Craving Mr. Architect

Chapter I

“So, did you secure a condo for your move to Davao?” my sister Chloe asked, just as I poured another heavy splash of whiskey into my glass.

I was currently spending my final weeks of downtime with her and her husband, Nico, at a private beach resort in Siargao. It was my last breath of freedom before officially uprooting my life from Cebu to Davao City to step into the senior role I’d spent my entire career chasing.

“Yeah. The firm sorted out a place for me at Abreeza,” I replied. “I’ve only seen the digital walkthrough, but it’s high up, boasts incredible views of the city, and it’s a quick drive to the office.”

“Seriously, Mat, that’s huge. I bet the pacing in Davao will be entirely different compared to Cebu.”

That was the understatement of the year. This wasn't just a mere change of scenery; this promotion placed me at the absolute top of the food chain, and the stakes were astronomical. The anxiety was already clawing at my throat. I couldn’t afford to screw up—not even once.

“Definitely. They’ve already locked in a major contract for me with an incredibly powerful family down there. I wasn’t familiar with them, but word is they practically own half the region. They're siblings looking to execute a massive expansion on their estate. The Alcantaras, I think,” I said, the edges of my vision beginning to blur slightly from the alcohol.

“The Alcantara clan?” Nico suddenly interjected, his voice cutting through the quiet for the first time all evening.

Even though they had been together for a long time, it still baffled me how a gentle, sweet soul like my sister ended up with a man like Nico. He was the polar opposite of Chloe’s ex, Jerome—who had been a meticulously groomed corporate lawyer living strictly by the book. Nico, on the other hand, looked like he had just crawled out of a dark, gritty underground fighting ring. He was heavily tattooed, perpetually dressed in dark clothes, and carried a cold, intimidating aura that could swallow a room whole. Initially, I was terrified he would lead Chloe down a dangerous path. But seeing how fiercely he loved my sister changed everything. I might never get used to Nico’s borderline pathological possessiveness over her, but I’ve learned to accept it. I wouldn't let anyone pull me away from my sister.

“Yeah. Why, do you know them?” I asked, leaning back in my chair toward him.

Nico let out a dark, humorless chuckle as he downed the rest of his drink.

“Anyone in the criminal underworld knows them, Mateo. If I were you, I’d tread carefully. Street rumor has it those people are completely unhinged. Cartel money. And word is the family keeps a pet executioner who treats bloodshed like foreplay.” Nico’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge that sent a sudden, visceral chill down my spine.

Nico had been Chloe’s psychiatric patient before they became involved, and moments like this made me wonder just how deep the traumas of his past ran—and why he remained so hostile toward the world.

“Are you insane? My boss told me they are legitimate, high-profile tycoons,” I said, the whiskey in my stomach suddenly turning sour.

“Oh, they're tycoons, alright. It just so happens that their monopoly is in narcotics and murder,” Nico countered with a nonchalant shrug.

“I—I can't contract for a syndicate. That’s a massive ethical violation, not to mention completely illegal. Good god, does the firm know about this?”

“Of course they know. Anyone with real power in Mindanao knows who holds the leash. From what I’ve gathered, the Alcantaras left a trail of bodies just this past year to secure their territory.”

I sank deep into my chair, staring blankly into space as my mind spiraled into a panic. I suddenly regretted every single decision that had led me to this point. Chloe watched me, her therapist instincts kicking in as she tried to soothe my mounting dread.

“Mat, breathe. I’m sure it’s exaggerated. Nico probably just got his wires crossed. A prestigious firm like yours wouldn't hop into bed with organized crime,” Chloe said softly, though the alcohol in my system only seemed to magnify the terror.

“I can’t walk into a lion's den knowing these things,” I whispered, burying my face in my hands, gripping my hair.

“Yes, you can. Don't be a coward. You’re not selling their product; you’re just drafting a blueprint for a house,” Nico snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin.

“I don’t just 'draft blueprints,' Nico. I engineer architectural innovations,” I shot back defensively.

Nico abruptly stood up, gripping Chloe’s wrist firmly and pulling her up from her seat.

“I don’t care. We’re going to bed.”

Classic Nico. How Chloe tolerated his rough, domineering demeanor was beyond me. But I had to admit, I had never seen my sister look happier or more secure. I was proud of her.

However, I was *not* proud of the muffled, breathless sounds that began vibrating through the walls a short while later as she surrendered to the resident asshole of the year. Fortunately, my guest suite was on the opposite wing of the villa. Some things were truly better left unheard.

My head felt heavy and detached as I stumbled toward my own room, the whiskey finally taking total control of my system. The room spun as I collapsed face-first onto the mattress, instantly regretting the excessive drinking. But the real ache in my gut stemmed from the bombshell Nico had just dropped on me.

The Alcantaras. Hell.

I tried to convince myself that Nico was just messing with me. There was no logical reason for a firm with a flawless reputation to expose their top architect to violent criminals. No, he had to be mistaken. There was absolutely no way I was about to become the personal architect for a cartel family—or worse, the target of whatever dark obsessions lurked within that estate. f**k my life.

I rolled onto my back, letting the heavy, drunken darkness pull me under, too exhausted to even change out of my clothes.

It’s fine, I told myself as my eyes drifted shut. I’ll walk into the Davao office, everything will be professional, and Chloe and I will laugh about how badly Nico scared me.

Everything is going to be fine.