THE BILLIONAIRE’S PUREST OBSESSION

His World

The following afternoon arrived way sooner than Evangeline expected. She stood alone in the kitchen, fastening the lid securely over the lunch plate before wrapping Kylian's flask of warm ginger tea in a clean cloth.

She checked everything twice; the grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit, and the medication Dr. Whitmore had instructed him to take after eating. Only when she was certain nothing had been forgotten did she place everything neatly into the lunch bag.

For a moment, she simply stared at it. Yesterday, she had been nothing more than the cook who prepared his meals; today, she was expected to walk into the headquarters of Moreno Global. The thought made her uneasy.

As she crossed the foyer, the driver was already waiting by the open front door. "Good afternoon, Miss Miller."

She smiled. "Good afternoon."

"I've been instructed to take you directly to Mr. Moreno's office."

Evangeline nodded quietly before stepping into the waiting car. She tightened her grip on the basket resting in her lap as they moved past tall skyscrapers, this wasn't her world.

The car slowed down at the entrance of a towering building. Evangeline stepped out, her eyes lifting upward as the building seemed to disappear into the clouds.

Huge display letters were visible across the entrance.

MORENO GLOBAL.

People dressed in suits filled everywhere, speaking quietly into wireless earpieces or carrying briefcases, while luxury cars arrived one after another before disappearing just as quickly.

For a second, Evangeline wondered if she should turn around and go home. Instead, she straightened her shoulders and walked inside.

The lobby was breathtaking. Fresh flowers decorated the reception area, and everything; from the security desks to the elevators, looked completely expensive. She suddenly became very aware of the simple lunch basket she carried against her chest.

Before she could approach the reception desk, one of the security officers stepped forward. "Good afternoon, Miss Miller."

Evangeline stopped. "Good afternoon."

"If you'll come with me, please."

She blinked. "You know who I am?"

The officer smiled. "Mr. Moreno left instructions this morning."

She nodded slowly, following him toward the elevators. As they crossed the lobby, she became very aware of the curious glances drifting in her direction.

A woman behind reception paused in the middle of a phone call, two other people walking past slowed down and turned to look. Evangeline ignored them and kept her eyes foward.

The elevator doors slid open and the officer stepped aside. "After you, Miss Miller."

Evangeline hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. As the doors closed, carrying her toward the executive floors, she looked down at the basket in her hands and silently wondered what kind of place required a cook to be announced before she even arrived.

The elevator doors opened onto a quiet floor. Evangeline noticed how everything felt different from the bustling lobby below.

A woman in a navy suit was already waiting, stepping forward with a smile. "Good afternoon, Miss Miller."

Evangeline shifted the lunch basket slightly in her hands. "Good afternoon."

"I'm Serena." She extended her hand politely. "Mr. Moreno's assistant."

Evangeline shook it gently. "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine." Serena's eyes briefly fell to the basket. "You've brought Mr. Moreno's lunch."

"Yes."

"Perfect." She gestured down the corridor. "This way, please."

As they walked, Evangeline noticed some men and women sat around conference tables talking while others moved across different rooms hurriedly. Everything seemed organized.

Serena stopped outside a pair of large wooden doors. "He’s in a board meeting still in progress."

"Oh..." Evangeline immediately looked apologetic. "Should I come back later?”

"No." Serena smiled reassuringly. "Mr. Moreno instructed us to expect you." She opened the door opposite the boardroom to reveal a lounge with chairs, bookshelves, fresh flowers, and a coffee station. "You may wait here."

Evangeline stepped inside carefully. "I don't want to inconvenience anyone."

"You aren't." Serena poured a glass of water and placed it on the table. "If you need anything, let me know."

"Thank you."

Left alone, Evangeline carefully placed the lunch basket on the table beside her chair. Then she folded her hands in her lap and waited.

Across the hallway, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different. A dozen executives sat around a conference table as financial projections glowed on a massive screen.

"...which brings the projected acquisition value to approximately three point eight billion dollars." Every eye remained fixed on the presenter.

At the head of the table sat Kylian. He rested one elbow against the arm of his chair while flipping a pen between his fingers.

The presenter finished, and the room suddenly became silent. "Questions?" Kylian asked.

One executive adjusted his glasses. "I'd like clarification on the European—"

A knock interrupted him, and every head turned. The door opened only a few inches before Serena stepped inside. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Miss Miller has arrived."

Kylian nodded at her. "Thank you."

Serena turned around and left as quietly as she had entered. Normally, Kylian would move directly to the next agenda. Instead, he closed the folder in front of him. "We'll continue after lunch."

For a few seconds, nobody moved. The chief financial officer blinked. "After lunch, sir?"

"Yes." Kylian rose from his chair, buttoning his suit jacket. "You'll have revised projections ready when I return."

Without another explanation, he walked toward the door, and closed it behind him.

Finally, one of the directors looked around the table. "Did Mr. Moreno... just postpone a board meeting?"

Another executive frowned. "I’ve never seen this happen before.”

Neither had anyone else.

The door to the lounge opened slowly, and Evangeline immediately rose to her feet. "Good afternoon, sir."

Kylian's gaze settled briefly on the lunch bag resting beside her before lifting to her face. "You've been waiting long?"

She shook her head. "No, sir."

"Good."

Without another word, he reached down and took the bag from her hands. For a moment, neither of them moved, then he turned toward the hallway.

Evangeline remained standing where she was until Kylian glanced back over his shoulder. "Are you coming?"

She blinked. "Sir?"

He held her gaze for a second. "I wasn't asking you to deliver my lunch. I asked you to have lunch with me."

Evangeline froze. Around them, conversations in nearby offices seemed to stop, and several employees looked up from their desks. Even Serena, halfway through speaking to another assistant, paused.

No one spoke; they simply watched as Mr. Moreno stood waiting... waiting for his cook.