The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Back at the hotel, Evelyn was in a daze as she stumbled into her suite. She was relieved when she saw that Maya and Samantha weren't in, meaning they were probably at the playground already. How did this happen? She asked herself.

How did that stranger from six years ago end up to be Derek Stone? What in the name of coincidences was this? What was she supposed to do now about her official assignment? She couldn't stay here. She couldn't keep living in this hotel, especially considering the fact that he owned the place.

What if he ran into her and Samantha? What if he took one look at Samantha and realized she was his daughter? No way. She couldn't let that happen, Evelyn thought, beginning to panic as she picked up her phone and dialed Maya's line.

"Return to the suite with Samantha at once," she ordered, sounding harsher than she meant.

As she paced around her suite, she thought about giving her boss, Susan, a call to inform her that she would not be able to handle the assignment, and as such it should be given to someone else. She paused when she suddenly recalled her last conversation with Susan before she was sent to Ludus.

"The management decided on you and Wes, and to be honest, most of them are leaning towards Wes. But I think you deserve this opportunity. I've seen you put in the work. I've seen your passion for the job. I admire your resilience and drive. And that is why I want to give you a chance to prove yourself to the management," Susan had said.

"How?" Evelyn had asked, wondering what else she could do to prove herself if her work for the past four years wasn't proof enough.

"You will be sent to Ludus on probation. And you have one major task that will determine if you will be promoted to the position of editor-in-chief or not," Susan had stated in simple terms. "What is the task?" Evelyn had asked, her voice and enthusiasm dropping a notch as she leaned forward in her seat.

"We want to feature the elusive billionaire CEO and most eligible bachelor in Ludus, Derek Stone, in our next issue. If you can secure an interview with him and land the cover story, the position in Ludus is yours," Susan had said.

Evelyn sighed now, 'Susan would be so disappointed, she thought, not knowing how to go about telling Susan now that she wasn't up for it.

She wanted the promotion. She needed it. But at what cost? Could she really risk staying here when Derek Stone could so easily discover Samantha's existence?

Was there even a possibility of her convincing him to do the interview?

She looked up when the door opened, and Samantha ran in. "Mommy! You're back early," Samantha said as she embraced her, and she crouched down to look at her daughter.

Looking into her face, she could see the resemblance to Derek, no matter how little.

What was she going to do about this mess? Evelyn mused.

Away from there, after leaving Derek's office, Michael walked into his office and pulled out his phone to update Sandra on his latest accomplishment.

She picked up on the second ring, her voice tinged with curiosity. "What's up? Has she left? Did you find out what she was there for? Did you follow her?" Sandra asked the moment she received the call. She had been worried ever since Mike informed her of Evelyn's return. Although she had not planned for things to play out the way they did six years ago, she had been happy when Evelyn left and had hoped that Evelyn would never return. That way, all that belonged to Evelyn, especially the family magazine, which was Evelyn's birthright, would be here.

"Slow down with the questions. And yes to all your questions. I followed her and found out where she's staying and what she came to do at the company," Michael said before going on to recount his findings for the day, detailing Evelyn's stay at The Stone's Palace Hotel and her purpose at Stone Corp.

Hearing that Evelyn was working with another magazine did little to reassure Sandra. Now that Evelyn was back in the country, she couldn't shake off her insecurity. She feared she might lose her place there if Evelyn decided to return home and make peace with her father.

She had to find a way to make sure Evelyn never got her hand on it ever again. She decided.

"Alright. Let's talk later," she said distractedly, but Michael spoke up again before she could hang up.

"You should know I spoke to Derek about it. I mean inviting him to the anniversary party," he explained, and this time, a smile curled up on Sandra's face at the mention of that.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"You've done well. You are so reliable, Mike. How about we meet after work later so you can tell me all the details in person?" Sandra asked in a suggestive tone, and Michael smiled. "Of course. See you later then," he said before hanging up.

Michael leaned back in his chair, a sense of anticipation mingling with his satisfaction. Meeting Sandra later would allow him to elaborate on his conversation with Derek, and they would plan their next steps. He felt a growing excitement at the thought of their meeting, knowing that together, they could navigate not only the challenges Evelyn might pose but also a way forward in their plan for Derek. As Sandra dropped her phone, she contemplated her next move. First, she was going to try to get Derek to do an exclusive interview with them since it was obvious that Evelyn wanted that.

Next, she was going to find a way to paint Evelyn in a negative light and make her seem even more rebellious than she already was in front of their parents. Doing that should be easy, seeing as Evelyn had chosen to work for a rival magazine, Sandra mused.

If only her mother were like other stepmoms and was not a miss goody two shoes, then it would have been easier to have all that was Evelyn's, but no. Her mother just had to act like a goddamned fucking saint.