DETACHED

Chapter 17: The Life She Built (part 2)

At Apex structure and architects, the office had barely settled into its morning routine when Amara's phone rang. She glanced at the screen before answering.

"Good morning. Amara speaking," Amara said.

"Good morning, Miss Amara," the voice on the other end said.

"This is Mr. Henderson from the Riverside Group."

Amara sat up slightly.

"Yes, Mr. Henderson," Amara said.

"I'm pleased to inform you that after reviewing all the proposals, the board has decided to award the Riverside Residence project to your firm," Mr. Henderson said.

For a brief moment...

Amara said nothing.

"We were particularly impressed by your commitment to quality and your long-term approach to the project," Mr. Henderson continued.

"We look forward to working with you." A faint smile appeared on Amara's face.

"Thank you for your confidence in us," Amara said.

"We won't disappoint you."

"I'm certain you won't," Mr. Henderson replied before ending the call.

Amara slowly lowered the phone. A gentle knock came at her office door.

"Come in," Amara said.Lila stepped inside carrying a file.

"You look different," Lila said.

"Different?" Amara asked.

"You smiled," Lila replied.

"I've smiled before," Amara said.

"Not at work," Lila said.

Amara placed her phone on the desk.

"We got the Riverside Residence project," Amara said.

Lila blinked.

"We... what?" Lila asked.

"We got it," Amara repeated.

For a second, Lila simply stared at her.

Then she screamed.

"We got it!" Lila shouted.

She rushed out of the office before Amara could stop her.

"Everyone!" Lila called excitedly.

"Stop working for one minute!"

The entire office looked up.

"What happened?" Daniel asked.

"We won!" Lila said.

"The Riverside Residence project is ours!"Silence filled the studio.

Then...

Cheers erupted across the office.

Daniel threw both hands into the air.

"I knew it!" Daniel said. Jenna laughed as Zoe clapped happily.

"I can't believe it," Zoe said.

Lila pointed toward Amara's office.

"Believe it," Lila replied.

"Our boss just landed the biggest private residential project we've ever had." The excitement continued for several minutes before Amara stepped out of her office. The room fell quiet almost immediately.She looked around at her employees.

"I know everyone is excited," Amara said.

"But this project also comes with greater responsibility."

Everyone listened attentively.

"We've been trusted because of our standards," Amara continued.

"We'll keep those standards." No one complained.

They expected nothing less from her. A small smile appeared on Daniel's face.

"When do we start?" Daniel asked. Amara looked at the project file in her hands.

"Immediately," Amara replied.

The excitement in the studio refused to die down.

Daniel could barely stay in his chair.

"I still can't believe they chose us," Daniel said.

"I can," Jenna replied.

"Have you forgotten how many nights we've spent working overtime?" Jenna asked.

"I haven't," Daniel said.

"I'm just surprised someone finally noticed."

Zoe smiled as she arranged the project files on the conference table.

"They noticed because our boss refused to compromise," Zoe said.

Lila leaned against Amara's office door with folded arms.

"You know..." Lila said.

"I was expecting a celebration."

"We are celebrating," Amara replied without looking up from the contract documents.

"No," Lila said.

"This is paperwork."

"I'm talking about actual food. Amara smiled faintly.

"We'll celebrate after signing the contract," Amara said. Lila looked at the others.

"You heard her."

"We're getting free food." Daniel laughed.

"I'll hold you to that, Boss," Daniel said.

"You should," Amara replied.

The room grew lighter.

Even Jenna, who rarely joined conversations, smiled quietly. A few minutes later, Amara stepped out of her office carrying a folder.

"I need everyone in the conference room," Amara said. Within moments, the four employees were seated around the table.

Amara placed the contract in front of them.

"This project will be the biggest our firm has handled since we opened," Amara said. No one interrupted.

"We'll have tighter deadlines."

"Higher expectations."

"And far more inspections than usual," Amara continued.

Daniel nodded.

"We're ready," Daniel said.

"I know you are," Amara replied.

She opened the project file.

"Daniel."

"You're in charge of structural coordination," Amara said.

"Yes, ma'am," Daniel replied.

"Jenna."

"You'll supervise the architectural drawings and ensure every revision is completed before submission," Amara said.

"I understand," Jenna replied.

"Zoe."

"I want weekly progress reports from every department," Amara said.

"I'll have them on your desk every Friday," Zoe replied.

Finally...

Amara looked at Lila.

"And you..."

Lila smiled confidently,"I already know."

"You'll make me do everything else," Lila said. A quiet chuckle spread around the room.

Amara couldn't help smiling.

"You said it, not me," Amara replied.

Lila laughed, "I walked right into that one," Lila said.

The meeting ended with renewed determination . As everyone returned to work, the studio buzzed with a different kind of energy.

Hope.

For the first time in months...The future looked brighter. Standing inside her office, Amara watched her team through the glass wall. They weren't the biggest firm in Lumenstadt, they weren't the richest.But they had earned something far more valuable.

A chance.