Evan stood at the front of the robotics clubroom, his ptop open and connected to the projector. The screen dispyed a clean, well-organized slide deck—something he had put together just hours ago after his te-night research session. His heart pounded slightly, but he forced himself to remain composed. He wasn’t used to being the center of attention like this, but he had confidence in his idea.

  Clearing his throat, he gnced around the room. Amelia, Finn, and Naomi sat at the worktable, waiting expectantly. A few other club members leaned in, curious about what Evan had been so excited about. He took a steadying breath and began.

  “We’ve all been looking at our project as a household assistant,” Evan started, his voice steady. “Something that could help with chores, running errands, making life easier. And that’s a great idea… but it’s also impractical for mass adoption right now.” He tapped the slide changer, revealing a statistic about the cost of advanced home automation. “It’s expensive, hard to market to the average person, and let’s be honest—people are still skeptical about robotic assistants in their homes.”

  The room was quiet, his audience absorbed in his words.

  “But,” he continued, a small smile tugging at his lips, “what if we think bigger? What if, instead of marketing this as a household robot, we pitched it as a high-end service industry assistant?”

  He clicked to the next slide, showing an image of a five-star hotel lobby—pristine floors, elegant chandeliers, guests being waited on by impeccably dressed staff. “Hotels, resorts, luxury spaces—they rely on efficiency and service. Imagine our robot, not as a ‘Chore Boy,’ but as a robotic bellhop. It could deliver luggage, room service, personal items—all with precision and efficiency.”

  A murmur went through the room as the idea settled in.

  Evan’s confidence grew. “Not only does this make it a premium product—meaning we don’t have to worry about affordability in the average home—but it also makes it a spectacle. A symbol of prestige. Guests would talk about it, share videos, and hotels would love the publicity.”

  Amelia’s eyes widened with realization. “Oh my God… that could actually work.”

  Naomi pushed up her gsses, already deep in thought. “Luxury hotels already invest heavily in innovation. They could justify the cost, and if it improves their service, it’s a win-win.”

  Finn, who had been leaning back zily, suddenly sat up, his brows furrowing in the softest pout. “You actually did your research on this?”

  Evan nodded. “I spent the night looking into automation in high-end hospitality. There are some robotic solutions out there, but nothing quite like ours. The competition is minimal, and if we position this right, we could be pioneers.”

  A grin broke across Finn’s face, his eyes shining with a quiet admiration. “Damn, Evan. I didn’t expect you to come in with a whole business strategy.”

  Amelia cpped her hands together. “This is brilliant! We just need to tweak the design a little to match the aesthetics of luxury hotels, maybe refine the AI interactions, but this is actually marketable.”

  Naomi was already scribbling down notes. “If we go this route, we’ll need a polished prototype. Something we can actually demonstrate.”

  Evan pulled up another slide. “I thought about that too. There’s a startup event happening in three months—an innovation showcase where investors and industry professionals attend. If we can get a working prototype ready by then, we can pitch directly to potential buyers.”

  For a moment, the room was silent as everyone processed the enormity of the opportunity.

  Then, Amelia shot up from her seat. “Evan, you’re a genius!”

  The energy in the room shifted—excitement buzzing in the air. Finn let out a tiny, delighted gasp before quickly covering it with a cough, his cheeks dusting the faintest pink. “Alright, I’ll admit it. This is actually getting interesting.”

  Naomi looked up from her notes, nodding. “Three months is tight, but it’s doable if we work efficiently. We already have the base. We just need to refine, polish, and prepare a compelling pitch.”

  Evan exhaled, finally allowing himself to rex. The feeling of uncertainty lifted from his shoulders, repced by an unexpected but welcome feeling of pride. For the first time since joining the club, he felt like he had made a significant impact—not just helping here and there, but actually leading them towards something big.

  “Then it’s settled,” he said, his tone filled with determination. “We have three months to turn this into something unforgettable.”

  The room erupted in agreement, their motivation reignited. The robotics club wasn’t just working on a fun project anymore. They were building something with real potential—something that could change their futures.

  ***

  That day, feeling particurly pleased with himself, Evan decided to pay Sienna a visit at her office. She had been buried in work tely, and while he understood her responsibilities, he missed spending time with her. Maybe a surprise visit would brighten her day.

  After calling for his chauffeur, he settled into the plush leather seat of the sleek bck sedan. The ride through the city was smooth, the towering skyscrapers casting long shadows as the sun began its descent. He gazed out the window, his mind still buzzing with the excitement of the robotics club’s new direction. A small smile pyed on his lips as he imagined how proud Sienna would be of him.

  Before heading straight to her office, he made a quick detour. If he was going to surprise her, he might as well bring something she would appreciate. After some thought, he picked up a small box of high-end dark chocote truffles and a cup of her favorite iced espresso. He had noticed that Sienna often skipped meals when she was deep in work, but she never turned down good coffee and a quick snack. Satisfied with his choice, he resumed his journey to the company.

