Evan stretched zily as the morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting golden patterns across the plush hotel room. He blinked, adjusting to the soft glow before his gaze nded on Sienna, who was already dressed, seated at the desk with her tablet in hand. Her hair was neatly tied in a low ponytail, giving her an air of sharp efficiency.

  “Morning, handsome,” she greeted without looking up, her voice smooth and teasing.

  Evan sighed and pushed himself up, rubbing his temples. There was a certain ambiguity in the air—neither of them mentioned st night, though it lingered unspoken between them. But he knew Sienna wouldn’t dwell on it, not when there was business to handle.

  “I let you sleep in a little since we don’t have to rush today,” she continued, tapping her screen. “But now that you’re up, come here. We have some prep to do before the meeting.”

  Evan stretched again before getting up, making his way to her side. He leaned over slightly to gnce at her screen. “Alright, enlighten me.”

  Sienna smirked. “This meeting is with EcoBuild Technologies. They specialize in sustainable building materials—everything from energy-efficient insution to self-sustaining infrastructure. Lancaster Energy has been expanding aggressively into green energy, and this partnership is key to integrating that technology into real estate.”

  Evan nodded, catching on quickly. “So this isn’t just about energy production but also its application.”

  “Exactly,” Sienna said, pleased. “The real estate side of the Lancaster Conglomerate—what Mother handles—has always been our backbone. If we secure this deal now, it’ll be useful in the long run when we tie it back to rge-scale city developments. This is about positioning ourselves for the future, not just immediate gains.”

  Evan absorbed her words, finding himself unexpectedly engaged. It wasn’t just business jargon—there was a strategic depth to this that he found… interesting. He leaned against the desk, arms crossed. “So what’s the angle? How do we convince them?”

  Sienna gave him an approving gnce. “EcoBuild prides itself on sustainability. They don’t just want profit; they want impact. So our approach has to highlight how Lancaster Energy is aligned with that vision. We can’t act like we’re just looking for another supplier—we need to show that this is a long-term colboration.”

  Evan smirked. “So, less ‘give us your products’ and more ‘let’s change the world together’?”

  Sienna chuckled. “Exactly.”

  ***

  EcoBuild Technologies’ headquarters was a stark contrast to the gss-and-steel skyscrapers of traditional corporate buildings. The structure was sleek yet organic—panels of sor gss reflected the clear sky, while vertical gardens lined the exterior, filtering air naturally. The entrance hall smelled of fresh greenery, a mix of earth and wood, adding a calming touch to the usual sterile business environments.

  Evan gnced around, impressed. “I take it they practice what they preach.”

  Sienna gave a small nod as they stepped inside. “They don’t just sell sustainability. They embody it.”

  The meeting room was simirly eco-friendly—minimalistic yet functional, with natural light pouring in from rge skylights. The walls had living moss panels, subtly improving the air quality. At the long conference table sat three women, all exuding quiet confidence.

  At the center was Dr. Evelyn Moore, the founder of EcoBuild, a woman in her mid-forties with sharp, intelligent eyes. Beside her was Lena Park, Head of Product Development, with a no-nonsense demeanor. A younger executive, Sophia Lin, sat at the far end, typing notes on her tablet.

  Sienna took her seat gracefully, her presence commanding. Evan followed, taking his position slightly behind her—his role was to observe, and he was content with that.

  “Ms. Lancaster,” Dr. Moore greeted, shaking Sienna’s hand. “We’ve been looking forward to this discussion.”

  “As have we,” Sienna replied smoothly. “Lancaster Energy believes that our colboration could redefine sustainable infrastructure on a global scale.”

  Evan stayed quiet, watching the subtle power dynamics unfold. Unlike the previous meeting, this one had a different energy—less transactional, more about alignment.

  Lena Park leaned forward. “We appreciate your enthusiasm. However, while we admire Lancaster Energy’s work, we’ve been hesitant about partnerships outside our direct industry. Many corporations talk about sustainability but fail to commit when profit is at stake.”

  Sienna didn’t flinch. “I understand the skepticism. But Lancaster Energy has already implemented green initiatives in multiple projects. This isn’t a PR move for us—it’s a strategic shift.”

  The conversation flowed back and forth, with Sienna steering it with ease. But as it went on, Evan noticed a roadblock forming.

