Blueprint

By cLasP

“Love has no shape nor form. It’s an emotion.”

Julian West is a diligent nerd in high school turned a delinquent after a heartbreak. Since then, he started living a life in sin and full of earthly indulgence. Until one day, he met a fat, nerdy boy who reminded him of his past self. Genuinely fond, Julian started a friendship with him. But it soon turned into something more. Something special.

Winslow Han survived so many hurdles in her life. From cancer, heartbreak and death of her entire family. Despite all these, she remained steadfast, moving forward and staying positive. Until she meets with her first love once again who was the reason of her first heartbreak. What’s more infuriating is that the guy has forgotten all about her.

This couple begins a love-hate relationship in an office setting (and sometimes at field sites, too). They have heated verbal arguments outside and even more heated battles in bed. One of them falls in love and the other draws a step back because of a past love he can't forget.

They say first love has lasting impression, especially if it’s also the first cut in your heart. So how will these two have a happy ever after when the other doesn’t just have a cut, rather, a hole in his heart he can never patch up?

• Language: English
• Publisher: cLasP
• Release date: Jul 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463224731

cLasP

√entrepreneur √networker √businesswoman √leader √achiever √dreamer √novelist √RICH R-esponsible I-mportant C-apable H-umble I'm a businesswoman day in and day out and a writer in between. (Very far of a leap, isn't it?) I love reading books, romance, comedy, fiction and real-life stories. I love my pillow and my bed. Hence, I love sleeping. I love my privacy and enjoy the moment imagining things, plot my personal novels. I love writing poetry but avoid sharing them to others because it'll be too much of an open book of my life. I love to study people from the distance (not a lurker nor a creeper), just enjoying their interaction is all. I love to travel. I love my family and friends. I don't have a pet. I secretly love to write. I love to hear comments from you if you've read my books. I love to explore. I love to mentally wander. I love loving. I'm just that girl. The world has been full of hate, let's go and spread love around the globe.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

MORTISE & TENON

The Builder

The first time I heard about her, they say she’s a cold bitch who doesn’t know how to smile. A woman who steals someone else’s boyfriend. Some even went as to say she’s a homewrecker. She has a bad reputation in the office. But those rumors were only spread by women.

As for the men’s population, they have a different view of her. Something like easy to get along with. A sweet girl and very professional to her work. Isn’t it a little suspicious that only men see her this way? That aside, I’m holding on my final verdict.

When I finally met her, I got my impression. I think she’s a cold snob. A typical rich brat and a willful heiress to a large corporation. Well, it must be true that the first impression lasts because I still think she’s a bitch. After all, we started on the wrong foot and can’t decide for a parley until now.

**ö**

Hey, Julie, my sweet boy. I just want to remind you that the new architect has arrived in my office. Mr. Victor Han’s overly sweet voice oozes through the other line, making goosebumps rise my spine as usual. You’ll be working together with the new project I recently signed with the Sparrow. Please, look after each other.

Yeah, got it, Mr. Han, I answer in an indulgent tone. I don’t have an Alzheimer for you to constantly remind me of it.

Well, what can I say? I’m definitely excited to see how this newbie works.

We’ll see about that later then. I agree while revving up my bike. I’m leaving home now, heading towards the office. See you, Mr. Han.

Oh, can’t wait to see you, my dear. Careful on the way! Mwah! He does a smooching sound, making me smirk and shake my head before putting on my helmet and concentrate on driving. 

I owe Mr. Han big time in regards to work. He’s my primary and special client to every project I mostly take. He owns a big Construction firm complete with engineers and architects under his payroll while I’m his major contractor for manpower services. Since beginning up to the present, Mr. Han has been very satisfied with my and my men’s performance.

I know the old dude is gay, there’s no secret about it especially when he’s so vocal about it. I believe he even dated men before during his prime age. However, maybe being in a relationship isn’t his destiny coz’ he’s a failure at it as much as he’s a success in his career. That’s why today he just focuses his remaining age on his business and pouring money to different charity institutions.

What’s so good about working with Mr. Han, despite him being gay, he always maintains professionalism even though he keeps praising my physical attributes that he says could launch a billion in gay bars. At first, I felt insulted, but when I finally understand the gist of his personality, I eventually learn to disregard his crazy blabbering.

Of all the projects we engaged together, it’s this Sparrow that he’s really very excited about. Oh, well… I’m not sure about it though but I just feel his enthusiasm doubles after hiring this particular additional architect fresh from Cornell University. And this, in turn, makes me curious as well.

Good morning, Mr. West! The doorman greets with his usual cheerful self.

Good morning, Nate. I greet back with a nod and proceed inside the building.

Good morning greetings flood me as I walk past the receptionist, to the elevator personnel until I reach the CEO’s secretary at her front desk. She doesn’t have to give me clearance since it’s obvious Mr. Han has already notified her of my presence. However, before I can make it to the door, it already bursts open with Mr. Han opening the door himself.

