By the time Emile left their table, Rebekah’s mind had wandered miles away from the conference. When Akari suggested that they skip out on the afternoon sessions and run away for sight-seeing instead, Rebekah didn’t hesitate. She knew there would be no way she could concentrate now, so she might as well see some of Singapore before they were carted off home the next day. It was unlike her. She would typically suffer through it. But Emile’s gaze and the heat, those feelings were undeniable. There was no way she could go back in there and keep her cool. It was her first time in Singapore, after all. Besides, she was hoping the distraction would calm her racing mind, busy with thoughts of Emile, despite her every attempt to divert them away.
Rebekah knew she was being ridiculous, but couldn’t help but fantasize of a world where they could run away and design incredible projects together, changing the modern design sphere forever. They’d be the ultimate power couple. Absolutely ridiculous, she rolled her eyes as they left the hotel. After all, she had just met the man. But there was something about him; something more than meets the eye.
She tried to focus on her immediate reality instead, as the glass elevator transported them down to the lobby where they should have reported for the afternoon sessions ten minutes ago.
Conveniently, the one hundred fifty professionals selected to attend the conference were all put up in a fancy hotel on the marina, a walking distance from many of the city’s impressive attractions. The venue provided the global group of attendees with all they needed: a place to sleep, dining at elaborate buffets, and the ability to attend all the lectures and evening functions. Every waking hour was planned with a perfect balance of work and work-related play, but it was time to see what lay outside the air-conditioned, five-star hotel that resembled all the other five-star hotels anywhere else in the world.
The lectures would be made available online after the conference and everyone knew these kinds of events were really about the networking. Rebekah didn’t feel guilty about stealing a few hours to find some inspiration in the local architecture. Especially not after the dreadful tours.
“I hope you know where you’re going,” Akari said as they hurriedly crossed the road, careful to not be seen sneaking out the foyer while the next session was about to be underway. The moment Akari had suggested sight-seeing, she didn’t get a chance to even bring up suggestions. Well, she did try to mention the Merlion, but Rebekah’s enthusiasm over the Cloud Forest quickly won her over and they went with that option instead.
“It’s not far,” Rebekah reassured her, checking the street name against the map on her phone. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” she said excitedly.
“Well, if you won’t tell, I won’t,” Akari smiled as they strolled through the city.
“Who am I going to tell? Besides, I’ve been obsessed with this place since I was a child. I can’t believe it’s so close to where we are staying. I hope it looks just like the pictures!” Rebekah’s formal work demeanor was transforming into childlike wonder as they edged closer to the famous Cloud Forest. “I read an article in an architecture magazine when they were first building it. I can’t believe we’re actually going to see it!”
“Do you always get this excited about work?”
“This isn’t work. This is my life! Have you seen that design? A conservatory of that size, a whole mountain inside a glass dome? It’s magical!”
“How old are you again?” Akari joked dryly, quickening her pace to keep up with the excited Rebekah, who had spotted the Gardens by the Bay in the distance and was running towards it, no longer in need of a map.
“Usually twenty-eight, but nature reduces that number drastically. I’ve always been more of an outdoor person, but with the schedule I’ve been keeping these days, it’s been impossible to get enough time to run away. I grew up in the mountains, you know?” Much to Akari’s amusement, the formal business persona had completely vanished and Rebekah was a different person.
“I thought you were always a city girl? You certainly seem that way.”
"Oh no, that took years for me to get right. I grew up in the middle of nowhere, such a small town."
They were now inside the high conservatory, snaking around the different tropical zones as the vegetation evolved around the various levels inside its glass home.
"After school, I had to get out of there, though. It may be a beautiful little town but the only role for a woman there is to raise children or become a teacher. I knew the world was bigger than that. Or rather, I needed more than that."
“Why civil engineering, though?” Akari asked, taking another photo as the mist sprayed gently over the plants, listening to Rebekah’s enthusiastic descriptions of her world.
“That’s what my mother always asked. It seemed the most logical path to make a difference in the construction environment. My dad was a contractor, you see, a regular builder really. He worked hard his whole life, doing the same thing day in and day out. Nothing ever got any better. The buildings never changed or advanced. He had such amazing ideas but nobody ever took him seriously because the engineer always knew best, apparently, and the contractor should know his place and do what he’s told. I knew I had to get my engineering degree so I could make the changes from within. A female saboteur.”
