Chapter 17: A Conversation Under the Stars

The days passed quickly, with work keeping everyone busy. Pin remained professional, maintaining her distance from Arin, but the tension between them never truly faded.

One evening, after a long day at the site, Pin returned home exhausted. She was about to head to her room when she noticed Arin sitting on the balcony, looking deep in thought.

Pin hesitated for a moment before walking over. "Why are you still up?"

Arin turned to her with a tired smile. "Couldn't sleep. You?"

Pin leaned against the railing. "Same."

Arin chuckled. "We're a mess, huh?"

Pin sighed. "I guess so."

Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that spoke louder than words.

After a while, Arin spoke again. "Do you ever think about how things could've been?"

Pin stiffened. "There's no point in thinking about that."

Arin shook her head. "Maybe. But I can't help it. Every time I look at you, I think about what we lost."

Pin turned to her, arms crossed. "You didn't just lose me, Arin. You broke me."

Arin's jaw tightened. "I know."

Pin looked away, staring at the night sky. "I don't know if I can ever forgive you."

Arin took a deep breath. "Then don't. At least, not yet. But let me prove that I won't make the same mistakes again."

Pin didn't answer. She wasn't ready.

The next morning, Pin left early to check on the project. Arin was already waiting for her at the site, talking to the workers. Seeing her so involved made Pin pause for a moment, but she quickly shook the thought away and got to work.

Throughout the day, Arin and Pin had to discuss plans and updates, forcing them to interact more than usual. Pin kept things strictly professional, but Arin, as always, found ways to lighten the mood with her teasing comments and playful smirks.

During lunch, Poly joined them at the site with some food. As they sat together, Poly noticed the subtle tension between Arin and Pin. She smirked. "You two seem more civil today. Should I be worried or relieved?"

Pin rolled her eyes. "We're working."

Arin grinned. "She's just happy to see me taking things seriously."

Pin scoffed. "You have no choice but to be serious. This is your project too."

Arin leaned in slightly, her voice lower. "Maybe I just like working with you."

Pin clenched her jaw, refusing to react. Poly, sensing the shift in mood, quickly changed the subject to the project's progress.

As the day went on, Pin found herself noticing Arin more. She hated how natural Arin was around the workers, how she adapted easily and managed to get things done while keeping everyone in good spirits. It reminded her of the person she once fell in love with—the woman who was determined, confident, and charming in a way that was hard to ignore.

By evening, the team wrapped up for the day. Pin stayed behind, reviewing reports, when Arin walked over with two bottled drinks. She placed one in front of Pin.

"You need a break," Arin said, sitting beside her.

Pin hesitated but eventually took the drink. "I'm fine."

"You always say that," Arin muttered. "But I know you."

Pin exhaled. "Knowing someone and understanding them are two different things."

Arin nodded slowly. "You're right. But that's why I'm here—to understand you better."

Pin looked at her, her expression unreadable. "We're working, Arin. That's it."

Arin smirked. "For now."

Pin shook her head and focused on her work, pretending that her heart wasn't racing. She had built walls around herself, and she wasn't going to let Arin break them so easily.

But Arin wasn't going to give up.

Not this time.