Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 67

-Maya's POV-

The cacophony of construction filled the air - hammering, sawing, drill whines echoing through the uast putted space. Amidst the chaos, I

stood frozen, a lone island of calm in a sea of activity.

People scurried around me like busy ants-construction workers in hard hats, electricians wrestling with wires, a team of painters meticulously applying a coat of crisp white to the exposed brick wall. I barely registered their presence, my mind lost in a whirlwind of thoughts.

"Amaya?" Ms. Edwards' sharp voice cut through my fog. She stood beside me, her clipboard clutched in one hand, the other resting on her hip. "Come on, earth to Amaya. Let's see what you think of this."

I blinked, forcing myself back to reality. This was it. The moment of truth. After weeks of planning, mood boards, late nights spent poring over blueprints and fabric swatches, the redesign was finally taking shape. A nervous flutter rose in my stomach.

"Right, sorry," I mumbled, forcing a smile. "Sure, what is it?"

She gestured towards the center of the room, where a team of workers were assembling a massive structure. It looked like a giant metal frame, but the details were still shrouded in scaffolding and tarpaulin. "That." She announced with a flourish, "is the centerpiece of our open floor plan - the collaboration hub."

"Collaboration hub?" I repeated, peering at the skeletal structure. "Explain?"

Her smile widened. "Ah, yes! The heart of this new design. It's a multi-level platform, essentially. We'll have different sections dedicated to different types of collaboration - brainstorming zones, breakout areas for smaller meetings, even a quiet zone with soundproofed pods for

focused work."

My eyebrows shot up. "That's actually a great idea," I admitted. "I remember suggesting dedicated quiet zones during the initial meeting with Mr. Thorne."

A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Indeed you did," she conceded. "And a great idea it was. Mr. Thome was quite impressed with your suggestion, you know."

My cheeks flushed a faint pink. "Really?" I stammered, surprised,

"Absolutely. He specifically mentioned it during our last call. He even said something about appreciating the balance between open

collaboration and focused work areas."

My surprise deepened. I mea I didn't think he would specifically comment on how much he liked my idea. Back then we each did our own thing so we didn't get in each other's way.

at the different levels. Up here, on the

I could picture it - a clean, minimalist space

continued, leading me towards another section of the frame, "we have

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even a ping pong

table? That was unexpected, but I liked the idea. A touch of fun could go a long way in

creativity.

quiet zone. Soundproofed pods, comfortable ergonomic chairs, perfect for those times when someone needs to concentrate on a

lighting options, soundproofing materials, ventilation systems. It wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about creating a functional, comfortable space that catered to the

with the level of detail and thought that had gone into the design. "The mix of open space and dedicated areas really creates a sense of balance." She beamed. "Thank you, Amayal it wouldn't have come together this well without your input. You have a real eye for design and a great understanding of how to create spaces that work for people." Warmth spread through me at her praise. It felt good to be appreciated then. faint cough cut through our conversation, and I turned to see a young man standing awkwardly a few feet away. He wore a hard hat

Edwards?" he asked hesitantly. "The electricians need to know where

screen.

H

nodded, a smile still lingering on her face. "Of course, Michael. Let's see..." She pulled out a roll of blueprints and began studying them with a practiced eye. "The projector will

needs to run..."

huddled over the blueprints for a few minutes, discussing wire placement and outlet configurations. I took the opportunity

spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows bathing the interior in natural light. Demolished cubicle walls had been replaced with sleek

steel appliances gleamed under the harsh lights, and a row of sleek bar stools sat waiting

satisfied smile curving my lips. It was starting to feel real, this vision we'd meticulously

spaces.

I wanted to do for him. Alex had always been impersonal when it came to work and I tried but eventually let it go when

done. We needed to finalize furniture selections, choose color palettes for the

me, the blueprints now neatly rolled up and tucked under her arm. "So, Amaya," she began, her voice brimming with enthusiasm, "what do you think about the progress so far? Any initial concerns or

shook my head, a genuine smile gracing my lips. "Honestly, Ms. Edwards, I'm impressed. It's exactly how I

"Excellent! That's what I like to hear. Now, let's talk

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Chapter 67