Chapter 4

Alessia's POV

I heard someone arguing inside the office as soon as I entered the department. I just arrived at the office and everyone was already busy with their work. I am carrying the floor plan I revised last night.

I sat in my chair facing the desk wondering. I looked at Ales and he gave me a meaningful look. They look like they are sitting in a chair with blades.

"You can't do this! This is my first design and I don't want a random stranger ruining my work!" I heard a woman scream from the Master Engineer's office. Her voice was laced with anguish and obviously, she was not happy about it.

I looked up there. The office door was closed so I couldn't see who was talking. Its voice is not familiar to me. I don't get to meet all the engineers either, so naturally, I don't know everyone. Other engineers don't come in and just stay at home.

"This is not your first time, Nicola. We cannot proceed with your design who has a lot of loopholes. I did make an exception and passed it but we received a lot of complaints and wasted the budget. Just serve this as your learning, Nicola. If you want your design to be followed, then make one that deserves to be built." Answered our master engineer Apollo. His voice is firm, like steel unable to bend.

"No! I will not accept this, Apollo!" The woman called Nicola screamed angrily.

"Whether you accept it or not, it doesn't change everything. Please leave the office, and work on your project instead of crying over spilled milk." Apollo repels it.

We are quiet in our places. Suddenly the door opened and a beautiful woman with a slender body was spit out. His hair was long and dark but the anger and frustration on his face were almost indescribable. Her eyes are bloodshot red like she's about to cry but holding it back.

She's slightly flushed from anger. She eyed everyone in the room but it was just a swift moment and she stormed out of the office without a word.

We all looked at the door it came out of. I suddenly realized because I focused on the creature that I shouldn't have. I have more important things to do than watch or listen to anything controversial.

"It's different when you're the Chancellor's son, you can do what you want. You just yell at the master engineer...dang!." A man with me said.

It is indeed very rude for the lady, especially when society doesn't look equally with both genders. For them, men are superior while women are designed to obey. It's indeed true, technically...but women have minds and feelings. Women can decide their fate. It should not be restricted to these male chauvinistic communities.

"You are more trouble." Ales groaned and shook his head before looking at me. "He made the blueprint you're fixing." He taught me. I am not offended, because whether I like it or not, few deserve to be looked down upon.

I was relieved and looked at the blueprint that I had finished changing. I couldn't believe that it passed the standard but based on what I heard I understood.

She used her connection. But she's the daughter of the Chancellor? Does it mean, she's the daughter of that man who was insisting to put the statue on the hospital's premises?

Now I can see the confidence why he insisted. It was his daughter who designed it and he taught, everything will go their way. But sadly, it did not go as they planned. The design has a lot of flaws.m that needs to be fixed.

"I hope this doesn't happen again, it's too difficult to revise the floor plan," I promised especially since the hospital has been built. That would be more difficult to do because it would cost more.

"I hope so. Our image will be ruined because of him." Khleo's groin.

"Don't hope that this won't happen again. You don't seem to know the caliber of that woman. If she wants something, she gets it all." Valencio, a junior engineer, said. It is from Caracass so it knows the people here in Caracass better.

"You may be right, Valencio. But there is also something wrong. Today's incident is proof that he doesn't get everything." My groin.

"You have a point," Ales promised to wake up. "But be careful, Alessia. Nicola will find out that you are the one who made the change in her blueprint and I'm sure it will target you." He said as if a bad memory flooded his brain.

I raised my eyebrows because of what he said. "You gave me this project because Nicola did it?" I asked him suspiciously. Even if we say that because I have experience in medicine, that is not enough reason for them to give me this job.

It's possible that they don't want to mess with Nicola so they gave me this project.

Ales' reaction suddenly became awkward. "N-no. But that's involved. You know, if he ever fights you, you can fight him. But if we fight him, we might end up in jail." Ales gave me a scratchy response.

"If I fight him, are you sure I won't go to jail?" I asked him with raised eyebrows. Prison doesn't choose genders.

"Women fighting is not illegal. But a man fighting a woman is illegal." He reminded me.

I remember that this is the law in Caracass. Men cannot hurt women. You can't raise your hand. But even so, there are still people who violate the law because of the women's fault.

Because of this law, many women are abusing their privilege. They will go to the extent of triggering the men. The men are tempting, but they are also running out of patience. When a man snapped, it will be over for them,

"Then, they should create a law for women who abuse their rights. They are too blinded by this special treatment and think highly of themselves to the point of abusing their rights." I snorted. I love women's empowerment, but a lot of women are hypocrites at the same time.

"It's like you're not a woman if you can speak. You're throwing shade at your co-gender." Chloe snickered. He was playing with his charcoal pencil and it made his fingers dirty.

"Women empowerment means equality to the men. But at the same time, they still want ladies first, being prioritized when riding a vehicle, and so on. That's not equality." I answered him because that was the truth.

I suddenly remembered a classmate of mine who supported gender equality. Even joining the rally and seminar. But then he boarded a full bus and he stood up. She posted a video on F******k and said that the man had no manners because he was not allowed to sit even though she was a woman.

It's like he ate what he threw up. If she's looking for equality, then why rant about not being offered a seat? She's not looking for equality, but special treatment.

"To be honest, women are already treated nicely. A man's job is to work for the woman and a woman's job is to obey the man. But there are just good-for-nothing men that give a reason for the women to live independently and do things on their own." Ales promised me. He has a point, somehow.