“How’s that been going for you?” Akari scoffed cheekily.
"It's a work in progress,” she sighed. “Getting the degree was one thing. It's easy if you keep up and study hard, but out in the field it's a whole different ball game. Nobody takes me seriously and I have to prove myself time and time again. I see now why so many female engineers quit within their first or second year. I promised myself that I’m not going to be just another statistic. Eventually, they will have to listen to my ideas. Even if that means I have to work twice as hard as the men on my team."
She sat down next to a tortoise sculpture so Akari could take a photo that neither could ever share on social media without being exposed for bunking lectures. They wanted the memory nonetheless. The whole place seemed magical.
“I know the feeling. It’s not much easier in Japan,” Akari sighed. “But you can’t say anything. You just need to shut up and be grateful for the projects they send your way, which are usually the ones nobody else wants or someone has already messed up.”
“It’s unfair and often frustrating, but I’m determined. That’s why it’s so important that I take all the opportunities I can get, including this trip. Nobody else was available on such short notice when my colleague had to cancel last minute. It was only two weeks ago when a staff meeting was called to arrange other plans!”
“That’s crazy! Luckily you don’t need a visa for Singapore. Still, how did you manage to rearrange your life so quickly? It took me months to plan. My husband wasn’t too impressed with the idea initially.”
“It wasn’t that tricky really. I just had to get ahead with my work and move some meetings around. On the personal front, there was nothing to arrange. I don’t have any dependents. And I don’t just mean kids. I don’t even have pets or a house plant! They would die,” she joked, “but I’d rather be married to my job at this stage than be stuck at home with a bunch of toddlers. I’d feel so trapped.”
“You can’t work at that pace forever, though; you’ll burn out,” Akari cautioned as they went up another level to another climate zone, inside what felt like a giant snow globe. Minus the snow.
“I’m still young and this is all I want.”
“What about a boyfriend?”
“Ha!” Rebekah laughed. “Those just slow you down and take your money. Besides, most men are intimidated by strong women. Don’t get me wrong, I do have my fun, but I can’t deal with a full-time ‘other’ right now. I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself. Besides, I’m more efficient on my own. I like my freedom. Matters of the heart just short-circuit my brain so I find it best to avoid it all together.”
“Your speech sounds well-rehearsed.”
“With a family like mine, asking for grandkids since I turned twenty-three, it has to be. They keep wanting to know if I’m a lesbian or what’s wrong with me. This isn’t exactly the most conventional life choice, but I couldn’t imagine my world any other way. What about you?”
“Me? Like I mentioned, I’ve got a husband at home. No kids yet. We’ve known each other since we were kids. He’s also an engineer. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. His support gets me through it all. If I didn’t have him to go home to, I don’t know what I’d do.”
“Easily negated with a large group of friends,” Rebekah countered.
“Ah, you’re one of those.”
“Oh no, I’m terrible at being a feminist if that is what you’re implying. I hate taking out the trash or if a guy walks through a door in front of me. I just mean that I can get the emotional support from my friends, and when it comes to the sex? Well, let’s be honest, I’m a twenty something single woman living in the city, so that’s not a problem right now.”
“Don’t you want more than that?”
“Maybe one day, but I’ve spent so long building my world the way I want it, I can’t risk someone coming in and trying to change it all. Until I find someone who can actually fit into my life without me having to compromise, I’m okay with things this way. For now, I have to focus on my career. I’ll focus on a relationship later when I’m more established in the industry.”
“So… what about Emile Martín?” Akari teased and Rebekah felt herself blush involuntarily.
“What about him?”
“I see the way you look at him,” Akari countered.
“Don’t be silly. Besides, he’s probably married anyway.” Rebekah tried to dismiss the thought, picking up her pace to avoid where this conversation was heading.
“I didn’t see a ring on his finger. You never know,” Akari continued.
“You’re being ridiculous. Come on, let’s go. I still want to see the Crystal Cave and you’re just talking nonsense.”
Rebekah hoped that the crystal caves and exotic gardens would get the thought of the beautiful Argentinian out of her mind.