36 months

Severa's POV

The sun was already high when we arrived at the site for the groundbreaking ceremony. A refreshing breeze swept through the open land, the scent of earth mixing with the salty air from the nearby coast. The site, which was nothing more than an empty plot now, would soon transform into a luxurious resort mall—one of the biggest projects Emperium Construction had ever undertaken.

It would take 24 to 36 months to complete.

Three years.

And for those three years, I'd have to work side by side with Eugene Dominguez.

I adjusted my white polo shirt, making sure the ED Corp and Emperium Construction Company logos were visible. Everyone in the project team was wearing the same uniform, symbolizing the partnership between our companies. A sense of unity and excitement filled the air, but I couldn't shake the uneasiness creeping up my spine.

"Sev, are you ready?"

Celine's voice pulled me from my thoughts. She walked up to me, looking effortlessly in control as always. Her long brown hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and she carried herself with the confidence of someone who had done this countless times.

I forced a small smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."

She grinned, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Relax. The real work hasn't even started yet."

I nodded, exhaling slowly. She wasn't wrong. Today was just a formality—the official start of construction. The real challenges would come after this: logistics, scheduling, problem-solving, ensuring that everything went according to plan.

But none of those things made me as anxious as the man standing a few meters away.

I could feel his presence before I even saw him.

---

The ceremony began with the usual formalities. Celine gave the opening remarks, speaking about the vision behind the project and what it meant for Emperium Construction.

I stood beside her, listening but barely processing anything. My gaze drifted to the audience, and for a brief moment, I locked eyes with Eugene.

He was seated among the executives, his expression unreadable. Even in the crisp white polo and dark slacks, he looked effortlessly composed, his sleeves folded just above his elbows, revealing toned forearms.

He hasn't changed.

Except, he had.

He wasn't just Eugene, the boy from my past anymore. He was Eugene Dominguez, CEO of ED Corp—the man leading the most innovative materials company in the industry.

And for the next two years, our companies would be working together.

The thought made my chest tighten.

When it was Eugene's turn to speak, I forced myself to pay attention.

He walked up to the podium with ease, his voice steady as he spoke about innovation and how ED Corp's technology would revolutionize the construction of this project.

His words were confident, calculated—**professional.**

As if the past had never happened.

---

After the speeches, it was time for the groundbreaking.

A row of golden shovels was placed in front of the site. It was tradition—marking the first official act of breaking ground before construction commenced.

Celine handed me a shovel, her excitement evident. "Let's do this."

I nodded and stepped forward.

Of course, Eugene was beside me.

I tightened my grip on the shovel, ignoring the way my pulse quickened. Cameras flashed as we dug into the ground in unison, our movements smooth and effortless.

A part of me wanted to believe that we were just two professionals working on a project together.

But the way my heart pounded in my chest told me otherwise.

---

After the ceremony, a lunch buffet was set up under a large white tent near the site. The mood had shifted—people were more relaxed now, chatting and laughing as they enjoyed the food. Engineers and architects were already discussing the next steps, their voices filled with excitement.

I should've been part of those discussions.

Instead, I found myself standing near the edge of the tent, looking out at the site.

The wind had picked up, carrying with it the salty scent of the ocean. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, letting it calm me.

"You always did like looking at an empty space before it turned into something."

I froze.

That voice.

I turned slightly, just enough to see Eugene standing a few feet away. He wasn't looking at me but at the open land in front of us, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. "It helps me visualize what's to come."

He hummed. "Still the same, then."

I frowned, turning fully to face him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He finally looked at me.

There was something unreadable in his gaze, something that made my chest tighten.

Before he could respond, someone called his name from the tent.

He glanced over his shoulder, then back at me. "We'll be working together for a long time, Severa. Are you ready for that?"

The way he said my name—so casually, yet deliberately—sent a shiver down my spine.

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze head-on. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then, with the faintest hint of a smirk, Eugene nodded. "Good."

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

I exhaled sharply, my grip tightening around the golden shovel still in my hands.

36 months.

That's how long this project was estimated to last.

Three years of working with him.

I wasn't sure if I was ready.

But I had no choice.