The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Evelyn sat at her desk in the spacious office of Empowered Magazine, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she tried to focus on the article she was editing.

Although her promotion was not official since she was yet to interview Derek which was the criterion for it, she was working as the acting editor-in-chief. Even though she had only just resumed, she had a mountain of work to get through, with deadlines around the corner and articles demanding her

attention

Despite her best efforts to focus on work, her mind kept drifting back to Derek and she found herself staring at her phone often, half-expecting a call or text from him.

She knew she had no reason to expect him to call since they had nothing important to discuss. Yet she couldn't stop herself from hoping

No matter how hard she tried to push thoughts of him out of her mind, and bury herself in her work, it was no use. He lingered in her thoughts, a distraction she just couldn't seem to shake.

Get it together, Evelyn, she silently scolded herself, shaking her head as if that would help clear her mind. You have work to do.

She forced her attention back to the article on her screen, determined to focus. She was still trying to concentrate when her phone rang, startling her.

Seeing Susan's name on the screen, she quickly composed herself and answered.

"Hi, Susan," Evelyn said, her tone professional, though her mind was still a bit scattered.

"Evelyn, how's it going?" Susan's voice was brisk, as always, but there was a hint of warmth that put Evelyn at ease.

"Good, just working through some edits." Evelyn replied, sitting up straighter as though Susan could see her.

"That's what I like to hear, Susan said, a smile evident in her tone. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you about that interview with Derek Stone. Have you reached out to him? Or did he talk to you about it? You're still doing it, right?"

Evelyn felt her stomach tighten at the mention of Derek's name. "Yes. We talked about it."

"Great! Have you set a date yer?"

"Not yet," she admitted. "I discussed it with his secretary and she mentioned that this week would be very busy for him, so I was thinking next week might be better."

"Next week, huh?" Susan sounded thoughtful. "Well, I suppose that's fine, but make sure to lock it down soon. We don't want anything to come up again and have him change his mind. I'm sure you know how important this is, especially after the trouble

"I understand. I'll make sure to get a firm date from him" Evelyn said, thinking that would be a good reason to reach out to him.

"Great" Suson said, her tone brightening. "I know you'll handle it. Just keep me posted"

"I will," Evelyn promised.

After a few more words, they ended the call, and Evelyn set her phone down on the desk, staring at it as if it held all the answers.

She knew she needed to call Derek, but the thought filled her with a strange of anticipation and anxiety,

She wasn't sure she was ready to face him again, especially not after the way their last encounter had left her feeling so conflicted.

But this was work, she told herself with a sigh and picked up her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she reached Derek's name. Her finger hovered over the call button, but she hesitated.

She was still debating whether to call him or call his secretary instead so she could communicate with him on her behalf when her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of her phone again.

She glanced at the screen and smiled when she saw Rayna's name flashing. First Margaret, now Rayna. It seemed like everyone was reaching out today, she mused.

"To what do I owe this pleasure Evelyn asked warmly as she answered the call.

Rayna laughed, -To friendship, of course. How are you doing? I hope I'm not interrupting work?" Kayna's voice was as cheerful as ever, bringing a

genuine smile to Evelyn's face.

"No, you're not interrupting anything. How are you doing?"

"I'm a perfect blend of stressed out and bored. I need some time off. If I had a man, this is the time I'd want to take off with him to some exotic corner of the world and just relax and have sex and repeat the circle over and over again," Rayna said and Evelyn laughed.

"What do you mean relax and have sex?" Evelyn asked with amusement.

"Go swimming, have sex in the pool. Sunbathe, go back to our room to have sex. Go see a movie, make out in the cinema, and go back home to have sex, go club.."

"Okay. Okay. I get the picture. Thanks," Evelyn cut in laughing.

"Unfortunately no guy in the picture you got," Rayna said and they both laughed.

"Why don't you just sign up on a dating site or something?" Evelyn suggested.

"I tried that once but it was a disaster. As a matter of fact, I'm traumatized by it," Rayna said and Evelyn laughed.

-Was it that bad?

What happened?" She asked and Rayna shook her head.

"I'll tell you about it after I get therapy," she said and Evelyn giggled.

