Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

January 2023

“Over here is your office”
My dad went out of the elevator, entering the lobby of the place that’s been his office for about ten years. The studio was on the sixth floor, when you entered you could see a big meeting room and two hallways on their side.
“My office, as you know, it’s at the end on the right, I’ll be there whenever you need me, but you we’ll be over here”
We walked along the left hallway, almost reaching the end. I went in, leaving a box with a few decorations on the desk.
“Next to you will be Pedro, my business partner, he’ll be out a few months doing some networking. When he comes back you’ll get into the project that I’ve been talking about, but I’ll let him talk and explain it better. I’ll let you get installed okay? See you for lunch?”
I nodded, my dad gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and went out, smiling proudly. I started arranging my things out, I put a photo of my dad and I on the desk and a little plant near the window. The day went out getting to know everyone in the studio, everyone but the Arquitect Pedro Pascal.

Pedro and my dad became business partners a few years ago, while I was studying abroad. My dad was looking for someone who he could share his business with, the firm had been getting a lot of work and since I was still starting on my masters he went with Architect Pedro. He had his own firm in Chile and decided to expand to Mexico, since then, they have been partners and good friends.

There’s a lot of talk about him in the hallways, eternal bachelor, life always work centered, very responsible and with lots of charisma. According to Judith, my dad’s secretary, he has been taking good care of the business since he started and has gained the respect and love from everyone in the office, so I’m hoping we’ll have a good relationship. I wouldn’t want to barge in as the “Architect's daughter” and create any sort of trouble or issue.

I wondered how our dynamic would develop since he was way older than I, but my dad assured me he was very professional and open minded, something that had helped my dad since they became partners, so I hoped for the best.

Chapter Text

April 2023

“Knock Knock” I knocked on the meeting room door while going in.
“Oh sweetie, come in. Let me introduce you to my colleague and friend, the architect Pedro Pascal”

They got up, I gave my dad a hug and extended my hand to his associate. I found the difference between the two very funny. My dad, Aurelio, had grey hair, was short and more “full figured”. The architect on the other side was tall, with brown wavy hair and looked more rugged. I knew that he was a few years younger than my dad, but he looked pretty good for a 48 year old.

“Pleasure to meet you” I said
“Pleasure Y/N, your dad has told me so much about you. You’ve just came back right?” I nodded while we sat down “I’m so sorry we’re meeting until now but the project that I was finishing has consumed all of my time”
“No worries” The truth was that I had a few worries. I’ve been working at my dads firm for two months and I couldn’t get started with the project because he had been working out of the office. “And yes, I just came back, I finished my master’s and I stayed for a while but I couldn’t stay away from home for so long”
“I’m so glad you’re here, Aurelio hasn’t stopped talking about how much he missed you” he gave my dad a teasing smile and a pat on his shoulder while getting up. “I’m sorry I can’t stay to chat, but I have a very important meeting so I have to run” He reached over and extended his hand, smiling. “Very nice to meet you Y/N”
“See you pal” My dad looked over to me once he was out of the meeting room “He’s always like that, immersed in his work… Not even once I’ve heard him talk about a lady or anything”
“Hum…”
—--------

I walked into my apartment exhausted, with my dad’s colleague in the firm I started with some details of the project. He was the head of the proposal so the clients refused to meet with me to start anything without talking to him first.

It had been a bit of a struggle coming back to Mexico after working abroad. When I finished my bachelor's I decided to work at a few independent firms before doing my masters, once I finished that I did an internship in a studio in Germany, but it simply wasn’t my thing. I missed my country, my home and especially my dad.

It had always been his dream that I became an architect and that we worked together, but he was never pushy about it. Inevitably I fell in love with architecture, I’ve never seen him happier than the day that I told him I got into the faculty.

My dad was always the lovey dovey type, very hard working and my best friend. Ever since my mom passed we’ve been inseparable and despise having a job that took up a lot of his time. He's always been there for me, even now in my 28 years of life, I don’t know what I would do without him.

Chapter Text

July 2023

I was in my office taking a second look at the presentation that we would be having with the client when Judith came to my door.

