Chapter 5: The Ultimatum

The news spread before Raphina even stepped into the building. Employees huddled in small groups near the reception desk, their voices lowered to whispers that died the moment she walked past. She could feel their eyes following her.

She didn’t need to ask why. Someone had seen her leave the executive floor the previous night. And in Croft Holding Architecture Group, nothing stayed secret for long.

Raphina tightened her grip on her hand bag and headed towards the elevator, resorting the same thought that had kept her awake all night. Maybe he won’t fire me.

The words sounded less convincing every time she said them. She had barely slept after getting home. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the crystal sculpture exploding across Silas Croft marble floor. She had tried to calculate how much it might have cost, after ten minutes, she’d given up.

Some things weren’t replaceable, not because of their price but because of the memories attached to them.

The elevators slid open to the seventeenth floor. The architecture department biases with unusual energy. Large presentation board lined across the conference room walls while assistants hurried between desk carrying scale models and design samples.

Everyone was preparing for the biggest client presentation of the year. Mr. Marina looked up immediately Raphina entered.

“ There you are.”

She forced a smile. Good morning.

His expression wasn’t reassuring. “Mr. Croft wants to see you.”

Her stomach dropped. When?

He requested you at eight sharp. She glanced at the wall clock, 7:56 a.m, four minutes.

“So…” Mr. Martins clears his throat

“….. whatever happened last night … I’m sorry”

“You The news spread before Raphina even stepped into the building. Employees huddled in small groups near the reception desk, their voices lowered to whispers that died the moment she walked past. She could feel their eyes following her.

She didn’t need to ask why. Someone had seen her leave the executive floor the previous night. And in Croft Holding Architecture Group, nothing stayed secret for long.

Raphina tightened her grip on her hand bag and headed towards the elevator, resorting the same thought that had kept her awake all night. Maybe he won’t fire me.

The words sounded less convincing every time she said them. She had barely slept after getting home. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the crystal sculpture exploding across Silas Croft marble floor. She had tried to calculate how much it might have cost, after ten minutes, she’d given up.

Some things weren’t replaceable, not because of their price but because of the memories attached to them.

The elevators slid open to the seventeenth floor. The architecture department biases with unusual energy. Large presentation board lined across the conference room walls while assistants hurried between desk carrying scale models and design samples.

Everyone was preparing for the biggest client presentation of the year. Mr. Marina looked up immediately Raphina entered.

“ There you are.”

She forced a smile. Good morning.

His expression wasn’t reassuring. “Mr. Croft wants to see you.”

Her stomach dropped. When?

He requested you at eight sharp. She glanced at the wall clock, 7:56 a.m, four minutes.

“So…” Mr. Martins clears his throat

“….. whatever happened last night … I’m sorry”

“You don’t have to apologize to me,” he lowered his voice. I just hope that he isn’t angry as people says.

Raphina nodded weakly. “So do I.”

The private elevator felt colder than it had the previous evening. This time, Silas was inside, standing alone, he hasn’t noticed her yet. His attention remained on the city beyond the glass wall as the elevator climbed toward the executive floor. He wore a perfectly tailored navy suit with a black tie, no strand of his dark hair was out of place.

There wasn’t a hint of grief she’d glimpse the night before. The vulnerable man who had spoken quietly about his mother had disappeared. Only the CEO remained.

Raphina hesistated before stepping inside. “ Good morning, Mr. Croft.”

“Miss Vance.”

Silence settled between them. The elevator continued its smooth ascent, Raphina wished it would stop or crash. Anything to end the unbearable tension.

Finally, Silas spoke. “Did you sleep well?”

She blinked. The question caught her off guard completely.” Not particularly….I don’t think so.” I’m sorry about the sculpture.

I know_.

Another silence, she searched desperately for something else to say. I will accept whatever decision you’ve made.

Only then did he turn towards her. His steel-grey eyes studied her face. You’ve already decided I’m firing you, haven’t you? The corner of his most almost moved. Almost.

Raphina stared at him. No, I haven’t made a decision.

The elevator opened, Silas stepped out first. “Follow me.” His office looked exactly as it had the previous night, except the pedestal was gone.

The empty space where the crystal sculpture had stood made the room feel larger… and lonelier. Silas walked behind his desk, he gestured towards the chair opposite him.

Sit. Raphina obeyed.

He opened a file, her file. I’ve reviewed your employment record.

She swallowed.

You graduated top from your class and have worked here for seven months.

Yes sir.

You have never submitted a late project and have also volunteered for every community housing initiative this comomany has sponsored.

Raphina frowned. “I….. I didn’t realize anyone noticed.”

