Luis' POV
A week had passed since the massive excavation. The forest clearing, once silent, now hummed with life. Hundreds of workers moved like a perfectly choreographed machine, rotating in three shifts to keep excavation and construction nonstop.
The decoy project for media and investors was drawing praise, but our real bunker—hidden beneath the trees—was taking shape exactly as Mia had designed.
I walked along the perimeter with my father, observing the workers. Massive excavators had finished carving the primary foundation pit. Steel supports were being installed, and the concrete reinforcement for the underground levels was underway. Within two more weeks, the bunker would be fully operational.
"Look at that," I said, nodding toward the organized teams. "The shifts are running flawlessly. Everything is on schedule."
Father gave a brief nod, eyes scanning the site. "Machines and men are working nonstop. Your design is precise—Mia thought of every detail. The bunker will be secure and durable."
I smiled. "She's even added a large kitchen for mom. Plenty of room for stoves, ovens, and storage. Comfort matters, even underground."
"Good. She knows what she's doing," father eplied. "Keep supervising. No mistakes. The camouflage roof is nearly complete, too. From above, no one will see a thing."
I walked past the steel beams being hoisted into place, glancing down at the reinforced floors. "One more week of finishing the remaining sections and concrete curing. Then it's fully operational."
The camouflage roof blended seamlessly with the forest canopy. Birds and sunlight moved over it as if it were natural.
"It's impressive," I murmured, "how Mia's attention to detail makes even survival feel… normal."
Father nodded once, his hands folded behind his back, and walked away to check on another part of the site.
The bunker wasn't just a shelter—it was a fully equipped fortress: water filtration, power generation, medical facilities, hydroponic farming, and secure living quarters. Almost everything was complete.
---
Mia's POV
I had barely caught my breath when Kevin arrived at my house, worried I was sick after the opening ceremony. The maid informed him politely that I wasn't home.
"Is she… sick?" Kevin asked, frowning.
"Yes, sir," the maid replied. "She's resting in her room."
Kevin muttered and paced impatiently. I appeared a moment later, holding a tablet with interior plans. His eyes immediately locked onto me, frustration clear in his posture.
"Mia! Why weren't you at the ceremony? Everyone was there! I was worried sick!" he shouted.
I raised an eyebrow. "I told you, Kevin. I wasn't feeling well. That's why I stayed home."
"You always have an excuse! You hide things from me, avoid me… I can't… I can't reach you!" he said, voice trembling with anger.
I leaned casually against the railing, calm. "Kevin, I stayed home. That's it."
He ran a hand through his hair. "You're different! Something's wrong! You've… changed!"
I had to suppress a laugh. He had no idea. He didn't know about the decoy project, the real bunker, or any construction. He was furious over nothing.
"Kevin… calm down," I said softly. "I'm not hiding anything. I'm not cheating. I'm focused on other things right now—things that don't involve you."
His eyes narrowed. "Things that… don't involve me?"
"Exactly," I said, smiling faintly. "I suggest you leave before this escalates. My father is home. Let's not make a scene."
Kevin froze, caught between frustration and disbelief. Finally, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
I exhaled slowly. The fight wasn't about me, it was about his assumptions. And little did he know, he was the one being dishonest with Chelsea Hale, but I didn't tell him. I let him stew in his own anger.
My father peeked in and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "When are you ending things with him?" he asked quietly.
"After the bunkers are done," I replied, sighing. "One month, maybe two weeks. After that… it's over."
He nodded, hugging me gently. Outside, the real construction continued, entirely hidden from Kevin and anyone else.
---
Luis' POV
I checked the bunker's interior with Mia. Reinforced walls were in place, steel beams secured, and the first concrete layers were curing.
"Almost done," I said, surveying the progress. "The kitchen for mom is huge, more than she asked for. She'll love it."
Mia smiled. "I made sure she has plenty of space for stoves, ovens, and storage. Comfort matters, even if we're underground for months."
I glanced around the control room she had designed. Every section, power generation, water filtration, medical room—was coming together seamlessly.
"One more week and it'll be fully operational," I said, checking schedules with Sir Frederick. "We can finish the remaining sections of the underground levels without alerting anyone. The day–night shifts are running perfectly."
Mia nodded, brushing her hair back. "It's been exhausting, but it's worth it. Everything has to be perfect."
Father joined us, giving a brief nod. "Machines are running nonstop. The last steel supports will be in place by tomorrow. Concrete work starts immediately afterward. The bunker will be fully operational well before your deadline."
I grinned. "Good. No surprises. That's the plan."
Mia's eyes flicked toward the forest edge. "And no one can suspect a thing."
I chuckled. "Exactly."
---
Mia's POV
The clearing glowed under floodlights. Workers rotated through shifts seamlessly, machines humming continuously. The large kitchen gleamed, steel counters and storage units reflecting the soft light. The camouflage roof was complete, blending perfectly with the surrounding forest.
I walked the perimeter, checking details with Sir Frederick. "The supports here—perfect. No changes needed."
He nodded approvingly. "The bunker will withstand any pressure. Even structural shifts from earthquakes. Excellent work."
I exhaled, leaning against the railing. One month, one week until the apocalypse… and nearly everything was ready.
The forest remained silent, as if holding its breath for what was to come. And for the first time in a long while… I felt hopeful.
No distractions. This was our future. And we were ready to survive it.