  When the car pulled up in front of the towering gss building, he stepped out, smoothing out the slight creases in his tailored shirt. The building reflected the warm hues of the evening sky, its sheer presence exuding power and prestige. Taking a deep breath, he walked through the grand entrance, where the receptionists immediately took notice of him.

  “Mr. Lancaster,” one of them greeted warmly, her expression polite yet slightly awed. “Miss Sienna wasn’t expecting you today.”

  Evan smiled. “It’s a surprise visit.”

  Just as he was about to ask for directions to her office, a familiar voice interrupted. “Mr. Lancaster?”

  Evan turned to see a man standing nearby—Sienna’s secretary. Tall and slender, with well-groomed hair and sharp features, he carried himself with a certain poised elegance. However, what caught Evan’s attention wasn’t his demeanor—it was his attire.

  The man’s shirt, though neatly tucked in, had the top few buttons undone, revealing a teasing glimpse of his colrbone and toned chest. His fitted scks accentuated his long legs a bit too well, and the subtle fragrance of expensive cologne lingered around him. The outfit, while not outright inappropriate, definitely skirted the line of professionalism.

  Evan blinked, but quickly dismissed any further thoughts. The reversed gender norms of this world still threw him off sometimes. Maybe this was just normal office attire for men. Without dwelling on it, he nodded in greeting.

  “We weren’t expecting you today,” the secretary said with a pleasant smile. “Are you here to see Miss Sienna?”

  Evan lifted the small bag in his hand. “Yeah. Thought I’d bring her something to snack on while she works.”

  The secretary’s lips curled slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. “How thoughtful. She’s in her office. I’ll escort you.”

  Evan followed him through the pristine halls of the building. The secretary didn’t say much, though Evan couldn’t help but notice how he occasionally gnced back at him, as if studying him. Shrugging it off, he focused ahead as they approached Sienna’s office.

  The double doors were sleek, made of dark wood with gold trimmings—cssy, yet imposing. The secretary knocked twice before pushing them open, gesturing for Evan to enter.

  Sienna’s office was nothing short of magnificent. A vast floor-to-ceiling window covered an entire wall, offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline. Sunlight filtered in, casting a golden glow over the luxurious furnishings. The massive desk in the center was made of polished ebony, perfectly organized with stacks of documents and a sleek computer setup. Behind it, Sienna sat, her sharp eyes scanning a report on her screen.

  At the sound of the door opening, she gnced up—and immediately, a smile broke across her face.

  “Evan,” she said, surprise and delight mingling in her tone. She set aside her work and stood up gracefully, walking over to him with measured yet eager steps. “This is unexpected.”

  “I figured you could use a break,” Evan said, grinning as he lifted the small bag. “Brought you something.”

  Sienna’s eyes lit up as she peeked inside. “Chocote and espresso? You really know me well.”

  “You always forget to eat when you’re busy,” he pointed out.

  She chuckled, shaking her head fondly. “You’re too sweet.”

  Settling into the seating area near the window, she motioned for him to sit as well. “Tell me, what’s got you in such a good mood?”

  Evan didn’t need to be asked twice. He unched into an enthusiastic retelling of the robotics club meeting, expining their new direction and the excitement it had sparked among the members.

  Sienna listened intently, nodding along as he spoke. When he finally finished, she leaned back, a proud glint in her eyes. “You did great, Evan. You’re a natural leader, whether you realize it or not.”

  He felt warmth spread through his chest at her words. Compliments from Sienna always carried meaning, and hearing her praise him made the hard work feel even more worthwhile.

  “Thanks,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “It just… felt good, you know? Like I was actually making a difference.”

  She smiled. “You are.”

  A comfortable silence settled between them before Evan gnced at the clock. “I don’t want to interrupt your work too much. I’ll just wait here for you to finish, and we can head home together.”

  Sienna’s expression brightened at that. “I’d like that.”

  With that decided, Evan stood up, stretching slightly. “I’ll just wander around for a bit, see what your empire looks like up close.”

  Sienna chuckled. “Don’t cause trouble.”

  He smirked. “Me? Never.”

  As he stepped out of the office, he took in the quiet efficiency of the workpce. Employees sat at their desks, immersed in their tasks. The hum of keyboards filled the air, interspersed with the occasional murmur of conversation. Everything operated smoothly, a testament to Sienna’s leadership.

  Walking at a leisurely pace, he observed from a respectful distance, careful not to disrupt the workflow. Most employees barely noticed him, too focused on their tasks—except for one.

  The secretary from earlier.

  Evan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed something peculiar. When a manager approached the secretary’s desk with a stack of files, the man immediately stopped what he was doing, standing up with almost too much enthusiasm.

  “I’ll take those to Miss Sienna,” he offered, cutting off the manager mid-sentence.

  The manager looked mildly surprised but shrugged, handing over the documents. The secretary took them with an eager smile and turned toward Sienna’s office.

  Evan’s brows furrowed slightly. Something about that interaction didn’t sit right with him.

  Without a second thought, he decided to follow.

