Sebastian's Tide

Chapter 4: The First Spark

The next morning, Baste walked through the familiar, sterile halls of the Domingo family’s corporate headquarters. His feet seemed to move automatically as he passed glass-paneled walls, where the modernity of the building contrasted sharply with the more rugged landscapes he cherished back home. A sharp contrast to the freedom he felt on the ocean, surrounded by the natural world, the building represented everything he’d always resented about his family’s business empire. It was a world of sharp lines, precision, and profit—none of which aligned with the messy, unpredictable work he did as a marine biologist.

But today, he had to face it.

Santi had called him in for another meeting about Sierra Verde, the family’s new resort project in Palawan. As much as Baste loved his family, he couldn’t help but dread these meetings. They always involved discussing the development of a luxury resort that threatened the environment he held so dear. His heart sank with the thought of yet another development project that would cut through the delicate coral reefs he’d worked so hard to protect.

Entering the large conference room, Baste scanned the room. His brothers were already seated—Santi, the ever-commanding eldest; Sammy, the meticulous financial strategist; Sal, the laid-back negotiator; and Sandro, the quiet one, who always seemed to have a far-off look, as though his thoughts were on something more important than the discussion at hand.

Santi’s sharp eyes flicked over to him as he entered. “Baste, we’re just about to start. You’re late.”

Baste shrugged and offered a small smile. “I was busy saving the oceans.”

“Always with the ocean,” Santi teased, leaning back in his chair. “Let’s hope it doesn’t need saving after this meeting.”

Baste felt the weight of his brother’s words. He didn’t want to fight today. But deep down, he knew that if the Sierra Verde project went through as it was currently planned, the environment would need saving. It was only a matter of time.

“I’ve invited someone new to join the discussion,” Santi added, not giving Baste a chance to respond. “Alina Cruz. She’s overseeing the resort development on the ground.”

Baste’s eyes narrowed. Alina Cruz. He’d heard of her. She was known for pushing forward with the resort’s development, regardless of any environmental concerns. From what he’d gathered, she was someone who didn’t hesitate to make decisions that favored the expansion of the family’s business, even if it meant sidelining the preservation efforts that Baste held dear. The thought of meeting her didn’t sit well with him.

Before he could voice his concerns, the door swung open, and a woman entered.

Alina Cruz. She was exactly what Baste had imagined: tall, confident, with sharp eyes that seemed to take in everything around her. She moved into the room with purpose, exuding an air of professionalism and control that made everyone take notice. Her dark hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and her tailored suit seemed perfectly in place in the corporate environment—something that Baste, with his t-shirts and cargo shorts, could never truly embrace.

“Good morning, everyone,” she said, her voice smooth, but carrying an undeniable authority. “I’m looking forward to discussing the next phase of Sierra Verde.”

Baste took an immediate disliking to her. Not because of her appearance—though he did find her striking—but because of the way she carried herself. The confidence was one thing. But it was the certainty with which she spoke about the project, as though the environment was a secondary consideration to the development, that made his skin crawl.

She made her way to the seat across from him, not sparing him so much as a glance. Baste’s eyes followed her movements. She was poised, every step purposeful and calculated. He couldn’t help but notice the way she controlled the room, the way her eyes flicked to the power players at the table, always seeming to gauge who to impress next.

“Let’s get started,” Alina said, flipping open her laptop and projecting her presentation onto the screen.

The slides on the screen outlined the latest updates on the Sierra Verde project. The numbers were all there—estimated revenue, projected timelines, and the environmental features of the resort. Eco-friendly materials, solar panels, and water recycling systems were highlighted as key selling points for the project’s sustainability.

But as Baste looked at the presentation, he could already feel his frustration building. The surface-level green initiatives weren’t enough to pacify his concerns. The damage to the coral reefs wasn’t being addressed. There was no mention of marine life conservation, no mention of how the resort would mitigate the impact of increased tourism in the area. All this talk of eco-friendly practices felt like window dressing for a much deeper problem.

When it was his turn to speak, Baste couldn’t hold back.

“The environmental impact studies are incomplete,” he said bluntly. “There’s no comprehensive plan for the marine life in the area. We can’t just slap a ‘green’ label on this project and pretend it’s sustainable.”

Alina’s gaze immediately shifted to him, and for the first time, their eyes locked. There was no mistaking the challenge in her expression. Her lips curled into a small, controlled smile, one that made Baste’s stomach tighten.

“And what would you suggest we do, Baste?” she asked, her tone smooth but tinged with something sharper beneath. “Cancel the project? Leave Palawan untouched and let the economy stagnate?”

Baste could feel his pulse quicken. He wasn’t one to back down, not when it came to protecting the environment. But this wasn’t just an issue of business or numbers. It was about his soul, about the work he had devoted his life to. And here was this woman, asking him if he was willing to throw it all away.

“No,” he replied, his voice cold. “But we can’t just go forward without considering the long-term consequences. We need to develop responsibly, not at the expense of the reefs and the ecosystem. That’s not sustainable.”

Alina’s eyes flicked over to him, her expression calculating. “You think sustainability means stopping development altogether?” she asked, her words almost dismissive.

“No,” Baste shot back. “But it means integrating conservation into development, not treating it as an afterthought.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Baste could see the slight twitch in Alina’s jaw, the way she was holding herself back, as though trying to maintain control of her own rising frustration. But she didn’t flinch. Instead, she responded coolly.

“Development isn’t the enemy, Baste,” she said, her voice low but firm. “We’re trying to make this place thrive—not just preserve it in a bubble. Sustainability is about finding that balance.”

“Balance?” Baste’s voice rose slightly. “You can’t balance a luxury resort with coral reefs and endangered species. The two don’t mix.”

The tension between them was palpable. Baste’s hands clenched into fists on the table, his frustration bubbling over. Alina, however, remained composed, her gaze unwavering as she met his. Her eyes weren’t filled with anger, but something else—something that made his chest tighten. She wasn’t just defending the project. She was challenging him, forcing him to rethink everything he believed in. And that… that irritated him more than anything.

“Let’s not turn this into a fight,” Santi interjected, breaking the tension. His voice was smooth, calm. “We all have concerns. Let’s focus on finding solutions.”

But Alina didn’t let go. “Exactly,” she added, turning back to Baste with that same challenging glint in her eyes. “We need to work together, not against each other.”

Baste didn’t respond. He just stared at her, his mind racing. She was exactly the kind of person who could make him question his own principles—without even trying.