The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

Chapter 5: Waffles & Walls

As I approached their workspace, I spotted her immediately. She was hunched over her laptop, scribbling notes on a piece of paper while her teammates discussed something animatedly.

"Planning world domination?" I asked, leaning against the doorway.

Her head shot up, and for a moment, she looked startled. Then, her expression shifted to one of mock annoyance. "Oh, great. It's you again."

"Miss me already?" I teased, stepping inside.

"What do you want, Captain Low Profile?" she shot back, crossing her arms.

"I just came to see what all the fuss was about. Looks like you're running the show here," I said, gesturing to the whiteboard filled with ideas.

"Not by choice," she muttered, but I could see the hint of pride in her eyes.

Therese smirked from her seat. "So, you two know each other?"

"Unfortunately," Rain replied quickly, earning a laugh from her teammates.

I smirked. "Don't worry, Tornado Princess. I'm not here to steal your thunder."

Her friends laughed again, and even Rain couldn't suppress a small smile.

"Alright, you've had your fun. Now, if you don't mind, we have work to do," she said, shooing me away.

"Fine, fine. I'll leave you to it." I turned to leave but couldn't resist one last comment. "Good luck, Chadwick. Don't let me down."

As I walked away, I couldn't help but smile. Something about her fiery attitude was oddly refreshing. Little did she know, I'd be watching her progress closely—and not just for professional reasons.

Khai's POV

Back in my office, the weight of looming deadlines pressed heavily on me. The permits for the condo project were delayed, and the thought of the upcoming meeting with the Costellos was making my head spin.

"Gosh—why do I have to do this?" I murmured to myself, slamming the stack of documents on my desk.

The phone buzzed again. It was Dad, no doubt wanting an update I didn't have yet. I ignored it, rubbing my temples as I stared at the unopened emails in my inbox. The Costellos held all the cards right now, and without their approval, the entire project could stall indefinitely.

I couldn't afford that.

Frustrated, I grabbed my keys, determined to take matters into my own hands. Waiting around for their response wasn't working, so I decided to visit Marcos. If anyone could push this through, it was him.

As I stepped out of my office, Tanaka spotted me. "Khai, are you leaving? We have a strategy meeting at three."

"Push it to four," I said briskly. "I have something urgent to take care of."

Without waiting for a reply, I headed to the elevator.

The drive to Marcos's office felt longer than it was, my thoughts racing with every turn. What was I even going to say? My father's insistence on this partnership was clear, but dealing with Marcos was always...complicated. He wasn't just a businessman—he was a charmer, a negotiator who knew how to twist things in his favor.

As I pulled into the parking lot of the Costellos' headquarters, I took a deep breath, straightened my blazer, and stepped out of the car.

Walking into the sleek, modern building, I was greeted by a receptionist who recognized me immediately. "Miss Stanton, good afternoon. Are you here to see Mr. Costello?"