“Y/N?”
“Judith!” I jumped in my seat, bringing a hand to my chest “You scared me”
“I’m sorry sweetie, I’m heading out, do you need anything before I go?”
Judith was a woman who had been working for my dad since forever, she knew me since I was a kid and has always been very kind and loving towards us. When my mom passed she took care of my dad and I, she teached him how to cook and when he had to bring me to the office she helped with my homework and other school related stuff. I’ve always had a soft spot for her and she’s been my confidant throughout the years.
“No, don’t worry, I won't stay much longer” I smiled looking at my computer, it was 6:00 pm.
“Don’t stress so much sweetie, your dad is proud of you anyway”
I saw her walk out of the hallway, I went back to my computer and when I saw the clock again it was 8:04. I let out a sigh and rubbed my eyes when I heard a sound in the lobby.
“Is someone there?” I said, looking out into the hallway.
“Y/N?” I saw Architect Pascal peek from the lobby and he made me jump. “What are you doing here? Are you still working on the presentation?” He walked to my office, with a takeout bag on hand.
“Yes I lost track of time, I wanted to check a few details and…”
“You stayed checking details for three hours?” He said with a chuckle.
“Please don’t laugh at me” I said embarrassed. I didn’t realize it was that late, I wanted everything to be perfect for the next day “Do you mind checking if everything’s okay?” I joined my hands together pleading, hoping that with his check I’d calm all of the anxiety that the presentation was giving me.
He smiled and went into his office, I walked behind him “Is that a yes?” I said with a smile.
“Bring your computer”

—--------
Pedro’s POV

When she came back to my office I had already divided my food into two portions. She had a surprised look on her face and left her computer and notebook on my desk. Her eyes jumped from the food to me with a blank expression, and I’d admit that I got a little nervous.
“Don’t look at me like that, I assumed that you haven’t eaten all day, so go ahead, let’s have a bite while you explain what you did”
She smiled coyly and plugged the laptop into the screen. As I imagined, she was starving, and as soon as she smelled the plates her stomach started growling. I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
“Do you like Chinese food?” She gave me a weird look, like she wasn’t expecting that question.
“What are you doing here sir?”
The question took me by surprise, I wasn’t about to tell her that I’ve realized that she’d been spending late nights at the office. Even though Aurelio was really understanding she was really tough on herself. Judith called me letting me know she’d be closing up the studio once again so I decided to bring her something to eat.
“I… I bought some take out and I stopped to get some documents that I needed” I lied, hoping I wasn’t too obvious.
She hummed while having a bite and then opened her eyes and let the fork down “Oh my god, so this was your dinner? I am so sorry! I’m so embarrassed”
As always, thinking about others instead of her. I smiled and made a gesture with my hand.
“Don’t you worry, my “plans” were just eating at home alone, so I’m good with a bit of company”
She smiled, completely clueless about my true intentions, we had dinner and soon started talking about work. She opened her computer and started explaining the changes that she made to the presentation. Since I’ve met her I was so impressed with her work ethic, she was so responsible and passionate about everything that she did. She had her hair in a ponytail and kept talking and taking notes about every new idea that was coming out of her head. She looked so passionate while she talked, she was so good at her job…
“Are you listening to me?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, yes, sorry I got distracted for a moment”
“Are you tired? I know that old men sleep early” she said teasingly while closing her laptop. Unfortunately we’ve finished checking the presentation and our dinner so it was time to go home.
“Old? Me? How dare you” I liked that she felt comfortable enough to joke with me, we’ve been working a lot together. I got up and tossed everything in the trash while she went to her office.
“Do you have a ride?” I asked her, leaning at her door.
“I’ll call an uber, my car is at the shop” She took her backpack and headed for the lobby, me walking right behind her.
“That’s not gonna happen, I’ll take you home”
“Don’t worry really” We got into the elevator and she pushed the first floor button, while I clicked the underground parking.
“I won’t let you take an uber”
“It’s really not that bad, it's not even that late” She said, looking down. The elevator reached the first floor and the doors opened, but I quickly pushed the close button before she could get out.
“Could you please let me help you?” I tried looking for her eyes but she couldn’t look at me and then I thought that maybe I was crossing a line. Could she be feeling harassed? A million thoughts jumped in my mind “I’m so sorry Y/N I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, I just… I wouldn’t want you leave alone, sorry if I…”
She looked at me and put her hand on my arm, giving me a warm smile “It’s not that, I just felt bad that you needed to share your food with me and then take me home”
I let out a sigh of relief “Please don’t worry about that, I’m happy to do it”

We got out of the elevator and walked to my car. I opened her the door and when I got into the pilot seat I swear I saw her blush a bit. I started the car and she was already looking at me.

