I nodded, forcing my focus. "It's viable. Use solar-powered pumps and recycled water filtration. Keep the LEDs low-wattage, tunable for mood. It fits the vision and luxury without excess. Steven, run the specs through your model to confirm."
Steven tapped his tablet. "On it. Should have numbers in ten."
My eyes drifted back to Aurelia. She was still engrossed, her pencil flying across the paper, but the fatigue was evident in the slight slump of her shoulders, the way she paused to sip coffee more often than usual. Had she slept at all? The thought nagged at me. My fault, perhaps.
The meeting continued, discussions flowing on villa layouts and material sourcing. I tried to engage Aurelia directly, testing thewaters. "Aurelia, your thoughts on the eastern villas' color scheme? We need something that complements the trade winds' views without overpowering them."
She looked up briefly, her eyes cool, professional, no trace of the warmth from the pool. "Neutral tones with azure accents, ivory walls, blue textiles for pops of color. Keeps it serene, ties into the lagoon. We can avoid bold patterns. They'll clash with the natural scenery."
Concise, efficient, no personal flair. I nodded. "Solid. Integrate that with Vanya's mosaics."
Later, as we broke for a quick coffee refill, I approached her again while the others chatted. "The sketches look promising. Any challenges with the spa integration?"
She glanced at me, expression neutral. "None so far. The blueprints are detailed. Victor's team provided excellent references. We'll have prototypes ready by end of week."
Again, all business. No smile, no lingering gaze. It was like the pool had never happened. Frustration simmered. Had I misread her? Or was this indifference a wall she'd built after my disappearance?
As work resumed, I caught her talking to Victor near the door. He was handing her additional blueprints, and she laughed at something he said. A light, genuine sound that twisted envy in my gut. "That's hilarious, Victor. I didn't expect you to have a sense of humor under that suit."
Victor shrugged. "Even assistants need to unwind. If you need more data on the marina, let me know."
I cleared my throat loudly, the sound cutting through the room. Victor straightened instantly, his expression alert. "Sir?"
"Nothing pressing," I said evenly. "Just checking in."
Victor nodded, bidding Aurelia a quick "Excuse me" before leaving. She watched him go, then returned to her seat without a word to me, her focus back on work. The indifference stung more than I expected.
The afternoon wore on, debates on lighting and furnishings filling the air. Theo quipped, "If we add those infinity sinks, guests will never leave the bathrooms!"
Vanya laughed. "That's the point. Immersion in luxury."
I interjected, "Good. Keep sustainability front and center."
Aurelia contributed, "For the lounges, organic linens that are breathable, eco-friendly. Pairs well with the bamboo accents."
"Agreed," I said, trying again. "Aurelia, walk me through the palette for the master suites."
She met my eyes briefly, tone flat. "Soft grays and whites, with teal highlights for depth. Promotes calm, aligns with the island's vibe."
No elaboration, no spark. I pressed. "Any alternatives if the teal doesn't source sustainably?"
"Switch to recycled ocean plastics in blue tones. Same effect, better footprint."
Professional to a fault. The distance chafed, but I let it go.
As the session wrapped, Victor reentered. "Before you disperse, Mr. Krogen has organized a small welcome party for the team thisevening. Cocktails, light fare, by the main pool. A chance to unwind."
The room buzzed. Theo pumped a fist. "Yes! Finally, some fun."
I smiled. "You've all earned it. Work hard, play hard. I expect to see everyone there. Let's celebrate the progress."
The team murmured agreements, packing up. Aurelia gathered her notes silently, her movements efficient. As they filed out, she left last, slipping through the door without a second glance at me, her footsteps fading down the path.
I sat back, the room empty now. Her indifference lingering like a shadow.
Chapter 13
Aurelia
