CAPTURED BY MY HOT ENGINEER

Chapter 2

Morning came too quickly, painting the skyline in harsh shades of grey and gold. I woke up with the faint sting of dried tears on my cheeks and a heaviness in my chest that felt like lead.

I spent an hour in the bathroom, scrubbing away every trace of last night’s weakness. Hot water, expensive creams, and the careful application of makeup were my armor. By the time I looked in the mirror, the redness was gone, the puffiness was gone. Only Eloise remained—cool, composed, and impenetrable.

I pulled on a silk robe and walked out into the main living area. The penthouse was designed to look like a museum—sleek lines, expensive art, and absolutely no warmth.

"Eloise."

My father’s voice stopped me before I even reached the hallway. Adrian wasn't here anymore. He, may leave early as expected.

I turned my gaze at my father. He was sitting at the long dining table, already dressed in a sharp business suit, reading the financial news on his tablet. A full breakfast was laid out, untouched.

"Sit down," he said, not looking up. "We need to talk."

I walked over and took the seat opposite him. The air in the room felt suddenly thin.

"Good morning, Father," I said softly.

"Don't 'good morning' me," he replied, finally setting the tablet down. His eyes, sharp and assessing, pinned me to the chair. "I saw the photos from last night. You looked distracted. Adrian said you were quiet during the interviews."

"I was listening," I defended myself, my fingers tightening in my lap.

"Listening isn't enough, Eloise. You are a Moore. You are the face of this empire. People don't just want to see you; they want to feel your presence. You are not decoration, you are an investment."

The words stung, sharp and cold. "I know that. I’ve never forgotten it."

"Then act like it," he said sharply. "Because starting today, your role changes. The planning phase for The Apex is complete. Groundbreaking is next month, but the site preparation is already underway."

He pushed a thick folder across the table towards me. The embossed letters MOORE CORP stared back at me.

"I want you to take point on the inspections," he announced.

I blinked, surprised. "Me? But Father, you usually handle the engineering and logistics yourself."

"I have bigger matters to attend to. Mergers. International relations. And Adrian is busy with the marketing and political side of things. Someone needs to be on the ground, making sure the contractors aren't cutting corners and that the timeline is being met."

He leaned forward, his voice dropping an octave, becoming heavier. "This building is going to be my legacy. It is going to be taller, stronger, and more expensive than anything this city has ever seen. I need someone I trust to keep an eye on it."

"I see," I said, opening the folder. Blueprints and schematics spread out before me, looking complex and overwhelming. "But I know nothing about construction, Father. I handle events, I handle charities, I handle the image. I don't know about steel beams and concrete."

"Then learn," he said simply, as if it were that easy. "You graduated with honors, didn't you? You have a brain. Use it. Or are you just another pretty face like everyone says?"

The jab hit its mark. My back straightened. "That is unfair. I work hard."

"Then work harder," he stood up, towering over the table. "You are twenty-seven years old, Eloise. You are engaged to be married. Soon, you will be running a household and managing the Hayes-Moore legacy. You cannot afford to be soft. You cannot afford to be... delicate."

He walked around the table and stood behind my chair, placing his hands on my shoulders. His grip was firm, almost painful.

"I know you think this life is... difficult," he murmured, his voice low. "I know you feel the weight. But that is what privilege costs. Everyone wants what you have. Everyone is trying to take it from you. The only way to survive is to be stronger than them. To be harder than them."

I looked down at the table, my throat tight. "I just... I feel like a puppet sometimes. Everyone tells me where to stand, what to say, who to be."

The hands on my shoulders tightened instantly.

"Who told you that?" His voice was cold now. "You are not a puppet. You are the heiress. You are the Queen. But Queens do not get to complain. Queens do not show weakness. You are part of this machine, Eloise. Whether you like it or not."

I swallowed hard, fighting the lump in my throat. "I don't want to just be part of the machine. I want to matter. I want to do something that means something."

"Then do this," Father said firmly, releasing me and walking away. "Prove to me that you are more than just smiles and gowns. Go to the site. Meet the team. Inspect the progress. Show me that you deserve the name you carry."

He walked towards the door, pausing to adjust his tie in the reflection of the window.

"The site is called The Apex. It’s in the industrial district. Go there today. The Lead Engineer is expecting you."

"Lead Engineer?" I asked quietly.

"Yes. A man named Simon Williams. He’s... different. Brilliant, but rough around the edges. Don't let him intimidate you. And don't let him fool you. Remember, they work for us."

Simon Williams.

The name hung in the air, strange and foreign.

"Today?" I asked.

"Now," Father said, walking out of the room. "Get dressed, Eloise. Put on something... practical. But still look like a Moore. Show them who owns the ground they walk on."

The front door closed with a definitive click, leaving me alone in the silence once again.

I looked at the folder, then at my reflection in the glass wall.

The weight of expectations. It was a heavy cloak to wear, and today, it felt heavier than ever. I was being sent out of my cage, out of my comfort zone, into a world of noise and dirt.

I was being sent to inspect The Apex.

A part of me wanted to refuse. I wanted to scream that I wasn't ready, that I didn't know how.

But I knew my father. Refusal was not an option. Weakness was not an option.

I stood up slowly, clutching the folder to my chest.

"Fine," I whispered to the empty room. "If you want me to be hard, Father. If you want me to be strong..."

I took a deep breath, letting the mask slide back into place, colder and more determined than before.

"Then I'll show you strong."