Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Diana
I wipe the sugar from my doughnut off my lips with a napkin. I should go to the ladies’ room before I go in for my ten o’clock meeting with Rod.
Do I take Marcus’s advice? Do I keep my findings to myself?
On the other hand…
Maybe they’re testing me.
I mean, what if I didn’t find the discrepancy? Then he might say I’m not a good architect.
Either way, I seem to be screwed.
I get up from my desk and walk out of my cubicle down the hallway to the ladies’ room.
Two of the architects I met briefly yesterday, my first day, smile at me as they wash their hands.
“Good morning,” I say brightly. Perhaps too brightly. I don’t buy it.
“How are you enjoying the work, Diana?” one of them asks me.
Great. She knows my name. I have no idea what hers is.
“Everything’s good so far.” I give them a smile and then walk into a stall. I don’t have to go to the bathroom, but I do need to collect my thoughts. I wait a few moments and then flush the toilet for show and leave the stall.
Good. The two young women are gone.
I wash my hands and grab my makeup bag out of my purse. I assess myself in the mirror. My hair still looks good. But is it my imagination, or do I look pale?
Ugh.
I grab my blush out of my makeup bag and swipe a few layers onto my cheeks. The doughnut did a job on my mouth, so I fix my lipstick as well. I use the supposed twelve-hour lipsticks, but none of them work. I should know better than to believe any advertisement.
I draw in a deep breath and look at myself again. My hair is up in a high ponytail. Not the most professional look, but I need to get it out of my face.
I draw in one more deep breath. “Let’s go,” I say out loud.
“I’m sorry, what?”
Crap. The voice comes from one of the other stalls.
“Oops,” I say with a nervous chuckle. “I guess I was talking to myself.”
“Not a problem,” the voice says. “I do it all the time.”
“Okay.” I let out another nervous laugh. “Have a good day.” I leave the ladies’ room.
I have no idea who that was. Only that it most likely wasn’t one of the two women I saw when I came in.
I can’t let it bother me. I’ve got more on my plate than I can deal with. I return to my cubicle, grab my portfolio and iPad, and head to Rod’s office.
His door is open, and he’s talking on the phone as he paces the office. I knock lightly and wave. He gestures me in. I take a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
When he ends his call, he looks at me and smiles. “How are you finding your second day, Diana?”
“Good.” I paste on a smile. “I didn’t know about this meeting yesterday, and I was here until seven. Did you set it sometime last night?”
“Yes. I was going over some stuff at my office at home, and I figured you and I should have a discussion.”
I clear my throat. “Of course. What about?”
“First of all”—he sinks slowly into his office chair—“I’d like to know your thoughts on the projects I had you review yesterday afternoon.”
Yeah, here it comes. I have to tell him what I found because if I don’t, he’ll think I’m an idiot who can’t read simple blueprints.
“I enjoyed looking through all of them,” I say. “They’re all beautiful projects, and I’d love to be involved in any one of them.”
He nods. “Did you find a favorite?”
“I’d like to be honest with you and speak freely.”
He cocks his head. “Of course.”
“When I took the position here at Lund & Lopez, I did it for a couple of reasons.”
He lifts his eyebrows.
“First of all, you’re one of the best—if not the best—architecture firm in the state of Colorado. Not to mention the country.”
“Yes, we are considered to be at the top of our game.”
“The second reason was the mountaintop project. I was excited about it. I hope I get the chance to work on it.”
He frowns. “That’s a huge project, Diana, and you’re a fledgling architect.”
“I understand that. However, it was one of the projects you had me look at yesterday.”
He nods again, this time more slowly. “Yes, it was.”
“So I was hoping that I might be able to be involved.”
“Let’s not put the cart before the horse,” he says. “Why don’t you tell me what you thought of all the projects? Give me your ideas, your thoughts.”
Ideas? These are well-established projects. Any ideas I might have would be too little too late.
But my thoughts? I can give him those.
I clear my throat and force myself to look him in the eye. I must present a strong front. Even though I’m feeling like I’d like to disappear right about now.
“I found an issue with the mountaintop project, to be honest.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Yes? And what was that?”
He knows damned well what I’m about to say, but I say it anyway.
“One of the crucial pipelines runs too close to the edge of a steep cliff, which makes it vulnerable to erosion and potential landslides. A failure in the line could disrupt the entire water supply to the resort and jeopardize the safety and comfort of its visitors.”
Chills hit the back of my neck when he doesn’t reply right away.
Then, “I see. Are you sure of these findings?”
“I am. I stayed late last night to go over them and sketch out alternatives.” I let out a nervous chuckle. “I just figured in a project of this magnitude, you’d want to make sure all the bases are covered.”
“May I see your drafts?”
“Of course.” I hand him the sketches I worked on last night.
He peruses them—or pretends to. Marcus said that Rod, Lund, and Lopez are all well aware of the issue.
And they don’t care.
Rather, they don’t want to sacrifice the almighty dollar for the chance that somewhere along the line, some guests who pay top dollar to stay at this resort might be inconvenienced.
I try to keep a disgusted look off my face.
“These are very well done, Diana,” he finally says. “However, I am sure you are aware of how much of a financial investment this would take.”
I swallow. “I’m aware.”
“We’re working on a budget.”
I have to hold back a scoff. “I understand.”
“And chances are that nothing will happen.”
“I understand that as well.”
“So I’m not going to recommend any changes to the client.” He hands the sketches back to me. “But I truly do appreciate your thoroughness.”
I blink. “Thank you.”
I’d like to tell him off, but that’s not really the best thing to do when it’s my second day on the job.
“What projects will I be working on, then?” I ask.
He clasps his hands together. “I think perhaps we could use you on this project, Diana, if you’re still interested.”
Good question. Am I still interested? Do I want my name attached to a project that has a flaw that I know about?
“Actually,” I say, “I think I might like to try something different. The first project you showed me yesterday—the mixed-use development project. I love the idea of vertical farming, and I believe my experience growing up on a ranch would lend itself well to the effort.”
“That’s an interesting take, Diana,” he says, his eyebrows raising. “I must admit, I didn’t foresee that. But your background might indeed bring a fresh perspective to the project.”
“Yes, I believe I can contribute significantly.”
Rod nods and pauses a moment. “I’ll see about getting you assigned to that project,” he says finally. “In the meantime, continue orienting yourself with our other projects as well.”
“I will.” I rise. “Thank you for considering my request, Rod.”
“Of course, Diana.” He offers me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re part of the team now. We value your input.”
I return his smile politely before exiting his office. The moment I’m out of his sight, however, my mask of professionalism slips off. Disappointment and frustration well inside me.
Rod’s dismissal of my concerns about the mountaintop project sits heavy in my gut, even though I expected it after talking to Marcus. Perhaps shortcuts are the norm here. Do I have to accept it without question? I’m the newbie, so for now, I suppose I do. I’ll try to keep my eyes open and learn more. Maybe I’ll find a way to sway Rod’s opinion or take my concerns to someone with a more receptive ear. Though according to Marcus, they all already know.
As much as I love the mountaintop project, I’m better off focusing on the vertical farming project.
On my way back to my desk, I stop by the restroom again. This time, I’m silently grateful for the absence of any voices emerging from the stalls. I check myself in the mirror and adjust my ponytail. I promise myself this will be a good day regardless of Rod’s response.
Back at my desk, I pull up the mixed development files on my computer. It’s an exciting project, and I believe I can offer some insight on it.
But instead of excited, I feel sick inside.
Because I know what I have to do.
And it’s not going to be easy or pretty.