“Where are we heading?”
“Oh sure” She smiled and put her hand out “I can put the location on your phone”
I gave her my phone and she looked at me surprised.
“Just like that? I thought that you’d put a bit more of a fight” She started typing her address on the maps app.
“What are you going to do? Stalk my whole phone?” I laughed while we started the drive.
“No it’s just… Guys won’t usually give their phone just like that, and Architect you don’t even have a password”
“Stop it with the “Architect”, I hate that you talk to me like that, it makes me feel so old, we’re co-workers so please talk to me as one of the bunch” Her apartment complex wasn’t that far, we would be on route for about ten minutes.
“I’m sorry, it’s a habit”
“Don’t worry, just please I want you to see me as an equal”

The drive to her home was pretty calm, it gave me the chance to talk with her on a more personal side, once we reached her home she got out of the car and from the lobby door she screamed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Pedro!”

I smiled and said goodbye with my hand. I knew I wanted to know her in a more friendly way, it had been four months since we’ve started working together and she undoubtedly piqued my curiosity. I’ve never been someone that would get distracted from work but she was like fresh air in the office, suddenly I was more excited to come into work and all of the late work evenings were easier with her by my side.

I didn’t want to admit what I was feeling, I thought that it was only curiosity or that maybe it was the proximity of us working together but I was just kidding myself, despite all that I couldn’t do anything about it, not with her being my business partner’s daughter.

Chapter Text

July 2023

“Y/N Good morning, I brought you some coffee” Pedro came into my office smiling. We had been staying late in the office for a few weeks now and our relationship had been transformed from boss-employee to co-workers/friends. I was really passionate about the work that we were doing and I enjoyed his company and his knowledge, he had been helping me a lot, he was so easy to work with.

“Thanks Pedro, do you know when do we…?”
“Yes I actually wanted to talk to you about it, I have a few calls to make and then we can leave, so maybe around 11:00? I would like to arrive early so we can get installed and get to lunch with spare time” Pedro looked at his clock and looked at me through his glasses, I’d like to think that he started using them more because of me, he had been complaining about headaches and I was really pushy about him using them.
“Awesome, so you’ll let me know? I’ll go say goodbye to my dad and let Mariana know about a few things that we need to get done” I stood up and got the documents ready to give them to the intern that was helping us.
“Mariana?” He was standing at the frame of the door and tilted his head a bit, he looked like a confused puppy.
“Yes, the new intern?” He was still looking clueless so I laughed and took a few steps closer, trying to walk past him “It doesn’t matter, could you let me know once we’re leaving so I can get my suitcase?”
He took me by the arm and I stopped, looking at his hand. The only time that we’ve had any physical contact was when we met. His hand was big and warm, he took me out of my bubble when he said, laughing.
“Suitcase? Y/N we’re staying one night at the hotel. Why do you need a suitcase?” He let me go.
“You could never know! I rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it” I said, a bit defensive. I felt weird about the way he said it, if anyone heard it it could easily be misunderstanded, there was already a lot of gossip about us working late. I didn't want to give everyone more reason to think something that wasn’t there. “Could you let me though?”
“Oh sorry” He moved out of the way and I walked out of the office. I looked back and he had an expression that I couldn’t read.

After giving the intern the activities to do I went to my dad’s office to say goodbye and we were talking when Pedro came in.