  Evan trailed behind at a measured pace, keeping a careful distance as he watched the secretary make his way toward Sienna’s office. His grip tightened slightly around the bag in his hand, though he wasn’t sure why. Something about the man’s behavior didn’t sit right with him. He had dropped his current work without hesitation, stepping in to ‘help’ with a little too much eagerness.

  As the secretary approached the office doors, he adjusted his posture, smoothing a hand over his already immacute shirt. Evan noticed the subtle shift in his demeanor—the way he squared his shoulders, the slight tilt of his chin as if preparing for something. When the doors swung open, he stepped inside without a hint of hesitation.

  Evan lingered by the doorframe, staying just out of direct sight as he observed.

  Sienna, as expected, was deeply focused on her work. Her fingers moved deftly over the keyboard, her brows slightly furrowed as she scrutinized the data on her screen. The golden evening light cast a glow over her face, highlighting the sharp angles of her jawline. She hadn’t even looked up.

  The secretary, however, was watching her intently.

  Instead of the usual professional tone Evan had heard from other employees, his voice took on a more familiar lilt as he spoke.

  “Sienna, I’ve brought the reports you requested,” he said smoothly, pcing the stack of files onto her desk with an unnecessary flourish.

  Evan’s eyes narrowed.

  Sienna didn’t react immediately. She merely hummed in acknowledgment, her gaze never leaving the monitor. “Just leave them there. I’ll go through them ter.”

  If she noticed the informal way he addressed her, she didn’t show it. But Evan certainly did.

  No one in this building called her by her first name so casually. It was always ‘President Lancaster’ or at the very least, ‘Miss Sienna’—a show of respect for her position. Yet this man had addressed her as if they were close. Too close.

  Evan’s gaze sharpened as he took in the rest of the scene.

  The secretary had shifted his stance subtly. He leaned slightly toward Sienna’s desk, not enough to be obvious, but just enough that it was noticeable to someone who was paying attention. His hands rested on the polished surface, his posture open and rexed—as if he were inviting familiarity. His entire body nguage suggested he was waiting for something.

  A response? A gnce? A moment of acknowledgment?

  But Sienna remained oblivious.

  She flipped through a few files, her focus unwavering. “You can go now,” she said absently, still engrossed in her work.

  The secretary hesitated for a second too long.

  That was enough.

  Evan stepped into the room, his presence breaking the moment. “Didn’t you have other tasks to handle?” he asked coolly, his voice carrying a sharp edge.

  The secretary’s head snapped up, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Evan to be here.

  Sienna blinked and looked up at Evan, her expression momentarily puzzled before softening into a smile. “Evan?”

  The secretary, on the other hand, straightened immediately. “I was just delivering the reports.” His tone had lost the earlier warmth, repced with a more neutral professionalism.

  Evan crossed his arms. “Then do your job and don’t waste time lingering here.”

  A flicker of something crossed the secretary’s face—irritation, maybe embarrassment—but he quickly masked it. He dipped his head slightly. “Of course. My apologies.”

  Without another word, he turned and briskly left the office, his steps noticeably quicker than before.

  Evan watched him go before shifting his attention back to Sienna.

  She was now fully focused on him, one brow arched in curiosity. “What was that about?”

  Evan let out a small scoff, shaking his head. “That guy was trying to make a pass at you.”

  Sienna blinked, then let out an amused chuckle. “You think so?”

  Evan frowned, stepping closer to her desk. “I know so. Did you hear how he called you by your name? No ‘President Lancaster,’ no formality, just ‘Sienna’ like you’re his friend.”

  Sienna tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. “I suppose I was too focused to notice.”

  Evan exhaled through his nose. “That’s exactly the problem. You’re engaged now. You should be more mindful of how people act around you.”

  At his words, Sienna’s lips curved into a slow smile. A pleased, almost delighted look crossed her face. “Are you being possessive right now?”

  Evan stiffened slightly, caught off guard by her reaction. “…I’m just saying you should be careful.”

  Sienna leaned back in her chair, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. “I like it.”

  Evan blinked. “What?”

  Her eyes gleamed with amusement. “I like seeing you get possessive over me. It means you care. That you don’t like other people getting too close.”

  Evan felt warmth creep up his neck. He hadn’t thought of it that way. He was just… annoyed. Right?

  Sienna propped her chin on her hand, her gaze pyful. “It reminds me of when Rachel tried to get close to you. Do you remember how irritated I was?”

  Evan did remember. Back then, he had thought it was just a mild reaction, but now, looking at the situation from the other side… he was starting to understand her perspective a little too well.

  His mind turned over the past few minutes, and an absurd thought crossed his mind.

  Wait… was this her pn all along?

  Was she trying to make him jealous on purpose?

  His eyes flickered to her, but she looked genuinely rexed, as if she hadn’t orchestrated anything. No, that wasn’t her style. She was too straightforward for such schemes.

  …Right?

  He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Just… be careful, alright?”

  Sienna grinned. “Of course.”

  Something told him she was enjoying this a little too much.

  LunarEcho