Julie? Is he here? My sweet, little boy! He grabs me for a bear hug and slaps my back a couple of times.

Good morning to you, too, Mr. Han, I tell him with an awkward smile when he rains kisses on my biceps and chests.

Come in, Julie! Come inside! There’s someone I’d like you to meet! He says excitedly and pulls me by the wrist into his office. Here, meet my daughter. Architect Winslow Han. Honey, this is Julian West, the contractor I’ve been telling you about. You’ll both be working together on the Sparrow project from now on. What do you think? He’s handsome, isn’t he? And the boobies!

I flinch at what Mr. Han just said. Boobies? I frown and glance at the man before nodding to the girl seated in front of the CEO’s desk. So this is the woman who has an awful rumor about her, huh. And she’s the boss’s daughter, too. She’s… Well, who can blame them? If I were a woman, I too would definitely bash her to death from severe insecurities.

To put it simply, Architect Han is an epitome of muliebrity. But her kind of beauty can definitely rouse rumors such as a bitch and a homewrecker. Uh, what a horrible first impression. But, how should I say this? She has an air of a mistress around her. The arrogant one. She has a kind of face that rich old men covet to house and warm their beds. 

I blink from my inner thoughts when she suddenly kicks her feet as if to put distance between us. However, her chair tilts back from the force before she falls backward. Her eyes widen in both fear and shock of her move and she just freezes over.

Careful! I exclaim and react reflexively, catching her in time before she can hit the ground. Are you alright? I ask worriedly.

Take your filthy hands off me!

Excuse me?

I said, you may release me! She hisses in a very hostile manner that takes me off guard.

Ok, alright. There’s no reason to get upset! And hey... I right her chair and straighten up my posture. You’re welcome, I say sarcastically.

I didn’t ask for your help. She says indignantly before getting to her feet. Well, Mr. Han, since you’ve had your wish come true, I finally met your boy toy, now I’m heading for an important meeting.

Boy toy? I repeat as I glare down at her.

Oh, sorry. Aren’t you? She asks, feigning ignorance. Well, Mr. Han did ask my opinion about your boobies and all.

I suck in a sharp breath and calm myself down. Wow, so the rumors are as accurate as they come, after all. This woman is such a bitch! I want to strangle her to death.

Sweetheart, you don’t have to be so mean. Mr. Han says as he reaches for his beloved daughter.

Look, I’m getting late. Little miss bitch says in a righteous tone as if staying longer in my presence is such a waste of her time and it only makes me riled up even more. I’ll report to you about the progress of the meeting. Good day, Mr. Han, and enjoy the boobies.

Little Ms. Snake disappears in the office without a backward glance. Argh! I want to punish some nasty bitch!

CHAPTER ONE

TRANSOM

**ö**

I’ll wait for you later.

Alright, see you later then, Mr. Han, I say before ending the call and pocket my phone.

We’ve done the groundbreaking weeks ago and now my men are busy building a four-story mansion in the middle of vast acres of land. I usually don’t ask who the client is and let Mr. Han decide whether or not to inform me about it. Sometimes he does, sometimes the clients remain confidential. 

Right now, project Sparrow falls under confidential. Rumor has it that this project is one of Mr. Han’s close friends since he never had to bid for it. He practically sealed the deal right after the design was finished. The design which Architect Han made herself.

I glance at my watch and grind my molars. Any moment now and little Han bitch will be coming over to inspect the progress. Not that there’s yet to see since we’re currently working on the concrete pouring. She rarely comes for a surprise visit, looking around and asking a few questions here and there.

I thought for a newbie like her, she’ll be enthusiastic on-site visits since that’ll be good on paper. However, she seldom comes which works fine with me, too. I don’t really like being micro-managed anyway. Yet, I have a feeling that little miss Han only visits on rare occasions because she’s avoiding me.

I don’t know what makes her so hostile towards me during our first meeting but she’s, at least, changed demeanor the next time we crossed paths. Although we’re now civil to each other, I can’t deny the obvious tension that’s charging between us. 

I don’t know what it is exactly but it’s thick, stifling, and clings to the atmosphere where I can almost breathe into it. Thus, making everything awkward. She’s also jumpy and tense as if she’s expecting me to eat her or something. I don’t know what her deal is but it seriously irks me despite my efforts to make things work smoothly between us.

An engine roars behind me, followed by the crunching of the gravel. I turn around to watch the person coming out of the pickup truck. Speak of the devil. Little miss Han has arrived. Though little is an inept word for her. Despite her slender physique, miss Han is tall with a pair of runway legs. 

