It's Only You

CHAPTER SEVEN: The Work Beings

The office buzzed with a new kind of energy. I sat at my desk, sleeves rolled up, sketches spread out in front of me, laptop open and coffee untouched. My mind was alive with ideas.

I moved between screens, scribbling notes in the margins of blueprints. I was in my element, the calm chaos of creating something bigger than myself. My team worked quietly around me, sensing my focus. Occasionally someone would peek over my shoulder in awe, but no one dared interrupt. They knew this was my zone where visions came to life.

Then my phone buzzed. Selena Clayton.

I wiped my hands quickly and answered. “Hello?”

“Amara,” Selena’s smooth voice filled my ear. “I’ve been reviewing your initial layouts. Impressive. I’d like to meet with you over lunch today. There are a few details I want to go over in person.”

I sat up straighter. “Of course. I’m happy to.”

“Excellent,” Selena replied. “There’s a private restaurant on the 21st floor of our building. Noon sharp. Bring your design drafts.”

The line clicked off before I could even say thank you.

I glanced at the time 12:47.

My heart sped up, not from nerves but from purpose. This wasn’t just any project. It was my chance to etch my name into something permanent and great.

I looked around at my team and said with a spark in my voice,

“Clear the next two hours. I have got lunch with Legacy.”

The 21st-floor restaurant was quiet, sleek and bathed in soft gold lighting. Tucked away from the public, it catered to Clayton Cooperation’s elite, where real decisions were made over wine and strategy.

I arrived early. My cream dress was simple, yet commanding. I clutched my leather folder like armor and was quickly shown to a corner table overlooking the city.

Selena arrived minutes later, flawless as always, in a cream blazer and heels that announced every step.

“I like a woman who’s on time,” she said with a small nod, sliding into the seat across from me.

“I was raised to never keep power waiting,” I replied with a small smile.

Selena gave a quiet, amused look. “You’re sharp.”

We ordered grilled salmon for Selena, lemon chicken for me and within minutes, business filled the air.

Selena flipped through my layout sketches with trained eyes. “This space here…” she pointed, “I want it to feel more fluid…. Less showroom, more experience. Think movement. Flow.”

I nodded. “Got it. I had the same instinct, actually. I was considering kinetic wall displays.”

Selena’s gaze flicked up. “I like that. You design like you’ve already been here before.”

I smiled softly. “In my head, I have.”

Then, mid-conversation, the doors to the restaurant opened.

I didn’t notice at first my focus was still on the sketches. But Selena’s eyes lifted, her posture shifting just slightly.

I followed her gaze… and froze.

Zane Clayton.

He stood at the entrance, clearly not expecting company. Dressed in charcoal grey, crisp white collar open, no tie. He looked like a man who commanded time itself. He was a handsome man and his blue eyes, sharp and stormy, locked onto me the moment he saw me.

Recognition flickered. So did surprise.

“Zane,” Selena said casually, rising. “Didn’t expect you here.”

He stepped closer, glancing at me, then back at his cousin. “Was passing through. Didn’t know you were meeting someone.”

Selena gestured smoothly. “This is Amara Daniels. The architect I told you about.”

Zane turned fully toward me, finally seeing me up close.

“Ah,” he said, voice low. “The woman in the navy suit.”

I blinked. “We’ve met?”

“Not quite,” he said with a small, unreadable smile. “But I remember seeing you leave.”

I raised an eyebrow, hiding the slight flutter in my chest.

Selena watched us both, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“I’ll let you two get acquainted,” she said, sliding into her seat again. “Zane, sit. You interrupted our lunch. You might as well hear what brilliance sounds like.”

Zane glanced at the empty seat beside me… and took it.

For the first time, we were at the same table.