The Former Marine

It was a sunny morning in Los Angeles, and Derek was driving through the busy city streets towards the Kylie Cosmetics headquarters. He had decided to surprise Kylie by taking her out to lunch at one of her favorite restaurants. It was rare for them to have a break in the middle of the day to relax and enjoy time together, so he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.
When Derek arrived in front of the building, he parked his car and walked towards the main entrance. The Kylie Cosmetics headquarters was modern, with a glass facade reflecting the sun's brightness. He had been there a few times before, but he was always impressed by the size and structure of the company Kylie had built.
As Derek walked in, he was greeted by the receptionist, who smiled when she recognized him.
"Hello, Derek! Kylie is in her office. May I let her know you're here?"
Derek gave her a polite smile.
"Yes, please. I'm here to take you to lunch."
The receptionist nodded and made a quick call. A few minutes later, Kylie appeared in the hallway, walking toward him. She was wearing a smart blazer and high-waisted pants, her hair impeccably styled. When her eyes met Derek's, she smiled, surprised and excited.
"Derek! What are you doing here in the middle of the day?" she asked, hugging him.
"I thought I'd take you to lunch," he replied with a smile, taking her hand. "I thought you could use a breather and relax a bit."
Kylie smiled, clearly appreciating the gesture.
"You really know how to surprise me. And I needed that, today's been a busy day."
She turned to her assistant, who was standing right behind her.
"I'm going out to lunch with Derek, can you take care of everything until I get back?"
"Sure, Kylie. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything," the assistant replied, before walking away.

Derek looked at Kylie with a smile.
"Shall we go? I have a place in mind that I think you'll like."
On the way to the restaurant, the mood between them was relaxed. Derek drove while Kylie relaxed in the passenger seat, enjoying the rare tranquility that this moment provided.
"So, where are we going?" Kylie asked curiously.
"Surprise," Derek replied, keeping the mystery. "But I can assure you that you'll like it. It's a quiet place, without all the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles."
Kylie smiled, appreciating the effort he was putting into creating a special moment.
"You always know exactly what I need."
As they approached the restaurant, Derek parked the car on a quiet street, near a small tree-lined square. The restaurant they chose was discreet, almost hidden among the trees, but with a special charm. It was one of those places that only locals knew about, away from the flashes and cameras that usually followed Kylie.
When they entered, the cozy and intimate atmosphere enveloped them. The waiter recognized them and quickly led them to a table in a more private corner. Derek pulled out a chair for Kylie, who smiled at the gentlemanly gesture.
"You really outdid yourself, Derek. I didn't expect such a quiet and charming place," she commented, looking around.
"I knew you'd like it," he replied, settling into the chair across from her.
As they looked over the menu, they chatted about Kylie's day. She told him how busy things were at Kylie Cosmetics, with new product launches and endless meetings. Derek, in turn, talked about the workouts he was leading at the gym, even mentioning Ana de Armas' progress.
"She's doing great," he said, referring to Ana. "She's totally dedicated to the role. I'm sure the movie will be a hit."
"I saw her post on Instagram," Kylie commented with a smile. "I think it's amazing how much you're helping people. You really have a special talent."
Derek nodded modestly.
"I'm just doing what I love. And it's nice to see my work helping others."
The waiter returned with their orders, serving carefully prepared dishes. As they ate, the conversation continued to flow naturally, with Kylie commenting on how Stormi and Aire were adjusting to their new routine, and Derek telling them about some new plans for his gym.
"I'm thinking about expanding a bit," he said between bites. "Maybe adding more specialized classes, focusing on self-defense and combat preparation."
Kylie nodded, interested.
"I think that's a great idea. Your gym is growing and people are realizing how talented you are. I think it would be a success."
Derek smiled, pleased with her support.
"We'll see how things go. I want to make sure I maintain the quality of what we offer."
After they finished their meal, the lighthearted mood continued as they ordered dessert. Kylie, always connected to what was happening around her, she picked up her phone to check some messages, but soon put it aside.
"You know," she began, looking directly at Derek, "these moments with you are the ones I cherish the most. Away from the media, the cameras, the commitments... that's what I really need."
Derek smiled and held her hand across the table.
"I feel the same way. We don't need anything more than what we already have. I just want you to know that I'll always do my best to make sure you have moments like this."
Kylie smiled, her eyes shining with affection.
"I know. And I'm so lucky to have you."
After lunch, Derek drove Kylie back to Kylie Cosmetics. They reached the parking lot and, before saying goodbye, Kylie pulled him into a tight hug.
"Thank you for lunch. It was exactly what I needed," she said, giving him a tender kiss on the lips.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Let's do this more often," Derek replied, a smile on his face.
Kylie nodded. "Sure thing. Now, back to work for me," she said, already walking back to the building.
Derek watched her walk away with a smile, before getting in his car and driving back to his gym. That simple but meaningful lunch had only reinforced their feelings for each other even more. Moments like that were precious, reminding them that despite all the fame and attention, what really mattered was the connection they had, away from the prying eyes and incessant cameras.
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