Chapter 33: The Late-Night Project
468 Words
Two weeks passed after Daniel arrived in the new city.
The training program was intense. Every day, the students worked on complex architectural designs, attended lectures, and participated in group projects that often lasted late into the night.
Daniel tried his best to stay focused.
But something was slowly becoming difficult.
Emily.
She was in the same project group as him.
The first time the instructor announced the groups, Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
Emily simply smiled.
“Looks like fate keeps putting us together,” she said lightly.
Daniel didn’t respond.
He didn’t believe in fate—not when it involved his complicated past.
---
That evening, their group stayed in the studio to work on their design project.
Large tables were covered with sketches, laptops, and architectural models. Most of the students were deeply focused on their work.
Emily sat across from Daniel.
She leaned forward slightly as she studied his design.
“You’ve improved a lot,” she said.
Daniel kept his eyes on his drawing.
“I’ve been practicing.”
Emily smiled.
“I can see that.”
A moment later she added softly,
“You always worked harder than everyone else.”
Daniel sighed quietly.
“Emily… let’s just focus on the project.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Relax. I’m not starting anything.”
But her calm voice made Daniel uneasy.
---
Later that night, Daniel returned to his dorm room, exhausted.
He picked up his phone and called Amara.
After a few seconds, her face appeared on the screen.
“Hi,” she said.
Daniel smiled immediately.
“Hi.”
Amara looked happy to see him.
“How was your day?”
Daniel leaned back in his chair.
“Busy. We’re working on a big project.”
“Sounds exciting,” Amara said.
Daniel hesitated before speaking again.
“My group includes Emily.”
Amara’s smile faded slightly.
“Oh.”
Daniel quickly added, “It’s nothing. Just group work.”
Amara nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
But Daniel noticed the small change in her voice.
“Amara,” he said gently, “you don’t have to worry.”
“I’m not worried,” she replied.
But the truth was more complicated than that.
---
At that same moment, in another building on campus, Emily sat in the studio reviewing their project plans.
She looked at Daniel’s sketches on the table.
Then she picked up her phone.
She opened Daniel’s social media profile.
A picture of Daniel and Amara appeared on the screen.
Emily studied it quietly.
Then she whispered to herself,
“Long distance relationships rarely last.”
A small smile formed on her lips.
Because she had already started thinking about how to slowly create distance between them.
And she had plenty of time to do it. 💔📖
- Writer
