Meet the Workers

As they walked away, Dashiell turned to Jeremy and issued a firm instruction. "Jer-Bear, I need you to handle the house staff matter for now. Trisha and I are going to tour the project site, and I want you to make sure everything is in order."

Jeremy nodded, understanding the importance of the task. "Sure thing, Dash. I'll take care of it."

Dashiell and Trisha continued walking, the vast construction site stretching out before them. Dashiell gestured to the workers and began the introductions.

"Trisha, I'd like you to meet some of our dedicated team members," Dashiell said. "This is Douglas Watkins, our lead architect, and next to him is Arthur Saunders, our skilled engineer. And over there is Brian Sweeney, our site foreman. I'll introduce the others later."

Her smile remained genuine as she greeted the team members. She extended her hand to Douglas Watkins, the lead architect. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Watkins. I've heard great things about your work."

Turning to Arthur Saunders, she said, "It's a pleasure to meet our skilled engineer, Mr. Saunders." 

Finally, she approached Brian Sweeney, the site foreman, and nodded warmly. "Mr. Sweeney, I've heard you're the one who keeps everything running smoothly here. It's a crucial role."

"Trisha, just so you know, I'm not giving you a lecture, but out here in the woods, addressing each other like that isn't the usual way of things," Dashiell mentioned casually as they continued to walk further.

"I don't know what's accepted and what's not in this place. I'm not interested about it." Trisha shrugged and added, "I may not be familiar with the local customs, but I'm here to bring about changes."

Their eyes met, and he responded, "I have no doubt about that."

Dashiell led her on a leisurely walk around the project site. As they strolled, he pointed out key areas of interest and explained the various aspects of the project with a contagious enthusiasm.

He casually motioned towards the groundwork for an abandoned building, saying, "This spot right here is the heart of our project, a symbol of all the elbow grease and dedication we're putting in. It might have been left behind, but we're turning it into something remarkable."

At one point during their walk around the project site, he turned and briefly fixed his gaze on Trisha. His eyes, a shade of deep brown, held both curiosity and reassurance. It was as if he wanted to gauge her reaction, to make sure that she was comfortable and engaged in the tour.

They continued their walk, passing by construction equipment and workers diligently carrying out their tasks. Dashiell made an effort to introduce Trisha to the workers they encountered.

As they approached an area with intricate landscaping plans, he explained, "This is where your expertise as a landscape architect will come into play. Your vision will help transform this space into something truly remarkable."

Trisha couldn't help but notice a group of workers who had gathered under the shade of a sprawling banyan tree. As they approached, the workers, in their worn but friendly expression, paused in their conversations and turned their attention towards them.

The workers sat on makeshift benches and logs, engrossed in playing a game of cards. Their faces showing a blend of curiosity and warmth as they prepared to welcome Trisha into their close-knit circle.

With a hint of casual amusement, she remarked, "Looks like we have some card sharks among us. I see you're not bored playing cards." Her tone carried a playful scorn as she observed the workers' spirited game, but she put the lighthearted words, meant more as a gentle tease than a true scold. 

One of the workers, a man with a friendly grin, responded to her comment. "Well, ma'am, we do need a break from the hard work every now and then. Keeps our spirits up, you know."

Another worker chimed in, "That's right, ma'am. There's not enough gasoline for all the equipment so we decided to play a game instead."

Trisha raised an eyebrow and retorted, "At nine o'clock in the morning? You all are early risers, I see." 

The worker who had spoken earlier chuckled and replied with a grin, "Well, ma'am, we like to start the day with a bit of excitement. Keeps us on our toes!" 

Dashiell gently placed his hands on her shoulders, guiding her away from the group of workers. With a reassuring smile, he began to lead her to a quieter area. "Let's continue our tour. There's more to see, and I'll introduce you to the rest of the team." 

Trisha felt a sudden discomfort as Dashiell touched her while guiding her away. She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him with tense expression. In a firm and harsh tone, she said, "Don't ever touch me, Dashiell. I can walk on my own."

Dashiell withdrew his hands immediately with a smirk. "Okay, let me show you the office and I remember to keep my hands to myself."

The office, located in a temporary building, had a relaxed and functional vibe. It consisted of a lounge area with worn sofa and a coffee table where people could gather for informal discussions.

Alongside the lounge area, there were three other rooms. One served as a quiet workspace shared with accounting department, with desks and chairs for focused tasks. Another room doubled as a meeting space, furnished with a medium conference table and six chairs. 

In the third room, a woman sat at her desk, typing away on a document, the rhythmic sound of typing filling the air.

With a twinkle in her eyes, the coquettish woman welcomed Dashiell with a warm smile. "Dashiell, it's nice to see you again. I heard you were planning to drop by today. It's been two years since your last visit. How are you?"

He gave her a slight smile and replied, "Indeed, it's been a while, Jazlyn. I've been well, thank you. And now, I wanted to introduce Trisha Lockhart from the headquarters to our project site and our dedicated team."

"Trisha, meet Jazlyn Parker. She's the only lady on the project. Now we have two," he said with a grin. "Our shared office is right over here."

Trisha nodded in acknowledgment and turned her attention to Jazlyn. "Hello, pleased to meet you, Jazlyn," she said politely.

Jazlyn offered a half-hearted greeting in return, though her gaze remained fixed on Dashiell. "Very glad you're here, Miss Lockhart," she said with a hint of mischief. "Finally, we have someone to gossip with."

Trisha replied with a friendly smile, though firm in her stance, "Thank you, Jazlyn. I appreciate the warm welcome. Just so you know, I'm not much of a gossip enthusiast, especially in the workplace. I prefer to focus on the tasks."

Jazlyn chuckled and gave a playful wink. "What I mean, this is men's world, we've got to stick together and keep our eyes on the work. But a little harmless chatter now and then can be a welcome break."

"It may be a men's world in construction, but here, we appreciate the balance of focused work and the occasional friendly exchange. That's our whole management," Dashiell chimed in.

"Yeah, we work side by side," Jazlyn retorted with her flirtatious gesture while she tried to get to his side. 

Seeing Jazlyn's acts toward Dashiell, Trisha couldn't help but feel mounting disgust. Even though he had just arrived, Jazlyn looked unduly intimate and flirty, and it was obvious that her focus was on Dashiell rather than their works. 

The coquettish woman brought back memories of Damon and Olivia's betrayal, fueling her disdain for yet another office romance.

Snorting angrily, she swept her gaze around the room, taking in the details of their office space. On one desk, there was a miniature architectural models, showcasing various aspects of the project. Each miniature structure represented a different facet of the development, from residential units to green spaces.

On the other wall near the window, a large master plan was displayed, covering an entire wall. It was intricate and detailed, highlighting the vision and scope of the entire project. She could see the careful thought and planning that had gone into every aspect of the development, and it filled her with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the work ahead.