I have to admit, her wearing working boots, simple shirt tucked in a ragged jeans make her look sexier than those women that wear less clothing. Especially when she puts that hard hat on her head while sweat dots her nose and chin. It’s goddamn adorable. Huh? Wait, where did that come from? 

Good day, Mr. West. She greets curtly, walking past me towards the ongoing pouring.

Morning, Architect Han, I answer, taking a swift glance down her tight jean-clad ass.

Every time I greet her formally, she always gives me a weird look as if she’s not used to be called that way. Just like all the rest of her site visits, the tension instantly singed the atmosphere in a suffocating manner. I ignore it and proceed on accompanying her around instead.

Flooring is almost done. She comments more like to herself.

Yeah. Framing will most certainly start by next week. I inform while we slowly around the construction site. Are there any significant changes in the design?

No, none. But I’ll inform you right away in case something cropped up. She says before looking up the skies. You’ve got impressive workers and subcontractors. We might finish this earlier than estimated.

I won’t be confident about that since it’s gonna start raining any time soon which can delay the progress. But we’ll sure do our best to finish within the time frame.

No worries. Mr. Han says the client doesn’t mind any delay. Weather is something that’s out of our control, after all.

Mr. Han? I repeat with a frown at the way she addressed her father.

I’m used to calling him that especially when I’m on duty. She chuckles which is my first time hearing it and seeing her smile suddenly tightens up my chest to my surprise. Besides we’re still building our relationship lately.

I did a slow intake of breath to ease my heartbeat. When I’m already composed again, I look at her with a questioning gaze, asking in silence as to what she meant by building a relationship. Come to think of it, Mr. Han is gay so how could he have gotten a woman pregnant when he admitted having never dated a woman before.

Are you perhaps an adopted, miss Han?

No. She laughs lightly and my heart throbs once again, making my eyes flash in surprise. 

Whoa! The hell is this feeling? Thump! Thump! Thump! Shit! Stop being crazy, my heart!

I’m his flesh and blood. But it’s a long story, so… She leaves her words hanging so I don’t push for further information anymore. By the way, I brought pack lunches for the crew. Can I ask a few of your men to haul them down from the back of my car?

Oh, wow. That’s very thoughtful of you. I wave a hand to my boys and gesture for them to follow me towards Architect Han’s car.

It’s not me. It’s my father’s initiative. She frowns before giving me another of her weird look once again before turning around to watch my men taking the pack lunches out. You’re close to my father, huh.

I chuckle at her suspicious tone. Don’t go thinking any wrong ideas, Architect Han. I only have a strictly professional relationship with your father.

I didn’t say otherwise, Mr. West.

I’m taken aback by her response. It actually sounded normal but I can’t help but feel like she’s insinuating something. Maybe I’m being too sensitive but I suddenly hate the thought that she might be thinking I have an unspeakable relationship with her father.

I don’t know either why your father likes me so much. I don’t see anything bad about it though. It also helps the working environment pretty good and comfortable. I scratch my nose and mumble to myself. Unlike other people that only bring tension and making the atmosphere cold.

I notice her shoulders tense up but she doesn’t turn around nor respond to it. After my men finished taking down the lunch boxes, Architect Han finally turns around with a slight frown on her forehead.

I’ll be heading off now. She opens the driver’s door and looks at me again. By the way, I might not be able to visit by next week. I’ll be representing my father in meeting with the Morgan’s. Seeing my frozen form, Architect Han takes this as a silent acquiesce. Bye!

The car door shuts with a heavy thud and the engine groans before it slowly backs off and runs away, leaving a mushroom of dust along its tail. The Morgan… Since we’re in the construction industry, if I’m not mistaken, she’s talking about that same Morgan I once knew, isn’t she?

CHAPTER TWO

T-SQUARE

The Nervous Nerd

The first time I saw her, we were in high school. I was awkward, flustered and an airhead most of the time. It’s my first time feeling my heart beating double time. It’s only, later on, I realized what it meant and I have already established the title of a good ‘ol friend. And everything that happened afterward sucks.

**ö**

Hey, West, do you wanna hang out with us after class? One of my classmates whispers conspiratorially while the others continue shoving each other and getting rogue behind us. We’re inviting girls from other schools. They look really cute, you know, and they all have these… He makes an hourglass figure by his hands, depicting a sexy body. Huge jugs and booties! The guys are bringing booze, too.

Do high school girls grow up that much at such an early age? I ask suspiciously thinking they might not rally high school students by the way he drew an exaggerated figure in the air. And we’re not of age yet to experience those things.e

Sheesh! Seriously, you’re such a killjoy! Another one butts in. 

Forget it. Forget it. What do you expect from West? You know he believes being an upstanding student is the key to life.

Yeah. Well, what a pity. Girls will surely flood if he goes with us, though. But, yeah. He’s a boring one.

Seriously man, you’ll miss half of your life if you keep this up.

Well, have fun,