Chapter 3

Aria appeared at the location early the next morning, her determination revived.

The reminder of the day be fore’s anxiety remained but so did the blaze of something unexpected in Heathen King, the first sign of a man who wasn't as bitter as he seemed.

The atmosphere was alive with hustle and bustle, as workmen moved between structures and machinery.

Anna appeared there, the notepad in fingers, giving instructions like a commander getting ready for war.

"Miss Chen," Anna continued without gazing up, "Mr. King has asked that we review the modifications with you carefully before the hiring of workers begins."

Aria felt her heart jump a beat. Individually? That word held weight, particularly because it came from a Heathen.

"Is he arriving now?" Aria said, concealing her anxiety with a calm voice.

Absolutely he is sitting in the meeting room. Anna glanced up, her gaze cutting little.

"Be ready. Mr. King avoids wasting time on everything short of excellence."

Aria grinned, holding her collection of files as she proceeded into the conference room. She reassured herself that this was merely another phase in the construction process. It wasn't about Heathen King, but about convincing herself.

Heathen sat down at the top of the table, already having dinner set before him when Aria entered.

Sunbeams streaming in from big windows would light up his carved planes for emphasis-the look of the impossibly reclusive tycoon splashed about in the tabloids was there.

"Miss Chen," he whispered softly and leveled "Take a seat down."

Aria sat opposite from him, presenting her sketches and presenting the modified ideas. She began her presentation with self-confidence describing the improvements she made to solve problems with structure while maintaining the design's attractiveness.

To her amazement, Heathen listened carefully. His penetrating blue eyes examined the pages, his demeanor hard to read but intent.

"You've performed perfectly," he replied with a long stop and think, relaxing back in the seat.

Aria stared. Was that compliment? From the heathen king?

"Thanks," she said hesitantly.

He placed the plans down, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Tell me, Miss Chen, why do you care so much about this project? Most people in your position wouldn't give a second's thought beyond their paycheck."

The question threw her off balance. For a moment, she hesitated, wondering if he was trying her or genuinely curious.

My mother," she said finally, her voice steady but soft.

"She used to say that no matter how small a task seemed, it deserved your best effort. She believed in doing things with purpose, and that's what I try to carry into my work."

Heathen's expression shifted subtly, a flicker of something unspoken crossing his face. "Your mother sounds like a wise woman.

"She was," Aria said, the pain of loss pulling at her chest.

The room was silent, uncharacteristically so, as the weight of her words hung between them. For the first time, Aria felt the air around Heathen relax, as if the armor he wore so tightly had cracked if only slightly.

Their moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. Anna entered her usual briskness cutting through the tension.

"Mr. King, the contractors are ready for your approval," she said.

Heathen rose from his seat, his commanding presence returning in full force. "Let's not keep them waiting."

As they walked toward the site, Aria couldn't help but steal glances at Heathen. There was something magnetic about him, a quiet intensity that drew her in despite her better judgment.

When they arrived at the construction site, the contractors presented their plans to address the instability of the beam.

Heathen listened intently, and asked pointed questions that revealed his very good understanding of the technical aspects.

Aria was impressed. It would be easy to assume that a person like Heathen would hand over the details, but he seemed to be involved on a level she hadn't expected.

I will approve this under one condition," Heathen said firmly.

"Miss Chen oversees this. I want her vision in place."

Aria's eyes widened. "Me?"

Heathen turned to her, his gaze steady. "You have proven capable. I trust you can handle it."

The employees bowed in approval, evidently submitting to Heathen's decision.

"Thank you," Aria replied, her voice firm despite the tornado of emotions rushing through her.

Later that afternoon, Aria was left alone in the west wing, inspecting the changes the building workers had completed. She was so focused on her task that she was unaware of the Heathen approaching unless he commented.

"You seem to perform well beneath under pressure."

She looked up, surprised. "It's all part of the profession."

Heathen looked at her for a split second, his gaze serious. "You resemble with someone I used to love."

Aria turned her head upwards "Who?"

My brother," he said, the words surprising even himself.

The air between them shifted, heavy with unspoken emotions. Aria saw the flicker of pain in Heathen's eyes, a glimpse of vulnerability that he usually kept hidden.

"What happened to him?" she asked gently.

He hesitated; it was as if he were choosing whether to let her in or not.

"He died," he said finally, his voice low but firm.

"A car accident”.

I was going to accompany him that evening, but "I couldn’t reach there."

His regret was evident, and Aria felt a stab of sympathy. She understood what it was like to bear the weight of loss, coping with "what might have been that could never be resolved.

"I'm so sorry," she stated gently.

Heathen nodded, his gaze distance. "It's been a long time, but certain memories don't vanish."

Aria looked away and finally spoke up. "Sometimes the best way to honor someone is to live in a way they would have been proud of."

She could hear the weight of her words ringing out long after she'd said them.

Heathen watched her, his expression telling, a glimpse of some hidden communication passing between them that way the connection built by the mutual pain of loss.