Mia's POV
Mia had slept late.
Very late.
But even with only a few hours of rest, she still woke up early. The excitement in her chest refused to let her stay in bed.
The bunker design.
Her mind was still running through measurements, systems, and layouts even as she pushed the blanket aside and stood up. The design she worked on last night was the most important blueprint she had ever created.
Not for a client.
Not for business.
For survival.
She quickly showered and dressed for work. A fitted navy blouse and black slacks, professional but comfortable. Today would be busy. Meetings, planning, coordination.
The joint project between Alps Builders and Aetherion Land & Holdings was officially moving forward, and there were countless details that needed to be managed carefully.
But Mia had another task in mind.
People.
She needed people she could trust.
Workers who would build the bunkers without asking unnecessary questions.
Later, after construction began, she planned to warn them. Not everything, she couldn't reveal the future, but enough to help them prepare.
She would tell them the warning came from a confidential source.
Someone connected to an international health monitoring organization.
Something smaller, more believable. A private epidemic research network that monitored emerging diseases.
It would be enough to make them cautious.
And she would ask Luis to do the same with the people he trusted.
But that warning would come later.
For now, they needed to start building.
Fast.
Mia grabbed her bag and headed outside.
Her car waited in the driveway.
A Porsche Macan Turbo, matte silver with black trims.
Her father had given it to her as a gift last year after she successfully completed one of the company's largest commercial developments.
It was fast, powerful, and elegant—just like the kind of control Mia preferred.
She started the engine and pulled out of the driveway.
As she drove toward the city, her eyes moved across the familiar streets.
Clean roads.
Morning traffic.
People walking peacefully.
Cars honking impatiently.
Normal life.
But Mia remembered what these same streets looked like in the future.
Blood.
Broken vehicles.
Abandoned buildings.
And zombies wandering through the ruins.
Her hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
She had seen it.
Lived through it.
And she would never allow it to happen to the people she loved again.
"I need to move faster," she whispered to herself.
The bunkers needed to start construction next week.
Every day mattered.
Soon, the skyline of Viremont City appeared in the distance.
Tall buildings reflected the morning sunlight,
A thriving urban center.
A place full of opportunity.
And eventually…
A battlefield for survival.
Mia drove straight to Alps Builders headquarters, parking in her reserved space before stepping out.
The lobby staff greeted her politely.
"Good morning, Miss Alps."
"Good morning."
She headed straight to her office floor.
Her secretary, Sharon, was already waiting with a tablet in hand.
"Good morning, Miss Alps."
"Morning, Sharon."
Sharon quickly began listing the schedule.
"You have three meetings approved by your father regarding the joint development project with Aetherion Land & Holdings."
Mia nodded.
That was expected.
Her father had already agreed to present the bunker project as a joint development venture between their companies. Officially, it would look like a remote infrastructure project.
Unofficially…
It was their survival plan.
"Also," Sharon added, "your father asked if you could prepare the preliminary planning documents before lunch."
"I will."
Sharon nodded and stepped aside.
Once Mia entered her office, she immediately sat down and opened her laptop.
The bunker design file appeared on the screen.
Detailed.
Precise.
Every room carefully placed.
Two separate bunkers.
One for her family.
One for Luis's family.
Connected by a reinforced underground tunnel.
She attached the file to an email.
Then she typed Luis's address.
Her finger hovered over the send button for a moment.
Then she pressed it.
A few seconds later, she picked up her phone and called him.
Luis answered quickly.
"Mia."
"I just sent the bunker design."
"I'll check it."
"I hope it works," she said. "But if you want to add something, just tell me."
"I will."
His calm voice made her feel oddly reassured.
They discussed a few quick points, then Mia added another thought.
"We also need to prepare the people who will build the bunkers," she said. "Eventually."
"You mean warn them?"
"Yes. But carefully."
Luis was silent for a moment.
"We can say the information came from a confidential health monitoring network."
"Exactly," Mia said. "Someone studying emerging biological threats."
"That would make sense."
"We'll do it after construction starts," she continued. "Not before."
"Agreed."
They exchanged a few more logistical details before ending the call.
Next, Mia opened her family group chat.
She typed quickly.
Mia:
Dad, I'm sending the bunker design now. Please check if you approve the layout or if you want to add anything.
A few moments later, her father replied.
Father:
I'll review it.
Then another message came.
Father:
We should discuss this with Luis and his parents soon.
Mia nodded to herself.
She typed again.
Mia:
Yes. Maybe tonight if possible.
Another reply came quickly.
Father:
Ask Luis where they would prefer to meet.
Mia smiled slightly.
Mia:
Okay. Thank you, Dad.
She set her phone down.
Lunch break would be the perfect time to call Luis again.
But for now…
Work.
Within minutes, Mia was fully absorbed in meetings, reports, and planning documents.
The entire morning passed quickly.
And somewhere in the middle of all that work,
She completely forgot about Kevin.
---
Kevin's POV
Kevin leaned back in his office chair, staring at his phone.
He had barely slept.
The memory of last night's dinner still irritated him.
Luis.
That smug smile.
The way Mia's parents seemed more comfortable with him.
Kevin tapped the desk impatiently.
Should he call Mia?
Or go to her office and apologize?
After all, he worked at Alps Builders as the Head of Marketing. Visiting her office wouldn't be unusual.
But before he could decide, a pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind.
Chelsea.
She leaned down and kissed his cheek.
"Stop thinking about her," she whispered playfully.
Kevin smirked slightly.
Chelsea moved around the desk and sat on the edge, her hand sliding across his chest.
"She's probably busy anyway," she said. "You said she has a lot of work lately."
"That's true," Kevin admitted.
Chelsea tilted her head with a teasing smile.
"You should focus on what makes you happy."
Kevin laughed quietly.
"You might be right."
Her fingers traced slowly along his arm.
"So," Chelsea said softly, "what are you doing tonight?"
Kevin leaned back in his chair, watching her.
Then a slow grin appeared on his face.
"Maybe I'll invite you to my place."
Chelsea's eyes sparkled.
"Oh?"
Kevin's voice dropped slightly.
"I think I deserve a relaxing night."
Chelsea laughed softly, leaning closer.
"I agree."
Kevin's mind finally drifted away from Mia.
For now.
But somewhere deep down, a small, uneasy thought remained.
Mia had changed.
And he wasn't sure why.