The morning sunlight filtered through the half-ruined windows of the Calvello mansion, casting slanted beams across the old construction site.
Anchalee stepped carefully over scattered stones and wooden planks, blueprint board still clutched firmly in her hands.
"Watch your step here,"
Lucas appeared beside her as usual, his eyes scanning the site, noting every crack and unstable column.
> "We can't risk the old walls collapsing. One wrong move…"
Anchalee gave him a pointed look.
> "I know. That's why I redesigned the supports. If you had paid attention, you'd see it."
He smirked, then bent down to inspect a cracked stone pillar.
> "Your plans are elegant, but elegance doesn't hold against gravity."
She pressed her lips into a thin line, resisting the urge to snap.
> "Without proper design, steel alone is just a skeleton. Architecture is balance, not brute force."
Lucas straightened, his shadow stretching across the site.
> "Balance is important… but so is obeying physics," he said softly, his gaze locked on her plans.
A team of workers called from scaffolding above, warning of a loose beam.
Anchalee quickly adjusted her plans and signaled the crew to reinforce it.
Lucas stepped closer to guide her hand. For a moment, their fingers brushed.
Her heart skipped a beat. She looked up at him.
> "Do you always get this close when instructing?"
He smirked, leaning slightly.
> "I get close when the structure — or the architect — might crumble."
Hours passed with them coordinating, arguing, and occasionally touching hands while holding beams, checking blueprints, or guiding scaffolding.
Tension and subtle attraction lingered.
As the sun dipped, casting long shadows over the half-renovated mansion, Anchalee finally set down her blueprints.
Lucas stood silently beside her.
> "We're not done yet. Tomorrow, we'll reinforce the west wing and check the foundation again."
She brushed dust from her clothes, smiling faintly.
> "I'll be ready. Just don't get in my way."
He grinned softly.
> "I'll try… but you know me. I like being where I'm most needed."
The mansion, half-old, half-new, stood as a battlefield of skill, wills, and hearts.