I notice everything. The words weren’t boastful, they were simply true. Why architecture?

The question surprised her. I have always loved designing space where peopl feels safe. He held her gaze.

“Safe?” She nodded. When I was growing up, my family moved constantly because we couldn’t adopted rent. I suppose…. She smiled sadly. I wanted to create homes where people never had to leave, with so much determination she said.

Something flickered in Silas' eyes. It disappeared almost immediately. You designed the sustainable support system for the Waterspring Cultural Center, it solved a problem my senior team couldn’t.

Raphina lowered her eyes, “I just looked at it differently.”

“No”, his voice was firm. You looked at it correctly. She looked up in surprise, was… was he complementing her?

Silas stood and walked toward the window, the sculpture cannot be replaced but the mistake can.

Hope stirred inside her, I’ll work overtime.

That’s not what I meant, he turned to face her. You owe this company nothing more than excellence.

Raphina frowned. I am not sure I understand.

“You won’t be fired.” Relief washed over her so suddenly she nearly cried. “Thank you.”

Don’t thank me yet. He slid a folder across the desk, I have another assignment for you. Raphina reached for it.

On the cover was a single line: Confidential Project.

Her heartbeat quickened, junior architects never worked on confidential projects. She looked back at Silas, “What is this?”

His expression remained unreadable. The project will either make your career….

He paused, “…. or destroy it.”

don’t have to apologize to me,” he lowered his voice. I just hope that he isn’t angry as people says.

Raphina nodded weakly. “So do I.”

The private elevator felt colder than it had the previous evening. This time, Silas was inside, standing alone, he hasn’t noticed her yet. His attention remained on the city beyond the glass wall as the elevator climbed toward the executive floor. He wore a perfectly tailored navy suit with a black tie, no strand of his dark hair was out of place.

There wasn’t a hint of grief she’d glimpse the night before. The vulnerable man who had spoken quietly about his mother had disappeared. Only the CEO remained.

Raphina hesistated before stepping inside. “ Good morning, Mr. Croft.”

“Miss Vance.”

Silence settled between them. The elevator continued its smooth ascent, Raphina wished it would stop or crash. Anything to end the unbearable tension.

Finally, Silas spoke. “Did you sleep well?”

She blinked. The question caught her off guard completely.” Not particularly….I don’t think so.” I’m sorry about the sculpture.

I know_.

Another silence, she searched desperately for something else to say. I will accept whatever decision you’ve made.

Only then did he turn towards her. His steel-grey eyes studied her face. You’ve already decided I’m firing you, haven’t you? The corner of his most almost moved. Almost.

Raphina stared at him. No, I haven’t made a decision.

The elevator opened, Silas stepped out first. “Follow me.” His office looked exactly as it had the previous night, except the pedestal was gone.

The empty space where the crystal sculpture had stood made the room feel larger… and lonelier. Silas walked behind his desk, he gestured towards the chair opposite him.

Sit. Raphina obeyed.

He opened a file, her file. I’ve reviewed your employment record.

She swallowed.

You graduated top from your class and have worked here for seven months.

Yes sir.

You have never submitted a late project and have also volunteered for every community housing initiative this comomany has sponsored.

Raphina frowned. “I….. I didn’t realize anyone noticed.”

I notice everything. The words weren’t boastful, they were simply true. Why architecture?

The question surprised her. I have always loved designing space where peopl feels safe. He held her gaze.

“Safe?” She nodded. When I was growing up, my family moved constantly because we couldn’t adopted rent. I suppose…. She smiled sadly. I wanted to create homes where people never had to leave, with so much determination she said.

Something flickered in Silas' eyes. It disappeared almost immediately. You designed the sustainable support system for the Waterspring Cultural Center, it solved a problem my senior team couldn’t.

Raphina lowered her eyes, “I just looked at it differently.”

“No”, his voice was firm. You looked at it correctly. She looked up in surprise, was… was he complementing her?

Silas stood and walked toward the window, the sculpture cannot be replaced but the mistake can.

Hope stirred inside her, I’ll work overtime.

That’s not what I meant, he turned to face her. You owe this company nothing more than excellence.

Raphina frowned. I am not sure I understand.

“You won’t be fired.” Relief washed over her so suddenly she nearly cried. “Thank you.”

Don’t thank me yet. He slid a folder across the desk, I have another assignment for you. Raphina reached for it.

On the cover was a single line: Confidential Project.

Her heartbeat quickened, junior architects never worked on confidential projects. She looked back at Silas, “What is this?”

His expression remained unreadable. The project will either make your career….

He paused, “…. or destroy it.”