Chapter 58

As I left my office, I spotted Monique and Chantel standing near the main hallway. Monique was already deep in conversation, her eyes shining with curiosity as she took in her surroundings.

“Ready for me to join you?” I asked as I approached.

Monique turned toward me with a bright smile. “You work in such an amazing place, John! I’ve only seen a little so far, but I already love it.”

Chantel smirked. “She’s been asking all the right questions. I think she’s more excited than some of our interns.”

I chuckled. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

Chantel gestured toward the hallway. “Shall we continue?”

I placed my hand on the small of Monique’s back, guiding her forward. “Lead the way.”

The first stop was the design department, where a group of my architects and engineers were gathered around a table covered in blueprints and digital renderings. They looked up as we approached, some glancing at Monique with curiosity.

“Everyone, this is Monique,” Chantel introduced. “She’s here to see how we work.”

Monique gave a small wave, her confidence effortless. “Hi, it’s great to meet you all.”

One of the senior architects, Antoine, stepped forward and shook her hand. “You’re an architecture student, correct?”

She nodded. “At MIT. I’m in my final year.”

Antoine raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “That’s quite the accomplishment. What’s your focus?”

“Right now, I’m most interested in sustainable design and restoration projects,” she replied. “I love the idea of blending modern engineering with historic preservation.”

I watched with pride as Monique spoke, seeing the way she held herself with poise and passion.

Another architect, Camille, smiled. “We’ve actually been working on a restoration project for a historical building just outside the city. I’d be happy to show you some of our plans.”

Monique’s face lit up. “I would love that!”

I smirked. “Looks like you’re already fitting in.”

She turned to me, her eyes twinkling. “This is incredible, John. Seeing a real firm in action is so different from school, my work placement in Boston was nothing like this.”

Chantel laughed. “Well, there’s more to see. Come on.”

The tour continued through the various departments—structural engineering, environmental planning, project management. Monique absorbed everything like a sponge, asking insightful questions and engaging with my team in a way that made me incredibly proud.

She was a natural here.

By the time we reached my office again, she let out a breathless laugh. “That was amazing. I feel like I just had a crash course in real-world architecture.”

I smiled. “I knew you’d enjoy it.”

She wrapped her arms around mine, resting her head against my shoulder. “Thank you for bringing me in. It means a lot.”

I kissed her hair. “Anytime, mon amour.”

Chantel cleared her throat, smirking. “Alright, lovebirds. You still have a lunch date, don’t you?”

Monique grinned. “That we do.”

I nodded. “Shall we?”

She laced her fingers with mine, and together, we headed for the door, stepping out into the warm midday sun.