Chapter Four - Enemies under One Roof

Elara stared at the phone in her hand, the message from Adrian still glowing on the screen. She hadn’t answered him for days. But after that confrontation at the cemetery—after those words that still echoed in her head—she realized there was no escaping him.

"Work with me, Elara. It’s the only way you’ll finish what he started."

She hated how those words had lodged themselves inside her chest, twisting like thorns.

“Kung tatanggihan ko siya,” she whispered, pacing inside her small apartment, “mawawala lahat ng plano ni Papa. Pero kung tatanggapin ko, I’ll be working for the man I swore to destroy.”

Her reflection on the cracked mirror looked back at her—dark circles under her eyes, determination burning in her gaze. She clenched her fists.

“Fine. If I have to enter the lion’s den, then I’ll do it. Pero hindi para sa kanya. I’ll do it for Papa. And maybe…” her lips curled into a bitter smile, “…para masira siya, simula na nang pagbagsak mo Mr. Veylen.”

Her hand trembled as she typed the words,

"I accept your offer." She hit send.

And just like that, her life changed.

---

Two days later, Elara stood in front of the towering glass building of Veylen Industries. The skyscraper stretched so high it seemed to scrape the sky itself, its mirrored windows reflecting the whole city beneath it.

“Diyos ko,” she muttered under her breath. “So this is his empire.”

She adjusted the strap of her bag, clutching her father’s sketchbook tightly against her chest like armor. People in sleek suits brushed past her, their lanyards swinging, their shoes clicking against the polished floors of the lobby.

Inside, the building smelled faintly of money and power—marble floors, golden light fixtures, and a massive portrait of Adrian Veylen himself, painted in stormy shades of gray and silver, staring down at everyone like a king.

Elara rolled her eyes. “Of course he has his face hanging here. Ang kapal talaga.”

But her legs still trembled as she approached the receptionist. “I’m here to see Mr. Veylen. I'm Elara Cruz.”

The woman’s eyes widened slightly but quickly masked it with a professional smile. “Yes, Ms. Cruz. He’s expecting you.”

Expecting.

The word sent a strange shiver down Elara’s spine.

---

The elevator ride felt endless. The higher she went, the tighter her chest grew. By the time the doors opened to the top floor, her palms were sweating.

Rows of employees turned their heads as she walked past. Whispers floated through the air like wildfire.

“Is that her?”

“She’s the one from the press conference, right?”

“Why would he hire someone who publicly humiliated him?”

Elara kept her chin high, forcing her steps to be steady even though her stomach was in knots.

At the end of the hallway, Adrian stood waiting.

He looked infuriatingly perfect—storm-gray suit tailored to his tall frame, silver tie glinting against his crisp white shirt. His presence commanded the entire floor, and the employees practically bowed with their gazes as he moved.

When his eyes landed on her, Elara felt her breath hitch. Damn those eyes.

“Ms. Cruz,” he greeted, voice smooth but sharp enough to cut glass. “Welcome to Veylen Industries.”

Her lips pressed tight. “Let’s get one thing clear, Mr. Veylen. I’m not here because I trust you. I’m here because my father’s dream deserves to live. Nothing more.”

For a second, she thought she saw his lips twitch—as if he almost smiled.

“Then we’re in agreement,” Adrian said, gesturing toward the wide glass office behind him. “You’ll build dreams. And I’ll make sure they stand.”

Employees exchanged curious glances. And then came the announcement that set the entire floor on fire.

“Everyone,” Adrian said loudly enough for all to hear, “meet Elara Cruz—our new lead architect.”

Gasps erupted. Papers stilled. A pen clattered to the floor.

Elara froze in place, her pulse racing. Lead architect. He was giving her power, visibility—far more than she expected.

But the weight of dozens of eyes burning into her made her want to shrink. She forced herself not to.

If this was war, she had to look unshaken.

“Welcome to the team,” Adrian finished, his gaze lingering on her as though daring her to falter.

---

Across the room, Cassandra Vail’s painted red lips curled into a tight smile. Her nails dug into the folder she held, nearly bending the cardboard.

“Lead architect?” she whispered to herself, her jaw clenching.

She had been by Adrian’s side for years, patient and loyal. And now this… this nobody, this loudmouthed girl, was being paraded in front of everyone?

No. She wouldn’t allow it.

Her eyes flickered to Elara, burning with silent promise.

’You won’t last here, sweetheart. I’ll make sure of it.’

---

Adrian’s POV

I had expected whispers, shock, even doubt from my staff. But i didn’t care.

My eyes remained fixed on Elara.

She stood tall, fire in her gaze, even as the entire building seemed to measure her with suspicion. I admired that. I needed that.

Let them talk, I thought. They’ll see soon enough why she’s different.

But even as I announced her title, even as her presence lit up the room like a storm in human form, I felt the crackling tension behind him. Cassandra’s eyes were like daggers, her smile brittle and dangerous.

I knew that look but i had to ignored it—for now.

---

Elara’s POV

By lunchtime, I had been paraded through three departments, introduced to project heads, and handed an overwhelming stack of files. I plastered a polite smile through it all, but inside, my chest burned.

“Lead architect.” The words haunted me. Was this genuine… or another one of Adrian’s games?

I sat in her new office—glass walls, a skyline view of the city, and a sleek desk that felt far too big for her. I pulled my father’s sketchbook from my bag and set it down on the table like a silent anchor.

My heart whispered—"Don’t forget why you’re here. Don’t fall for him. This is war."

But a softer voice, traitorous and quiet, murmured—What if it isn’t?

I shook her head violently. “No. He’s the enemy. Always the enemy.”

---

Hours later, I stepped out to get coffee. As I rounded the corner toward the break room, voices caught my ear.

Soft, hushed. Dangerous.

I slowed my steps, hiding just behind the wall.

“…she’s a threat,” a woman’s voice hissed. Smooth, venomous. Cassandra.

Another voice answered, deeper, male. “Do you want me to handle it?”

My stomach dropped.

Cassandra’s laugh was low, chilling. “Oh, we’ll handle her. Adrian may think she’s special, but trust me—she won’t last long under this roof. If necessary… we’ll get rid of her.”

My blood ran cold.

My fingers tightened around my coffee cup until it nearly cracked.