DETACHED

Chapter 16: The Life She Built ( part 1)

The glass door of the studio opened. A young woman stepped inside carrying a leather portfolio beneath one arm. Time had transformed the little girl Eldeheim once knew.

She stood tall and graceful, her posture calm and confident. Her smooth caramel skin glowed softly beneath the morning sunlight streaming through the glass windows. Long, dark hair fell neatly over her shoulders, framing a face that was both elegant and striking. Her sharp brown eyes carried a quiet intensity that made people think twice before speaking, while her naturally full lips rarely curved into a smile. Dressed in a fitted charcoal blazer over a cream blouse and

tailored trousers, she looked every bit the accomplished professional she had become. The conversations in the office stopped almost immediately. Zoe straightened in her seat. Daniel quickly minimized a video he had been watching. Jenna picked up a stack of drawings and pretended to review them.

"Good morning, ma'am," Zoe said.

"Good morning, ma'am," Daniel and Jenna said almost together.

Amara acknowledged them with a slight nod and continued walking toward the glass office at the end of the room. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor. No one spoke until the office door closed behind her.

Daniel let out a long breath.

"I thought she saw the drawing," Daniel said.

"She sees everything," Jenna replied, Zoe looked at her and return to her work.

Inside the office, Amara placed her portfolio on the desk and removed several rolled blueprints. She quickly rolled up her slevees and tied her hair into a bun and sat down. She switched on her desk lamp, and began reviewing structural drawings with a red pen in hand.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Amara said.

Daniel stepped inside carrying a brown folder.

"I've completed the structural layout for the Riverside Residence," Daniel said.

Amara opened the folder without looking at him.

The silence stretched.

She circled one section with her pen.

"The staircase is too narrow," Amara said.

Daniel swallowed.

"It still meets the minimum requirement," Daniel said.

"People don't build homes hoping they'll only meet the minimum," Amara replied.

She marked another area.

"Move the emergency exit two meters to the left," Amara said.

"I'll correct it immediately," Daniel replied.

"You may go," Amara said.

Daniel collected the folder and left quickly.

Outside, Jenna looked up from her desk.

"How bad was it?" Jenna asked.

"Two corrections," Daniel replied.

"Only two?" Zoe asked with a smile.

"That's practically a promotion," Zoe said.

Daniel and Jenna laughed quietly.

Before anyone could continue talking, the studio door opened again.

A cheerful young woman carrying two paper bags walked inside.

"Why is everyone acting like the principal just arrived?" Lila asked.

"Because she did," Daniel replied.

Lila looked toward the glass office and sighed dramatically.

"She's already here?" Lila asked.

"Twenty minutes ago," Zoe replied.

"Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have stopped for coffee," Lila said.

She picked up one paper bag and walked toward Amara's office. Without knocking, she pushed the door open.

"I brought breakfast," Lila said.

Amara didn't look up from the blueprint spread across her desk.

"When you are late, you will say to stop to get breakfast, I didn't ask you too" Amara said while being so focus.

"But have you had breakfast?" Lila said as she placed the paper bag on the desk.

" I had coffe though" Amara replied and kept working

" I won't my boss to drop dead one day so please have this sandwich before the client comes" Lila said dramatically . Amara finally lifted her eyes.

"Just leave it there, I will have it for lunch,"Amara said.

"Now," Lila insisted.

For a moment, they stared at each other.

Then Amara reached for the sandwich.

"Thank you," Amara said.

Lila smiled proudly.

There she is," Lila said.

"Who?" Amara asked.

"The woman who remembers basic manners," Lila replied. A faint smile touched Amara's lips before disappearing again.

Lila grinned, "I saw that," Lila said.

A knock interrupted them.

Zoe stepped inside.

"The Riverside Group has arrived for the nine o'clock meeting," Zoe said.

Amara stood and buttoned her blazer.

"Show them into the conference room," Amara said.

"Yes, ma'am," Zoe replied.

Amara picked up her presentation file and walked out of the office. The studio grew silent once more as she passed. Lila watched her disappear into the conference room and shook her head.

"They're scared of her," Lila said.

"They're scared of disappointing her," Zoe corrected.

Through the glass wall, Amara greeted her clients with the same calm expression she wore every day.

Fifteen years had changed almost everything. The frightened little girl from Eldeheim was gone. In her place stood one of Lumenstadt's most respected young architects.

Quiet, disciplined, uncompromising.

The conference room was simple but elegant. A scale model of a residential estate sat neatly at the center of the table while architectural drawings were arranged in front of every seat.

Three clients quietly flipped through the proposal. Amara remained standing beside the presentation board, waiting patiently.

Silence filled the room.

Finally, one of the men placed the file on the table.

"We've reviewed your proposal," he said. Amara nodded.

"If there are any concerns, I'll be happy to address them," Amara said.

The older man adjusted his glasses before looking at her.

"Your design is impressive," he said.

"The drainage system, ventilation, and structural layout are all well thought out," another client said.

"But..." the first man continued.

"...your estimated construction cost is higher than the others," he said. Amara glanced at the document before answering.

"That's because I didn't remove anything essential from the design," Amara said. The room fell quiet again. She walked toward the model and pointed to one section.

"This retaining wall will prevent erosion during the rainy season," Amara said.

She pointed to another area.

"The foundation depth also accounts for future expansion," Amara continued.

"If those are removed, you'll save money today." She paused.

"But you'll spend much more fixing the problems later," Amara said. The three men exchanged glances.

One of them smiled slightly.

"You don't like cutting corners, do you?" he asked.

"No," Amara replied.

"I build structures that should outlive the people who build them," Amara said.

For a brief moment, nobody spoke.

Then the oldest client slowly closed the proposal.

"I appreciate your honesty," he said.

"So do I," another client added.

The third man stood and extended his hand.

"We'll discuss everything and get back to you," he said.

Amara shook his hand.

"Thank you for your time," Amara said.

After escorting them to the reception area, she watched them leave before quietly returning to her office. Lila was already waiting inside.

"Well?" Lila asked.

"They liked the proposal," Amara replied.

"And?" Lila asked again.

"They also think it's expensive," Amara said as she placed the file on her desk. Lila sighed.

"They always do," Lila said.

Amara leaned back in her chair.

"I won't reduce the quality just to win a project," Amara said.

Lila smiled faintly.

"I know," Lila replied.

"And that's exactly why people respect you," Lila said.

Amara looked out through the glass wall at her employees busily working.

"Respect doesn't pay salaries," Amara said quietly.

For the first time that morning... Concern flickered across her face. It disappeared before anyone else noticed.