Chapter 4

Once at my office, I buried myself in work, trying to push thoughts of her from my mind. But it wasn’t easy. The day dragged despite my full schedule. We were finalizing a major project and preparing to submit it for client approval.

My company specializes in architectural engineering, offering a full spectrum of services—from initial concepts to architectural drawings to construction oversight. I had built it from the ground up, and it was well-regarded both in France and overseas. I’d moved away from Paris twenty years ago, and most of the staff at that time was happy to follow me to the small town close to Lyon where I’d been born. Paris was a fast two-hour trip by high-speed train with multiple trips every day. I was done with the hustle of the big city, and now, thanks to the internet, fast data transfer and video calls, it made little difference where the office was located. Monique wasn’t aware, but I had been considering offering her a position once she graduated. I had friends at M.I.T. that were very impressed with her. The thought of her working alongside me, her sharp mind and a keen eye for design shaping our projects now tempered by recent events.