A Year After Us

Episode 2

Cate’s POV

I went to the office early today. Not because it was required, but because I still couldn’t sleep properly last night.

That song. That voice. I don’t know if it was just my imagination or... if it really was him.

I shook my head. Stop it, Cate. Focus.

As soon as I sat down, I opened my laptop. Just a few seconds in—ding. An email.

Subject: URGENT TEAM BRIEFING

From: HR Department

To: Cate Mante

Time: 10:30AM – Conf Room A

Urgent? But it’s only Monday.

Just then, Ali passed behind me carrying banana bread and two cups of coffee.

“Hey, Catey,” she whispered, handing me one. “The big project’s confirmed! From a mining company. Gold and copper. And guess what—I have tea!”

I frowned while reading the email. “Mining? Why us?”

“They said it’s for an automation system for their logistics and operations. They’re expanding their tech. Global company. And then…”

Ali smirked.

“…you’re the team lead.”

I immediately turned to her. “What? Why me?”

“Well,” she said as she sat beside me, “you’re the most patient among us. And you’re Sir’s favorite because of your zero drama attitude. So, this is basically a promotion in disguise.”

Wow. I should feel flattered… but something feels off.

I opened the full email. It read:

Project: Solterra Mines & Resources System Upgrade – Assigned Team Leader: Catielyn Kaye Mante.

Solterra Mines & Resources.

I don’t know why, but while reading the company name, it felt like a cold wind swept the back of my neck.

Like there’s something I should remember… or something I shouldn’t.

—

Later – Cafeteria

We were in the cafeteria—me, Ali, and two officemates, Jan and Mitch. Casual conversation over coffee. But I felt... out of it.

“This is big,” said Jan while opening a pack of SkyFlakes. “I heard there are international clients involved. High budget. High pressure.”

“Imagine, Cate,” Mitch added, sipping her milk tea, “your system will be the backbone of an entire mining operation. That’s LinkedIn-worthy.”

“Plus,” Ali jumped in, “what if there’s a cute mining engineer in the meetings? Maybe that’s where you’ll find your closure, beh.”

I smiled even though I didn’t want to. “You guys are too much. That’s not even on my mind right now.”

But truthfully... a part of my heart was uneasy.

Not because of the workload. Not because of the pressure.

But because... it feels like I’m waiting for something—and I don’t even know what.

And that name — Solterra — there’s a pinch somewhere inside. It’s still unclear, but I have a feeling...

This isn’t just a job.

—

10:30 AM. Inside Conf Room A.

The room was full — tech team, project managers, and some unfamiliar faces who looked like they were from the client side.

I settled in the front row, laptop ready, pretending to be calm. But to be honest, I was nervous. It was my first time leading a project this big.

“Good morning, everyone,” the HR head said as the briefing began. “We’re officially onboarding a special client today — Solterra Mines & Resources, a mining and processing company that’s rapidly expanding both locally and internationally.”

Their logo flashed on the screen — gold and copper colors, with a simple mountain and gear icon.

“We’ve been selected to develop a fully integrated system for their logistics, personnel safety, asset tracking, and internal communications. It’s a huge opportunity for us.”

I nodded. This is big. But there was a sting in my chest when I heard “Solterra” again.

Maybe I’m just overthinking.

Then one of the client reps stood up. “We’ll be conducting a company tour this Friday. Cate, we’ll assign an engineer from our end to personally show you and your core dev team around the site.”

I nodded. “Noted. Will the tour include field areas?”

“Yes,” the rep said. “We want you to see firsthand what the system needs to cover — the dispatching zones, warehouse, even the safety check-in stations. It’s a bit costly, but it’s important to understand the on-site workflow.”

Sounds fair. Logistics-heavy projects are always like that.

—

Two Days Later – Friday, On-Site Tour

Hot. Dusty. But impressive.

We had arrived at Solterra’s actual plant and mine facility. The compound was huge — tech rooms, warehouse, operations office, and a monitoring tower.

“Hi, Miss Cate?” a woman in uniform called out. “I’m Engineer Trixie. I’ll be your point of contact today.”

“Nice to meet you,” I smiled and shook her hand.

Jan and Mitch were with me. Ali, of course, was there too—still in her signature sunglasses.

We started the tour — from the warehouse to the vehicle dispatch zone. Trixie explained everything clearly — how the system needed to track equipment, who logs them in and out, safety timer protocols.

But halfway through, her walkie-talkie buzzed. She frowned. “Oh no... excuse me for a bit.”

She turned to us. “I’m so sorry. There’s an emergency at the monitoring tower. I need to assist. But we’ll assign someone to continue the tour with you. Just a moment.”

Ali and I exchanged glances.

“That’s okay, we’ll wait,” I said.

But deep down, that strange feeling returned.

Like... something’s about to happen.

And I’m not sure if I’m ready.

Minutes passed. Five. Ten.

Ali kept glancing at me. “Maybe Trixie’s the one coming back. They seem really busy today.”

I nodded, even though inside, it felt like I was waiting — for something. Or someone.

Then we heard footsteps approaching from behind. Heavy. Confident.

“Hi. Sorry I’m late.”

I was facing a large monitor on the wall, my back to him. But that voice...

The world seemed to stop for a second.

I slowly turned.

And it felt like a bucket of cold water was dumped on me.

Standing just a few feet away, in a gray Solterra uniform, ID hanging from his neck, hair a bit longer, aura more mature — but unmistakably...

It was Karl.

“Cate?” His voice softened. A mix of surprise... and that familiar tone. Guilt.

I froze. Something was stuck in my throat, but I couldn’t speak.

Ali was the first to recover. “Oh—uh, hi? You must be the replacement engineer?”

Karl turned to her, then back to me. “Yeah. Karl Tan. Assigned to handle the remaining tour.”

“Cate...” he said again, this time more quietly. Like he was confirming I was really standing in front of him.

I forced a polite nod. “Karl.”

Just his name. No smile. No emotion. Even though my heart wanted to bolt out of the building.

“Do you guys... know each other?” Mitch asked, completely unaware.

Before I could answer, Karl said, “We used to.”

I bit my lip.

Used to.

It stung more than I expected.

“Shall we start the tour?” Karl asked, back to his professional tone.

I nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

But deep inside, I was screaming. Because after all these years...

Here we were again.

Same space. Same air. Same unfinished story.

And this time, there was no escape.