“I’m sorry to interrupt my friend but I have to steal Y/N, we have to leave for lunch, she’s basically running the project by herself” Pedro sat down in the chair in front of me, after hearing him my dad rearranged his chair, proudly.
“I knew she had it in her, so go ahead steal her away, but don’t let the project fail okay?”
“For sure, everything will be perfect. We have worked really hard on it right Y/N?” Pedro stood up, giving out his hand for me to take, I looked at it, unsure but I took it and felt that warmth again.
“And please take care of my daughter, I want her back without a scratch”
“Dad come on, I can take better care of myself much better than any old man could” I laughed it off, trying to forget the zap that I just felt. I went to give my father a kiss on the cheek and looked at Pedro who had a hand on his chest, with a hurt look on his face.
“Keep calling me old huh? Are you hearing this Aurelio?” He looked at my dad while I was walking at the door.
“All that time together is affecting you too” My dad shook his head, laughing and I went out to get my suitcase.

—---------

PEDRO’S POV

“I’m serious Pedro, please take care of her” Aurelio told me after she got out of the office.
“You don’t even have to say it partner, she’ll be safe with me”

I knew that it was wrong, and what Aurelio just told me made it worse. The age difference was enough for me to think about it as something impossible, but I couldn’t help myself.

Everyday I was looking out for her in the office, excited to work together. I thought about every time that we had spent together in the past few weeks, the meals that we’ve shared and how I’ve been getting to know her even more. I even remembered the time when she spilled her coffee on one of the drawings that she had been working on for like a week. She started crying right then and there. At first I thought it a bit immature, but then I realized why she was crying, it was out of frustration. That day my view of her changed, it wasn’t hard to see that Y/N was giving her 101%, I saw her as a new architect, trying to prove herself and her work in her dad’s studio, then I looked at myself. An old man in every way, I let out a sigh, taking my hands to my face.

“What are you doing Pascal?” I tought. I went into my office thinking about every possible scenario where a relationship with Y/N could be plausible, but none of it made sense.
I went out looking for her to leave for lunch. I was excited to finally have a meeting with the clients and have a bit more alone time with her.

Chapter Text

Pedros POV

We got into the car and started the drive. She was quiet, something unusual in her. After I took her by the arm I felt her distant, I thought that maybe was a boundary that I wasn’t supposed to cross but my fingers were hungry for her skin, even if it was something as simple as holding her.
“Everything okay?” I looked at her, taking my eyes from the road for a bit.
“Hm? Yes, sorry. I’m just nervous” She let out a sigh and took her hands to her face, and then rearranged her behind her ears. “I don’t even understand why, we’ve worked so much on this, and I’ve looked at this proposal from start to finish a hundred times and I know everything is ready, I just…” She laid her hands on her lap and my fingers twitched, calling out to touch her.
“Everything will be okay Y/N, you’re doing such a great work” I let go of the steering wheel, letting my hand linger in the air, double thinking if I should hold her again. I shook my head and returned to the road. I realized that she was looking at me funny so I tried to change the subject quickly.

We started talking about her life abroad, and how it had been like to be apart from Aurelio after Victoria passed.

“It was hard at first, but my mom had been sick for a while, it was for the best” She was looking at the window, but she had a calm tone.

She kept going on about life after her mom, the duality of being sad that she passed but glad that she would be in a better place. Going from crying to laughing in a matter of seconds, trying to figure out how to keep going. It had been eleven years of her passing but she talked about her with a smile, everytime the chance presented itself she would go on and on about how awesome her parents were, that was one of the things that I enjoyed more about her, how she was all about her family, her unconditionality to them. I could hear her voice for hours, but unfortunately we got to Cuernavaca faster than I was expecting.