"Anyway, I was thinking we should meet up. How about I swing by your place later?" Rayna suggested.

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She didn't want Rayna to know about Samantha yet. She just wasn't ready to explain that part of her life to Rayna or anyone else yet,

She knew that Rayna was friends with Sandra too, and she could hardly ask Rayna to stop being friends with Sandra for her sake. If Rayna knew about Samantha, there was every possibility that she might innocently tell Sandra about it and then just like that it would get to Michael and Derek would get to know about Samantha

"Oh, I would love that Evelyn began, searching for an excuse. "But I've been so busy with work that I'm yet to set up my place. It is a mess, and I wouldn't want you to see it like that. How about I come by your bakery instead?"

"Ugh, I'm so tired of that place. I took the day off. I need to escape," Rayna groaned, making Evelyn laugh.

"Okay, how about we meet somewhere else then?" Evelyn suggested, feeling relieved to steer the conversation away from her home.

"Somewhere else, huh? How about a club? We could use a night out!" Rayna's voice was full of excitement, but Evelyn didn't share in her

excitement

She couldn't go to a club, especially not on a weekday. It wasn't just the fact that she had work in the morning- there was also Samantha to consider. The idea of leaving her daughter at night while she went out to party was unthinkable.

"A club? On a weeknight?" Evelyn tried to sound casual, but she could already feel the guilt creeping in

"Why not? It's not like we will be there till Dawn. All we have to do is put on sexy clothes and hang out there for an hour or two. We are never going to meet any men if we don't go out, Eviel Don't do it for yourself. Do it for your lonely old friend," Rayna said and Evelyn couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's persistence.

"I really can't tonight. How about we do it this weekend instead?" She said with a sigh.

"Weekend, huh? I'll hold you to that," Rayna said, her tone playful but firm. "You better not bail on me, Evelyn. We both need a night out."

"I won't bail," Evelyn promised, knowing full well that she probably needed the hangout too.

"It's a date then. And I have just the perfect place in mind," Rayna said, clearly pleased. "Will Sandra be joining us? She sort of felt left out when I told her we were together at the bakery the last time," Rayna said, and Evelyn winced.

"T'd rather it's just the both of us. Can you not mention our outings to her?" Evelyn asked, and Rayna paused.

"Is there a problem? Are you both fighting?" Rayna asked and Evelyn sighed

"It's complicated, and I really can't talk about it. But I need you to promise me that you won't discuss me with her or tell her about our hangouts," Evelyn said and Rayna smiled

"Sure. You know you've always been any favorite friend, anyway," Rayna said and Evelyn smiled, relieved that Rayna wasn't asking any questions.

1:08 PM

After the call ended, she leaned back in her seat and her thoughts drifted to Sandra and the stunt she had pulled at the anniversary party, She couldn't help but wonder if that was all Sandra had up her sleeves or if she should be expecting more,

Thinking of Sandra her thoughts circled back to Derek and she sighed. It seemed like all her problems were centered on Derek.

She let out a frustrated sigh as she looked up at the ceiling as if the answers to everything that bothered her were hidden in the panels above.

She sighed when her thoughts drifted back to her conversation with Margaret earlier. It had left her feeling guilty about hiding Samantha from

Derek

It was true that one of the reasons she had returned to Ludus had been to find Samantha's father- not because she wanted a relationship with him, but because she wanted to find out if he would be interested

in meeting and knowing his daughter since that was the fair and logical thing to do, but after finding out who he was that plan had changed.

Although she tried to convince herself that she was doing it for Samantha's sake to protect her from the drama that the revelation would bring. deep down she knew she was doing it to

to protect herself.

What would be do if she told him about Samantha She mused and then smiled since she could imagine Derek insisting on being a part of their Tres. That was just the kind of person he was.

She allowed herself to daydream for some time, thinking about being with Derek and Samantha as a family. She could imagine how happy Samantha would be and imagine them getting along. She was also thing she wanted was to come between him and his parents whom he loved so much.

start enough to know his family wouldn't let something like that happen. Not after how she ended things with Michael And the last

Shaking her head she decided to face reality and get back to work. Derek was never going to be hers, so there was no re meless daydreams

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