WHAT YOU RUINED

CHAPTER 5

The airport was already busy when I arrived that morning.

I pulled my luggage behind me while checking the documents on my phone for what felt like the hundredth time.

Palawan Project.

One week.

That was supposed to be our initial schedule for the site visit. One week to assess the location, discuss the plans, and make the necessary preparations before the actual construction began.

But everyone knew that this project wouldn't end after seven days.

We were talking about a luxury hotel inside a massive resort in Palawan. It wasn't a simple construction project. It would require months—maybe even years—of planning, designing, construction, and supervision.

And unfortunately for me…

I would be working closely with Adrian Arevallo.

The same Adrian Arevallo I've had a crush on for years.

I was so distracted by my thoughts that I almost didn't notice someone approaching me.

“Good morning.”

I stopped walking.

That voice.

I knew that voice.

Slowly, I turned around.

And there he was.

Adrian stood a few steps behind me, wearing a simple white polo shirt, dark trousers, and a watch on his wrist. Nothing too fancy, yet somehow, he still looked effortlessly composed.

Of course.

Even on a business trip, he had to look like he belonged on the cover of a magazine.

“Good morning,” I replied, trying my best to sound normal.

His eyes briefly dropped to my luggage.

“Ready?”

I nodded.

“Yeah. I guess.”

He gave me a small smile.

“Let's go.”

I followed him.

And as we walked toward the departure area, I couldn't help but sigh internally.

One week.

I could handle one week.

Right?

On the Plane

A few hours later, we were already inside the business-class cabin.

I looked at my seat number.

Then at Adrian.

Then back at my seat.

I blinked.

Seriously?

I stared at the seat again, hoping that somehow, I had read it wrong.

Nope.

Unfortunately, I hadn't.

“You've got to be kidding me,” I whispered.

Adrian, who was already seated beside the window, looked at me.

“Problem?”

I immediately forced a smile.

“None.”

I placed my bag in the overhead compartment before taking my seat.

Thankfully, we weren't exactly sitting side-by-side.

The aisle separated us.

Still, he was close enough that I could clearly see him whenever I looked to my left.

Which was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

I quietly fastened my seatbelt and stared straight ahead.

One week, Max.

I reminded myself.

It's only one week.

But then reality hit me.

The site visit might only last a week, but the project itself?

Months.

Possibly longer.

Meaning I wasn't just going to spend one week with Adrian.

I was going to work with him for months.

I closed my eyes and leaned back against the seat.

This is going to be exhausting.

“Are you okay?”

I opened my eyes.

Adrian was looking at me.

“Yes. Why?”

“You've been quiet since we boarded.”

“I'm just tired.”

“Right.”

He didn't ask anything else.

I appreciated that.

A few minutes later, the plane finally took off.

I tried to distract myself by looking outside the window, watching the clouds slowly disappear beneath us.

But every now and then, I could feel someone looking in my direction.

Eventually, I turned my head.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You keep looking at me.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“I was just checking if you're asleep.”

“I wasn't.”

“I can see that.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Very funny.”

He smiled.

And for a moment, I completely forgot what I was about to say.

That smile.

God.

That smile was exactly the same.

The same smile I remembered from years ago.

The same smile that made me stupidly happy whenever I saw it.

I quickly looked away.

Stop it, Max.

He's your client.

I paused.

Well… technically, he's your business partner.

Either way, stop staring.

I focused my attention back on the clouds.

But somehow, my heart refused to cooperate.

Palawan

After several hours of traveling, we finally arrived in Palawan.

The moment I stepped outside, warm tropical air greeted me.

I took a deep breath.

The scenery immediately caught my attention.

Crystal-clear water.

Green mountains.

Lush trees.

And the peaceful atmosphere of the island.

For a moment, I completely forgot about the stress of the trip.

“Wow…”

I heard Adrian beside me.

“Beautiful, isn't it?”

I nodded.

“Yeah. I can see why they chose this location.”

The resort was enormous.

It was surrounded by lush greenery and overlooked the ocean, making it almost impossible to believe that this was going to become a construction site.

Somewhere in this beautiful place, our future hotel would stand.

And as an architect, I couldn't help but feel excited.

This wasn't just another project.

There was something special about the location.

Our team immediately proceeded to the resort.

Since it was already late in the afternoon, the management had arranged rooms for everyone.

When I received my room key, I couldn't help but smile.

“Finally.”

I was exhausted.

After checking in, I went straight to my room.

The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by a spacious room with a large glass window overlooking the ocean.

I dropped my luggage beside the bed.

Then I immediately fell onto the mattress.

“This is exactly what I need.”

I closed my eyes.

For the first time that entire day, I allowed myself to relax.

No meetings.

No documents.

No deadlines.

And, most importantly…

No Adrian.

At least for a few hours.

Dinner Meeting

A few hours later, I changed into something more comfortable but still appropriate for a business dinner.

I went downstairs to the resort's restaurant.

Several engineers, architects, project managers, and representatives from both companies were already gathered.

And, of course…

Adrian was there.

I tried not to react.

I took a seat across from him and opened my notebook.

One of the senior engineers started the meeting.

“Alright, everyone. Since this is a long-term project, we need to establish the execution plan as early as possible.”

I immediately shifted my attention toward the discussion.

Business mode.

That was what I needed.

No distractions.

Especially not the handsome man sitting across from me.

“We'll start with the site assessment,” Adrian said. “Before construction begins, we need to understand the terrain, soil conditions, accessibility, and environmental restrictions.”

I nodded while taking notes.

“And from the architectural side,” I added, “we'll need to finalize the master plan while considering the natural landscape. We don't want the hotel to look like something that was simply placed here.”

One of the engineers nodded.

“Exactly. The design needs to complement the island.”

I flipped through my preliminary sketches.

“I already have a few concepts in mind.”

I placed some of the sketches on the table.

“Since we're building inside a resort, I want the hotel to have an open and tropical design. Large windows, natural ventilation, and materials that blend with the surroundings.”

I looked up.

Adrian was already studying my sketches.

“I like that.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

He nodded.

“Yeah. But we'll have to make sure the structure can handle the design.”

A small smile formed on my lips.

“That's why you're here, Engineer.”

He smiled back.

“And that's why you're here, Architect.”

I couldn't help but laugh.

Some of the people around us chuckled as well.

For the next two hours, we discussed everything.

Site development.

Structural requirements.

Timelines.

Manpower.

Materials.

Environmental considerations.

The more we talked, the more I realized how complicated the project would be.

It wasn't going to be easy.

Not even close.

But both companies were determined to make it successful.

Eventually, the meeting came to an end.

“Tomorrow, we'll start with the site inspection,” Adrian announced. “Call time is seven in the morning.”

My eyes widened.

“Seven?”

Adrian looked at me, clearly amused.

“You're an architect. I thought you were used to early mornings.”

“I am.”

I closed my notebook.

“I just don't like them.”

He chuckled.

“See you tomorrow, Architect.”

I stood up and gathered my things.

“Good night, Engineer.”

I walked away from the table, trying not to smile.

But I couldn't help it.

Because somehow, despite knowing that this project was going to be stressful…

I was looking forward to tomorrow.

One week in Palawan.

A long-term project.

And the man I had tried to forget for years.

I didn't know what was going to happen during our stay.

But deep inside, I had a feeling.

This trip was going to be anything but ordinary.