Thursday morning arrived faster than Aurora expected. She sat in the conference room, the large table almost completely covered by architectural drawings.
Sheets of paper overlapped one another, laptops sat open between material samples, and three carefully prepared concepts were displayed across the centre of the table.
Aurora stood at the head of it, one hand resting against the table as she studied the designs for what felt like the hundredth time.
The deadline had been tight, but thankfully, they had done it. All three concepts were finished and ready to be presented.
The glass doors opened behind her, and Amaya walked in carrying two cups of coffee. "You've been here since seven, haven't you?"
Aurora didn't turn around. "Six forty-five."
Amaya stopped in her tracks. "That's not any better, it's worse!"
Aurora finally looked over her shoulder and accepted the coffee. "Thank you."
Amaya placed the second cup beside her.
"You should sleep more."
"I'll sleep when the project is finished."
"You said that about the last project."
"And I finished it."
Amaya shook her head. "It's not the same. This project is quite long-term. You definitely can't continue like this."
"I've got this under control," Aurora assured her.
"It's not been a day, and Mr. Voss has already turned you into a workaholic." Amaya let out a sigh.
Aurora glanced at the designs. "He hasn't turned me into anything."
"You're defending him?"
"No, he's just making my schedule inconvenient." Aurora scoffed.
Amaya laughed.
Right then, Aurora's phone vibrated on the table.
She glanced at the screen. It was from Mr. Voss.
Mr. Voss: We have a meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Aurora looked at the clock. It was 9:50. She closed the file in front of her. "Looks like our guest is punctual."
"Does that surprise you?"
"Nah." Aurora shrugged. She picked up the drawings. "Let's get this over with."
...
At exactly ten o'clock, the conference room door opened.
Mr. Voss stepped inside.
There was no rush in his movements and no unnecessary pause either. His dark suit was perfectly arranged, his expression composed as he looked around the room.
His eyes settled on the drawings. "Good morning, Ms King."
Aurora gestured towards the chair opposite her. "Good morning, Mr. Voss. Please, sit."
Aurora remained standing for a moment before moving towards the first design.
"These are the three alternatives you requested."
Mr. Voss looked at the first drawing. He didn't speak immediately.
His eyes moved slowly across the plan, taking in the layout before moving towards the materials list.
Aurora watched him from the opposite side of the table. She had expected him to ask questions.
She just hadn't expected him to study the design as though he were trying to find something hidden inside it.
Finally, he looked up. "This one. Explain."
Aurora moved closer. "This concept focuses on visual impact. The entrance has been expanded, and we've used higher-grade materials for the main structure. It gives the building a stronger presence from the outside."
"What about the cost?"
She gave him the figure.
"And the construction timeline?"
"It will be six weeks longer than the original estimate."
Mr. Voss nodded once before turning to the second design. "And this?"
"This one focuses more on efficiency. We've reduced the cost of the materials and simplified several structural elements."
"What did you sacrifice?"
Aurora paused. "The open space."
He raised a questioning brow, so she continued. "It will keep the project within a more reasonable budget without affecting the main function of the building."
Mr. Voss studied the drawing again. Then he moved to the third. "And this one?"
Aurora's expression changed slightly.
"This is the strongest option."
"Why?"
"It gives you the best balance between the three."
He looked at her. "Hmm?"
Aurora leaned forward and pointed towards the plan.
"The first concept gives you the strongest visual identity, but the cost is higher. The second reduces the cost, but sacrifices too much open space. This one keeps the architectural character of the first while using the more practical construction approach from the second."
She straightened. "It gives you the appearance you want without creating unnecessary costs or delays."
Mr. Voss remained silent.
Aurora waited.
Finally, he nodded. "Okay."
She allowed herself a small breath.
"So, which one are you choosing?"
Mr. Voss looked at the three drawings again. "None."
Aurora blinked.
The word hung between them.
"None?"
"They're good."
"But?"
"There is still room for improvement."
Aurora slowly folded her arms. "What exactly do you want changed?"
Mr. Voss looked directly at her.
"You are the pro here, aren't you? You will figure out what to change. I want a fourth design."
Hearing his words, Aurora stared at him silently. For a moment, she genuinely wondered whether he was serious.
"You asked for three."
"I did."
"And we gave you three."
"You did."
She waited.
He didn't continue.
Aurora's eyes narrowed. "Then why do you need a fourth?"
Mr. Voss tapped his finger lightly against the table.
"Because I think you can do better. I want you to take the strongest elements from each concept and combine them."
Aurora looked down at the drawings. Then back at him.
"You could have asked for that yesterday."
"I could have, but I hadn't seen what you would come up with, had I?"
Her eyebrows lifted, her fingers tightening against the edge of the drawing.
She had spent hours going over every measurement, every material and every detail. Her team had worked through the tight deadline to produce the three concepts, and now Mr. Voss was sitting across from her and asking for another design as though the previous three concepts were nothing.
For a moment, frustration flickered across her face. Then she slowly exhaled, calming herself.
She picked up the drawings and gathered them into one neat stack. "I understand."
Mr. Voss stood. "It's settled, then. I expect the fourth concept as soon as possible."
Aurora looked up. "How soon?"
"Tomorrow."
Her hand stopped halfway through organising the papers. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
She slowly placed the drawing on the table.
"You really don't believe in giving people free time."
Mr. Voss adjusted his cuff. "Free time isn't part of the project schedule."
Aurora let out a quiet laugh. "You know, most clients would be happy with three good designs."
"I'm not most clients."
"I guess," she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes.
Mr. Voss gave a slight nod and made his way out the door.
The moment the door closed, Aurora leaned back against her chair and stared at the ceiling. "One day," she muttered, "I'm going to understand what goes on in that man's head."
She looked back at the drawings. Her frustration slowly gave way to a familiar determination.
She pulled the three concepts closer. "If it's a fourth design you want, you'll get one, Mr. Lucian Voss." She cheered herself on.
And she was going to make sure it was impossible for him to dismiss.
...
Across the city, Mr. Voss returned to his office.
The view from his windows stretched across Eldlyria, but his attention remained on the folder lying open on his desk.
Aurora King's designs were good. Better than good.
She had handled every question without losing her composure, and when he challenged her, she had challenged him right back.
Most people became defensive when their work was criticised, but she was different.
Aurora pushed further with each challenge rather than retreating.
Mr. Voss's fingers tapped lightly against the desk before he closed the folder.
"Interesting."
He leaned back in the chair, his gaze drifting towards the city beyond the glass.
The fourth design would tell him even more.
And he intended to see exactly what Aurora King was capable of.