Con

CHAPTER 38

Sophia’s POV

I tried to control my feelings and remain cool and professional, especially since Elijah’s company was technically our client.

“I’ll talk to you later, Sophia,” Craig murmured before hastily leaving the room. He nodded in acknowledgment to Elijah, who simply ignored him and invited himself in.

He closed the door behind him and faced me squarely. “We need to talk, Sophia.”

“You’ve been saying that for the longest time, Elijah,” I said, rolling my eyes. “It’s getting old, and I have a lot of work to do.”

I sat behind my desk and began sifting through the documents and design plates on top of it, completely ignoring Elijah.

“I came across this little girl today, about the age of three,” he began, making my heart skip a beat. I certainly knew who he was talking about, but I tried not to let him see that. I continued what I was doing without bothering to look up.

He went on, “She looked so much like you, Sophia. And she was in that restaurant where I happened to see you too.”

Finally, I looked up with a bored expression on my face. “So what are you insinuating? Does it have to mean anything?”

Elijah moved forward and placed his hands on my desk, locking his eyes with mine. “Are you hiding something from me?” he asked, breathing heavily, his voice sounding strained. He was obviously stressed about this matter.

I scoffed. “It’s funny Serena called me a stalker earlier, but it’s obviously you who’s doing the stalking.”

He wasn’t fazed. “I want to know the truth, Sophia,” he insisted.

I began packing up my things then. “Why were you looking at Julia strangely when you first saw her?” I suddenly asked, changing the subject. “And why did you grab her hand and demand for her name?”

He looked flustered and didn’t seem to know how to answer.

“I’m thinking she must be related to Sabrina,” I carefully said as I finally finished gathering all my stuff. I stood up straight and looked him in the eye. “If you want to get back your first love, then yeah, you should definitely get to know Julia better.”

I didn’t wait for him to respond. I grabbed my bag and the folder that now contained my work materials, then strode away without another word.

I’ll have to finish this at home instead, I thought. I’d rather bring home my work than share another minute breathing the same air as Elijah in this small office room.

first

The following day, I sat in the conference room, surrounded by Trevis and the rest of the Urban Next design team. After the previous discussions and presentations, my turn finally came to present my draft. As I went through my proposal, I could see nods of approval and interest from my colleagues. My design met all the requirements of the program, and I was confident that it was going to be approved.

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“In conclusion, my design concept revolves around celebrating the rich local culture and heritage of the region,” I said with a big smile, happy and confident about this unique design concept. “I propose integrating indigenous materials and architectural elements inspired by local traditions to create a unique and authentic resort experience.”

“That sounds fantastic, Sophia,” Trevis remarked when I was done. Then looking around the room, he asked, “Anyone want to share a comment or feedback? We’re all here to help each other improve our projects.”

I saw a hand shoot up. To my astonishment, it was Julia.

Julia spoke up, her voice clear and firm. “I have some concerns about the innovative aspect of your design,” she began. “While it looks new and modern, I feel that the innovative element is still old- fashioped. It lacks the wow factor needed for a successful design case.”

Because I didn’t expect her to provide such an opinion, I was caught in surprise. I couldn’t answer at once. I’d somehow expected that I would get unanimous approval.

“Thanks for that, Julia,” Trevis said. “Do you have any suggestions or ideas to help Sophia improve this particular element?”

Julia smiled, standing up, seemingly eager to give a proposal. “Well, I was thinking we could incorporate more sustainable features into the design. Maybe use renewable energy sources or implement a green roof to blend the resort with its surroundings. This would not only enhance the guest experience but also align with current trends in eco–friendly luxury…”

She continued to detail her idea while the others nodded. Some of the faces were lighting up as they listened to her. Meanwhile, I tried to keep an open mind even though I was wondering how she was able to come up with this proposal so fast.

I listened in silence as Julia’s proposal unfolded, feeling a mix of surprise and disbelief. Her design concept was eerily similar to one of my original scraps, albeit more complete and polished. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had seen this idea before, that it was something I had once scribbled down in a

moment of inspiration.

Did she get this idea from me?

But I refused to believe that Julia would plagiarize someone else’s design. Without any concrete proof, I had no choice but to keep my suspicions to myself.

As Julia wrapped up her presentation, the room erupted in praise. Everyone seemed to agree with her ideas, and some even suggested that she was better suited for the project than I was. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but I had to admit that Julia’s idea was a good one.

Objectively speaking, many of her new ideas could be seamlessly integrated into the design, enhancing its appeal and functionality.

I took a deep breath, pushing aside my personal feelings. If Julia’s proposal was truly the best choice for the project, then I would have to accept that.

As Trevis deliberated, I could sense the tension in the room. He finally made a decision, his expression

torn but resolute.

“Sophia and Julia, I believe both of your Ideas have merit,” he began. “You know, I’d really love to put them

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CHAPTER 38

together but it’s best that we highlight just one concept and work it into the whole unifying design of the resort. So… I propose that you each take the next two weeks to expand and refine your concepts. When the final versions are ready, we will reconvene and decide which direction to take.”

This decision meant more work and pressure, but it also offered a chance to prove the value of my idea. Julia’s gaze met mine, and I could see the determination in her eyes.

The competition was on, and I was ready to rise to the