university back in the day. Hillwood City.”
Selene nodded quietly.
“Oh, what a coincidence,” Jameson said with a light chuckle. “That should make collaboration smoother, then. A shared history makes for stronger teams.”
“Of course, Mr. Grey,” Selene said, regaining her professional tone. “You know me. I always do my job well—even in a team.”
“Same here,” Sebastian added. “SF Construction will follow your designs to the last detail.”
“Very well,” Jameson nodded, satisfied with the professionalism.
Other executives and city officials arrived shortly after, and the ceremony officially began. There were speeches about growth, innovation, and art meeting architecture. Cameras clicked. Media captured the symbolic moment as the shovels—gold-painted for the occasion—were driven into the soil.
Throughout the event, Selene and Sebastian stood on opposite sides of the stage, exchanging few glances but no words. The air between them was charged, not with confrontation, but with a silence too loud to ignore.
It had been four and a half years since they last saw each other. Since graduation. Since the day he walked out of her life without a proper goodbye.
And now, fate had dragged them back to the same path—only this time, the stakes were higher. Bigger. Public.
After the ceremony ended with applause and camera flashes, Selene walked toward her car with her assistant carrying her tablet and documents. But just as she reached the door, she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned.
Sebastian had taken off his sunglasses, holding them in one hand while the other remained in his pocket. His face mask still covered the lower part of his face, but his eyes—those eyes—still held the weight of everything unsaid.
“I didn’t know,” he said simply. “That you were this Selene.”
“And I didn’t expect you to become SF Construction’s CEO,” she replied.
“I guess time changes everything,” he said, pausing. “But I didn’t think fate would bring us here. On opposite sides of a blueprint.”
“We’re on the same side now,” she corrected him. “For the sake of the project.”
“Right,” he murmured, nodding slowly.
Before he could say more, Selene stepped into her car. “Goodbye, Engineer Ford. See you at the project site.”
As the door closed and the car pulled away, she exhaled the breath she had been holding.
They were building an arena—but what they hadn’t expected was the possibility of tearing down the walls they’d both built in their hearts.