We arrived at the hotel, which was a Spanish type mansion, we would meet with the clients later on the terrace. The main idea of the project was to turn around the old hotel, modernize a few areas, create more rooms and open a few more common areas.
“Don’t get out” I got out of the car and went to her door to open it, holding out my hand to help her come out. As soon as her hand touched mine I felt an electricity going through my whole body “You need to calm down” I thought.
“Thank you Pedro” I adored the way she said my name. I got our bags from the trunk.
“Let me…” She reached for her suitcase but I stopped her.
“I’ll handle it” I started walking to the lobby and she followed me, looking at me curiously.
“What?” I said in a chuckle.
“I’ve got hands, you know?” She got them up and moved her fingers, without thinking I blurted out.
“I know, but while I’m around you won’t need to use them, unless you want to” Her eyes widened and looked away smiling, she started walking and I went right behind her.
“Come on I didn’t mean it like that, I’m sorry” I said, feeling my face burning, embarrassed.
“Don’t worry” she let out a laugh “dirty old man” she said, almost in a whisper.
“I’m serious it was an honest mista-”
“Hello! Welcome to Quinta La Hermosura (Mansion “The Beauty”), do you have a reservation?” The receptionist came into the front desk, interrupting me while Y/N was still laughing.
“Hi! Yes, Y/N?”
“Okay, can I see some ID?” The receptionist started to look into the computer when she gave her the ID, while I took a sip from my water bottle.
“Awesome, yes, I see Y/N, are you and your… Boyf… Um… Companion going to share a room? I see a queen bed on the reservation”
I choked on my water by the mere insinuation of us sharing a bed, I started coughing out loud while the girl in the front desk looked at me with her cheeks blushing, realizing what she implied.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…”
“Oh! Don’t worry about it” Y/N gave her a reassuring smile and looked at me through the corner of her eye. “I did another reservation, under Pedro Balmaceda Pascal?”
“Oh yes, I see it, let me give you the keys” She quickly gave us our cards “Miss Y/N you’ll be in room 19th and Mr Pascal you’ll be in the next room, the 20th right at the end of the hallway” The young lady smiled at us, still a remorseful look on her eyes and wished us a happy stay, we thanked her and I took the bags and started walking to the rooms.
—-----------------
“What was that?” I said to Pedro, he had been behaving so weird since we were in the office. The receptionist made a quick guess and it was an honest mistake, I didn’t know why he was being so shocked about it.
“Nothing, nothing, water just went through the wrong pipe, that’s all” He laughed, dismissive and started walking a bit faster, I followed his steps and tried to look for his eyes.
“You know that I’m not buying that right?” His eyes looked everywhere but me.
“Y/N please let it go” I saw him blush so I chose to not push any further, we reached the rooms and he gave me my key and my suitcase.
“I’ll let you get installed, meet you at the lobby at 3:30, is that okay?”
“Sure”

We got into our rooms and I took a quick shower to calm my anxiety. I did my make up and went out at 3:15. I was walking to the bar that was across the lobby to kill some time while the meeting started. We were meeting with the owners of the hotel, two brothers that had inherited the mansion and turned it into this small hotel. When I looked into the bar I saw a figure that I would recognize anywhere, sitting on the counter.
“Hi” I said, jumping into one of the stools. He was wearing a beige blazer with a toasted orange shirt, he looked so put together, I could smell his cologne, woody but sweet, intoxicating.
“Hey, they should come any minute now” He said, smiling. I was wearing light washed jeans, a white shirt and a black blazer. I started playing with my mom’s bracelet, anxious, when he put his hand on top of mine. “Calm down” I looked at him, realizing he was really close. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and his cologne flooded my senses, but it helped me calm down, when I opened my eyes there he was, still looking at me.
“I’m okay” I nodded and asked the bartender for a shot of tequila “To calm the nerves?” I shrugged and he let out a laugh, he ordered one as well and after that we went into the restaurant, while the owners were waiting for us.
After Pedro introduced me, I started talking about the project, all of the ideas that we had to create a whole identity around the hotel, the plans for the pool area, tennis court and spa, among other things. We wanted to create a whole experience when you came into the mansion and after what it felt like hours of me talking and a few questions from the brothers, they smiled and approved the project. There were still a few details to run through but the important parts were ready, I had completed my first project for Inventive, my dad’s firm.

After signing a few documents and having a pleasant lunch, the owners got up, gave us a handshake and apologized for leaving early. They offered us an extra night in the hotel to celebrate the rebranding.
“That’s really kind of you but-”
“Let us talk about it and we’ll give you an answer later, is that okay?” Pedro interrupted me, putting his hand on my lower back, his presence was warm and firm.
“Not at all, thank you for everything. Pedro, Y/N, we’ll see you around” The two men said their goodbyes and left the restaurant. The excitement of what just happened dawned on me, I looked at Pedro, smiling and jumped into a hug. “We did it!” He immediately hugged me back, his arms around my waist.
“I told you everything would be okay, you did so good”