The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter

16

As evening approached, Evelyn busied herself with preparations to move them out of the Stone Palace Hotel to some other Hotel away from Derek.

She doubted that by going to check out apartments over the weekend she would be able to move immediately into one, so it was better they moved to a different hotel for the time being. Samantha watched her curiously as she packed their bags, sensing the change but not understanding it.

Evelyn tried to keep things light, but the tension was palpable.

"Mommy, are we traveling again?" Samantha asked after watching for some time.

"No, darling. We are not traveling. Tomorrow Mommy is going to move you to a more comfortable place," Evelyn said, flashing her a smile.

"But I like it here. Aunt Maya likes it too," Samantha protested, and Evelyn paused to look at her.

"I'm sure you do, pumpkin, but doesn't mommy's feelings count too?" Evelyn asked with a playful pout and Samantha sighed.

"Will the new place have a playground?" She asked hopefully.

"I'm sorry, darling, I don't think so, Evelyn admitted since she had a policy of not lying to her daughter.

Samantha's face fell, breaking Evelyn's heart. Evelyn reached out a hand to her and when Samantha took it, she drew her to sit on her lap, "We won't be there for long, I promise. And once we move to our own place, I will make sure you can visit the nearest parks often and we can even go to the amusement park together," Evelyn promised.

Samantha looked up into her face, "Before then, can I go play at the playground?"

"No..."

looking at

resist, Evelyn sighed. What harm could come from letting her play

at her and know who she was. And she doubted

everything, Evelyn decided. As long as he doesn't see

that you

asked since she was

he is not a stranger"" Evelyn said, still assuming

she got down from Evelyn's lap and ran over to Maya's room to inform her that they could go to the

her go, "Make sure you are

the playground, Samantha sighted Derek and let go

called out

little girl's voice and he smiled when he recognized

crouched down as she got close to him, "Hey, Sam! How are you doing?" He asked, and Maya who had been coming to get hold of her, let her be but stood a few

excitedly.

lots of fun at the

said we are leaving tomorrow so I might not see you again, she

since this was the third time he had seen her already even if it was only the second time he was talking to her. "Will you play with me?"

Derek asked, amused, "What about

I don't have a daddy," she said, and Derek smiled as he

funny way to make a child feel special, he

and handle my little business, and then I will meet you at the

cool?" He asked and she held