Mira's POV
The next two weeks disappeared completely into work.
Sleep became optional.
Coffee became survival.
And the Arcadia Project slowly consumed the entire company.
Every department worked nonstop from morning until late night. Blueprints constantly changed, investor meetings increased daily, presentation drafts were revised endlessly, and somehow new problems appeared every few hours.
The office lights barely turned off anymore.
Even the atmosphere inside the building had changed.
Everyone walked faster.
Spoke shorter.
Worked harder.
Because now—
the final project announcement was close.
Very close.
And tension had reached unbearable levels.
"…I think I forgot what sunlight looks like."
Michaela dramatically collapsed across the desk beside me while holding three different files against her chest.
I laughed softly without looking away from my screen.
"You said that yesterday too."
"And I meant it yesterday too."
She groaned loudly before sitting up again.
"This project is evil."
"It's a project."
"No, Mira."
She pointed dramatically toward the giant digital model displayed on our screen.
"That thing has personally attacked my peace."
I smiled slightly.
Honestly—
despite the exhaustion, working with Michaela again felt comforting.
Easy.
Familiar.
She somehow made stressful days lighter without even trying.
Meanwhile—
Kael made sure none of us relaxed too much.
"Team A."
We immediately straightened.
Kael stood near the glass board holding revised structural layouts, looking far too composed for someone surviving on almost no sleep.
"You submitted Version 12."
"Yes," Michaela answered carefully.
Kael placed another file on the table.
"Good."
Then another.
"Now fix Version 13."
Michaela stared at him in horror.
"…there's a VERSION THIRTEEN?!"
"Yes."
"…why…"
"Because investors enjoy suffering."
I immediately looked away to hide my laugh.
Michaela pointed at Kael accusingly.
"You and suffering jokes are becoming suspicious."
Kael smiled faintly before turning toward me.
"Mira."
"Hm?"
"The environmental zoning section."
"I already finished the revisions."
Kael blinked once.
"…already?"
I nodded and handed him the updated file.
He opened it quietly.
The room became silent while he reviewed the pages carefully.
Michaela leaned toward me dramatically.
"…why do I feel like a student waiting for exam results…"
"…because he makes everyone nervous."
"Understandable."
Kael finally closed the file.
Then looked at me silently for two seconds.
"…excellent."
The entire table froze.
Michaela gasped.
"…HE PRAISED SOMEONE."
Another teammate whispered quietly—
"I thought that was a myth."
Kael looked deeply unimpressed.
"I compliment people occasionally."
"No," Michaela replied immediately.
"You terrify people occasionally."
I nearly laughed again.
Kael sighed softly before placing the file down.
"These revisions will be included in tomorrow's final presentation."
My eyes widened slightly.
"…really?"
"Yes."
A small pause.
"You did well."
Something warm settled quietly inside my chest.
Not pride exactly.
More like relief.
Because for the first time since joining the company—
I felt useful here.
Not invisible.
Not temporary.
Actually needed.
Michaela immediately grabbed my shoulders dramatically.
"SHE'S GROWING UP."
"…please stop."
"I'm emotional."
"You're embarrassing."
Kael watched us silently for a moment.
Then—
for the first time—
the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
A real smile.
Small.
But genuine.
And unfortunately—
Michaela noticed instantly.
"…oh."
I blinked.
"…what oh?"
She stared at Kael suspiciously.
"…nothing."
That tone definitely meant something.
Before I could question her—
the office speakers suddenly activated.
"Attention all Arcadia teams."
The entire floor immediately became silent.
Employees lifted their heads from screens instantly.
Then Azael's voice filled the building calmly.
"All department heads and project teams report to the main conference hall immediately."
Tension exploded across the office.
"…this is it," Michaela whispered.
My heartbeat slowed slightly.
The final announcement.
Everyone immediately stood and moved toward the conference hall almost at once.
The atmosphere felt electric.
Nervous energy spread everywhere.
People whispered quietly while carrying files and tablets toward the massive hall.
And at the very front—
Azael already stood waiting.
Black suit.
Dark gloves.
Calm expression.
Untouchable as always.
But today—
even he seemed sharper somehow.
More focused.
The entire conference hall slowly filled.
Hundreds of employees.
Absolute silence.
Then Kael stepped beside the main screen.
"The Arcadia board completed final evaluations this morning."
Nobody breathed.
"They reviewed financial stability…"
The screen lit up.
"Design integration…"
Another screen.
"Structural planning…"
Another.
"And environmental sustainability."
My chest tightened slightly.
That was our section.
Kael's gaze slowly moved across the room.
Then finally—
"The Arcadia Project has officially selected its lead company."
The room became deadly silent.
I could hear my own heartbeat.
Michaela grabbed my sleeve tightly beside me.
And then—
the massive screen behind Kael displayed one name.
AZAEL CORPORATION
For one full second—
nobody reacted.
Then suddenly—
the entire room exploded.
Cheers.
Shock.
Applause.
People actually stood up.
Some employees hugged each other immediately.
Others looked like they might cry from relief.
Michaela nearly screamed beside me.
"WE WON?!"
I laughed helplessly.
"…we won."
The pressure of weeks finally disappeared all at once.
Even I felt lighter.
Happier.
And somehow—
proud.
Very proud.
Kael allowed the celebration for a few moments before raising his hand slightly.
The room slowly quieted again.
"Several divisions received direct recognition from the Arcadia board."
Employees immediately became attentive again.
Recognition from the investors themselves was huge.
Kael opened another screen calmly.
"Environmental integration received the highest evaluation score among all competing companies."
My breath paused.
Wait—
that was our team.
Michaela slowly looked toward me.
"…Mira."
Then Kael continued.
"Primary recognition goes to Team A revisions and structural harmonization planning."
Several employees turned toward us immediately.
And then—
Kael said my name.
"Mira Hassan."
The room applauded again.
My eyes widened immediately.
"…what…"
Michaela shook my arm violently.
"YOU DID THAT."
"I—"
My face immediately became warm.
Too many people were looking at me.
This was horrifying.
Kael's eyes shifted toward me briefly.
Then—
"Well done."
Simple words.
Yet somehow they felt meaningful coming from him.
And then—
I felt it.
That familiar calm presence again.
I looked up instinctively.
Azael was already watching me.
Not the room.
Not the employees.
Me.
The applause around us slowly faded into the background for a moment.
And somehow—
his gaze felt quieter than all the noise surrounding us.
Proud.
Not openly.
Not visibly.
But enough.
Enough for my heartbeat to lose balance again.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Beside me, Michaela slowly leaned closer.
"…okay no."
I blinked.
"…what?"
"That man absolutely has a favorite employee."
I nearly choked.
"MICHAELA."
"What?!"
Before I could deny anything—
Kael suddenly stepped closer toward our section.
"Team A."
We straightened immediately.
"You will begin direct coordination with the Arcadia executive division starting tomorrow."
Michaela looked horrified.
"…tomorrow?!"
"Yes."
"…can we celebrate surviving first?"
"No."
"…this company is cruel."
Kael ignored her completely.
But then—
very slightly—
his expression softened again.
"You all performed well."
Michaela blinked dramatically.
"…he praised us TWICE."
I buried my face in my hands briefly.
"This is exhausting."
Kael looked toward Michaela again.
And this time—
the pause lasted slightly longer than before.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Michaela noticed too.
Oh no.
This was definitely becoming something.