  An hour into the discussion, they hit a snag. EcoBuild was hesitant to commit fully because of logistical concerns—Lancaster Energy’s existing supply chains weren’t optimized for their specialized materials.

  “This is a fundamental issue,” Lena Park said, folding her arms. “If we compromise on supply chain integration now, it could lead to long-term inefficiencies.”

  Evan watched the exchange, his mind turning. He had learned enough to know that outright opposing a concern wouldn’t work. Instead, he considered the problem from a different angle.

  “What if,” he spoke up for the first time, drawing the room’s attention, “instead of trying to fully integrate immediately, we set up a pilot project?”

  Sienna gnced at him but didn’t interrupt.

  Evan continued, choosing his words carefully. “We test the partnership on a smaller scale—perhaps a limited number of Lancaster Energy’s urban projects—before committing fully. That way, both sides can assess efficiency without heavy risk.”

  Dr. Moore tapped her fingers on the table, considering. “A proof of concept…”

  Lena still looked unconvinced. “It’s an interesting thought, but real-world projects require significant investment, even at a smaller scale.”

  Sienna leaned forward now, picking up where Evan left off. “Then let’s tweak the model. Lancaster Energy can shoulder part of the initial costs as an investment in the partnership. That way, the risk is shared, and we demonstrate our commitment.”

  Evan gnced at her, realizing she had subtly refined his idea—making it more realistic while keeping its essence.

  Dr. Moore exchanged looks with her team before finally nodding. “That… could work.”

  The rest of the meeting progressed smoothly after that, with details of the pilot project being outlined. By the time they shook hands, the deal was well on its way to being finalized.

  As they left the headquarters, Evan felt a quiet sense of accomplishment. He had spoken up, contributed, and his idea had been taken seriously.

  Sienna, walking beside him, didn’t immediately comment on it. Instead, she kept her usual composed air, discussing next steps with her assistant.

  But as they got into the car, she turned slightly, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “Not bad.”

  Evan raised an eyebrow. “That’s all I get?”

  Sienna smirked, leaning closer. “Oh, I’ll reward you ter tonight.”

  Evan exhaled, shaking his head. “Of course you will.”

  And yet, he couldn’t help but feel a little pleased.

  Back at the hotel, Evan sat on the couch, watching Sienna work. She had changed out of her business attire into something more rexed—an elegant silk blouse and tailored pants—yet she still exuded that same composed confidence.

  Her tablet y on the coffee table, and she scrolled through emails, responding swiftly. At the same time, she was on a call, her tone measured but firm as she discussed adjustments to Lancaster Energy’s next project.

  Evan leaned back, observing her in silence. He had seen her command a boardroom before, but now, in this more private setting, he was struck by something else—how effortlessly she handled multiple yers of problems.

  One second, she was finalizing logistics for the EcoBuild colboration. The next, she was coordinating a real estate acquisition, shifting between industries as though it was second nature. There was no hesitation in her movements, no unnecessary stress. She simply solved problems, one after another, without losing her composure.

  Most people would buckle under this kind of responsibility. But Sienna thrived in it.

  And for the first time, Evan found himself genuinely admiring her—not just as someone skilled, but as someone who carried an empire on her shoulders and made it look easy.

  He smirked. “You’re like a machine, you know that?”

  Sienna finished typing something before looking up, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Fttering me again, Evan?”

  “It’s not fttery if it’s true,” he replied, stretching his arms behind his head. “I mean, I was sitting there struggling to keep up with one meeting, and you’re juggling five different crises at once. It’s kind of terrifying.”

  She chuckled, setting her tablet down. “It’s just practice. You’ll get used to it.”

  Evan scoffed. “I highly doubt that.”

  Sienna stood up, walking over to where he was lounging. She pced a hand on the couch behind him, leaning down slightly, her presence filling his space. “You kept up just fine today,” she said smoothly. “And you handled that stalemate well.”

  Evan felt a flicker of satisfaction, though he rolled his eyes. “Oh? Now I get praise?”

  Sienna smirked. “You’ll get your reward ter. Be patient.”

  Evan exhaled, shaking his head. “You keep saying that. Should I be worried?”

  She only ughed saying, “Wait and find out.”

  LunarEcho