New guy

Severa's POV

By mid-morning, the sun was already blazing, and the heat radiating from the ground made it feel even hotter. The site was alive with movement—**workers in helmets and safety vests**, engineers discussing blueprints, and supervisors checking the progress of the excavation. The noise of heavy machinery filled the air, the rhythmic pounding of construction echoing across the open land.

I had spent the past few hours ensuring that everything was moving according to schedule. Reviewing reports, answering emails, coordinating with the team. It was exhausting, but I had expected this.

This was the reality of a project this big—endless check-ins, countless adjustments, and a never-ending stream of updates.

Still, I wasn't required to be on-site the entire day.

Once I had made sure everything was in order, I decided to head back to the hotel.

I could work remotely, and honestly, I needed to get out of the sun before I collapsed from dehydration.

---

The drive back was short.

The hotel wasn't far from the construction site, which was convenient for both the team and our partners from ED Corp.

As I entered the cool, air-conditioned lobby, I exhaled deeply, letting the chilled air wash over me.

I needed coffee.

And peace.

Preferably somewhere quiet, where I could focus on my reports without the constant background noise of drills and metal clashing.

So instead of heading up to my room, I decided to find a café nearby.

---

A few streets away, I found a small café tucked between two larger buildings.

It wasn't part of any big chain—no flashy signs or overly modern décor. Just a simple, rustic space with wooden tables, warm lighting, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

Perfect.

I ordered an iced caramel macchiato and settled into a corner booth, opening my laptop to review the project's latest updates.

The café was quiet, save for the occasional sound of the barista steaming milk and the soft murmur of customers chatting at a distance.

For the first time today, I felt like I could breathe.

Until someone sat down across from me.

I looked up, slightly startled, as a man with striking features gave me an easy, confident smile.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked.

I hesitated, glancing at the other empty tables around us.

"There are other seats available."

He chuckled, as if expecting my reaction. "I know. But you looked like someone who could use a little company."

I raised a brow, unimpressed. "And you assumed that why?"

"Because you've been frowning at your screen for the past ten minutes," he pointed out, leaning back casually. "That's usually a sign that someone is either frustrated, overworked, or trying to figure out if they should quit their job."

I sighed, rubbing my temple. He wasn't wrong.

Still, that didn't mean I was in the mood for small talk.

"I'm fine," I said simply, returning my focus to my laptop.

He didn't leave.

Instead, he extended a hand across the table. "Lucien."

I glanced at him again. "Severa."

His lips curled into a smirk. "Beautiful name."

I gave a polite nod, still unsure why he was so interested in talking to me. He looked about my age—late twenties, early thirties—with sharp green eyes and dark brown hair that was neatly styled. His watch and tailored dress shirt suggested he wasn't just some random tourist passing through.

"So, what do you do, Severa?" he asked, stirring his coffee.

I debated whether to give him a vague answer, but eventually, I said, "Project manager."

His brows lifted slightly. "Let me guess—the construction site nearby?"

I nodded. "You familiar with it?"

"I've heard about it," he admitted, taking a sip of his drink. "A resort mall, right? It's been making headlines."

I wasn't surprised. A project of this scale wasn't something people ignored.

Lucien seemed intrigued, but before he could ask more, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, then sighed.

"Well, as much as I'd love to continue this conversation, I have a meeting to attend." He stood, sliding a business card across the table. "If you ever need a break from work, give me a call."

I picked up the card, glancing at it.

Lucien Castellanos.

CEO of Castellanos Holdings.

A company name I had definitely heard before.

Before I could react, he gave me one last smirk and walked out of the café.

I stared at the card for a moment, then placed it on the table with a quiet sigh.

This was not what I had expected today.

And I wasn't sure if I liked it.