The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

As Derek stirred awake, he rolled over, reaching out instinctively, but his hand met only cool sheets.

Groggily, he opened his eyes, blinking against the sunlight.

When he saw that the other side of the bed was empty, he sat up, the remnants of sleep clinging to him, and looked around the quiet room.

He glanced at the clock on the nightstand - it was eight in the morning. He frowned, running a hand through his tousled hair.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, planting his feet on the plush carpet.

He stood, stretching, and took a slow lap around the suite. Her clothes were gone, he noticed. The only trace of her was the subtle fragrance that still hung in the air.

Her scent lingered in the room, a faint, tantalizing reminder of her presence.

He remembered the night vividly: the intensity, the passion, the way her presence had ignited something in him. But now, she was gone.

Frustration gnawed at him. He had just returned to the country the previous day, and the jet lag had hit him hard. He had slept more soundly than he had in weeks, and in his deep sleep, he hadn't heard her leave.

Derek grabbed his phone from the nightstand and dialed his driver. It rang twice before the familiar voice answered. "Good morning, Mr. Stone."

"The lady from yesterday, is her car still parked outside?" Derek asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

"No, sir," the driver replied. "I didn't see the car when I got here an hour ago."

He cursed under his breath, thanking the driver before hanging up. He paced the room, his mind racing:

He had no way of finding her, no clue about who she was or where she had gone. The realization only added to his frustration.

a deep breath, forcing

was nothing he could do about it now but hope that somehow she would

he headed to the bathroom to shower and shave. The hot water did little to ease the tension in his muscles. His thoughts kept drifting

stepped out of the shower and toweled off, his

dressed meticulously, choosing a crisp white shirt and a tailored suit. As he was fastening his cufflinks, his phone rang. It

Mom," he greeted, holding the phone between his ear and shoulder

alright? I just

fine. I wasn't hurt,"

need to come home," she said, her voice tinged

echoed, confused. "What about

There won't be a wedding," she

bride jilted your cousin. The

cufflink forgotten. "What

have no idea," his

will explain everything

be there soon," he said,

in the mirror, his mind reeling. The bride had jilted his cousin? This day was turning out to be far

glance around the room, he left the suite,

out the window as the driver drove him to his family home, his

she? Why had she left without a word? And what on

his mother met him at the

said, pulling

on?"

sighed. "Let's go to the study. Your dad is there," she said, and

Michael being jilted?" Derek asked as soon