"Echoes of Unseen Fate"

Chapter 16

Amaya POV

For days after the incident, I couldn't stop thinking about it. His hands on my waist, the warmth of his touch, the way his gaze seemed to hold mine like there was something more-something I couldn't quite figure out. I kept trying to push it aside, chalk it up to the adrenaline of almost falling, but every time I closed my eyes, I felt that split second again.

It wasn't just the near-fall; it was the way he looked at me afterward. The intensity in his eyes, the softness of his voice-Alexander Thatcher, the man who seemed to barely tolerate anyone, had shown me something else. Something gentler. I didn't know how to deal with that, let alone how to deal with the fact that I had noticed it.

I pushed my chair back, frustration bubbling inside me. I shouldn't be thinking about him right now. I had deadlines, responsibilities.
This project was too important, too much at stake, for me to let my mind wander like this.

But no matter how many times I tried to focus, it kept coming back to his voice. The softness in it when he asked if I was alright, the way it sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.

What was that?

Alexander Thatcher didn't do "soft." He was a force—cold, grumpy, and relentless. That was the version of him everyone knew. But to me, he was a huge question mark, and I couldn't figure him out. One thing was clear, though—he wasn't a jerk to me, and that stirred something inside me, something I didn't want to admit.

I pulled myself away from thoughts of Alexander—his striking eyes, the masculine scent that inexplicably drew me in—and forced my attention back to the work in front of me. I glanced over some drafts related to Thatcher's project and their new building. As the project leader and department manager, I wasn't involved in the design process, which was a shame because I genuinely enjoyed it. Still, I could offer feedback and make suggestions if needed, so I supposed that was something.

As I reviewed the drafts and other documents, a realization hit me: I hadn't yet visited the actual site.

I frowned, the thought nagging at me. How could I provide meaningful feedback without having seen the space firsthand? It felt like I was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. I had always believed that understanding a project required more than just blueprints and documents; it was about feeling the environment, seeing how the light fell at different times of day, and grasping the flow of the space.

As the project leader, it was my responsibility to oversee everything and ensure that this project went off without a hitch. I needed to be on top of every detail, and yet I hadn't even visited the site. I made a mental note to arrange a site visit as soon as possible. It would help me connect the dots, and maybe I could even take some photos to inspire my input. The last thing I wanted was to be caught off guard in meetings, fumbling for insights when I should have been leading the conversation.

I needed to see the site as soon as possible. I grabbed my phone and texted Alexander, asking if I could arrange a visit to the location. Being the absolute sweetheart he was, he agreed without hesitation and even offered to tag along.

Time skip

After a long day, I finally wrapped up work and tidied my desk before heading to my car. As I approached it in the company's parking lot, I noticed a note on the windshield, accompanied by a single rose. Confusion crept in, and I furrowed my brows, unsure of what to make of it.

I walked to my car, picked up the note and the rose, then slipped inside. I probably should have just thrown them away, but curiosity got the better of me. Plus, the nearest trash bin was a bit far. Considering all the videos I'd seen online, it felt safer to just get inside and read it there.