"You like a woman who's dependent on you?" I confirmed. I don't judge him. If he's a good man, then there is nothing wrong with it.

"To be honest, I want the woman I love to be dependent on me. I would like to shower her with my love and the things that she needs and wants. I want her to be unable to leave me behind...I want her to only need me." He answered. His answer is kind of, obsessive and possessive but it is better than a man who doesn't care at all.

"I don't disagree with that kind of view. As long as you love the woman, the woman will not mind being dependent on you. Women were born dependent since immemorial times anyway." I replied to him.

"Why are we talking about this? Can I help you with the plates? I can't decide on the size. I need your opinion." Khleo suddenly promised and was holding a drafting paper.

Ales and I just laughed and the latter helped him because they were just next to each other at the table. I also did what I had to do in the office.

"Someone is going to visit us today!" Suddenly, Civel, one of my colleagues who is an engineer, shouted.

"Civel, don't scream," Apollo commented as he came out of his office.

It could hear the noise outside so I'm sure it also heard Civel's scream.

"Sir, what...he's from the palace." Civel's response was scratching his neck.

My gaze suddenly sharpened when I heard that. I immediately wondered what was the reason for the palace owner to come here to the builder's association.

They are not here for you. My thoughts are the same. I seem to have forgotten that Elijah threw up on me. We had a bad ending and I don't think this is related to me.

"Why, what do they mean?" Apollo asked Civel in surprise. It was also surprising because the palace man came suddenly.

In a formal transaction, there should be a notice a few days before the meeting to prepare everything. They cannot make a sudden visit to an establishment. But what can the association do? We can't refuse the palace man.

"They said that you, sir, will talk about what they mean. But they said that a new building will be built." Civel replied uncertainly.

Apollo wondered what kind of building the Palace would be built.

"Okay, let the guest in," Apollo responded to Civel.

Apollo and Civel immediately walked outside to receive the guest. I can't help but be nervous because somehow I have a past connection with the palace.

But I don't want to think about who the guest is because it has nothing to do with me. That's why I poured my attention into planning.

My colleagues were confused especially when they learned that the guest was from the palace. Everyone wants to know who the guest is. That's why their necks were long as they looked at the entrance.

I just bowed and had no intention of looking at the entrance. I only heard muffled voices so I knew that the guest had entered.

"Your excellency, here is my office." I heard Apollo's promise. "Civel, please serve tea and snacks." It's a command.

Even though I didn't want to look, I automatically looked up. Also because of curiosity. Immediately, its large bulk was revealed to my eyes. Tall and with long hair.

But that's light. I immediately saw it. Grecor Alistair Montague. The prime minister of Valeria. I almost raised my eyebrows because I didn't expect him to come. I am expecting an envoy, but not the prime minister.

He still has this aristocratic expression. His scrutinizing eyes still sent shivers down my spine. Even though it's not looking at me, I can still feel it. I don't know if he still knows me or if he still remembers me.

But I am an insignificant character to them, so I won't be surprised if he won't recognize me at all.

They quietly entered Apollo's office. Sentinels also followed and were left outside the office to keep watch.

"Why did the prime minister himself come here?" I heard my colleagues ask.

It's not surprising that they react like that because even I do the same. Usually, they will summon Apollo to talk about construction, not them coming here personally.

"That's my question too." The other replied that I didn't bother to see who it was.

"Alessia, aren't you even surprised that the prime minister is here?" Khleo has a crush on me.

I turned to him. His eyes are scrutinizing me.

"I'm surprised too, but I have too much to do to spend my time being surprised," I answered him. That is true and not a lie. But part of me was saying that I just don't want to gather any attention. I am good with being invisible.

"Khleo, even if the palace collapses, you won't see Alessia surprised." Ales' groin.

I raised an eyebrow at this. It is too exaggerated. I'm not a stone person to not surprised.

"Ales, that's treason." I'm shaking my head. A world that may harm royalty is considered treason.

"That's just an example...I didn't ask for it to come true. But do you think there's another big project we're going to have to do?" He asked me.

I shrugged because I had no idea what they were planning. I am sure that something will be built...but I am not sure what it is.

"Just go to work." I turned and looked back at my desk.

I continued to review the blueprints and lost track of time. Studying the blueprint seems like eating my time away.

"Mr. Condor, Mr. Zalleon, and Miss Condor...Apollo is summoning you." Civel said which caused me to look up.

I frowned and suddenly an idea entered my mind. It is not difficult to predict what is happening. I am very likely to be one of the recommended engineers to the prime minister. My hands got a little cold, but it wasn't that bad.

"Why?" Khleo asked and stood up. He is Khleo Zalleon.

"Let's just go inside to answer your question." Ales looked at Khleo who stood up as well.

No wonder the three of us were summoned. I feel the envious looks from my colleagues. They've been working as an engineer for a long time, while I just joined the team a year ago. There are those ill-minded people who will always think negatively.

I sighed. I have no reason to be afraid. Yes, he's the prime minister but we are not related. We never had a good relationship as far as I remember and there are only a couple of times I've seen him. Even if he will recognize me, he will not do anything.

So I followed Ales. I quietly walked towards the front door of Apollo's office. My nerves are calm and my face is now void of any emotion.