The Architect of His Ruin

You will not alter the foundation.” He uttered in silent warning, as he traced lazy circles on his oakwood desk.

She raised her chin in defiance, ready to argue back.

“You will not touch the foundation without my consent.” He sharpened his warning, looking her square in the eyes.

“And if the design requires-”

“It won’t.” He cut her off and she swallowed her words.

“I don’t take jobs where the truth is off-limits, Mr Romano.” she argued.

“Architetta.” He leaned closer, his hands gripping each side of his desk as his voice dropped dangerously low. ”Then this job may take more from you than you expect.” 

She could feel it then, the danger lurking behind his words.

Promising retribution.

AILANI’S POV (24 hours earlier.)

“She collapsed suddenly.”

 Everything in my life changed with those three words.

A single phone call was all it took to send my whole world crashing down, like a rollercoaster on a broken track.

As I dashed out of the office at break neck speed, wind whipping at my skin and tears welling in my eyes, not even caring that I'm about to put my whole career into jeopardy.

My fists clenched as I paced back and forth the hallway while chewing on my thumb, the abused skin turning pinkish.

The time glowing bright red at the top of the ward only seemed to mock me as I whispered prayers with only one intent in mind. “Please don't take her too, you've already taken enough from me.” The plea fell from my lips in hushed whispers over and over again. It was  a desperate plea, and I really hoped it would be heard.

About an hour and a half later ,the doors finally opened and Josh approached me with worry evident on his features.

“H-how is she?” I stuttered, the bile in my throat rising painfully from all the silent cries I had held back.

“She’s stable for now but not in the clear yet.” He informed me, bags hanging under his eyes. I could tell he's not been getting much sleep.

“Can I see her?” I held onto the sleeve of his hospital coat pleading.

He swung his head left and right. “Hey let me speak to you for a moment.” He put a hand on my lower back to lead me out of the hallway.

“I noticed that she was out of her long acting and short acting insulin, what happened?” He maintained a calm stance but his concern was seeping through, in contrast I looked like a mess, eyes bloodshot from all the crying, pale skin and not much difference between my hair and a bird's nest.

“We don't have insurance and our medical debt keeps rising…” The words that were coming out of my mouth didn’t feel like they were mine at all. It felt like an out of body experience. I was moving but it didn't feel like it was me making all these movements.

“Ali.”Josh's voice broke the trance I was in. ”Look there’s not much I can do for you right now. His expression softened as he put a hand over my shoulder, “but if you're interested I can get you some medicine off the record.”

“Thanks Josh I would really appreciate that.” I sniffled, it was becoming harder to breathe.

“Well I need to get back to my shift, I hope you'll be okay by yourself.”

“Yeah go on I'll be fine.” I waved at him to go off.

His lips curved into a comforting smile before he turned and walked down the hall to attend to his next patient.

Taking a deep breath, I  slumped back into the chairs. The smell of anesthetics and medicine fogging my senses. I still couldn't process all that was happening. How did she end up breaking down? She always took her medications on time and avoided stress. Was I being too negligent? All my thoughts were beginning to steal me away from reality. 

My breaths became heavy and laboured. Breathe, I told myself.

You're not that helpless little girl back in the burning house anymore. Closing my eyes and alternating breaths between sharp intakes and drawn-out ones.

The hallway of the hospital, as crowded as it was, felt erringly quiet. Completely elusive to my internal turmoil.

My phone rang, shattering the memories that kept me in a chokehold. I retrieved it from my skirt. 

The caller ID showed that it was Ryan, my boss. Letting out a sigh I answered the call.

“Where the fuck are you?” His voice boomed through the phone. “You think you can just run away after costing us billions of dollars?”

“Don't even bother coming back to the office and hand in your resignation letter before the end of today.”

“No, please-” but he had already cut the line off.

Shit, could this day get any worse, and just like that, as if the universe were testing my patience, drops of rain started hitting the ground.

Fantastic. I left my purse back at the office and the cab fare during the rains tripled.

Things are going to be really tough from here on. I'll need to hire a caregiver for her and if I'm unemployed I won't be able to cover the medical bill and her medicine for long.

I’m already spreading myself thin as it is. I let myself get lost in my thoughts as I walked through the rain, the relentless drops soaking up every fabric on my skin.

I found myself back at the office building, soaked to the bone and looking like a mad person. I treaded to my boss's office, ignoring all the eyes that looked at me with either worry, concern or pure disgust.

“I'm sorry.” I bowed my head hoping he would go a little easier on me.

He folded his hands, eyes laced with scrutiny. 

“You’re sorry?” He squinted his eyes in disbelief. “Do you have any idea how much damage you've caused us?” He spat the words out like they were poison, his face turning crimson.

Any hope of him going easier on me was thrown out the window. Totally forgotten.

“Sorry won't cut it.” He placed a hand on his forehead, trying to smooth out wrinkles.

“If you would just let me explai-”

“I don't care about whatever bullshit you have to say.”

“It's not bullshit, my grandma is in the hospital and she almost died. If you fire me I won't have the money to support her treatment.” 

“You should have thought about that before leaving that proposal hanging.”

Tears brimming at the corner of my eyes, I went on my knees, my soaked clothes ruining the polished tiles.

“Please, don't fire me.” My fists clenched the sides of my skirt, well aware how desperate I looked but I have no use of my pride right now.

“If you don't go out now I'm gonna call security.” He threatened.

“No please, please.”

He was about to press the button for security when the office landlines started ringing.

He picked up without missing a beat, his whole demeanor changing. The person on the other side of the line must be higher ranked than him judging from how his posture changed and he was suddenly crouching like a student asking the teacher for permission to go to the bathroom.

He was nodding profusely by the time the caller hung up.

“Looks like luck is on your side, Miss Hart.”

He looked anything but pleased.

On his desk sat a project proposal, he slid it off the table and slapped the documents over my head, while they scattered generously around me.”You’ve heard of Dominion industries before right?”

How could I not? The industry ranked number one worldwide for its mineral resources with billions of dollars net worth and notorious for running shady businesses behind the scenes.

“The CEO of dominion industries has been looking for an architect to rebuild his ancestral mansion.” He circled around me slowly.

“He wants you as the lead architect on the project.”

“They’re giving us a generous offer and an extra bonus to whoever takes up the project.” He crouched down to my level, fingers tapping lightly on the document, nudging it in front of me.

I stared at him bewildered. I can’t believe he expected me to accept this project. Dominion industries is sketchy with all kinds of underground criminal activities. Not only that but I've heard certain rumours about the CEO and his streak of questioning activities.

He let out a deep sigh. “Your grandma is still in the hospital right?” I froze my chest rising and falling at an unnatural pace.

“Not taking the offer would be illogical, given your situation.” Holding some of the files in one hand, he continued, ignorant of my disapproval.

He’s right, I know he is. I’m drowning in debt all the way to my neck and if I don't do something about it quickly I'll go under.

I didn't have the luxury of saying no, not when my grandma's life is waiting on the other side of my signature.

“Where do I sign?”

With the weight of the pen heavy in my hand I signed the contract boldly, selling my soul to the devil.